Tripod advice please

[*gold*]

Now i've had a search but want specific answers to my spec as i know what i want in a tripod, almost
I was looking at the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod and i know it is a very popular tripod but i need to keep costs as low as possible and don't really need the ability to go near ground level.. I need a tripod that has no centre support assembly that restricts the movement of the legs independantly. What i do need is the ability to take some kind of gimbal head for my 100-400mm for wildlife/birding shots but also the ability to take my standard/wide lenses for some HDR that i really want to push into. (can you do that with a gimbal head ?) Will i need 2 seperate heads ??
Any recommendations would be great, i know the Manfrotto i mention above go for more on ebay than can be had new now (£100 approx new without head) But for just the tripod with no head i was hoping for as low as possible as i have to get at least the gimbal head on top (another £150 for the one i like, lensmaster i think)
Many thanks for reading and any help will be appreciated
Atb
Cliff

 

[Pablosammy]

Now i've had a search but want specific answers to my spec as i know what i want in a tripod, almost
I was looking at the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod and i know it is a very popular tripod but i need to keep costs as low as possible and don't really need the ability to go near ground level.. I need a tripod that has no centre support assembly that restricts the movement of the legs independantly. What i do need is the ability to take some kind of gimbal head for my 100-400mm for wildlife/birding shots but also the ability to take my standard/wide lenses for some HDR that i really want to push into. (can you do that with a gimbal head ?) Will i need 2 seperate heads ??
Any recommendations would be great, i know the Manfrotto i mention above go for more on ebay than can be had new now (£100 approx new without head) But for just the tripod with no head i was hoping for as low as possible as i have to get at least the gimbal head on top (another £150 for the one i like, lensmaster i think)
Many thanks for reading and any help will be appreciated
Atb
Cliff

The Manfrotto should last you for the rest of your days, which other bit of kit that costs £100 will you be able to say that about? I'd say just push the boat out and go for it, it's a classic tripod for a reason

 

[*gold*]

Thanks for the reply Sam, I see what you're saying, I think I was hoping for something in the manfrotto range without the low level ability but having said that I doubt I would save much and the resale value if ever I did sell would be less.
Can you help regarding heads, I want the free movement of a gimbal type but would I be able to use my 18-55 on it for instance.
Many thanks again
Cliff

 

[Faldrax]

If you don't need the option for the centre column to switch to horizontal then the 055XB Classic or 055XDB Basic are a bit cheaper then the XPROB version.

 

[Pablosammy]

Thanks for the reply Sam, I see what you're saying, I think I was hoping for something in the manfrotto range without the low level ability but having said that I doubt I would save much and the resale value if ever I did sell would be less.
Can you help regarding heads, I want the free movement of a gimbal type but would I be able to use my 18-55 on it for instance.
Many thanks again
Cliff

I use a basic three-way on mine, and it's fine for me. I'm not much of a head expert I'm afraid, but I'd imagine most mid-range heads would cope just fine with that lens. Factor the price of a tripod bag in - it protects the tripod, and makes it much more pleasant to carry around!