Help! What's a good tripod?

[ebpinpin]

As I get into this photography thing, it's evident that I'm going to need a tripod.  With a quick research on the Net, it's apparent that there's a whole range of tripods.  Some are (surprisingly) expensive while others cheap.  So what's the good one to get?  I take it that the tripods you get at The Source are cheap, and probably couldn't hold much weight, but they do work, right?  Why would I want to invest in a $200 tripod from brands like Manfroto?  If someone could explain, and perhaps suggest a decent tripod/head combo for someone starting out it would be appreciated!  I just don't want to plunk down too much money for something I might not really need.  Maybe some of you will even suggest that the "no name" brands are fine for the money and for someone just starting out. 

Thanks!

Elmo

[dmogx]

why you want a sturdy tripod, is because the last thing you want is wind blowing down your shitty tripod and damaging your expensive dslr.
that said, i use a shitty tripod
i bought one on ebay coming, and a recommended ball head from photography masta leighton from dx.. waiting for my tripod, have the ball head already oddly enough.

[melonvitara]

for a P&S camera i think it's not necessary for an expensive tripod
but for DSLR, you know how heavy the camera + lens can get so a studier base should be considered

[StevieSpeed3]

Manfrotto. Done

[IMASA]

Go ahead, buy a cheap tripod.  Sooner or later, you'll either go ahead and buy another better one or wish you did.  I bought a cheap $15 one from XSCargo.  I'm sure it does the job, but as your camera gets more $$$ and your lenses get more $$$, do you really want to trust it with a $15 plastic tripod?

Thom Hogen's thoughts on buying tripods:  http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

As for recommendations, for a DSLR I like the Manfrotto 190 series.  They can be had for around $240 with head.  They have cheaper ones, but they can't support a lot of weight, so you'd end up buying yet another tripod if you upgraded to better, heavier lenses.