Originally posted by timbo I'm really enjoying long exposure work - both at night and during the day. I also want to eventually get a bit more serious about macro.
Also look into really solid ball heads, and if you really get into macro, there is a galaxy of "rails" to help you micro focus.
Originally posted by timbo I've heard that the heavier the tripod, the more effective it is at eliminating vibration.<snip>
I've also been told that tripods without a central column suffer from even less vibration.
Congratulations, you've been informed correctly! Just to add what the other posters have said, a wooden tripod is not as heavy as you'd think.
I have a very small Berlebach, it is very well made, solid, and it dampens vibrations as well as my carbon-fiber Gitzo. But it's also very short, and rather expensive for what you get.