"get the standard bogen/manfrotto tripod. they are super common, whether new or used, and you dont need anything more heavy duty when shooting MF. get a three-way head (tilt side to side, tilt back and forth, and swing side to side) with some built in spirit levels. ball heads arent worth it... oh, a strap is handy too, for walking about."
sebastian toombs is still lurking this thread and that was his answer. hopefully he doesn't mind when i post these private secrets ^^
if somebody wants to have a special picture, that i posted in this thread, just drop me a line. easiest way.