Quick Help with CF tripod choice >= $500

Hey all,

Been meaning to post this sooner, and time got away from me, and now time is tight as there are some deals expiring 12/31. My old tried and true Manfrotto 3021PRO legs finally gave out, actually had the metal FRACTURE where nut tightens the center column to the legs. It's out of warranty, and this is a good excuse to go fiber .

So I'm maxed at about $500, and I think I can something decent for that, without going top end. I've been heavily looking at these:

Induro CT314 - $400
Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 - $280
Gitzo GT-2531 - $478

I am primarily landscapes/nature/wate​rfalls, and every so often rent big glass to get some wildlife stuff (once a year maybe), so really my 70-200 2.8 IS is the biggest I got. I recently picked up an f-stop Loka.

What others am I missing that play in this range? Better alternatives? Thanks as always!

Doug

Between the three choices the Induro would be the best for heavy glass. Although with a budget of $500 I would recommend looking at this Benro.
http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​20d7b021a7

That Benro DavidR posted has a max height of 58.27". That's respectable. The mentioned Induro is 63.78 inches so a few more. It really depends on the OP's height.

I saw a couple both using Induro carbon fiber tripods when I was shooting at a rookery last spring. They had some pretty long, heavy glass and you could tell, they didn't have to think twice about their tripod setup, though they did have gimbal heads attached.

Of course, I've heard great things about Benro as well. I just haven't seen one in use myself.