I'm looking to buy a tripod for my hasselblad 501cm w/ 50mm lens. I have a cheap slik (piece of junk) tripod now and it moves when the shutter fires. I would prefer to get something somewhere in the $200 range (or lower) but if i need to spend more to get something that works then i guess i will.
I've been using a Bogen/Manfrotto 3001 with the 484 ball head with my 501. Works well for me, plus it is light-weight and quick to set up. Ttoal price is under your $200 limit. If I were to do it over again, I'd look twice at the similar-looking equipment being advertized by Calumet.
You might find the chapter on handheld vs light tripod vs heavy tripod in Barry Thornton's "Edge of Darkness" interesting in your deliberations. I can't seem to locate my copy at the moment, but the testing was impressive.
I've got an old Star-D, and it's starting to show its age; I'm worried.