Best bang for the buck period hands down is the Giottos professional Aluminum MLT9371B where the B stands for black. Every feature under the sun except drive you to take the pictures. Under 200 bucks where ever time I use it it puts a big grin on my face.


Key features: Very tall, I'm six feet and when I open it up fully with the center column extended I have to stand on my tippy toes and raise my arm over my head to touch the camera. The higher you can get your camera in many situations the better. (less distortion having to aim you camera up at something)


30 inches tall with ball head attached and legs spread normally not extended, lowest normal setting


2 extending leg section per a leg that are large diameter, more sturdy, three legs total


Center column comes out and allows you to use it vertically, horizontally and inverted where I use it all the time for tricky shots


Legs that open up/spread apart so that you can lower the camera just a few inches off the ground.


Comes with tripod tools in a carry pouch


Pads on the three legs


Flip levers lock on the legs


Panning feature adjustment to shoot panoramas


Has a retractable holder/latch on the bottom of center column where you can attach something that has weight to hold the tripod even more firmly to the ground


A bubble level of course


Excellent build quality! built like a tank, looks like a million bucks


Ball head not included and without the head it is lighter then all my other smaller tripods.





Buy it from anyone of the major camera retailers, I bought mine from Adorama online.