Confused about tripods!

[steve nunn]

Help! I am getting so confused about tripods and tripod heads. I would like to buy a good quality, light (carbon fibre) tripod and a decent head that will allow me to easily switch between portrait and landscape (are these called 3 way heads?) I also want it to be quick release. I want the flexibility to get to virtually ground level (so no central column) I use a 10D and battery grip and my largest lens is the 100-400. I would love to trade up to a 500 f4 in the future.

Looking is various places the Gitzo 1325 seems to be well regarded. Would this suit my set up? What head should I buy to go with it?

Last question - where is the cheapest place to buy tripods.

My budget is up to £400.

[mdr]

Check out the Gitzo Explorer range and their off centre ball heads. This will suit your setup very well, and is well within your budget.

[IanD]

Steve,
Your choice of the Gitzo 1325 is dead on for a light, stiff tripod. The 1325 is by far the choice of wildlife photographers using long glass. (check out www.naturescapes.com) It is a very expensive tripod and if budget is restricted after buying a proper ball head, then look at the alu version, the Gitzo 1340. Both are 3 sections, stiffer than a 4 section tripod, and very stiff, a good thing. There is no center column which under certain circumstances can be a handicap, but the added rigidity is worth it.
As for heads, with your current lenses, look at the ball heads from Kirk (BH-1) Markins (M-20) and Accra (M-1). When you purchase the 500 prime, you will need a gimbal type head. Wimberley make a Sidekick which will change your ball head into a gimbal mount. It works exceenenly well and is a charm on the 500. Many of the lesser ball heads suffer from "creep" which is the lens moving after you have framed your subject and locked down the head. Very annoying. The ball heads from the above companies are rock solid and worth every penny IMHO.
You will have thousnads of dollars being supported by your tripod. Get the best you can afford.

[steve nunn]

Thanks very much for the advice