Vanguard Alta Plus 263AP 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 3-way Magnesium Alloy Photo Panhead

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Price: $169.99    

Product Feature

• Compact aluminum tripod with 3-way photo panhead
• Perfect for the first-time DSLR buyer
• 26 millimeter diameter, 3-section legs
• Collapses to 25 inches
• Extends to 65 inches

Product Description

The Alta+ 263AP from Vanguard is an aluminum tripod with a panhead that can hold a maximum load of 11 lbs. Its total weight is only 4.41 lbs. Some of its other features are: dust and waterproof leg locks, anti-shock ring to prevent damage to your camera, and large foam grips for all-weather use. It is perfect for macro photography and its rubber feet can be retracted to expose spikes for rough terrain. In addition, the legs can be adjusted individually to three different angles to better stabilize itself on uneven ground.

Vanguard Alta Plus 263AP 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 3-way Magnesium Alloy Photo Panhead Review

Given how many different choices and types of tripods we see on the market, choosing the right one for use with a DSLR can be an interesting experience, and sometimes very confusing. Simply put, a tripod is a straightforward device to keep ones camera steady when used in lower light conditions or when the maximum stability is required with long lenses. Even when the DSLRs of today have such good image stabilization, a tripod can be not only a trusted ally but sometimes even a real necessity.

This is a hands-on review of the Vanguard Alta+ 263AP 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 3-way Magnesium Alloy Photo Panhead, and it's one of those that's quite suitable for the advanced enthusiast. It's also a good choice for the beginning DSLR owner who doesn't want to waste money purchasing a tripod that's either too light for reasonable use, or one that's complete overkill. It's also good for pro use in the field, and video enthusiasts will appreciate its versatility.

For those who want just the pros and cons, I'll list them first, followed by the subjective details:

Pros:

* Under 4.5 pounds; reasonably lightweight aluminum & magnesium construction
* Three-section legs with quick-release tabs
* Well-designed 3-way alloy panhead
* Good anti shock ring on center column
* Low-angle photo adapter on reversible center column
* Three stop screws provide extra security for tripod heads
* It comes with a carrying case... standard

Cons:

* IKEA-style instruction sheet (pictures) could be better

Details:

From the moment that this Vanguard Alta+ tripod is taken out of the box, it's clear that this is one decent support mechanism for most contemporary DSLRs. Weighing in at less than 4.5 pounds, yet capable of supporting 11 pounds of camera (or video) gear, this one has a solid feel throughout. It extends to 65 inches, which fine for my 5' 9" frame, putting it in a very comfortable shooting position. This tripod comes standard with a Vanguard PH-32 3-way Photo Magnesium Alloy Panhead, but more on this separately below.

The three-section legs move in and out smoothly, and the quick-release tabs did a good job of holding them even when extra weight was put on the center column to see just how well it would support photo gear prior to actual use... better to find out the limits early on. One noteworthy point is the foam grips that are on each of the tripod legs, not only good for gripping all year around, but especially during the sub-freezing winter months. Remember "triple dare you" from the film A Christmas Story?

The leg adjusting buttons on each of the tripod legs allow for quick adjustment to the standard 25 degrees; there are, further "click" adjustments to 50 and 80-degree angles as well, making it ideal for lower-angle photography. The legs also have adjustable rubber tips covering its spike tips.

The tripod's center column is secured by a single knob, and if it's loosened too quickly, there's an orange anti shock ring made of some elastic plastic to protect the camera and lens... a shock absorber of sorts that I can hope will never be tested. The center column is easily and quickly reversed for extreme low-level or macro photography. Already had one quizzical onlooker advise me that my "tripod is all discombobulated" as I was testing it out for a close up photo in a local park. It happens... but it was easy to switch in seconds.

The center column also has a hook at the bottom which could be useful for suspending additional weight during windy conditions for greater stability - try your camera bag. Bit unscrew the hook and you'll find a standard 1/4'' -20 male threaded stud, which is perfect for attaching a small ball head and leaving it there. Already tried this with a Benro BH0-M Ball head plus a �" to 3/8" screw adapter, and it works just fine. Am tempted to spring for a Vanguard SBH-100 Small Magnesium Alloy Ball Head because I like its dual bubble levels.

As noted above, this tripod comes with a case, the Vanguard Alta+ Bag 70 Custom Bag for Alta+ Series Tripods with Folded Heights Less Than 25 1/2 Inches. It's a pretty decent bag, with an adjustable shoulder strap and a drawstring at the end to close it up... a nice touch.

Panhead:

The Alta+ came equipped with a Vanguard PH-32 3-way Photo Magnesium Alloy Panhead., which also has a �" to 3/8" screw adapter for switching heads if desired, and there's a handy little tool for removing the screw adapter and an Allen wrench for securing the head. As far as pan heads go this one is extremely adjustable in all directions. It also doubles as a fluid pan head for video, and that action is quite adjustable. The two adjustment handles are comfortable and ergonomic, and the head has three excellent bubble levels that are quite accurate.

It comes equipped with an oversize Vanguard QS-51 Large Format Quick Shoe with 1/4" Mounting Screw, which has a textured non-slip top surface. Extras of this are available as options for users with multiple cameras. This oversize plate is quick to remove or exchange, and the head has a built-in safety mechanism to prevent it from falling if released improperly.

The panhead's instruction sheet offered the following advice: "6. WARNING FOR FIX THE EQUIPMENT" with a blank space underneath. That was it, nothing more than that. The instruction sheets with this tripod and panhead leave something to be desired, so have patience as you try to decipher them.

Suggestions:

It's been said many times before that one should buy a tripod that will support 1.5 to 2 times the weight of the camera with lens and any other gear that's attached. Do the math and see if your DSLR with its longest lens and any packs comes higher than six to eight pounds. If it's under that, this should work for you. Another consideration is the height. I'm 5' 9" and at with the tripod measuring 65 inches extended, and with the camera mounted on the head, I lower the center column to look through the viewfinder or the LCD panel. If weight is a consideration, you may wish to look for a carbon-fiber tripod, but they can get expensive. This one weighs less than 4.5 pounds, and suits me well.

Summary:

Most of it has been covered above, but in actual use the tripod proved to be comfortable in all functions. Even during one particularly windy winter day, I never had any fear of weakness in the unit or my DSLR getting damaged by some unforeseen hardware failure. This one is well-engineered, and spending an extra hour or so in the comfort of the living room learning all of its nuances paid, just as if one was trying out a new camera or lens.

Up front I'll rate the Vanguard PH-32 Panhead as a good 4-star device, but I am subjectively inclined more towards ball heads than pan heads, so do take that into consideration. It's a personal thing. But the Vanguard Alta+ Tripod itself is a solid 5-star product, and hard to fault in any way. In this configuration I can easily recommend it as a 4.5-star choice, but go higher if you prefer a panhead. In any case, this is the kind of tripod that will probably last years longer than your camera... it's a good one.

2/13/2012

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