Todd Warnke Offline Upload & Sell: On
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Stable. Cheap. Light. Pick two. Well ... pick one, because you want stable. So, if you want light and compact for travel, do not expect cheap.
Next, buy better than you think you need. Nothing worse than buying two or three tripods to get to the one you need.
Also, there are a lot of very good tripods out there so don't let the best be the enemy of the good. RRS is "the best", except that some Gitzo stuff many also be "the best". But best for me is likely not best for you. There is always a compromise, find yours.
Don't forget that the used market is good place to go if your need is greater than your budget.
Ballhead matters. More than you think. I've spent almost as much as your whole budget on just one ballhead ... and I have three (the other two are cheaper than the big one and serve more niche purposes).
So, advice. Grab an RRS BH-40 with lever release. You'll never sell it. Try to find one used ... good luck. Second choice, something like the Photo Clam 38. As for legs, Feisol and Sirui make a broad range of very good to excellent, affordable legs. Used would be a good choice here as well.
Peace,
Todd
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