Really Right
Stuff TVS-33 (series three) Tripod
Tripods
Tripods are key for close-up and macro work, specially if we stack
focus. Hand-held close-up (much less macro) photography work is
difficult at best. There are those who do it, but few successfully.
There are even some wild photographers who stack focus
handheld, but they remind me of the little kid on the bike shouting
out "Look Ma, no hands!"
Most close work is manually focused and done on a tripod, so
having a good tripod is important. If you are in a studio, a good,
strong, heavy tripod does not have to be too expensive, but for field
work we want a tripod that is sturdy and light, a contradiction in
terms. Translation: expensive.
I have gathered a small flock of tripods over the years. The tripod I
like the best is one of the Series-3 tripods from Really Right Stuff,
with 3-section legs. It is comparatively light, solid, and works well.
Three-section legs are stronger than four-section legs, plain and
simple. The only reason for four-section legs is compactness. I also
have bunch of Gitzo carbon-fiber tripods and one Gitzo mono-pod.
They work well, but are difficult to clean (which is true of most