I'm with Wayland on this one. Cheap, "lightweight" tripod are a false economy.
Saying that it really depends on what you are planing to take pictures of for you to be able to answer the question of "what do I need". I think the question you should be asking (again with Wayland on this) is "when would I need a tripod/what would I want it for".
When I went to Everest/Nepal I would have loved to have taken my big tripod and kit, but totally impractical for the trip. I couldn't hold up the group of 20 walkers to set it up and take "the shot". So in the end I took my small but sturdy enough table top tripod - http://www.trek-tech.com/products/tripods.html - I find the advantage this has over Grillipods is can be used as a small monopod as well.
A couple of shots taken using the smaller T'pod above.
If you want something a little taller, I can recommend the Trek Tech GO! pod - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7sam2Z4qv4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trekpods.html - 2nd one down.
To give it some extra stability I hang my rucksack from the centre pole for extra weight.
Mike
Saying that it really depends on what you are planing to take pictures of for you to be able to answer the question of "what do I need". I think the question you should be asking (again with Wayland on this) is "when would I need a tripod/what would I want it for".
When I went to Everest/Nepal I would have loved to have taken my big tripod and kit, but totally impractical for the trip. I couldn't hold up the group of 20 walkers to set it up and take "the shot". So in the end I took my small but sturdy enough table top tripod - http://www.trek-tech.com/products/tripods.html - I find the advantage this has over Grillipods is can be used as a small monopod as well.
A couple of shots taken using the smaller T'pod above.
If you want something a little taller, I can recommend the Trek Tech GO! pod - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7sam2Z4qv4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trekpods.html - 2nd one down.
To give it some extra stability I hang my rucksack from the centre pole for extra weight.
Mike
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