Quote Originally Posted by freelanceshots


I know theres a lot of Bogen fans out there but you need to look at the Giottos MTL 9371B. It's purley awesome and its as close to a Gitzo as you can get for under $200. Adorama website: http://www.adorama.com/GTMTL9371B.html?searchinfo=MLT+9371B


The carbon fiber is for show where a good quality aluminum like this one is rock solid and surprising light weight. I could not justify spend 600 to 1000 dollars on a tripod. I now that those tripods are worth their cost for the right people but I've got to many other things that I have to buy.





Advantages:


-Opens up to almost seven feet tall, a must have in my opinion


-padded legs for when it freezing outside


-flip lever leg locks


-panning lock


-small bubble level


-comes with additional short center column so you can almost shoot at ground level


-multi-position center column for shooting macro subjects and other type work


-rated max load 22 lb


-comes with little tool pouch to maintain all the special nuts and bolts on your rig


-ability to change between 1/4 and 3/8 camera screw stud


-matt black finish
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You sold me! I don't see me ever being able to spend over $500 on a tripod and still be able to come of with the $$ for the ballhead, etc. If this is really as good as sounds, it works for me and is on my next item to buy list!


Denise