Re: [GWL]: Tripods for garden photography

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Dear Jane

Just over a year ago I started using a Benbo tripod. I carry it everywhere now and think it's great.

The legs and central pole can, indeed, get your camera into just about any position you need - although sometimes shots wit the camera very close to the ground can be tricky.

Arranging the legs - and even folding them up again to get the tripod back in its carrier bag - legs take a bit of getting used to, but you soon get the hang of it.

However, once you've figured it out, the Benbo Trekker is easy to use. It also fulfils the criteria of being light enough to lug about and yet robust enough to take a few knocks and hold a camera steady.

On the down-side: I had a video-head when I first got it, but a pin in this broke which means that I can't now tighten a bolt and lock the camera into position. Since that incident, I've used the ball and socket joint with no problems.

Also, I tend to photograph a lot of wildflowers on rough ground here in south Italy. The Benbo is ideal for this as, like I said, you can get the legs into any situation you like. However, I once moved the whole tripod/camera arrangement from one such rocky sloe to a relatively flat path. Naturally, the legs weren't all set for a level surface and, as I turned away, the whole contraption keeled over. My camera took a bang and is still jammed (fortunately it was an old, second-choice camera). In most garden situations, this should be less of a problem.

In summary - good tripod, which takes a bit of getting used to (including the stares from the locals here, where shooting season is now upon us!).