please, help a manfrotto noob.
i'm looking to get a "cheap" manfrotto tripod system setup. having used cheap cheap 50$ tripods previously, i need something more stable now than those plastic thin alluminum tripods at best buy.

i picked out 4 tripods systems on bhphoto.com- i dont know enough about the difference in ballheads etc, they seem to be a big deal in tripod selection so i want to get the right one.

1) does the weight the tripod system (as described on the links below) can support based on the ballhead/plate or w/e it is thats separate- the bogen piece.

2) between this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551339-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XDB_F_390RC2_190XDB_Tripod_Legs _Black_.html

and this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496256-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XDB_F_484RC2_190XDB_Tripod_Legs _Black_.html

what is the main difference? one has the handle i can see, but does that mean its more aimed towards use with video cameras? or is it also helpful with slrs too?
between those two, which is better?

then, between this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428998-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_725B_725B_Digi_Black_Tripod.html

and this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283759-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_728B_728B_Digi_Tripod_with.html

what are the differences if anything large?

again, im looking for something relatively cheap, in that price range. I pointed out the first two because they hold up to 9.xx lbs, vs the 7.xx lbs of the second set i linked to. the heaviest setup i'll have is my 70-200 f2.8 non IS, with my 30D and grip with 2 batteries attached, which seems to be in the vicinity of 5-6.5 lbs i'm assuming the 7.xx lbs support will not be enough leeway for this.

would you suggest i go with one of those systems? or buy the tripod and head seperately?

thanks for your time, sorry im such a noob at tripods- im entering a whole new world!

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551339-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XDB_F_390RC2_190XDB_Tripod_Legs _Black_.html">1</a>
<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496256-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XDB_F_484RC2_190XDB_Tripod_Legs _Black_.html">2</a>
<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428998-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_725B_725B_Digi_Black_Tripod.html">3</a>
<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283759-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_728B_728B_Digi_Tripod_with.html">4</a>

The single handle head is more for video, yes. That ball head may not be the best choice for your setup. You probably want something beefier, like the 486 or 488, to avoid creep. The legs are ok; I prefer the snaplocks of the Pro model vs the screwlocks of your links. I really like the combo of my RC2 quick release system and the Camdapter plates/handstraps. Cheaper than going ArcaSwiss. But that's another story. What's your budget?

<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/photo/msgs/30024.phtml">Here's what I went with.</a></li></ul>

im looking to put out at least 130 probably, but i dont wanna go much higher than 150, as 98% of it will be for amateur work and night shot type deals

=p

Someday you may want to rent some heavier gear and a $150 tripod supporting a $4-6k lens is a really bad idea. You can never have too much stability, but you can quite easily have too little.

like tonight, infront of a white church with a low fog, but at 12am, cant take it without a tripod unless i want tons of motion blur..

having that as my price range, is it better to just not spend anything if im gonna spend that? or spend my summer night photoless as once i go back to school in the fall engineering will keep me far from taking time in photographing..

i mean i got decent photos with my ****ty 50$ plastic tripod, i dont think a 150$ one will be as bad as everyone makes it sound.. im far from pro and wont be renting any equipment till im at least out of college and settled in with whatever it is, a family or my own house or w/e. which is years and years away, which by then who knows if i'll have ditched photography yet (90% not, but juts saying)

i dont mean to rip on you but what do you think the best tripod i can get for 150 is? which is what my original question was. i know the whole spending more money for a better one idea and theory, but as you did too, you wanted to just upgrade a ballhead on your tripod...

it'll do fine with your setup (it can handle quite a bit more, actually)<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/TILTALL-PROFESSIONAL-ALUMINUM-TRIPOD-4260-HEAVY-DUTY_W0QQitemZ260256213610QQihZ016QQcategoryZ30094 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">ebay</a></li></ul>

Bogen knockoffs. Inexpensive.

have learned now is why the extra money is worth it. Go light, get a carbon fiber tripod. Even though it is expensive, lugging a tripod + lens bag on a 5 mile hike can be a bit draining.

Get a ballhead. I had an old fashioned one and after converting, I will never go back. instead of having to mess with 3 screws, you squeeze the grip and move the thing. It handles pretty heavy stuff. I've put my D200 w/ battery pack and a 70-200 on it and it does not slip. SOOOOO much easier to adjust.