Quote Originally Posted by Loupey
Jeff - buying a set of legs is a highly personal decision (like buying a camera bag) and I think your best bet is to visit a store that has many makes/models in stock for you to handle.

Besides the cost, what are other factors which are important to you? Weight, travel size, maximum load, maximum height, minimum height, leg locking style?

Can I ask how you envision you will be using this tripod/head combo the majority of the time and where? Will it be long telephoto support? Long exposure landscapes? Studio? Outdoor group shots? Macro? ...
I really haven't used a tripod that much in the past but would like to start using it much more in the future. I do not hike or walk great distances so weight should not be a problem. The two things I envision using the tripod for are landscapes and buildings with my sigma 10-20 lens and also some zoom shots with my sigma 135-400 zoom or my Nikon 70-300VR of birds orfar off subjects. The only other thing would be night exposures. I haven't tried panos yet but would want the ability in the future. As far as the release I think it would be nice to be able to leave the QR on the camera sometimes without it sticking way out and be in the way. I am really very new to all the options available on the better tripods so any information that you can offer will be very helpful, Jeff