Yeah I know ... there are those other brands like SLIK, Hakuba, Gitzo and Veron, etc.

Hahaha ... dun confuse the topic starter PLEASE! 

yo, i oso looking for a tripod...tripod below rm100 quality good or not?

I am not a very 'Monopod' or 'Tripod' fellow ... so I use my Canon tripod. Damn heavy duty ... used on lens, used on body, even mounted flash also!

Good question ... see what you done? ac98 is going to be Long Air again! 

1. Use a tripod wisely : When you really have to leave your camera mounted and unattended for a period of time, say 10 seconds for a Portrait/Group photo, be sure that it's within your reach and of course running distance should someone decides to have a good dash for your precious investment. My relative lost her camera in Shanghai in a busy tourist spot and another friend of mine her BF lost a Valentine's Day present which is a digicam in France, when you think the LEAST those Mat Salleh won't gasak your things!

2. Not really relevant to this topic but had to warn you all :Never ever let a stranger use your camera to shoot you or shoot your group. It happened even in Malaysia that the bugger took a dash for it after the shot at Super GT last year. I first heard it happened to my relative during her China trip where the guy cabut after taking her photo, pity her only one girl there and it's her only camera. As a result, she bought another digicam in China, which lasted her only 3 weeks, after that kaput-ed! (Won't mention the brand coz I think it's a fake one using the brandname, I checked)

3. Check your Tripod before making a purchase :
- Take out the tripod from it's plastic/casing. Always ask for a new one, dun buy the demo tripod! (You're not THAT desperate right ...)
- Unlock and loosen everything, dun leave any levers or locks partialy tightened. That way you will remember all the levers and locks and won't forget to tighten any of them later.
- Spread all the legs (tripod legs I mean) and tighten all the locks/levers on a level ground. If it has a water level dun worry about it, it's not important becoz it's mostly cosmetic. REAL water levels that WORK cost a BOMB to own!
- Firmly press on the tripod head with your palm and see if the legs will bend under the stress. They should not bend under that kind of stress, unless you put pull strength on it.
- Decide on your purchase!