“The right tools make the difference” – I have used a similar subject line in email blasts promoting products for work.  Because it’s true.  It doesn’t matter what industry / activity we are discussing – the right tools make a difference.  A task can be made easier and more efficient to complete.

I know this but I don’t live by those rules.  I do without until it becomes painfully obvious it’s time to invest in myself.  Last Friday I announced to my coworker Sam, that this is the month I will buy a quality tripod.  His facial expression said it all.  He knows how much I use my camera – it seems obvious I’d have a quality tripod by now.

A trip to Arlington Camera (across the planet) resulted in a very expensive transaction but I’ve never felt happier about spending a fortune.

I have proof below.

The tripod is a Manfrotto – a brand I trust because I use one at work.  But this tripod has a ball head (makes it easy to rotate to any angle) and a quick release (makes it easy to attach and detach the camera).  I could give all the boring specs and details.  Instead I will show you what the tripod helped me produce today.

I gleefully set up my tripod – though figuring out all the knobs took some time.  But the moment I took the photo I knew I was hooked.  A quality tripod makes a world of difference.  Could I have taken the photo without the tripod?  Yes.  I’ve taken plenty of beetle/bug/insect/critter photos with success.  But the tripod holds the camera steadier than my hands and enables me to use a variety of f-stop settings I wouldn’t bother to attempt without a tripod.

In conclusion:  Invest in yourself and buy the right tools.

Camera:  Big Bertha (Canon EOS 5D Mark II)
Lens:  My beloved 100 mm macro lens (Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L macro IS)
Equipment:  Manfrotto MK190XPRO3-BHQ2 Tripod
Location:  Bob Woodruff Park
Date:  May 2016