I need a tripod.  What features should I look for? Are there
certain makes or models to seek out or avoid?

2 responses total.

get a tripod with flip-locking legs, not the ones where you
have to twist them down to tighten. I have a Slik that you 
have to twist to raise or lower, its a pain, since you have 
to open and close the legs in a certain order.

If you don't shoot much, a $20 tripod from Wal-mart would
probably do a decent job, without breaking the bank.

If the tripod is for photographic use, just about any inexpensive one  
will do the job.  Paying more gets you more durability, but otherwise  
doesn't make a huge difference for still photography.  
  
If the tripod is for video use, it's worth paying a premium for a  
tripod with a "fluid head."  They use a special type of bearing that  
will let you pan and tilt the camera smoothly.  They generally have two  
levers for the tilt adjustment, instead of one -- one lever to lock the  
tilt, when desired, and one lever to set how much drag resists  
movements.  These are both heavier and more expensive than normal 
tripods, though, so they're not really worth it for still work. 

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