MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I find it difficult to recommend a tripod that costs more than the OP's camera, especially when there are comparable products available for less than half the cost.
But if it works for you, that's great.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Your tripod needs to be able to be comfortably used by you at your full, standing height WITHOUT EXTENDING THE CENTER POLE!

Sorry for shouting but there's no other way to emphasize that extremely important point.

As long as the legs can extend to function at your standing height, then for any lower posture, it'll be cool.

Dave in SD

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

I don't know if this is OP's first camera and may upgrade or purchase additional lenses. That why I was suggesting one assess this personally and not just purchase the cheapest legs that will minimally handle their current needs unless that is all that they can afford or are willing to spend because as you know being in the business most will ultimately spend more and upgrade at some time.

KVM

Hope this helps, I am 6'4" and own lots of three or four tri pods one carbon fiber. My mentor told me to find a tri pod that I did not have to extend the center column. I use two tri pods today, one for the big boy 150-500 Sigma, it is old aluminum heavy and sturdy. The second is shooting everything else all 2.8 lens. I found this tri pod on Adororama for very little money. I was doubtful it would be good enough, I was wrong. It is a Proline by Dolica Pro Series weight 5.2 lbs, load capacity 17.6 lbs. Height 72.8.
I use the head that came with it on the big boy. So far I can only say it works great.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

I own several of the "normal" tripods and even one carbon fiber. I have the same problem as the OP... I am well over six feet tall and have a problem getting the kind of height I sometimes need. I also hate extending the columns for obvious reasons.

The best tripod I have that overcomes all of these problems (except one, as you will see) is an old wooden tripod I have had since my days of land surveying in the 60's. It was originally designed for transits and telescopic levels. The legs will extend out far enough to put the plate at about 7.5 feet comfortably. I had to fashion a plate for the top to attach to my gimbal head, since the original was about a 4 inch screw cap. (This was not very hard to do).

Long story short, I use this every time when weight and size are not a problem, although it does not really weigh much more than my heavier Manfrotto's. Obviously, this is not for the faint at heart, but it is great for someone who is getting a sore back and neck from stooping...

Believe it or not, they occasionally come up on either eBay or Craigslist for between $50 and $100....I even found a broken one at a flea market for $20.....

JDVan Loc: Near Seattle

I'm 6'3" and I can relate to your Tripod Height issue. I don't use a tripod very often so didn't want to spend a lot of money on one but I wanted one that was high enough so that I didn't have to bend over very much when viewing on the tripod. Several years ago I purchased a SunPak Platinum Plus Ultra 7500TM 2-in-1 tripod Monopod. The maximum extended height for it is 72.75" almost 6' 1" Fully extended, I can have the camera mounted on the top and look straight into the view finder without bending over(bad back). I use a wireless remote control to avoid any contact with the camera when taking pictures. Has worked for me but my requirements may not be as stringent as yours.

For Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irh-B1gl3mY

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I have an old (1960's I think) Slik tripod that when the legs are fully extended, the camera is too high for me to see through the viewfinder. I'm 6' tall, the center column does crank up another foot or so, but I've never used it that way. I'd have to stand on a ladder. The thing weighs a ton, is brushed aluminum, and built like a tank, but I wouldn't trade it for anything... Anyone with a D800E want to challenge me on that? OK, maybe I would trade it for some things, but I'd find another one somewhere.