I have been using a Vanguard tripod for a while now. I needed a tripod that was solid, not too heavy, but not as expensive as the carbon fiber tripods. I heard about the Vanguard product line and started looking into them. I ended up buying a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT tripod with a SBH-250 Magnesium ball head. This is one of the nicest tripods I’ve owned.
First the specs from the Vanguard web site. It’s made from an aluminum alloy, so it’s light. Again, not as light as a carbon fiber model, but it weighs in at 4.41 lbs and it will support 15.4 lbs. With the center column tilted, it will hold 11 lbs. Fully extended, it is 65 inches tall. It’s got 3 leg sections, and the feet are rubber pads that will screw up further on the legs to expose metal spikes when you need to dig in a little better.
One of the best features on this tripod is what they call the Multi-Angle Central Column (MACC). You can essentially take the center column and tilt it so it is parallel to the ground and point your camera straight down for shooting flowers and other low to the ground subjects. With legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80 degree angles, and the adjustable central column, you can put your camera down next to the ground, stabilize your system on rocky uneven ground, or whatever else you can think of. This tripod is very versatile.
Amazon.com also has some great illustrations of the tripod along with the adjustable legs and center column: Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Alloy Tripod Legs with Multi-Angle Central Column System
They also have more details on the tripod head: Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe
The big test after you read all the specs and reviews is taking the tripod out in the field. I bought the tripod specifically for taking night photos on our spring trip to Gettysburg, PA. On our trip there the year before, my inexpensive “leave it in the car” tripod that I had been using for some time decided to break. So that left me searching for something new. After finding an inexpensive Korean tripod that is functional, but a little on the flimsy side, I decided this trip required some new gear. On this trip I found that the tripod is great to work with in the dark. Easy to set up and take down, smooth action extending and collapsing the legs, and easy to mount, level, and then dismount a camera. When it’s dark and the ground is rough, you need to make sure that you have already figured out how to use your tripod in the light. Sounds obvious, but some people buy something new and take it out of the box when they arrive at their vacation destination. But also, once you do figure it out, if you are using it on a shoot like this one, you don’t want something that has a lot of quirks to it, or that doesn’t operate smoothly. I had absolutely no trouble with the tripod. Also for shooting in low light environments, above all else, the tripod needs to be solid and stable. Again, I loved the results I got from Vanguard Alta Pro.
I have also taken the tripod with me on hikes, and have not felt weighted down. I have not taken it back packing trips or anything to that extent, but I have taken it on some day hikes, and it was not making me want to leave it behind by the end of the day. If you’re backpacking with other gear, carbon fiber may be worth the money. But at only 4+ lbs, this tripod is nice to have with you for the day.