Suggestion to a macro tripod/focusing rail/ring flash

Lee, I have a Markins Q10 on my 055 tripod, which is fantastic, but costs more than your stated budget.

I have also recently bought a Sirui travel tripod (T2204X) with their K20X ball head.  The ball head retails for AU$130, so would be within your budget.  It's a nice ballhead - solid, well built and smooth - not quite in the same class as the Markins, but very good.  Sirui also do larger versions which would comfortably fit on the topplate of the Manfrotto, and only cost $10 (for the K30X) more than mine.  As you no doubt know, the stability of a ballhead under load is related to the size of the ball, and the K30X has a significantly larger ball than the K20X, so should be able to hold a greater load.

I know (from when I was researching travel tripods) that Benro and Feisol also make ballheads in a similar price range, but I have no direct experience with them.

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Cheers,
Damien