crazypaladin said:
As above. What's important to you? Light weight? etc?
depends on what camera / usage / functions u need
tripod should reach shooting height w/o need for centre extension [for stability]
quick release plate [enable u to remove camera w/o slow action of unscrewing from tripod]
ball or 3 way heads [ball is more flexible, 3 way easy for paranomic]
spirit level [to make ur landscape shot nice and level]
individual legs [allows tripod on sloping ground]
spikes on legs [allows stability on soft ground: these should have covers for legs]
central column: geared and non-geared [fine tune control vs speed]
weight [carbon fibre: light but expensive, most others are aluminium alloy]
locks on legs: twist knob or snap type [stability vs speed]
colour: black or silver [black doesn't reflect light]
other functions: some central columns can be removed to use as monopod, hook to hang bag for stability, mounted on tripod to shoot low objects etc
search in the various photo websites too