Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT Tripod Review |
| Tuesday, 03 November 2009 14:28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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An in-depth review of the Vangaurd Alta-Pro 283CT, a compact carbon fibre tripod to rival all others in field. A broken leg and a trip to the USA got me smiling with content as I fell in love with this sturdy, lightweight and above all versatile tool that got me photographs I would not have considered attempting to take. The tripod is the most important photographic accessory that a landscape photographer owns. Scrimp on quality and welcome to some serious head scratching back home on the computer. Is that shot out of focus? Is it my lens? Was I in manual focus? Had I forgotten to focus? Did the AF backfocus? No, it was none of these things, it was the tripod. Since the early days when flimsy aluminium and squeaking plastic three-way heads were responsible for making my blood pressure soar, tripods have become as important as everyone had been telling me all along.
I have only had three tripods; starting on a Jessops special, then a salt encrusted aluminium Gitzo (which I still dunk in the sea for old times sake) and then I dived straight in at the deep end with a Gitzo 5540 after a good year on the calendars. The 'beast' being too cumbersome for travel, I was overjoyed when a friend sold me a second hand Gitzo 1297 around the same time. This basalt tripod system has been with me all over the world and I love it. With a Markins plate or removable centre column attached I can get super low or five and a half foot high the next. So when the guides in the upper leg broke a few days before a month trip to the USA was about to start, this unknown Vanguard tripod saved my bacon. Why? Underneath its anodized line-towing livery it shines as bright as the engineers who designed it.
Jelly Legs A tripod system is only as strong as the sum of its parts. Compromise that tripod head and forget about those expensive carbon fibre legs. Even those rubber topped tripod plates that protect your camera from scratches are just as guilty, think about it. Ideally it should be metal on metal all the way; overspec, heavier the better, but its not always practical is it. Lighter tripods always require kitbag compromise. Consumer cameras are lighter, smaller and perfectly complemented by these systems, but as I would be bringing my 1DsIII, shiny new 5Dmk2 and focal lengths up to 600mm, I realised I would have to take the G5540 and the Vanguard, working them with the bodies and lenses respectively.
The Low Down The design of this tripod hits the categories of lightweight and versatile. Its main party piece is the ability to utilise the MACC (Multi Angle Central Column) centre column in all manner or ways to inspire creative photography. It literally helps you to think your way out of problems, allowing the camera to stay supported in precarious situations. The materials feel tough, the leg joints have good play whilst remaining in tension, the tighteners are well positioned and threaded. The clamp that holds the centre column in place feels confident as its clicks shut. A great combination of quality design and ergonomic thinking comes to light as you learn your way around the controls intuitively. I felt very at home.
In Action - OK, its not a revolutionary design, detachable centre columns are available from other manufactures too, but what I do like about this tripod in this mode is that it feels solid. I have been using an over-spec Kirk BH-1 for this review and even with my 5Dmk2 and 24mm TS-Emk2 attached (despite the set up feeling top heavy) the tripod is rigid enough. It also retains this rigidity even with the column fully extended..
The Important Conclusion After my beloved travel buddy the G1297 suffered a broken leg, I was in despair. Less than a week to go before my trip and I was scouting for a replacement set without much luck. Using the Vanguard, an unknown and untested tripod for an important commission was a risk I wasn't able to avoid. I get irritable if kit doesn't operate smoothly and slickly when I am working fast, but the Vanguard delivered and felt very familiar to use. Weight - On the first day of shoot, tripod slung over my shoulder, map in hand, I was almost forgetting it was there. Just like my G1297, it goes unnoticed. It is also easy to carry in the hand, just open one leg slightly and grip the foam. The tripod bag is designed thin enough to stuff into a coat pocket or camera bag without become a hindrance. Balance wise I was far from sensible with my choice of ballhead. My overkill Kirk BH-1 made it unbalanced, yet despite this I never found this irritating. The combo worked very well. Speed and Versatility - The legs are a joy, super fast and responsive to work with. One twist of the hand and the tripod leg is fully extended, twist back and its locked. Set up time is less than ten seconds with practice. I wasn't missing the Gitzo at all, in fact I was beginning to relax. Structure - The Alta Pro is a solid tripod. Doing the twist, the usual 'twist test' with the legs fully extended is not without it flexing, but it is bound to have its structural limits. A metal tripod of similar does feel even more solid, but no way can I carry that for 14hours a day. Think compromise. When set up and locked down it's rigid and very stiff as long as the bottom leg sections are stowed away, but it still performs well with them extended.. I confidently shot my Canon 5Dmk2, 70-200 f4L and 1.4xII at 280mm, getting consistently sharp shots throughout the city shoot. Centre Column -What a joy this system is. I was becoming confident with this tool very quickly and after getting to grips with the low level set up back in my hostel I began to realise all manner of possible shots. Too many working parts always gets me concerned about reliability, but this versatile removable column system proved itself. Even fully extended out horizontally to the limits, a 5Dmk2 and lens causes only limited flex. I was extremely impressed. If I had to gripe about anything it would be that the leg locks are not rubber coated. It would give a more confident twist as they lock and stop them turning in the hand as they tighten, but the system works well on a whole. Cost wise, its not cheap. its the flagship model so its not going to be. It places itself along with other carbon fibre tripods like the Manfrotto and Giotto's at around £270, but I feel that if you are considering a mid ranged high performance tripod then it should not be overlooked, if fact it should be your starting point to base your opinions upon. Vanguard GB Website
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Looking for a lightweight tripod? Are you thinking there are only two companies that can be relied on 100% then its time to think again. Perhaps it's just down to a little education; well I know it was in my case.
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