For a tripod in your price range, I suggest the Bogen-Manftotto 055XPROB. It's built especially for macro work, with a multipurpose center column. It'll easily support any non-supertelephoto lens you could put on it. It's rated to 15.4lbs and costs about $170. I have a 300 f/4 which weighs 1lb more than any macro lens and the XPROB holds it just fine. While you can buy it with head included, I suggest saving some extra money and buying a professional-quality head such as the Acratech GV2 or Really Right Stuff BH-55. This will push your budget, but I think you won't regret it.


my 2¢ [I]


brendan