A year or two ago, I picked up a Kirk BH-1 ball mount head second hand and never had a proper tripod I could use it with After playing around with several tripods and going for the cheaper ones which inevitably fail at some point in time, I finally decided to treat myself to a proper tripod

So I'm now the proud owner of a Gitzo Systematic GT3541LS. Not cheap, but it's an absolute joy to use, quick and easy and "just works" and will no doubt last me for life no matter what I stick on it

Reading up what a lot of people say, they're absolutely right: if you really want to do photography seriously, you're better off saving up to get the "right" tripod from the start or you end up paying more for your several upgrades as you realise none of the lesser models are up to the task

So I'm now the proud owner of a Gitzo Systematic GT3541LS. Not cheap

I won't argue with you there as I've seen cars sell for less!

I'll take a few pics then so you can drool! LOL

I tend to use a monopod if I can, to save the bulk of the tripod. I have a Giotto 3290B, chosen because it goes higher than most and saves my creaky back. Tripod wise, I have a very old (30 years or more) Slik 35D, which still does what I need.

<edit> to say the poor old thing gave up the ghost yesterday while I was doing a day's photo workshop, so I'm now in the market for a new one -not sure I want to spend as much as you did, though, as I don't use one a huge amount.

Phil