Any suggestions?

I know Nikon makes two 10-pin corded remotes and one wireless remote. 

MC-30

MC-36

ML-3 Wireless

If there is a good off brand remote can you give me a review? I think I would like to have a wireless remote but I don't want to pay $189 + shipping. Looking for suggestions. 

I'm also looking for a good tripod that's not expensive for shooting landscapes. Suggestions for it would be much appreciated. 

Thanks!

Tripods? Try Manfrotto. Great build quality in my experience.

I think they are out of my price range right now.

I looked at this Slik but don't know anything about them. 

Also, is there a benefit of having a ball head mount??

Ball heads are the preferred way to work. Positioning is fast and sure and they are easy to use in the cold weather and when wearing gloves with no fiddly knobs. There are a number of good brands, but one of the best is the Arca-Swiss B1.

I use a Gitzo carbon fiber Tripod and a Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head with Really Right Stuff L-Plates for my camera bodies.  They are not cheap but you get what you pay for.  Quality far outweighs price.  The first time an off-brand piece of equipment breaks on you in the middle of a shoot, you will wish you spent a little more to buy quality.

You could always buy 2 of the same off-brand to have a back up, which will probably cost the same as buying a well known piece of quality equipment that will last longer and work better.  Just my opinion.

And one more thing about a quality tripod (I suggest the Gitzo ); it will last you your whole career. In fact, it will outlast your lifetime (something to think about passing down to a photography friend or family member!).

On the remote part: if you have an iPhone or Ipod Touch, there is a cool app by OnOne Software that lets you use the phone or iPod as a camera remote trigger. It has a very cool interface and it's only $19.99!

hope that helps...

~ trace

Thanks! I'll look into both of these!