Uni-Loc Minor 1700 for Macro?

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Pmatt - 22 Nov 2004 16:17 GMT

Does anybody have experience using the Uni-Loc Minor 1700 System tripod for
1:1 macro photography? I played around a bit with the aluminum Gitzo
Explorer 2220 in a store and found two major problems with it -- first,
because there is no joint in the arm, when using the arm extended
horizontally, and especially horizontally and down, the ballhead is in an
unnatural position, and it is a battle to get the camera positioned where
you want it. Second, with the arm extended all the way, at 1:1 magnification
I could watch the image vibrate for about 10 seconds every time I touched
the camera.

I have been reading about the Uni-Loc, which sounds intriguing. The joint in
the arm sounds it would definitely solve the first problem (though does
having the joint as far back as it is make it awkward for ground level
work?). But since it also has an aluminum arm, I wonder whether it would be
any more stable than the Gitzo?

Also, the much lower weight of the 1700 is very appealing. But is it
significantly less stable than the heavier ones? Note that I am currently
using a Nikon D70 with a 60mm micro lens, so it is not a very heavy combo at
all. I don't anticipate ever buying a heavier body, though I might move up
to a 200mm micro lens at some point.

-- Matt
http://www.imageevent.com/pmattf

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Nicholas O. Lindan - 22 Nov 2004 21:53 GMT

> System tripod for 1:1 macro photography?

Well, it depends on what you are taking pics of.

For outdoor flowers still attached to the rooted plant (er, ethical
flower pictures?) the choice is small.

> Gitzo Explorer 2220 in a store ... aluminum arm ... the ballhead
> is in an unnatural position ... the image vibrate[s] for about
> 10 seconds every time I touched the camera.

I am assuming the arm is ~24" long and ~1.25" dia.

I haven't gone back and consulted Rourke on stress and strain
so everything I say should be taken with a pinch of pepper.

There are two problems that are resulting in the shaking you
are seeing:

1) The fixing of the beam to the leg assembly and the leg assembly
itself are not strong/stiff enough. What you have is
a 24" wrench handle hooked to the legs: give the wrench just the
smallest nudge and you know the legs will twist. If you want to
get rid of this problem you would probably want (or not want) to
implant 10" of the column in a large concrete block

2) The aluminum arm is not stiff enough. I can't say what the
size should be, so that even with a concrete block for an anchor
you will be not be disappointed, but a 3" tube would be about right.

For the correct commercial solution:

Look at a studio camera stand, the thing with the 8 ft column and
a 2 foot I-beam sticking out the side. That's the sort of thing
you need. Remember, an SLR produces more of a slap then the leaf
shutter used in a view camera and these are used a lot with
view cameras, also with 'blads.

> Does anybody have experience using the Uni-Loc Minor 1700

I have a Benbo. Worse than the Gitzo. Predecessor to the Uni-Loc.
I thought it would be great for awkward and close to the ground
shots but the thing is so unsteady as to be just about useless.

> The joint in the arm ...

... is going to make it really shaky.

So: What To Do?

As I said, the choice is small.

The best I have found is a table top tripod. I have one little
bitty thing used to hold a child's toy telescope. Works really
well as it is surpassingly stiff - made from cast iron, though.
Get thee to a yard sale. I use a Stroboframe ball head on top.

My second choice is the largest Gitzo I can shove in there. If
I put in a short column and spread the legs out spider fashion
I can get within 6" off the ground.

> I am using a Nikon D70 with a 60mm micro lens, so it is not a
> very heavy combo at all. I don't anticipate ever buying a heavier body,
> [famous last words, ed.] though I might move up to a 200mm micro lens
> [a heavier lens, ed.] at some point.

If all sources of vibration can be eliminated: electronic only shutter;
MLU; pre stop-down; no wind; electronic shutter release, then it does
not matter how wobbly the tripod is if you wait long enough for vibration
to die down.

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Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
Remove spaces etc. to reply: n o lindan at net com dot com
psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/

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