Last year I bought a K-S2 with a 18-135 for my wife because she'd expressed some interest in "real" photography. She had zero photography experience and barely even used the cell phone camera.
In August we went to Yellowstone. She absolutely fell in love with wildlife photography, mainly using a 55-300 on her K-S2. At one point, she came back to the car with wide eyes and a big grin, saying, "I need a bigger lens!" (of course she meant "longer" lens
)
This past winter, I bought a Sigma 150-500 and Sigma 50-500 for her and myself. Just like that, my sub $100 tripods were inadequate.
Doing much research, I really liked the Gitzo 3 and 5 series carbon fiber legs. I just could not rationalize spending $1,500+ for a tripod/head times 2! Then I took a chance on an
INNOREL RT90C Bowl Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs for $300, and a
Neewer Gimbal Head for $80. The legs looked identical to the Gitzo 5 series, included the max load of 88# and weight of just over 6#. The legs are stiff and the quality of workmanship is excellent. The legs fold flat with no center column for low shots and the feet are replaceable. It comes with a set of spikes too.
As much as I liked it, it was a bit big and, though light, a bit unwieldy for my wife and for vacation travel. Since I was impressed with Innorel quality, I bought their
RT-85C legs/monopod with a beefy 44mm ball head and table tripod package for $250. The max load is 55# but only weighs 5# with the head and folds to only 20". It can be used without the center column for low shots. Also, the 44mm ball head is sturdy enough to function as a quasi gimbal head if using a lens with tripod foot. Again, the quality of material and workmanship did not disappoint.
I liked it so much that I bought second one for our planned trip to the southwest canyons. The initial purchase (RT90C) is favored for use with the gimbal head and local shooting, though I could forgo it, in favor if the R85C system. As they say, you always pay for your education.
I hope this helps.