Easel recommendations?

Hello oil and acrylic painters! (and thank you, all you well-wishers!)

I'm wondering if any of you out there can recommend a good easel for me. I've been using a pretty cheap one ($100 or less?) for a long time now and while it's okay for smaller canvases, it really doesn't work for the size I mostly do oils on, which is usually 36" x 36", 36" x 48", or even larger. What happens is, the little shelf thingie that the canvas sits on suddenly drops off (with a resulting messiness you can imagine...avalanche!) because it can't support the weight of the canvas. The design seems bad too, in that the only way to tighten it (always, regardless of the size or weight of canvas) is by sheer hand force. The tiniest bit loose, and it drops off. Too heavy a canvas, it also drops off.

I need something that can handle canvases maybe up to 6 feet height, and their weight. Also need something that has a better system--where brute force is not the (only) factor in trying to secure one's canvas. My hand gets tired long before the thing gets tight (secure) enough.

The ceiling in the studio is not very high-- 10 feet?? I'll need to check--so I know I can't get one of those kind that has the mast that keeps raising up as you slide the canvas up. We can't afford one of those amazing-looking $1000+ models that I've seen advertised...

So, my question to you all is if you have any experience with a particular brand and/or model that might suit my needs and price range (like to keep it at a few hundred bucks if possible).

I can go ask in an art store at some point (though the two stores in town are kind of small), but wanted to ask all my trusted art-blogger buddies first, especially as you all have had some actual experience using your easels.

(Negative experiences with particular brands/models also very important to know.)

Thanks!