Anyone with Manfrotto MK293A3?

Just recently bought a 5D Mark III and wanted to upgrade to something new that was more sturdy and stronger. I currently use a Vista Explorer 60-Inch tripod, but needless to say it's a $20 tripod that feels cheap to say the least, and I don't think it's smart to be using it with a couple thousand dollars worth of equipment.

With that said, my budget isn't huge right now so I've been trying to find something that isn't overly priced for me, yet still is strong and good. I know Manfrotto have a good reputation and was looking at the MK293A3.

Does anyone have this tripod or know anything about it? It fits the price range, can fit just under 9lbs (8.8) and when fully extended is 62".

Here's the link if anyone needs it: http://www.amazon.com …od-Release/dp/B004MKNJ98/

Thanks!

I have one that's going back to Amazon in the morning. Not because it's not a good tripod, and it's heck of a lot more steady than the $60 Vista Voyager Lite I have now, but because I either wanted something that folded smaller or was even more steady. It just kind of fell in that in-between spot being a bit longer than I wanted for a light hiking setup but not quite as beefy as say the Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT or similar.

Ended up buying a MeFOTO RoadTrip for day hikes, still looking for a long exposure/night photography/in a gale force wind tripod.

I know it's about 8" smaller collapsed than the Vista Explorer I had, so I can't complain about that, but I could see how hiking you might want it to be smaller.

The other reviews I saw looked good, so hopefully that'll be the case.

Thanks for the response.