Tabletod tripod for food and travel?

Hey gear experts,

I've never used a tabletop tripod before, but am in the market for one for 1) shooting food at home, and discreetly in bars/restaurants; and 2) international travel with a smallish camera bag/daypack. Will likely be using a 40D with the 60mm macro or the 17-55. I've been looking at the Manfrotto 3007 kit, the Manfrotto 709B, and the Slik Tabletop Travel Tripod. I don't really want to spend more than $50, but am willing to go up to $100 for something special (the 3007 kit is $89). Any advice about these or other models? Thanks in advance for your time. Much appreciated.

Hello jabber and welcome! As a suggestion, you may want to also consider the Trek-Tech tabletop tripods at www.trek-tech.com. The Optera Pro 460 model supports 14-pounds and the other model has a load capacity of approximately 9-pounds. B&H carries the Trek-Tech tabletop tripod w/ballhead combo for $70.00.

Thanks, Cyclop--looks intriguing. Any other thoughts out there?

http://joby.com/produc​ts/gorillapod/

About the Gorillapod (specifically, the SLR Zoom) . . . is it easy to use without a separate ballhead?

jabber wrote in post #8135452
About the Gorillapod (specifically, the SLR Zoom) . . . is it easy to use without a separate ballhead?

Probably much easier than any other tripod. I would use it without a head.