[Dabhand16]

Stability is all important with your sort of photography. If you are travelling about to get the pictures, you will need to consider the weight of a tripod. If you are in a more controlled environment - that is in a studio or conservatory/greenhouse etc - weight is not so much of an isue.

Carbon fibre tripods are lighter than metal ones - but dearer too. Most tripods are less stable when fully extended (but I suspect you will not be using it at this height), and some are better at getting low down - this might be more important to you. Some will be able to allow you to move the camera in all directions on the centre column like the Manfrotto 190 or 055 ranges. Their columns can be set at an angle to the tripod legs, so are more versatile.

Some will have a lever on the shoulder of the tripod that will allow all of the legs to be adjusted at once - quicker to set up a shot.

Ball heads are probably quicker to set up than pan/tilt heads, but this is very much a personal preference.

All heads will have a quick release plate. You need this to be a very solid fit that will not move or have any play in it. No good having a tripod built like a tank if the QR plate is moving about.

When you are looking at them do check out the Manfrotto 190/055 to see if their versatile columns are useful for your needs or not. if not, there are more choices of 'conventional' tripods out there.

Oh, yes - don't forget when you have your camera set up on the tripod, either use the self-timer to release the shutter, or get a remote control or cable shutter release. If you try to press the shutter button on the camera you will move it and blur your pictures.