I use a Manfrotto 679. I was concerned about taking it on an airplane. A friend of mine and i discussed the issue and resolved the concerns in a rather unique manner. Using my engineering background, I designed what looks like a very custom made cane top which fastens to the monopod. My friend owns a machine shop and "whittled" a very classy looking handle. When I've had to travel with it, I fasten the cane handle to it, adjust the length, and use it to "aid" my walking. I place it on the conveyor to pass through x-ray, and "hobble" to the other end to retrieve it. Once on the plane, it collapses to 24" and fits in the overhead quite nicely.
--Bob

I sent an E-Mail this morning so I can have a paper trail dealing with what I consider a spam. I just subscribed to the magazine and received one issue. I through the Popular Science into the trash. The money for me was not much since it was bought on a reduced cost and for only one year. Like others have stated, they had to know when they processed my subscription that I would only be receiving one issue prior to them going belly up. I am looking at this as more of a scam then anything else.

My $.02, Greg

I'm guessing that you are considering this tripod and ball head combo: https://www.amazon.com/Tripod-DEMON-DCF-432-Carbon-Desmond/dp/B01EM7289W/ref=pd_cp_421_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EM7289W&pd_rd_r=XQ5G5YHMRFQ056M0M776&pd_rd_w=hyyA9&pd_rd_wg=tMwnl&psc=1&refRID=XQ5G5YHMRFQ056M0M776

If so, it looks like a pretty good combo but I would not recommend it for the lens you are also considering. The "big sig" as you put it, is a very long lens when it is extended and will be difficult to handle on any ball head. Someone else pointed out that you might want to consider a gimbal head from MT Shooter and you said "one thing at a time". I'm sure that person was thinking the same thing I am and that your combo with ball head will "not" be suitable for that large of a lens.

There is no substitute for stability in a tripod. If by saying you are not a pro you are willing to accept blurry pictures, then buy the $240 tripod and head. Eventually you will come to understand that you just threw away $240, and other than a lesson learned it provided no value to you, since it will never be stable with anything other than a wide angle lens shooting landscapes. It will not stabilize a camera and lens with a viewing angle equal to a 960mm lens. That is not just silly thinking, it is pretty delusional.

You need to look harder, and try and understand the RRS tripod selection guide and the relationship between leg thickness and stability, and why a $240 tripod doesn't thick legs and won't be stable. You will also learn that load carrying capacity has nothing to do with stability. It's only a test to ensure that gravity will not pull you camera to the ground because it is too heavy. Even a $50 Dolica tripod will accomplish that. So if you believe that this is a good way to rate and compare a tripod, you can save yourself $190, and you will only be making a $50 error.

The Gitzo catalog basically says the same thing.

Trust me, if the Desmond was as good as you believe, no pro would bother owning better gear, and just buy a bunch of these - so when they break they can just toss it and unbox a new one. That will never happen.

I am not trying to be a smart ass or give you a hard time - but don't rely on user reviews from totally unqualified people who just got a $240 tripod after upgrading from a $50 one and they think they just got the best thing since sliced bread. They don't know any better, and you would just be a blind person following a group of blind people. The best way is to rent and test for yourself. Or borrow from friends. Or buy and return.

With that being said, I own a Sigma Sport 150-600 - it is noticeably better than the Contemporary, in build quality and image quality. I have owned it since last December, used it daily during fall migration, and I've had it out at least 3-4x a week now that things are heating up again. I have yet to put it on my tripod, a Feisol CT3472.

If I were on a tripod it would have been completely impossible to get this shot of a Great Blue Heron flying over my head.

That was something else that I wanted to mention to you. You stated that you were looking to possibly purchase a Sigma 150-600 Lens. I have the sport version of that lens and I would not put it ona ball head even though I have some pretty substantial ball heads. Get yourself a Gimbal head. I have a Movo Aluminum that you can purchase for about $99.00 and their Carbon Fiber is $199. I also have a Manfrotto Fluid head that I use my long lenses on. Here are some links for you to check. These are the two that I use and both work extremely well with long lenses:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827210-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502AH_75Mm_Flat_Head.html

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GK4IYP8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the Movo Carbon Fiber:

https://www.amazon.com/Movo-GH800-Professional-Arca-Swiss-Quick-Release/dp/B016V1AVV4/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1490190232&sr=1-3&keywords=movo+gimbal+head

It actually looks pretty decent, but only with a fairly light weight camera/shorter focal length lens combination. The spindly 4 section legs cannot provide much stability, especially when fully extended and spread out. You need something much more substantial ($$$) for the Sigma, and I think that any ball head would be a poor choice with that lens - the center of gravity changes rather dramatically when you zoom in or out. I believe a gimbal would be your best bet, or at the very least a good fluid pan head. If you are concerned about price, it costs only time to learn hand-holding proficiency. Good luck!