Though a few grams heavier than some options, for pure flexibility and speed of use this is completely unrivaled. Nothing fiddly, nothing to cause hesitation when you need to be fast and efficient.
The robust design is super-rugged, the legs can stand deep in the mud or river without getting gritty and needing deep cleaning. There are no feet to lose, no adjustable clamps or locks to meddle with and the big controls easily handled when cold, wet or when wearing gloves.
I use this by default for more or less everything not on a flat man-made surface. For out and about in nature it is invaluable.
It sacrifices a little stability but not much, not the tripod for the 600mm lens in a strong wind at full height for example.

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I have matched this to the Koolehaode E2 36mm Panoramic Ball Head. Absolute stability and easy of use with very flexible, fast and precise friction control.

I have replaced the included arca-swiss clamp with a larger heavier unit.

With the panoramic head combination gives this unbeatable flexibilit and adaptability.

Very lightweight and extra rigid, this can hold the biggest lens in a wind.

It also has the flexibility and multi angle capability of the Benbo but not as fast or environment proof. It is however with the extra stability my goto indoor macro and studio tripod.

I stress that this can meet 80% of the flexibility of the Benbo this means it is always a backup and can cover when saving weight is paramount. The column can still rotate through 90°, the twist leg locks are fast effective and don't snag on everything the way lever clamps do.

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I have matched this to the Koolehaode E3 45mm Ball Head. Absolute stability and easy of use with very flexible, fast and precise friction control able to carry and control the heaviest lenses with comfort.

I have replaced the included arca-swiss clamp with a larger heavier unit.

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When a tripod is too big or bulky to carry around but handolding along is tiring or insufficient stability, a monopod is the way to go.

This is a large leg section heavy duty 4 section rig which can easily hold any lens, it more or less lives in the car so is alwys there as an option.

In my mind this is invaluable for long lens work and it does go up mountains with me.

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I have matched this to the Koolehaode E3 45mm Ball Head. Absolute stability and easy of use with very flexible, fast and precise friction control.

I have replaced the included arca-swiss clamp with a larger heavier unit.

I only use ball heads on my tripods and monopod, the limitation of a ballhead is inherent in its advantages, where will it all go if not secure, whilst being able to point anywhere; the friction control is the key, it must be fast reliable, repeatable and accessible. The range I use are remarkably low cost but are way ahead of several much more expoensive heads I've used.

The level lock is quick easy and sensitive whils being strong. The bulk are an opitmum here with a compact overall size for the size of the actual ball. Some very high price units are massive and clumsy compraed to these, this on a like for like performance basis.
For images see the tripods above

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Macro is a specialised area of photography an has specialised lenses to suit. There are many different constraints and the quality of the lens is a considerable factor in the flexibility of subjects available to you.

This Tokina lens is really in the top end of performance.

On an APS-C camera it is a 160mm macro meaning more distance is possible between the lens and subject si reducing shadow risk and just scaring off the subject.

The very flat field of view and f2.8 aperture also makes this a top quality portrait lens.

Another example where the quality of the lens is really amazing. This lens is very sharp, excellent contrast and near parfocal, (focus doesn't change while focussing), this is normally only found in much more expensive lenses.

There is no optical stabilisation, but tell me when this makes a difference with such a wide angle lens, in short it doesn't 99.9% of the time.

For street shooting and landscapes this is superb.

One of a really remarkable pair of lenses. This lens is tiny and very lightweight. Being barely bigger than a body cap it can really go anywhere.

Optical performance is not lost, as with all lenses here the priority was and is sharpness and image quality.

When I'm climbing mountains or having to travel very light this is in the bag.

The focal length is just into the portrait range but f2.8 is a little narrow at this focal length for strong background separation, for people in open spaces and landscapes. A really ideal lens for the applications I demand of it.

One of a really remarkable pair of lenses. This lens is tiny and very lightweight. Being barely bigger than a body cap it can really go anywhere.

Optical performance is not lost, as with all lenses here the priority was and is sharpness and image quality.

When I'm climbing mountains or having to travel very light this is in the bag.

The focal length is the equvalent of 35mm so provides wide angle with natural proportions for street scene as well as being great for landscapes, it is perfect at what it does and at it's price should be in every bag instead of a body cap.