[rossb]

A hundred dollar tripod is hard to find but you might be able to find a 3021 Bogen tripod on ebay or KEH.com for that much used. I have used the 3021 for several years and it has taken a beating from hiking and rattling around in the trunk of my car. I was trying to climb down a cliff area in Big Sur earlier this year and dropped the tripod about 100 feet. It flipped over so the ball head went first into the rocks and it shattered in three pieces but the legs suffered only a small scratch. I use the 486RC2 ball head with quick release. I stopped into Camera West on the way home and picked up another 486 ballhead for $60.00. That ball head is marginal if you have some long lenses but it's worked well for me. The 488 ball head is much stronger but it cost more. I know BHPhoto sells the 3021 with the 486 for about $225.00 so I am figuring you should be able to find a used one for half the new price. Sturdy, dependable, well made and kind of heavy for hiking. Oh, after that I stopped climbing the cliffs carrying a medium format and lenses, A d200 with lenses, plus my tripod. I now go out with just whatever will fit into my mini trekker pack and the tripod which I carry with it's own shoulder sling.