I can personally recommend the Vanguard Veo 2 lineup. They have twist locks, which some people don't like and I wasn't sure if I would, but they don't require turning for ages, barely a full rotation. Just pick the one that suits the weight you expect to put on it and your budget, they range for $100-$250 (look for the comparison chart lower on the page).

The 23X and 26X models have a slightly better ball head, which adds friction control for the ball and pan locking.

I personally have the 264AB (A for aluminum, C for carbon fiber) and it's fantastic. It folds up to around 17", weighs only a few pounds, and is super sturdy! I cannot attest to how sturdy the lighter models will be for long exposures, but mine has been great.