Spec me a tripod and head?

[DoubleCheese]

I'm heading off on holiday in a few months and need a decent sturdy tripod to take with me. I'm currently using a £15 Lidl one and its its flimsy as hell. The head is never level and the legs constantly bow and flex.

I'm using a Nikon D200 and a range of lenses, nothing major yet but the heaviest is the 70-300VR when its extended.

Budget wise, upto £200 but less if I can get a deal. What should I be looking at and where are the deals? I'm liking the Giottos MTL series for the adjustable vertical column. Is it flexy in use though?

Also what kind of head?

 

[Snapshot]

Personally, I like Manfotto tripods and I'd suggest a MN 055XPROB with a MN 488RC0 or RC2 head. I actually have the 488RC2 on an old carbon-fibre version of the 055 and I can't see me ever needing anything else.

Obviously (I hope!) we can't tell you where the deals are....

 

[D.P.]

Read This: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Get a really right stuff ball head (BH-40 or 55) and the best Gitzo tripod you can buy. In the long run this will save you money. I'm saving up for a Gitzo 3531 + BH-55 , after playing with a similar set up I know the investment is worth it.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Read This: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Get a really right stuff ball head (BH-40 or 55) and the best Gitzo tripod you can buy. In the long run this will save you money. I'm saving up for a Gitzo 3531 + BH-55 , after playing with a similar set up I know the investment is worth it.

Great link, thanks for that.
I'm wondering about buying something like a Redsnapper carbon (well thought of on the TPforums), but maybe I should save up and buy a Gitzo the next time I'm in the States.

 

[Firestar_3x]

I've just got the following:

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fibre Tripod
Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Action Ball Head

£250ish, very happy with the setup i'd go for something similar, perhaps a cheaper head to bring the price into budget.

 

[Wedge]

I Have the Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod & Manfrotto MN804RC2 Head, and I cant see me ever needing to buy another tripod again. Cost was around £150, bought this time last year.