Accessories for the close- up photographer’s kit bag
Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB
● £270 ● www.vanguardworld.co.uk
When you’re choosing a tripod for macro photography it’s just as important to consider how low it can go and whether the central column can be positioned horizontally as it is to consider maximum load, extendable height etc. As luck would have it, the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB delivers on all fronts. This carbon fibre tripod has a 10kg maximum load capacity, a central column that moves 360° and legs that can be splayed for ground-level shooting. Billed as a travel tripod, it folds to 46cm for portability and can be converted to a monopod.
When you need a little height, it can be extended to 146cm using twist locks.
Wildlife Watching Supplies C14.3 Standard Double Bean Bag (inc liners)
● £37 (unfilled) ● www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk
Lightweight and ready for action, beanbags can be a convenient alternative to a tripod – especially when you’re shooting on the ground. Wildlife Watching Supplies has a great range, with the C14.3 a firm favourite among photographers. This beanbag (which is suitable for lenses up to 600mm) is made of polycotton material, which grips and moulds to the shape of your gear and reduces the chances of slippage on surfaces such as car windowsills, rocks and fence posts. C14 bags can be purchased filled or empty and come in a range of sizes and patterns,
