Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod

This is not a light tripod but that wasn’t what I was looking for!This tripod however does come with a great hold-all that is simple to sling over your shoulder and balance the weight perfectly although a shoulder pad would have been nice…The tripod itself is extremely easy to use and also has fitting keys to help unscrew things for maintenance upkeep later.The arm that overhangs for a top down view, is also fab - the arm must be adjusted into position before attaching your camera. It can make it top heavy if leaning out too far but it does have a d ring for a weight to be attached to balance weight out if this is the case.Best tripod ever!! So glad I paid out for it!

Initial delivery was of an opened tripod box where the previous person had removed (i.e. stolen) the case & key and damaged one of the tripod leg clips (one of the legs wouldn't stay locked at 25 degrees, where the other 2 would). Item returned without fuss and brand new replacement delivered 2 days later - excellent recovery there, Amazon!I've never had to return any goods previously, so was impressed with returns experience.Tripod is high quality and better than previous tripods I've had - handles multiple angles and heights and camera with heavy lens, with ease. Highly recommended.

I have been using this even though I am still waiting for the ball head ordered at the same time. I have been limited as to how I can use it but have taken some macro photos with it and am impressed. Not so long ago I would have said one tripod was pretty much the same as another, they only have to hold the camera steady don't they? I had been using two cheap tripods, one that I had modified to allow a very low but stable platform and one that was big but couldn't be adjusted very low. When I was trying to position the smaller, modified one recently, I managed to strip the tilt handle thread which rendered it useless. So I looked into a tripod that would allow all manner of positional adjustments and settled on this one after some research.Well I can report that it will allow me to put the camera in any desired position relative to the subject, even without the head. With the head, it will be quicker and easier to get those positions.The sturdyness of it is noticable. The way I have realised it mainly so far is how steady the magnified image is when trying to focus. Previously I have had to pretty much estimate the focus of a madly jumping image and the hit rate has been low and more by luck than judgement. With care I can now keep the image steady and focus much more easily. I am wondering if I will get sharper landscapes and other shots now to. If this is sturdy enough for macro image steadiness when manually focussing it should be less vulnerable to vibrations due to breezes etc!

I searched long and hard for a tripod that would suit my needs, and after a while found this. The tripod is fantastic and works perfectly. The tripod legs were a bit stiff when I first tried it, but these can be adjusted to suit your liking. The only draw back is that when you have legs open right out, the centre column is a bit awkward to use, but with the right head this can be overcome easily.

This is now my third tripod I own and by far the best one. Since starting to shoot food and product photography having the ability to adjust the centre column to any position is priceless. This also works out well in landscape scenarios when needing to go down really low as you don't have any centre column in the way plus makes it a lot easier to navigate the tripod to the exact position you where in handheld. The tripod itself if quite light and having used it outside in the wind still gives you a perfectly stable shot. The lightweight of the tripod makes it excellent for long hiking journeys. The multipurpose feet of the tripod that can be detracted to reveal spikes make it suitable for any type of terrain you use it in.I would have rated this at 5 stars if it weren't for the length of the tripod when folded. It is about the same length as my Manfrotto 055 but I so wished that Vanguard had made the legs fold to the same length as the centre column, because if they had, it would be roughly the same length folded as my Gitzo Traveller and at that stage, it would have fit inside my Kata bag that I use as carry on when flying along with the rest of my gear. Now sadly, I either have to have a checked bag or leave the tripod at home in favour of the Gitzo Traveller which I was hoping to be able to replace with this one when wanting to go as light as possible for a weekend trip or similar, but id does replace my Manfrotto tripod.Even with the folded length I still think it is a great tripod and it should not be overlooked on that point alone as it has so many other benefits.

My online buying of tripods has been a tragic affair, wibbly wobbly legs, loose columns, ridiculously short extensions. This however...is joyous, sturdy, well made, tall. It is hefty but it is a good size pod and aluminium. I did want the carbon fibre one but it is twice the price so I settled. Happy to use it!!!

Great quality and very versatile. Excellent value for money.Lite enough to walk around with. Very good for macro or studio.

Fantastic tripod. Excellent for things like food blogging and holding your camera upside down etc. Very good price as well.