tripod/ball head combo recommendations

I shoot with both a 10D and a 1D and I do a fair amount of schlepping them around. So I can't use the big Bogen with 3-way head I have in the basement for portraits. And the cheapo thing I bought at (too ashamed to say where) is too much like placing the cameras on jello.

Now here's the rub. As a semi-retired individual, I can't afford to go the Gitzo route, much as I'd like to. Yet I would like to have carbon fiber legs and a magnesium ballhead so that my total load is no more than around six pounds. Also, I'd like to keep my investment in the $400 range.

So far, I've been impressed by what I've read about Slik and Velbon (Carmagne) heads and CF tripods.

I shoot grandkids, landscapes, and a fair amount of travel images. My biggest lens is the 70-200 L. That lens on my 1D comes in at around five and a half pounds, so I don't need really heavy-duty tripod stuff.

Any recommendations (for both head and tripod) would be appreciated.

I use Gitzo 1220 Alumium legs and the Gitzo 1275 magnesium head. It's not the lightest but not the heaviest either. This leg/head combination should be in your $400 price range too.

I do a fair bit of hiking and a lighter tripod would be nice sometimes but I also do a lot of wedding work and a very light tripod has it's own problems. My point is that one friend traded his carbon fibre Gitzo for a Manfrotto and what tuned out to be my 1220, because he was concerned that the CF Gitzo was too light. For trekking though the woods you could always have a net bag or somesuch that you could fill with rocks and hang under the tripod. But it just wouldn't look good at a wedding, assuming that you could FIND the rocks you need!

12kg/26lb rated legs and ball head from B&H for $268

Here is my right stuff, full featured and 26 pound rated ($268 including the 33pound rated ball head):

Giottos MT-9180 Universal 4-Section Tripod Legs - Supports 26 lb (12 kg) ($146):

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …REG&si=feat#got​o_itemInfo

Giottos MH-3000 Pro Heavy Duty Large Ballhead - Supports 33 lb (15 kg) ($120):

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=156​561&is=REG

It's just a bit tall for me (I’m 6') and it has 4 leg sections... I'd buy the 9170 if doing it again… just a few inches shorter and only 3 leg sections to extend...

This is the metal version... carbon fiber doubles the leg prices without a lot of weight savings...

The 22lb ball head (Giottos MH-1000) might be fine and it's about 1 pound less but I got the heaver one for only $10 more...

I don't know of a sturdier, full-featured tripod for this kind of loot...