LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have a Manfrotto 055CXV3 carbon fiber tripod. Somewhat bulky but light and very sturdy. I have no problem with movement in the center column when extended, which I rarely need to do.
My ballhead is a Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick. Not much good for steady panning shots but very quick and easy to position for landscapes, wildlife, still life, etc. Like many ballheads there is a definite breakin period before it starts to really operate smoothly.
Between them they handle my largest lens, an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L on my 70D with ease.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I use this as my travel tripod http://www.adorama.com/3LTX21EDE2BK.html?gclid=CNSsn8aHkr0CFcRi7AodsWsAIw . I just used it the other day for some waterfall shots. The Manfrotto line is good as well (my monopod is the 681B). As for differences between aluminum & carbon fiber, besides the weight, CF better absorbs vibrations & won't freeze your hands when handling it in cold weather like metal pods do... For heads, it really becomes a matter of preference. My 3 Legged Thing came with a ballhead & I also have a Vanguard SB 250. I personally prefer ball heads or gimbal heads, depending on the lens used. I used to prefer flip locks on the legs but have since changed my mind & now prefer twist locks.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

For a ball head to support your equipment I would suggest either Really Right Stuff or the Kirk ball head. If you want Manfrotto, I have several that I can sell you. But I will not sell you my Kirk ball head.

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

Someone posted this link to a very comprehensive ball head comparison/review about a month ago, here it is again. I found it very informative.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8192473209/battle-of-the-titans-top-ball-heads-tested

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

Forgot to mention, I've been using an Acratech Ultimate for the last couple of years, very happy with it.

RRS Loc: Not sure

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB and it just sits here now that I bought an INDURO AT214. The INDURO will hold almost twice the weight, is short enough without the ball head attached to carry on an airplane. I even use it with a 300mmf/2.8. The CT214 is carbon fiber but a lot more money, AT214 @ $150 and the Manfrotto @ $200. Still have the Husky legs I bought in the mid 60's, 2 of them and they still work. What you buy should last the rest of your life if you take care of it. Have fun.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I did some heavy shopping before buying my pod. I knew that i needed to use and"L" bracket because I used a vertical battery grip. We have similar equipment. I do a lot of portrait/vertical, so with out the "L" bracket the camera is off balance and not centered.

Long story short I found the 055/498 combo with a Kirk clamp to use with the "L" bracket. Mine is the aluminum model and you can get the short column to use with Macro, but you can configure the long column so that you can get right on the ground.

I have similar equipment to you. Is this pod over kill, probably. I think that the 190 would suffice. I found this set-up for -200 USD. I have also found similar Bogen even as low as 40 USD. I shall get a light weight pack-able unit when i find it. I am rat-holing moneys for a FF.

Good luck with your purchase. J. R.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I am partial to the Vanguard GH-100 pitol grip ball head - http://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-GH-100-Pistol-Grip-Ball/dp/B003XDE8TK .

Galaxy Loc: Northeastern Michigan

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions they were a big help to me. I have read each and every reply to this post and based on your input and the research I have done I have made a decision to purchase the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 3-Section Aluminum Tripod. This is the newest version of the 055 series. The specs on this tri-pod are basically the same as the carbon fiber version except for two things, weight and price. The weight of the carbon fiber version is 4.4 lbs. and cost is $479. The aluminum one is 5.5 lbs and cost is $239. Both prices are from B&H. All else being the same for a $240 savings I can manage the extra 1.1 lbs. of weight with the extra savings being applied to the purchase of a better ball head. The point about the carbon fiber tri-pods having better vibration dampening was considered but at my current level of expertise I don’t know if it would make a noticeable difference for me. If anyone is interested in these new 055 series tripods from Manfrotto in post #3 at the bottom of the post I’ve put a link to a pdf file with the specs on these new tri-pods.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Have you looked at the Induro CT214 with the BHL2 Ballhead?