True, but there are tripods which go seriously tall without the need of the centre column. Mine is 157 cm, and there are others which are higher.

If you want a steady tripod then don't use the centre column.

I see the prices are dropping already in the Netherlands. I hope SRS name their price soon - maybe after the open day?

Centre braces prevent the tripod going very low, or the legs being set at different angles (which can be handy on a hillside for instance). They tend to be only on cheaper, more flimsy tripods.
A good tripod should be able to stand on it's own three feet without bracing.

Also using the centre column up high reduces the stability of a tripod tremendously - witness i-Bergs comment about his 190X ProB. That is the tripod I originally planned to buy, but the Bigma just wobbled too much on it. I took the centre column out of my Velbon - it is tall enough without it, and is rock steady. I do not need to bend over to use it either.

Could be a very, very long wait .

Whilst the Benbo is undoubtedly an excellent tripod - it like most good tripods is more than 80 pounds, and you still have to buy a head for it too, pushing the price up further.

If Paul only wants to spend 80 pounds, including a head, then his options are limited.

The best way to choose a tripod imho is to try them out - find a shop which has a good range of manufacturers, take your camera and the heaviest/longest lens you own and try them out.
I was originally going to buy a Manfrotto, but on trying a Velbon for the same price I ended up with that. The height is better and it is just so much more stable. I already had a good ball head that I bought on a second hand goods site here in NL.

Let's hope SRS names their price soon .

Get the best you can afford. A cheap tripod is a waste of money, and worse than useless.
Do not get one with the extra "braces" on the legs. Consider the height it will extend to - you don't want to end up with back ache from stooping over a tripod all day. Consider how low it will go - do you want it for macro work too? Then it needs to go low for those toadstools/wildflowers etc. How much weight does it need to carry? the heavier the load the sturdier the tripod and head must be.

Consider too the type head you want. Cheaper tripods come with a head very often - but they may not be very stable.

I'm afraid 80 GBP will not get you much in the way of a good tripod, though SRS do have a Benro aluminium tripod and head for 89 GBP.

Provided the news website doesn't need a log-in, or worse payment, then why not post a link to the picture under general chat?

I enjoy seeing other photos, even if they aren't made with a Pentax. There are often some stunning ones on the BBC and Guardian sites.

Not so sure about Flickr links though.

That is good news . Last lens I bought (in Sesptember) had to be paid using Paypal gift, as did the last one I sold.

Well done everyone. It was a challenging subject and some great entries. I was torn between the lovely Joclick (as I now know her to be:wink and Dr O's beautiful study. His won and got my vote.

Interesting to see if this comp keeps going