For most of my insect macro shots with the Canon 100mm F2.8, for support and steadying, I use a 1.8 metre wooden dowel that I purchased from Bunnings. I think it is 1.25 inches in diameter.

By holding the pole in my left hand with camera pressed against it, I can relax my grip to slide the camera up and down and then tighten my grip to “lock” it in place.

Using this technique I can tilt and pan as well to chase the insect as it moves.

I always use AF on the lens. If I use my Canon MPE-65 which is manual focus only, I mount it on a tripod as my keeper rate with the pole plummets but I am then restricted to shooting more static insects with a good margin of luck.

I do have the BenBo (BentBolt) tripod and I find it fiddly to adjust for moving subjects and the locking handle /mechanism slips (not surprisingly) with a ball head, 5D, 100mm lens and speedlite parked at the end of the centre column when close to horizontal and fully extended.

Cheers

Dennis