Camera Supports Monopod Monopods are used primarily by close-up photographers for photographing insects in the field, where the use of a tripod might disturb the subject too much. A monopod can be "planted" in the ground, and rocked backwards and forwards in relation to the subject to achieve focus. Although not as stable as a tripod, monopods are certainly worth considering if you are intending to photograph insects in the field. Tripod Heads There are two main types of tripod head: the ball and socket, and pan and tilt. My own preference for close-up and macro photography is for the ball and socket, as it doesn't have any protruding arms that may get in the way, particularly when being carried in the field. It is worth investing in a large, solid ball-and-socket head, such as the Arca Swiss Monoball, to support the camera rigidly. A pan-and-tilt head enables precise positioning in one plane at a time and is perhaps better suited to studio work. Quick-release plates that screw onto the camera and are slotted into the tripod head are a very convenient and quick way of mounting the camera onto a head. There are several systems in current use, but the two main ones are the Arca Swiss, using a rectangular plate, and the Manfrotto, which uses both hexagonal and rectangular plates. One useful accessory is an L bracket, which fits underneath the camera and allows you to rotate it from a horizontal to a vertical position around the lens axis, without changing the shooting position in any way. They are manufactured for specific cameras by companies such as Kirk Enterprises, and slot into the Arca Swiss­style quick-release system. Focusing Rail When shooting close-ups it is often easier to focus by moving the whole camera backwards and forwards rather than rotating the focus ring on the lens. To help do this, focusing rails are available on to which the camera is mounted. These can then be used to make precise adjustments in the camera- to-subject distance. Several models on the market, such as the Novoflex Castel-Cross, allow adjustment in two directions. Bean Bag This rather low-tech device may prove to be invaluable in some situations. Bean bags are usually made from cloth or other fabric and filled with dried 81