Looking for a sturdy tripod under $150, need advice (5 options listed inside)

[996gt2]

UPDATE:

I'm considering getting the following:

Smith Victor BH8 head-$60, weighs 725g, has 40 lb load rating (has a pan lock, which the Giottos lacks):
http://www.adorama.com/SVBH8.html

OR

Giottos M7001 with 621 QR plate: $65, weighs 595g, has 13 lb load rating
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/318565-REG/Giottos_MH7001_621_M7001_Ballhead_with_Sliding.htm l#reviews

And one of the following sets of legs:

Manfrotto 190XDB-11 lb load rating, 3.5 lbs, $98
http://www.adorama.com/BG190XDB.html?searchinfo=Manfrotto+190XDB

OR

Slik 700 DX: 15 lb load rating, 5.8 lbs, $100
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/557127-REG/Slik_615_317_700DX_Pro_Tripod_Legs.html

OR

Cullmann Magnesit 525: 13.2 lb load rating, 4 lbs, $90
http://www.adorama.com/CUM525.html

Which combination would be better? I know the heads aren't the best, but I am not planning to use heavy lenses with them and I feel that I can always upgrade down the road if I decide to get a long telephoto.
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I'm currently looking for a tripod to support my gripped EOS 40D and lens. Normally I do not use any lens heavier than a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (about 450 grams), but I may get a 70-200 f/4L down the road. I don't plan to use a heavy lens like a 70-200 f/2.8 or heavier with the tripod, so I don't think I need any thing super heavy duty.

That said, I'm looking to spend between $100-150 (less if suitable options exist).

Some options I'm considering:

1) Manfrotto 190XDB legs ($100) with a ~$50 ballhead (do any decent ballheads exist for under $50?)
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190X.../dp/B000N81BXO (http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FManfrotto-190XDB-Section-Aluminum-Tripod%2Fdp%2FB000N81BXO)

2) Slik 700 DX ($100) with a ballhead. The only downside of this combo is that it's HEAVY (about 7 pounds). But I'm not a small guy (_about 6" and 185 lbs), so I don't think that will be a huge issue? I've heard that the 700 DX legs are very sturdy even with big lenses.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/557127-REG/Slik_615_317_700DX_Pro_Tripod_Legs.html#reviews

3) Dolica Proline CX620B104 Carbon Fiber tripod w/ballhead ($130, might upgrade the ballhead down the road, I've heard reports of people putting 500mm lenses on the Dolica's CF legs after upgrading to a better ballhead like a Cullmann 35nm).
http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-CX620B1.../dp/B001MYL1BA (http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDolica-CX620B104-61-Inch-Proline-Carbon%2Fdp%2FB001MYL1BA)

4) Cullmann Magnesit 525 Aluminum legs ($90) with a decent ballhead under $60 (suggestions?)

Rated to hold 13 pounds, yet the legs only weigh 4 pounds. Has anyone had experience with these?
http://www.adorama.com/CUM525.html (http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2FCUM525.html)

5) Flashpoint TP-102 aluminum tripod with ballhead ($90)
http://www.adorama.com/FPTP102.html?...shpoint+tripod (http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2FFPTP102.html%3F searchinfo%3Dflashpoint%2Btripod)

Or is there something better than these 5 that I should consider in my price range?? Weight is not a huge concern, but I would like for the tripod/head combo to not be over 6 or 7 pounds at most.

My biggest issue right now is finding a suitable ballhead for around $50. Does a decent ballhead (preferably with pan lock and adjustable friction) even exist in this price range? If not, how much would I have to pay to get a decent ballhead for my setup? It doesn't have to be super heavy duty since I won't be using it with a very heavy lens.

Thanks in advance

[SkedAddled]

I wish I could comment with any accuracy on your choices, but since I'm
very interested in the responses, I'm replying to subscribe to the thread.
(Yes, I know I can subscribe in other ways.)

[Sean]

What ever you do avoid a cheap head. Get something that's not going to droop or sag on you. I can't help on that one for a $150 price range. If you went for $250 it would open up a whole different set of options. I'll point you to Thom Hogans idea's for a tripod

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Good luck!

[Beachcomber Joe]

The 190XDB is a good choice for the tripod. I doubt if you will be happy with any ballhead you find for $50 including all the ones in the packages you listed. In your price range, consider a 3-way head instead. Something like the Manfrotto 391RC2 which is about $60.

[CosmoKid]

what will you be using this for? any reason you need to use a grip? a grip is going to add a lot of weight to your kit. i use my grip when i will be shooting handheld in portrait mode or when i am under a time restriction and dont want to be changing batteries, like when i shoot a concert. i know some people like it when they have larger hands.

[996gt2]

I'm going to be using this for landscape and portrait photography mostly, not birding or anything that requires a 500mm f/4 ;)

Right now my two top choices for the legs are the Slik 700 DX (because of its sturdiness) and the Cullmann Magnesit 525 (because it weighs 4 pounds compared to the 7 pounds for the Slik, yet is still rated to hold 13.2 lbs).

Has anyone had experience with the Magnesit 525 legs?

[mufutau55]

I have the Induro A213 ($85) and the Smith Victor BH5 Head ($48).. Good combination for $133. I also have the SLIK 700DX, but it's too heavy.

Induro A213 tripod Leg $85
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,2076.html

Smith-Victor Arca-Swiss compatible Head $48
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/586223-REG/Smith_Victor_700346_BH5_Ballhead_with_Arca_Type.ht ml

Look for this money saving combination, and you should be a happy camper.

Mufutau