leslienicolephoto

I'll be saving up for this. ;-) It's meant for studio work, so the weight is fine. I have a lighter old Bogen that I use as well.

I've been perusing a lot of food photography blogs lately and a popular tripod set up is a Manfrotto 058b Triaut , the Manfrotto Jr. Geared Head, and the Manfrotto 131B Side Arm.

Never thought about this - thanks for pointing it out!

So, an update to my original question. I've discovered that the answer is Both! I haven't been using this light pad for long so still learning what works. Today, I had both a gladiolus (big - long) to photograph, so I wanted the entire A3 size light pad in the viewfinder. If I used my macro lens, I had to extend my tripod to it's highest and not only could I still not get all the light pad in the view finder, it was also not a very convenient set up and my tripod was much less stable. (I'm using an old Bogen. I need a bigger studio tripod.) It was much better to use the 24-70mm for that shot. I also wanted to photograph a single rose - just the flower. This smaller item - it was better to use my macro. To get the same crop with the 24-70mm, I would be too close to the lightpad and blocking some of the light and also not a very convenient distance. I've been reading a lot of food photography blogs lately as they are often shooting down. Turns out the 24-70mm is a very popular lens with food photographers - as well as the nifty fifty (may have to look into that lens as well!)

Good point about being able to tell quality differences from lo-resolution photos. I was referring more to the artistic characteristics of her images. It’s a mistake for me to think that getting a “better” lens will suddenly also make my artistic compositions better. ;-) Although certain technical considerations are helpful like background blur possible with a certain lens. If she is getting beautifully composed, lit, gorgeous DOF images with the same equipment I have, then I have some work to do that has nothing to do with my equipment. :-)

I just bought a new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM. I almost bought a used one for 300 euros, but for only 150 euros more I get a brand new lens with warranty. I'm going to sell my 60mm for around 200 euros, so my new 100mm macro will only cost me around 250 euros. I'm still interested in the 180mm, but the investment will be considerably more so I want to rent it first to be sure it would serve a purpose beyond what I can do with the 100mm. Thank you to all who contributed to the post. It's so generous of you all to put the time into such thoughtful and knowledgeable replies. It really helped me in thinking through this decision. Happy photographing!

Thanks so much for your input paddler4. I've learned so much from everyone's input on this post. Yesterday, I got my sales report and realized I have the money that I could buy the 180mm. I was itching to jump online and buy it - but it is quite a bit of money, so I paused to think some more. I'm going to hold off for several reasons. 1. As you state, I think I should try it before I buy. I will rent it for a week and try it out to make sure it's a lens I truly love and need. 2. I spent time last night looking at the portfolios of people I admire. One woman who's work I love (Mandy Disher) uses a Canon 5D MKIII with the 100mm L - but she used to use the 7D with the 60mm macro and guess what - those images were just as nice! So, I think until I can take (outdoor) flower macros as nice as hers with the 7D, 60mm then I'm probably not justified in getting the 180mm. (Note: I can take quite nice outdoor floral macros - but hers are works of beauty.) 3. I read the reviews on Ken Rockwell and he also states that the 60mm macro is a superb lens just as good as the L lenses. He also confirms that the 100mm non-L macro is just as good as the L version, it just doesn't have the IS, which he says isn't all that useful for moving flowers and bugs anyway. I can pick up the 100 non L version used for around $300! Maybe I should sell the 60mm to buy the 100mm.

I want to thank you all for your generous input into helping me understand my options. It's been invaluable.

What about this used Gitzo? It's half the price of retail.

I just got my sales report for last month and I think I do have a budget for getting a decent system. OK, I mean the lower end of good pro level. Any recommendations?

Just watched some YouTube videos. One video compared the Manfrotto 190 to the K&F. It was very interesting to actually see them together. The Manfrotto 190 is much bigger and looks sturdier. The K&F has had a lot of very good reviews actually, but I'm very hesitant. The price is very appealing and I could always use it as a travel / 2nd tripod, but I am considering your point that if I end up buying again later, it's actually added to my overall budget. In the short term, I need a solution to be able to use my 5D MKIII with the cobbled together system I currently use. This would mean either buying a different head for my monopod "side arm" or a Really Right Stuff L brackett - if I can find it in France - which would be at least $180. I could put a very basic monopod head on that would probably work for a temporary solution. This might be the way to go while I research and figure out what to do next.

You've put it very succinctly, William. It's come to a point for me that not having the 180mm macro has become a pain point. It was a revelation to me this month that I wasn't enjoying photographing close-ups outdoors with the equipment I have or getting what I wanted without jumping through hoops and very often not even then. I know you can always "rock the lens you have", but there's also a time to decide that it's worth the investment to get the lens that will best serve the purpose. Thanks for the advice on the 100 L vs non-L. I want to eventually get both the 180mm and the 100mm L. I think the 180mm is going to be my next target though.

Everyone's advice has really helped. I've never bought a tripod before so I've never had to think about it. This Bogen was given to me around 26 years ago and it's served me well and still works great for me overall. I don't think swapping heads is viable or convenient with this tripod, so I want to just leave it alone and get an additional tripod. I've spend days reading various things online. In the long run, I want to buy a sturdy tripod with the Manfrotto 131DB Arm and a new tripod head. However, I really don't want to spend the $500 or more right now on a tripod. I'm thinking of keeping my eye out for a used Gitzo heavy tripod on Ebay and then get the Manfrotto sidearm and a new head. In the short term though, I need something to be able to work shooting overhead and I need something inexpensive. I'm thinking of getting one of these lower end tripods that have an extending arm My friend who shoots the same type things I do with the same equipment has a K&F Concept tripod and she loves it. I've also been perusing food photographer blogs and this tripod is very popular in that niche as a starter tripod. Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod These tripods have pretty much the same specs, but the Manfrotto is more expensive. Are you paying for the brand name with Manfrotto? I don't know how long K&F have been around, but maybe they are selling for less to get into the market? Any advice appreciated.

I saw a video on this and it looks fantastic, but RSS is really expensive. The quick change clamp alone is I think 200 euros. Then I have to buy the plates for each camera and a head... Not in my budget right now.

I just did a search and I'm not the only one that can't get the 3047 head off the tripod! Yikes that thing is like it's soldered on there. I've read numerous forum posts of people who can't get their 3047 heads off even when the screws are taken out.