Just decided to get myself a new tripod. Boy, what a step – from rather basic Manfrotto 190B to an absolutely marvelous Gitzo (the GT2541EX Explorer Carbon, if you want the nitty-gritty details). Together with a Manfrotto 468MG ballhead. Add an Arca-Swiss quick-release clamp and an L-Plate for my 50D and things don’t get better 
Thomas
Sounds like a pretty lightweight combination you have there, Thomas. Congrats on your purchase.
Yes, that was the idea, to have something that I can schlepp around when hiking. Otherwise, it would simply end up collecting dust somewhere in a cupboard. I’m lazy…
An almost platin-plated solution, but probably the right decision: Two years ago I read Tom Hogan’s article about the diversions on might take to find the right tripod, and decided similarly.
The rocks on the shore with the blurred waters show, why a tripod sometimes is indispensible. Fine colors here!