> Looking to spend maybe 600 bucks max for legs and a ball head. Adding my two cents tho... are you planning on long hikes or mostly shooting near the car? If weight isnt a huge deal, I've been super satisfied with the Leofoto LN-324CH Carbon Fiber Tripod and the Leofoto LH-40 Low Profile Ball Head. It handles heavy bodies like a champ. Quick tip: definitely consider a gimbal head for tracking bison... ball heads can be a pain for moving subjects.

That 1DX and 70-200mm f/2.8 combo is a heavy setup, so you're definitely pushing the limits of any travel tripod. Carbon fiber is generally the better choice here... it dampens vibrations more effectively than aluminum and handles temperature better in places like Yellowstone. I recommend looking at the Benro Mach3 TMA37C Carbon Fiber Tripod. It has a high load capacity and thicker leg sections which prevent the wobbling you're seeing. For the head, the Benro B3 Double Action Ball Head is a solid match that holds that heavy glass without sagging once locked. The key is choosing a setup rated for significantly more than your actual gear weight to maintain stability during long tracking sessions. Aluminum is cheaper but the extra weight makes it a chore for landscape work.