2Oceans

<p>Peter, I have an Induro AT014 8M 4 section alloy tripod. It folds to 18 inches and weighs 2.5 pounds. $64 at my favorite online camera store. Its seems well made and is OK for shooting static images in no wind on good surfaces but is not a substantial tripod. I also have 3 carbon fiber Gitzo pods and 2 aluminum Gitzo pods, and a 23 year old SLIK but my Induro that I bought for traveling with a small kit works OK for a single purpose when photography is not my primary goal. I am using a Kirk BH 3 ball head. You should probably look at less expensive ball head brands such as Barska, Benro, Oben and Induro to fit your price point at around $35 to $70. Find one that is "Arca-Type Compatible" and keep the plate mounted on the camera so you are good to go when you need the tripod. I strongly recommend Arca-type compatible ball heads even for less expensive options. You have a nice kit that will challenge the stability of your tripod support but will probably work out fine with everything tightened down, good shutter speed, mirror lock up and a remote or timer. I seldom extend the 4th leg of the Induro. Hope you have a great trip. Good hunting.</p>

Doug if you are using a power chair can you gain any motorized tilt from your chair?

I would take the clamp apart and clean it. I small amount of 3 in 1 oil rubbed on the contact surfaces after its cleaned probably would do no harm. Alternatively you could give Wimberly a call for the best solution. Good hunting.

<p>With a heavy duty flex arm or boom you can make gross adjustments and adjust where the starting point begins and then do fine adjustment with the Cam Ranger tilt up 15 degrees or down 15 degrees. The side to side in not limited.</p>

Doug, the CamRanger PT Hub & MP-360 Kit has electrical rotation (pan) and up and down (tilt). Around $230. Check out their web site. I would attach the head to a boom or a heavy duty flex arm that mounts on your chair with a super clamp. I am projecting it would run around $300 total. You can find all the parts including the CamRanger at B&H. Both B&H and CamRanger should be able to give you some good advice. If you live in the New York area a trip to B&H would be worthwhile. They could help you trick out your chair for shooting. Good hunting.

<p>Tom, you just answered an important question I was not able to google tonight when I asked myself if other brand columns would work. Five years ago I needed a very short column for my Gitzo 2530 mountaineer to get to ground level. I did not trust the ground set that came with the tripod. It cost me $60 bucks but a I found a short column without the the adapter plate in the back of the store. It was discontinued. Now I think Gitzo has gotten out of the business of making short columns. I was hoping with all the different brands that there would be some cross compatibility. Thanks for sharing your discovery. I have preferred using the systematic over the mountaineer series because I can choose between columns and base plates. I generally prefer the base plate but having interchangeable columns with respective heads is actually much quicker and easier than using a strap wrench to change heads on a base plate.</p>

Tom, I have shared similar frustrations with the Gitzo product line support. You may not find what you are looking for so I agree with Edward's recommendions to consider purchasing a second complete column. You might want to look at the much more expensive Really Right Stuff leveling base that allows you to hot swap your ball head with a Wimberley or other gimbal head. The system with two plates for the ball and gimbal are well over $350. Probably less than ideal given the high cost, but you have already invested heavily in a quality tripod no doubt to support very good gear. Good hunting.

I bought the 28-300 last year. It's a nice everyday carry lens but does not compete with my 70-200 , 28-70 or fast prime glass. A professional colleague has the Canon version that is better. I think that it is probably my weakest lens. That being said it suits my needs for casual shooting warts and all. I shoot raw almost all the time so I am tied to post processing.

Rebecca, it's hard to make a bad macro lens Most of the third party lenses are very very good. You can find a used Sigma 105 that will auto focus on your D3100 at KEH for under $300 that will meet your needs but you will need to get closer to shoot what your talking about. You can purchase a manual Nikon 50mm lens and reversing ring for about $60 to go on the front of your macro that will get you real close. I like to read on subjects. The first two references are classic. Bryan Peterson is fairly prolific, and current. Manual of Close-up Photography by Lester Lefkowitz John Shaw's Closeups in Nature by John Shaw Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with Or Without a Macro Lens [Paperback] by Bryan Peterson Good hunting

Nick, I own a D3s. I would take the battery out and replace it to see if it resets. Good luck