Sturdy-carbon tripod suggestion please

[enewmen]

Hi All.

Please help suggest a sturdy tripod that's fairly lightweight.
I want it sturdy enough for outdoor long exposure photography and can hold a DSLR & the biggest lenses - such as a 400mm F/2.8. (I'm personally using small telescopes, 400mm F/4, and macro-lenses).

A Manfrotto GEARED HEAD will go on this for very fine control.

I'm guessing such a tripod will have a 12KG load capacity and carbon-fiber so it's compact & light enough for traveling.

I't doesn't need to be a Gitzo since I'm very Not pro, but I heard of some no-name tripods that actually perform well.

any suggestions?? Maybe a Benro C-258M8 ?? I think a Pro will quickly know what I'm looking for.

thanks!

 

[kwttan]

(1) Refer to this link and see which brands are more popular.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=807211

(2) Depends on your height preference. Below are spec for CF sirui tripod:

Sections Max D mm Min D mm Min H mm Max H mm Max H mm Wied H mm Folded mm Max H mm (mono) Min H mm (mono) Weight kg Max Load kg
R-1204 4 25 16 350 1310 1560 500 / / / 0.9 (1.2) 10
T-1204 4 25 16 135 1150 1400 465 400 / / 0.8 (1.1) 10
N-1204 4 25 16 160 1320 1560 510 440 1320 420 1 (1.2) 12

Price wise, refer to http://www.facebook.com/#!/tkfoto?v=app_6009294086

(3) Suggest Go for 4 section (above all are 4-section tripod).

 

[enewmen]

Hi.

Thanks for the suggestions!
I know there are thousands of threads on which tripod to buy, so I tried to be specific on what I was looking for.

The Sirui looks like it meets my needs and I can find it here in Singapore without needed to ship from USA.

I think I'll go for the N-2204 + K20X since it's 4-section, the highest CF weight capacity, and has a Ballhead. If the Ballhead works for me, I won't need the geared head.