Finally Taking the Plunge/ Is this a good choice?

[Steelydad]

I posted as the "Tripod Virgin" in April, seeking advice on quality, relatively lower priced tripods and heads. I am heading over to a large NYC photo retailer today and am inclined to buy a BM 190CX3 tripod and a BM 486RC2 compact ball head. I am currently using a 20D, canon 17-85, tamron 70 200. Is this a good choice? Prob will use for macro, landscape, portraits. I also have a point and shoot, Pana sonic LX5, that I will use on the tripod. Will I need to buy an additional plate to attach it to the tripod?

[mikekelley]

Good choices, but while you are there check out the 055cx line as well as the 488rc2 ballhead. Very similar but still worth a consideration.

[krb]

I started with the 190 and 486 combo. If the 190 is tall enough for you then it's a good choice.

For the ballhead I strongly recommend getting the 488. The design of the tension wheel makes it tension 'just right' and the separate panning adjustment makes it possible to swivel the camera without leaving the ballhead itself so loose the camera flops around.

[Steelydad]

Thanks for the advice. I bought the 486 before seeing your comments. I may return it and buy the 488 before I use it.