if u're using it on DSLR, i think it's best to save, and double up your budget before getting any tripod, getting a good instead of keep upgrading..
my personal favorite is the manfrotto 190XproB, leg alone cost around RM430-450.
those cheap one wont do the work, it's either they dun last long, not sturdy, or your camera weight will outgrown them very soon.. i'm saving up for a good manfrotto too..

what body and lens u using now? got external flash gun? battery grip?
if it's just a basic body with kit lens, u can still use a budget ones that cost around 50-70, if u have batt grip or a heavy lens or a flash gun, then u dont wanna risk your system.. mine is just a 350D with batt grip, horizontal shooting still ok, but cant shoot portrait with the cheap canon tripod. add on a flash gun, even the horizontal shooting became unstable, it's like the whole tripod gonna collapse..

if u think the tripod cant hold, then dun force it.. remove the batt grip, better safe than sorry..

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Added on October 16, 2007, 2:23 pmsearch hard enough, and u will find 1.. got myself a used manfrotto 055proB with 141RC head for RM450 today...

This post has been edited by kevin613: Oct 16 2007, 02:23 PM

the 141RC is an old model, but as long as it works fine, who cares if its old or new model...
it's a 3 way head btw, holds up to 6KG.
the 055ProB maximum height is around 176CM, taller than me when fully extended, add on the head, i think the camera is standing @ around 180CM .. and minimum height is around 11cm, which will be perfect for macros.
the center column can be placed horizontally for special purpose and macro. mine is bought as used set, but still in very very good condition.
if ur budget is around RM500, i think u can get the 190XproB with a ball or 3 way head for RM500+, the 190XproB is slightly smaller and lighter than the 055proB, but the center column can be placed horizontally without removing it, so, more convenient. if u have more budget, then take a look at the latest 055XproB, it can hold more weight compared to 190 series. the 055 and 190 series should be the best selling model from manF.

for the RM10 price difference, might as well just get from YL, anyway, u might wanna save a bit by getting the 484RC, the 486RC can hold 6KG, but the 190XproB wont be able to hold up to that amount.. getting the 484RC seems like a better fit..

i think it's just a matter of preference.. u can get both the head, then sell off after u decided which 1 u like, u wont lose much..
i've not used a ballhead before.. dunno how it feels.. still deciding whether to grab a ball head now..

This post has been edited by kevin613: Oct 23 2007, 12:28 PM

i think it's called the pistol grip or something, and i think it'll be expensive..