I've come across a bit of spare cash and have decided to upgrade my light and slightly weak Slik Sprint Pro to a bigger, more stable 'pod. I don't hike really, so unless it's really heavy, weight isn't a big issue. I shoot at beaches in quite substantial winds so I'd like something very stable. I would only be using a D700 and 18-35 as well. I'm also in the UK so if anyone could recommend (or even better, link) to a particular model that would be ace.
You didn't say how much you want to spend. There are many choices with Gitzos being the tripods by which others tend to be judged. However, since you mentioned beaches and that you are not overly concerned about weight you may want to consider a couple of alternatives not often mentioned. Beaches imply sand, salt, and water and some cleaning/maintenance concerns. You can consider a wood tripod like Berlebach, or the Cullman Titan aluminum tripod. The design of the Cullman legs keeps water, salt, sand out of the interior moving parts. The wood Berlebach legs will also stand up well in those conditions (just wipe them off when you head home).
I own Gitzo and Feisol tripods as well as a Berlebach. The Berlebach is the one I'd choose to jam into the sand.
It's definitely heavy but I use a Bogen 3021 and love it. I do hike with it but most wouldn't want to. It should perform well in the sand.
It's less than $200 without a head. I can't find it online at B&H after a quick search so it may be discontinued but you should be able to find one somewhere or it's replacement in the line.
It uses clamps to unlock legs vice the Gitzo twist style but I never found it inconvenient.
Dynatran 858 from ebay. Solid, stable, and inexpensive. It's heavy, but I never got a hernia carrying it. Price, including a pistol-grip head is about $150 with free shipping. It's a very good knockoff of the aforementioned Bogen 3021.
the 3021 is the Manfrotto 055XPROB over here. I would recommend this tripod. It is heavy but stable. That said, if you can stretch to a 2nd hand Gitzo they can be more stable still.
I use a Berlebach Uni16 which has a 30 degree leveling ball integrated (diameter 90mm). Nothing for a walk, of course, it weights 15lbs and takes 75 lbs, but that's why it is perfect in windy environments. Before, I had a Gitzo Series 5, sturdy like a tank too, but the wooden Berlebach absorbs vibrations much better.
