Tripods- What do you use?

[TDN169]

So, what tripod(s) do you use and are they any good? What features do you like, and what features do you look for?
I realised that my TP25 and gorillapod are a bit lightweight for my camera so I thought this may be a good time to quiz DCRP members on tripods.
To get the ball rolling:

[TDN169]

Legs-50 inches when extended- neat, reasonably strong telescopic legs collapse to about 12 inches. Quite small base.




Head-Ball and socket with a panning arm which, when twisted can vary how tightly the head is held. There is no quick release, and no control over the direction in which the camera pans.




Pros-It fits easily into most bags and can easily hold my compact camera, which I don't have to rotate to get onto the head. I can raise or lower the head without retracting the legs.




Cons-Seriously lightweight, no control of the angle on the head (release the ball and socket joint and hope for the best). Legs can collapse without warning. Even with a liberal application of oil, it takes some welly to get up.

:):):):(:(

[TDN169]

Legs-Seriously strong point; flexible and hook onto anything. Pretty good unless you want to stand it on the ground. Takes a while to bend them back straight for storage.

Head-Quick release with a very clever, simple lock. Holds my light-ish bridge camera with a huge conversion lens. Quite hard to pan without screwing the camera on even further.

Pros-Light, easily transportable unit which can be wrapped around fences and posts. Quick release mechanism means I just need to slide the camera in.

Cons-Too short to use as a tripod, a bit unstable and hurts like hell when you get caught in one of the joints.

Overall::):):):):(

[kgosden]

My main tripod is a Velbon CF-640 with a Manfrotto 486CR2 ballhead. I have a GorillaPod DSLR version, but have not used it yet. I have to get a smaller, lightweight one of sometype for sketchier international trips. The current baggage rules are going to kill a lot of photo potential.

[GaryS]

I use a Manfrotto tripod setup, with a ball head. The models are:

Legs: 055xprob
Head: 486rc2

The legs are great because the spread out right to flat so you can get right close to the ground. Plus the centre column can pivot to horizontal which makes it very versatile.

The head is fine. I like the ballhead idea because its quick to adjust and get it in any position.

I need to pick up a mono-pod at some point... maybe this month before I head out on vacation.

[01514]

just a regular manfrotto 725B nothing too fancy but it does the job.

[eman]

I have a Feisol CT-3301 with a CB50 head, really strong and light (weights 1.18kg and can handle loads up to 9kg). It is a 3 section tripod. If I have to do it again I would gotten a 4 section version (CT-3401), it folds smaller and would fit in a suit case.

[TDN169]

I was thinking about:
Legs- Manfrotto Mag Fiber 190 3 Section Tripod
Head-Manfrotto 804RC2