whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

Look at the Manfrotto BeFree line of travel tripods. An aluminum tripod weighing about 52 oz. and able to hold almost 9 lbs. Packs down to about 16 in. and comes with a shoulder carry case. The price is about $180.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

I'm not surprised you got confused looking at tripods on Adorama and B and H. Great companies, but I think tripods are one thing better purchased at a camera store. I just posted this message on another post about tripods. Take your camera and largest lens to a good camera store. Try out a number of their tripods. Remember that wind can be a factor with a flimsy tripod. And if you find a tripod you like, buy it from the camera store. They need our business and we need them.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I am near your age and also use the 7D. I have found the Manfrotto 190 aluminum to be a good solid yet light weight tripod that works with my 100 - 400mm. I got the pan tilt head for ease of use and the 4 section legs for ease of travel and carry.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

Try usedphotopro.com all major brands used at excellent prices. I get most of my used gear there

sawdust_128

Sirui has offerings that are reasonably priced, and offer the option of being used as a monopod or a tripod.

If you decide on a monopod, PM me, I have a manfrotto with ball head for sale.

hbohrs

I purchased a Manfrotto for $139 at Best Buy; it serves under most conditions; I don't shoot in inclement, windy, or other bad weather conditions.

Orson Burleigh Loc: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

A refurbished Dolica CX700B505 D/S 70" Carbon Fiber Tripod / Ballhead combination purchase almost a year ago has worked very well. The B505 Ball Head is Arca-Swiss compatible and includes one plate. The CX700 carbon fiber tripod itself weighs in at about 4 lbs and is just over 20" long when fully retracted. It expands to almost 5 feet high without raising the center column, so it is quite stable. At $199, the refurbished model is $100.00 off the price of the new one. I expect that Dolica has other Arca-Swiss compatible Ball Heads and Tripod / Ball Head combinations which would serve well, but this is the one that I can recommend based on use. (Dolica's web-site is [dis]-organized around dreamy image presentation: it is a pretty web-site, but it is maddeningly deficient in useful tabularized information.)

Diverhank

I'd highly recommend a MeFoto Roadtrip. The aluminum version is just a tad under $200 and comes with a really good (arca swiss mount) ball head, which is really solid, regardless of prices. It weighs 3.6 lbs and one can easily travel with it. I do take it with me on trips all over the world.

Base_fiddle

My good tripod is a Flashpoint F-1128. It is bulky, so I only use it

Base_fiddle

My good tripod is a Flashpoint F-1128. It is bulky, so I only use it for family shots or stationery shooting of birds in the backyard. When I travel on a cruise or driving, I carry an Amazonbasics, which is very light and sturdy. It is compact enough that I can put it in a suitcase or a backpack. It holds my 5D even with a 300mm lens. As the name implies, I bought it from Amazon and if I remember correctly, it was less than $75.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Gitzo used to be top of the line, but also cost 3 times your budget. Within the confines of your budget, you can get a pretty decent tripod. Look for Dolica. I've had two of these. Paid about $70 for an aluminum one and then $120 for a carbon fibre. The aluminum was for my daughter. The CF gets used often. I took off the ball head and put on a Benro pan and tilt. Never have become comfortable with the ball heads. The Dolica seems to be doing a fine job. I am considering getting one of their travel tripods that fold down to 12.5 inches, and weigh < 2.5 lb. but I'd have to learn to use the ball head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You could also benefit from using my facial stabilizers. With the 7D it is possible to use forehead and chin stabilizers - PM me to learn more .......

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

A very respected member of UHH, MT Shooter (Carter), owns a camera store in Billings MT, The Camera Cottage. I have bought a tripod, 2 lens and a Nikon D7200 from him. All of them being used items. When Carter tells you they are in excellent shape you can take it to the bank. You might try contacting him and see if he has any used tripods in your price and usage range.

Don

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Low price or cheap and Tripod don't go together. You don't want junk so for $200 I'd say used definitely. Personally I am partial to Gitzo tripods and heads. I have two complete ones. But Gitzo are of the most expensive of tripods. Though, I've had good luck finding nearly like new on Ebay used, but not for $200. My second one and a side arm were all purchased used. The first one from say before 1984 was purchased by my girlfriend now wife as a gift! I bought a second head for it. Then a couple years ago I purchased a second used Gitzo legs and head, and before that a side arm, all same old school style, whence the good prices I think.

If you were close by to save on the large cost of shipping, and you could stretch up to $240 I have a slightly used Manfrotto 2 Heads and Set of Legs Tripod I would like to sell. I'm not sure you'd like the pistol grip any better than I did as it is hard to use with arthritic hands. The Tri-Axis Pan Head would probably work better for you. I just did not like this modern system and opted for a second used Gitzo. I'm talking about a

Manfrotto Tripod System For Sale
Like New Slightly Used – Purchased Mainly March – July 2014

Manfrotto 190XPROB Aluminum Tripod Legs
Manfrotto 322RC2 Pistol Grip Head
Manfrotto 802RC2 Tri-Axis Pan Head
2 Manfrotto QR200PL Camera Plates
2 Manfrotto 323RC2 Rapid Connect Adapters
Original Carrying Bag

Medium Weight Tripod System

$240.00 All

But you can probably find a one head older used Manfrotto locally for about $200.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Great advice. The only problem is that most of the good camera stores in our area are gone.