John,
You've really added a lot to this thread and I greatly appreciate it. To be honest, I am not sure what my view in photography is; for now I am just hoping to have a bit of fun with it. This is my first serious camera and I don't own any other lenses. Plus, I am a college student so I really don't have 400$+ to spend on a tripod even if I had wanted to. Tuition, you know?
Anyhow, I am doing my best to find a balance -- it's all to easy to say 'buy the best' and if this were something I knew I'd have an unending interest in I certainly would but I just need something to start with to get me going that will hold my camera pretty well. TO be honest, I am more than certain that my photography skills will be more of a limiting factor than my tripod for the next few months.
Again I appreciate your help, I am going to look for a decent one and will return to your links if/when the time comes for me to step up.
