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Spring is upon us - part 2 of 1 2 3 4 5 6

by Jon Ashton Published 01/06/2012

Tripod head

Let's assume we have got the camera lens and tripod, the next thing to consider is the tripod head. I think there is some considerable room for manoeuvre here, probably the deciding factor will be the depth of your pocket. According to Manfrotto's website "Manfrotto's 405 Pro Digital Geared Head is designed especially to meet the more exacting, timesensitive needs of today's busy professional digital photographers who shoot with medium format or 35mm camera/back payloads up to 16.5lbs.

The 405 utilizes large, easy-to-grip knobs that provide smooth, positive, geared control through 360° pan and +90° - 30° frontal and lateral tilt. In addition to its 3-D geared functions, the 405 also incorporates a unique feature that allows you to instantly disengage the gears and rough position the camera by hand, then instantly reengage them for ultraprecise final alignment". I have highlighted the last few words, it is this last adjustment in terms of macro composition that results in a winner, as opposed to a highly commended image. Your editor has a 405 and says it is one of the best things he ever bought!

Having said that, both he and I have managed in previous years with a variety of heads ranging from ball and socket, to pan and tilt. Strangely enough I have standardised on my Mongoose head, (it is a lightweight gimbal-type head) the reason being that when I went to The Gambia I needed to minimise weight so I bought the Arca Swiss Plate for my 180mm macro lens, and zoom lens; this meant I could go from 180mm macro to 100-400mm zoom to 500mm telephoto using the same tripod and head; shorter lenses I hand-held. I would urge anyone with a gimbal head to try it for macro work, I find mine very manoeuvrable and fast to use.

Ball and socket heads are very quick and relatively light, the main drawback with them is the inability to readily make fine adjustments - this of course is where the geared head excels, I make no apology for mentioning this twice.

The weather

Breezy weather is probably one of the most irritating problems for the macro photographer, there are several ways to deal with this:
1. Wait until the breeze drops
2. Employ a cover or cloche of some description
3. Anchor the subject
4. Take the subject indoors

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Contact Jon Ashton

1st Published 01/06/2012
last update 18/07/2022 16:31:48

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