Thing iu onl have that lens now but if u get a longer lens u will need a sturdy pod. had this same discussion when i started trying to talk myself into a cheap one and deded to get he giottos 9251. I found it good. It holds up to 11lbs i think. Its we built and i used it on a beach and no sand got into the legs
Honestly I got mine from wal-mart. My lifestyle is hard on everything so I just got a $20 cheap one and it has worked amazingly well. Its nothing grand but it has held up and is light for backpacking. I think like all things it would depend on what you wanted to use it for.