Gordon, I'd disagree that balls are good for landscapes, again, they are just too difficult to control. I've never done portrait so can't say from first hand experience but would suggest this is the same. You can't move just one plane at a time with a ball. Straightening a horizon whilst keeping the composition you want in a landscape using a ball head can be frustrating.
For general stuff, go with a three way head such as the 804RC2 Clive uses, or the 460RC2 I use. The 804 is quite a bit sturdier but the 460 is considerably more compact and easier to pack. These are not ideal for fast moving long lens wildlife work where a pan/tilt head such as the 128RC is well suited - I digiscope now and again with one of these. It's also half the price of the 393.
I'm sure geared heads are great for super fine adjustment, close in macro, but I've never found I can't get the finesse I need doing some very close work with the 460. Unless you want to specialise in macro/still life I'd suggest a geared head is overkill.
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