I really like the shots you posted - Very nice!

If cost is not an object, and if carrying a large tripod is not a concern, I can highly recommend the carbon tripods from Really Right Stuff (RRS) and their ballheads. I've been extremely happy with mine, though the size of it took some getting used to. It can, however IMO, be a bit cumbersome for macro and can be difficult to get positioned on SOME subjects. For landscape, I've never wanted for a different set-up. I'd also highly recommend an "L" plate, which will be secured to your camera body and will allow you to easily arrange the body for portrait or landscape shots. This significantly reduces the need to adjust the tripod if you want to compose for both portrait and landscape on a particular subject.

As they say, the best tripod is the one you have with you!

Good luck.

DB

I'm with Spindrift62 .... If you can lock without slipping (in all your frequent and infrequent uses) without tons of micro readjustments, your current equipment appears to be working excellent.

The change I've made to a dedicated L-plate and a lever / quick-release on the ball head has made my work with my tripod much more enjoyable. I made a major upgrade on the tripod as well. But, my old one couldn't hold my upgraded equipment, so it was due for a change even before the L-plate came into play ...

Check the weight of your camera with lens and telextender combined. Is this the heaviest setup that you will continue to use? Then check the recommended weight limits for your tripod and ball head. Some tripods have a hook at the bottom of the central shaft that enable you to attach something heavy to it to help stabilize the tripod. There are many tripods that would meet your requirements but you might be able to help your current setup as you look.

I am interested in similar subjects to those you described and use a Manfrotto 055MF4 tripod (fiber 4leg sections) tripod and a Manfrotto 498RC2 ballhead with a Nikon D300s and battery pack, a 70-200 f2.8 lens and a 1.4 telextender as possibly my heaviest setup. I have a 105 f 2.8 macro and a 80-400 lens, which is about the same weight as the 70-200 lens. The tripod is very stable but I am not as happy with the ball head because of the type of quick release plate they use. You might not have the same problem with the plates. I am a female in my 70's with an arthritis problem in my hands and sometimes have trouble tightening the plates to my equipment.