I think I solved my tripod/angled center column dilemma (fingers crossed)!

[Dr Croubie]

I don't know how long my arm is, and i'm too lazy to go get a tape measure. It's 2 hand widths near enough, so 40-45cm.
I'm certainly impressed by the quality of my Vanguard, especially seeing as i hadn't really heard of vanguard before I started looking in december All the shops around here carry a lof of manfrotto, a few token Sliks and that's it. Only one stocked a few Vanguards, but not this model. Arca Swiss is unheard of in this country pretty much, thank god for B+H.

Here's a replication of a shot i was doing the other day (just use you imagination, pretend it's outside and there's a bug on a leaf under the lens, i'm not going outside to replicate it because i'm home sick from work today and don't want to get worse)

[ddt0725]

I had the ring flash and grew real tired of editing out the ring catchlights! The only time it looked good was when I wanted to make a spider look freaky!

[Sheiky]

Me too Denise I prefer a flash bracket with a diffused flash (430/580 kind) over the macro ring flash. It's somewhat bigger and less handy, but it gives way better lighting.