Help me find a tripod?

I have searched a lot and although found a lot of useful information, I though it would be more beneficial for me to make my own thread.

I do not plan to be using it for long night time exposures, or any long exposures really, so it doesnt have to be the absolute best when it comes to stability. I do want it to be stable enough though so I can trust it to not fall over if I am doing a self portrait, or if I walk away for a couple minutes.

I do not care how much it weighs. I will be going to the Marine Corps, so a little weight will not bother me.

I would like something I can maybe upgrade in the future, so if I get good legs now, and a better head later, or visa versa.

I am open to buying legs and a head seperatly, if it means a better tripod for about the same price as buying them together.

Now the reason I do not want to spring for a really good tripod now is because since I will be joining the Marines, I dont want to spend hundreds on a tripod only to use it for a couple months and have it sit while I am gone in boot camp. I know I will always have the tripod when I get back, but just dont have that kind of money right now anyway.

My budget is about $125, so if there is anything in my price range you can suggest to me, I would appreciate it. I can spend more if there is a really good deal on a good one. Thanks.

I would suggest that you look on eBay and find a used Bogen Manfrotto 3001, 3001P or 3021P leg-set with a ball head (if possible) or with a pan/tilt head (if not possible).

You chould be able to get a setup like I described for well under your $125. It is a very viable combination which you can use for a long-long time.

I used a rig like this for years and still keep it as a back-up to my Giottos Carbon Fiber MT-8180 Tripod.

I second the suggestion for used aluminum Bogen 3021 (or 3221 blackened version) leg set, with your choice of ballhead. Real Marines would not carry a 3001, that would be left for the Army WACs.

Ditto on using Ebay. I just purchased a mint condx Manfrotto 055XPROB for only $125. It's a great tripod, very versitile and the weight is reasonable. With a good ball head you won't even have to raise the center column (I'm 6'3") unless you want a really high point of view. (I think the Bogen 3021 is the older version of the 055XPROB). Check it out on Google and you'll see it's very highly rated.

After looking around more, before I saw your answers, I decided to go with 3021 legs. I found some on craigslist, so hopefully the guy accepts my offer.

Wilt wrote in post #6891439
...the Army WACs.

Wlit, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but........