Bogen - Manfrotto Digi-Tripod?

I've been looking for a fairly lite weight tripod for portability and travel. This one the model 724:

This lightweight and compact tripod offers all the rock steady support necessary for high-quality imaging for today's digital and conventional cameras. It includes a built-in aluminum ball head with a single "ratchet" locking lever, as well as quick-action leg locks for fast set-up and breakdown.

Four section tripod legs permit a folded length just over 19" making the 724B ideal for fitting into luggage. Once on location, the 724B extends to 68". It weighs 3lbs and can support digital (and film) camera's up to 7.7lbs.

In addition, the innovative three faceted center column design prevents any column rotation and is reversible for low-angle shots. A carry bag that sports twin shoulder straps for backpack-style carrying is also included.

On these type tripods how do the legs at the top of the column lock into place for setting up the angle adjustment? And of course it'd need to support the 70-200 f/4L + mount ring + 350D/XT. Other ideas are welcomed too.

It appears that this tripod has only single-position legs, unlike the 3001/3021 family. I would also not relish the idea of a fixed (as in not interchangeable) ball head. That ball head does not appear to have a way to pan horizontally without releasing the whole ball.

I would doubt that the 724 is very rigid. The weight that it can support is only a small part of what you need to know about a tripod's ability to perform. My 3021BPRO is about the lightest tripod (other than very expensive carbon fiber versions) that I would trust to give me the stability (as in rigidity) that I need in my work with heavier and longer focal length lenses. The 3021BPRO also has some features (such as legs that can be set at multiple angles and a center column that can be mounted horizontally) that make it extremely versatile - features that the 724 seems to lack.

I use a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead with my 3021BPRO for most of my field work, and have a couple of other heads as options for various appications. The 488RC2 has a separate release for horizontal panning without releasing the ball itself, making it very useful in more situations.

Yea I wasn't too fond of the non removal ball head mount. I need something that'll fit into a suit case without adding too much weight yet easy to carry around doing landscape type stuff.

Possibly a monopod would suffice? It all depends on your needs. If you intend to take shots with you in them (using the self-timer for example), then a monopod wouldn't work. However, if you are going to be behind the camera for all the shots, a monopod might be just the trick - especially for the portability aspect. My Bogen/Manfrotto 680B monopod with a Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead is quite versatile. It can even be used for a hiking stick when not taking photos with it.

Feisol...depending on total height you want 3401 folds to ~20" and 3402 to ~17". Both weigh ~3 lbs.

For landscape, match with Bogen 3437 3D head @~15 oz. add'l.

John

Skip the monopod has been a consideration and quiet possibility the best fit scenario for hiking around. I like that combo there. I might be better off going with the Bogen / Manfrotto 3001BN Tripod (Black) with 486RC2 Compact Balllhead (Quick Release) for $151.90 @ B&H + buying the 680B monopod for $49.95. The head a lone is $61.95 but could be used on either one is my thinking. $200 is pretty much my limit and actually a little more than I had in mind.

I didn't see the 3401 or 3402. Are those Carbon fiber?

edit: I went with the above combo ... thanks Skip.

I stand corrected the above 3001BN has the wing type leg locks. Luckily I caught B&H in time and reordered the Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BD Deluxe Tripod with the flip lever type leg locks ... that was close ...