Regardless of what you like to photograph, you’ll need the necessary tools to produce the best possible results. Since I specialize in field macro photography, I prefer to minimize the amount of gear in my bag. I’m picky about what I bring with me, but I still need to be prepared. Having the right accessories can ensure camera stability, help with tricky angles, improve lighting, and more. Here are some must-have accessories that can improve hit rates and take your macro photography to the next level.
Secure Your Position
Macro photography leaves very little room for error. Even the tiniest amount of camera movement will be magnified. Missing focus by the slightest bit can ruin a result. It’s critical to get your camera (and yourself) into a secure position before releasing the shutter.
Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO Travel Aluminum Tripod
I love the freedom of handheld shooting, but a good tripod can be a lifesaver. The Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO Travel Aluminum Tripod is an excellent, lightweight travel companion. It collapses to less than 17” in length and weighs just 4.4 pounds. It can be used nearly flat to the ground for low angles that are often needed in the field. One of the biggest restrictions when using a tripod for macro photos of live subjects is being stuck in an almost-fixed position. As its name suggests, the Befree GT XPRO provides an impressive degree of freedom. You can use its 90º center-column system to offset your camera’s mounted position, rotate, and slide back and forth to achieve the desired angle. When your camera is center-mounted in a more traditional manner, the ball head allows you to quickly and effortlessly reposition.
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head
If portability is the top priority, it’s hard to beat Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head. I’ve been a huge Peak Design fan for many years. The company always seems to keep usability at the heart of what they do. They did exactly that with this travel tripod. I remember how excited I was to get an early look at it at the 2019 PhotoPlus Expo in New York. It did not disappoint. This tripod packs down to only 15.5” long and feels featherlight at just 3.4 pounds.
It also sets up and stows quickly so you don’t have to fumble around while your opportunity at a shot disappears. If you need to get low (like really low), try reversing the center column to go inverted. This is a major advantage for macro. While it can’t support quite as much weight as some larger alternatives, its 20-pound limit is more than enough to support compact cameras like my OM SYSTEM OM-1.
Manfrotto 454 Positioning Plate
When absolute precision is required — whether for a single shot or a focus bracketed series — you’re going to want equipment that you can trust. The Manfrotto 454 Positioning Plate will let you precisely adjust position without disconnecting and reconnecting to your tripod. It has finger-tip control for ultra-fine positioning. Although, it also allows for fast attachment thanks to its simple lock-release lever. At less than one pound, you’ll barely notice this plate in your bag.
Really Right Stuff Macro 150 Focusing Rail
The Really Right Stuff Macro 150 Focusing Rail is purpose-built for the fine-focus adjustments needed with high-magnification macro. This rail is great for shooting those ultra-precise series with perfectly stepped focus. The Macro 150 offers smooth operation with a large lead screw knob, a clutch release button for quick positioning of stage, and a zeroing dial for fast, accurate focus stacking. You can forget about guesswork thanks to the lead screw. It has a 1 mm. pitch, meaning one revolution of the knob equals exactly 1 mm. of travel.
Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Magic Arm
If you want even more freedom from a mounted camera, give the Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Magic Arm a try. The Magic Arm attaches to a clamp such as the Manfrotto 035 Super Clamp without Stud so it can be affixed to almost any stand. It extends to over 20”, holds up to 6.6 pounds, and allows for movement in virtually any direction to provide you with both stability and flexibility.
Get Your Light Right
It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, macro, or something else altogether — proper lighting is essential. My go-to light source is a hot shoe-mounted speedlight (check out the Flashpoint Zoom-Mini) with a small diffuser. Most of the time, that simple setup is sufficient to deliver the lighting I need. But what about when it isn’t?
Manfrotto 330B Macro Flash Bracket
If you want to angle the light from your flash in a very specific manner, you might consider remotely firing a flash that’s held in your hand. This can certainly work, but it can also be limiting. While you gain the flexibility of free movement, you lose the use of your left hand for valuable stability. Try the Manfrotto 330B Macro Flash Bracket to free up your hand and secure your flash, or flashes. This bracket lets you mount a flash to one or both sides of your camera. Once mounted, you can attach the entire setup to a tripod head and finetune the position of your light(s) to be exactly as you need it.
Manfrotto 32″ Halo Compact Difflector
Another tried and true lighting solution is a reflector. Reflectors are lightweight, inexpensive, easy to use, and can redirect natural light — even when the sun isn’t where you need it to be. Unfortunately, most reflectors aren’t particularly portable. Meet the Manfrotto 32″ Halo Compact Difflector. This reflector/diffuser combination packs down to just 2.5″ x 10.5″ x 2.5″ to easily fit into your camera bag. Tent-style poles can be rapidly deployed to build a rigid frame that holds the double-sided (silver and gold) difflector fabric. I always recommend diffusing sunlight for dragonfly or butterfly photos. The Halo Compact Difflector will let you diffuse and reflect. Thanks to the innovative design, you can bring a classic (and upgraded) photography tool into the field without filling your bag or feeling weighed down.
Olympus Tough TG-6 and LG-1 LED Light Guide
Although the relatively portable OM SYSTEM OM-1 is my camera of choice for macro photography, there are times when I want something that can truly go anywhere and do anything. For those occasions, I opt for my Olympus Tough TG-6. The TG-6 is best known for its ruggedness and underwater capabilities, but it also has various macro functions that offer incredible magnification up to 7x (35mm equivalent). To get the most from the TG-6’s macro functions, you can attach the LG-1 LED Light Guide. Since the TG-6 has an insanely close working distance, it can be difficult to find enough light. The LG-1 uses the camera’s built-in LED light to evenly illuminate your subject. Think of it as a miniature version of a ring light that you might use if you were shooting with a larger DSLR or mirrorless setup.
Keep It Clean
LensPen DSLR Pro Kit
I don’t know if there’s anything worse than finding out that what I thought was an amazing shot, was ruined by a dirty lens. I try to be mindful of dirt and water spots, and usually remember to clean my gear before heading out to shoot. Regardless, occasional dirt on my glass is inevitable. The LensPen DSLR Pro Kit has everything you’ll need to clear stubborn smudges from your camera and lenses, no matter where you are when you notice the issue. The kit includes one LensPen for camera lenses, a FilterKlear for lens filters, a tiny MicroPro pen for viewfinders, and a microfiber carrying pouch that doubles as a cleaning cloth. This is one of the macro photography accessories that you buy now, throw in your bag, and forget about for a while. When a need finally arises, you’ll be really thankful it’s there.
