I was out taking photos on Monday and unfortunately I wandered off without my tripod (it didn't have my camera on it, I put it down to take a shot). By the time I realised this 30 minutes later I went back and it was gone...quite an expensive, and very stupid, mistake.

Have put up a notice in the area as I'm fairly sure some people exercising near where I was taking photos saw me wander off without it. Am hoping someone calls, but in the meantime I guess it's time to start looking at options for a replacement.

I had the 190XPROB with the 488RC2 ball-head. Am currently looking at the 055XPROB as a replacement, but have also seen a couple of carbon fibre tripods from Benro for a reasonable price. Can't really afford to go for the really expensive models at the moment, and as it seems the 055XPROB is a bit taller than a cheaper carbon fibre tripod I thought that might be the best option.

These are the carbon fibre models I saw online here in Korea:

http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challen...est_group_no=1

http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challen...est_group_no=1

Also thought of getting the 498RC2 Ball-head as a replacement, but also saw the Markins Q3 for $245 and the Gitzo G1178M for $173, so could possibly push for one of these.

If anyone has any other suggestions for decent ball-head and tripod combination for between $300 - $450 that'd be great!

Will also be looking at getting a bag I can physically attach my tripod to so I don't have to carry it and put it down to take photos when I'm not using it.