From experience, the Manfrotto 055PROB is adequate, or you can splash out on the (lighter but more expensive) Gitzo 2530.
I use the Minolta FlashMeter VI which, since Minolta stopped making them, is now the Kenko 2100. It is a superb piece of kit that allows you to specify the range of exposure your film can cope with, measure a shadow or highlight and it will give you the correct average exposure and allow you to check that the other end of the range is not going to block/blow.
Or you can use a piece of card/plastic and a piece of string... much cheaper and lighter to carry
I tried the Black Jacket but found it too "plasticky". The Paramo cloth has the advantage of a double drawstring at the camera end which allows blocking of the gap under the camera.
Yes, whatever you do, don't become another Joe Clone. As wonderful as his pictures are, develop your own style
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