I have carbon fiber legs and ball head capable of holding 44lbs and only weighs 1.87 lbs itself.
With the ball head, legs extended, and camera, the camera sits at my eye level (I'm about 6'3"). I also have a center column that extends it even further, though not needed. Everything's Carbon Fiber. I'm lacking a horizontal adapter for the center column, though I don't think I'd be able to use it over a tank since I can't even look through the viewfinder if it's put over the top of a tank.
I always shoot in RAW manual mode.
Your gallery is really nice too! Good stuff =)