What tripod do you use and aren't many identical?

In 2004 I bought a Gitzo Carbon Fiber 3-section tripod that I probably paid $500, and with it I bought a Markins M10 ballhead that probably cost another $400!  I will say that both the tripod and ballhead have performed flawlessly for the last 15 years, and supported everything I've thrown at them without slipping or vibrating.

It's a combo that I bought for my Nikon gear, so it's probably more than is required for m4/3, but I've appreciated it for several reasons:

• The carbon fiber makes it light and not unpleasant to use in cold weather
• It extends and folds up rapidly and easily
• The height allows me to shoot comfortably without raising the center column (which reduces stability)
• The tripod's carbon fiber legs are thick enough to be stable and stiff... and dampen vibrations very well.
• The Markins head holds even my heaviest combos without slipping one bit. 

As solid as this combo is, it can't convert to a monopod! I had to purchase that separately. It also doesn't fold up as small as a 4-section tripod. I own an aluminum and plastic Gitzo traveler tripod that does fold up nice and compact, but it doesn't get very tall and the last section (plastic) is pencil thin and not very stable.

I'm amazed that these days you can buy a carbon fiber tripod that converts to monopod and has a decent looking ballhead for less than $200. Maybe they don't dampen as well as the Gitzo, and maybe they don't hold heavy lenses as well as the Markins, but for the price they are sure worth trying!

Read reviews of the ballhead... you want to make sure it works well and doesn't slip out of position under weight or movement. Also pay attention to the thickness of the tripod legs. If the tripod is lighter because the sections are thinner (especially that last section) you will have a tripod that flexes too much.

4-section tripods fold up nice and small, but it's another three sections to extend or collapse every time you deploy it and pack it. I bought my 4-section for times when I need it to fit into a small bag. Outside of that I prefer using my 3-section pod for the stability and the easy of deployment.