Help me decide...

[eth3rton]

My fellow POTN users please help me decide on a Tripod. There are sooooo many. I am pretty frightened of setting up a tripod, going to walk away and hearing a thud/crash of my camera/lens hitting the ground. That said I can't spend more than $200 on a Tripod at the moment. I saw these on Amazon (prefered since I'm a Prime member. Free shipping).

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-725B-Tripod-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B000FFSDCC/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_2

http://www.amazon.com/Slik-Professional-Universal-Panhead-Panoramic/dp/B00006I5SI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1226977809&sr=1-6

If there are better ones I should consider please link me. Thanks all!

[L1TTLEgreenMAN]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496266-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

I have the manfrotto 055X w/ the 488rc2 ballhead and I love them. the 190's are pretty much the same design but in a smaller and lighter package. You can always upgrade your head to a beefier design if u need to later on. :D

[ben_r_]

I suggest the same.

[eth3rton]

Thanks!

[Kelvrick]

Are you going to be lugging these around?

I'll make things more complicated and suggest the velbon ultra series.

[eth3rton]

Thank You everyone! Finally got around to picking up this one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496266-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html). Very nice!

[RPCrowe]

200PLARCH-14 Architectural Anti-Twist Quick Release Plate with 1/4" Screw

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496266-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

This plate prevents the camera from twisting due to torque of the lens weight when you are in the portrait or vertical configuration.

When I used Bogen equipment, I had the stock plate on my telephoto which has a tripod-ring and I used the above plate on my camera body. That way, when I switched from tele to normal or wide angle lenses, I did not need to remove the plates.