Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod
Stability and Sturdiness | 9 |
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Load Capacity and Height Range | 9 |
Ease of Use and Portability | 8 |
Build Quality and Durability | 9 |
Versatility and Accessories | 8 |
Unleash Your Photographic Vision: The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod
Uncompromising Stability. Unmatched Freedom. Capture stunning images with the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod, the perfect blend of stability and versatility for passionate photographers. Crafted from lightweight aluminum, this tripod extends to an impressive 68.2 inches, supporting a remarkable 15.4 lbs of gear. Three-section legs with easy-release locks ensure rapid setup, while independent leg angles provide exceptional adaptability for uneven terrain or macro photography.
The star of the show is the revolutionary Multi-Angle Center Column (MACC). Unlike traditional tripods, the MACC rotates to virtually any angle, accommodating unique low-angle or overhead shots. Paired with the smooth-operating Alta BH-100 ball head, you’ll enjoy precise control and effortless composition adjustments.
Elevate your photography with the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod. Order yours today!
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249,99 $
Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod Prices
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Description
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod for Pro Photographers on the Move
Ever feel limited by your tripod? Uneven terrain, bulky weight, or unreliable stability can hinder your ability to capture stunning images.
As a professional photographer, you deserve a tripod that empowers your creativity and keeps pace with your adventurous spirit.
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB is the culmination of innovative design and meticulous engineering, meticulously crafted to address the challenges you face in the field.
Frustrating Limitations of Traditional Tripods:
- Uneven Terrain Woes: Tripods that lack leg adjustability leave you struggling on slopes or uneven surfaces, sacrificing image composition and stability.
- Bulk and Weight: Lugging around a heavy tripod can slow you down and drain your energy, especially during long treks or challenging hikes.
- Compromised Stability: Flimsy or poorly constructed tripods leave you vulnerable to camera shake, resulting in blurry images and missed opportunities.
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB: Your Unwavering Support System
The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB transcends these limitations, providing a reliable and versatile platform for capturing breathtaking images in any environment. Here’s how:
Unmatched Adjustability: Conquer Any Terrain
Master Uneven Surfaces: Conquer slopes, navigate rocky landscapes, or adapt to uneven studio floors with the tripod’s independent leg spread. Each leg adjusts to a different angle, ensuring your camera remains perfectly level for crisp, professional-looking images. No more struggling with awkward compromises – compose your shots with confidence, regardless of the terrain.
Multi-Angle Maneuvers: Unleash your creativity with the multi-angle center column. This innovative feature allows you to tilt the center column downwards, enabling you to capture low-angle shots with ease. Photograph captivating macro details, stunning landscapes with expansive foregrounds, or unique architectural perspectives – the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB empowers you to explore new creative possibilities.
Lightweight Performance: Effortless Portability
Travel with Ease: Crafted from premium lightweight aluminum, the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB weighs a mere 5.0 lbs. This remarkably light construction makes it an ideal companion for photographers who value portability. Whether you’re embarking on a long trek or navigating a bustling city, you can carry your tripod comfortably without sacrificing stability.
Reduced Fatigue: Imagine arriving at your dream location, only to feel physically drained from carrying a heavy tripod. The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB’s lightweight design minimizes fatigue, allowing you to focus on capturing stunning images with renewed energy.
Unwavering Stability: Capture Sharp Images Every Time
Rock-Solid Support: The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB boasts a robust 3-section leg design with twist locks for secure positioning. This combination ensures exceptional stability, even when supporting heavy camera and lens combinations. Say goodbye to wobbly tripods and blurry images – the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB provides a rock-solid foundation for capturing breathtakingly sharp photos.
Built to Last: Professional photography demands reliable equipment. The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB is meticulously crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting durability. This tripod can withstand the rigors of travel and frequent use, becoming your trusted companion for years to come.
Enhanced Functionality: Streamline Your Workflow
Quick Shoe Compatibility: The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB comes equipped with a versatile Arca-type compatible ball head (BH-100). This allows for quick and effortless camera attachment and detachment, streamlining your workflow and saving you precious time in the field.
Precise Control: Capture photos from any angle with the ball head’s smooth pan and tilt movements. Fine-tune your composition with precision, ensuring your images are perfectly aligned and visually captivating.
Invest in Your Craft: 10 Reasons Why the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB is Your Perfect Tripod
- Unmatched Adjustability: Conquer any terrain with an independent leg spread and a multi-angle center column.
- Lightweight Performance: Effortlessly explore new locations with a remarkably lightweight (5.0 lbs) design.
- Unwavering Stability: Capture sharp images every time with a robust 3-section leg design and secure twist locks.
- Built to Last: High-quality materials ensure long-lasting durability for years of reliable use.
- Quick Shoe Compatibility: Streamline your workflow with an Arca-type compatible ball head for fast camera attachment and detachment.
- Precise Control: Capture photos from any angle with smooth pan and tilt
- Multi-function Hook: Hang your camera bag or additional accessories for improved weight distribution and balance.
- Carry Case Included: Protect your tripod during transport and storage with the convenient carrying case.
- Rubberized Flip Locks: Enjoy a comfortable grip and secure leg locking with the ergonomic rubberized flip locks.
- 3-Year Warranty: Experience peace of mind with Vanguard’s 3-year warranty, ensuring your investment is protected.
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB is more than just a tripod; it’s an unwavering companion on your photographic journey. It’s the confidence to explore challenging locations. It’s the freedom to experiment with creative angles. It’s the assurance of capturing breathtakingly sharp images, every single time.
Elevate your photography and explore your creative vision without limitations. Order your Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod today.
Additional information
Specification: Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod
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Manuals
Manuals
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Q: What is the maximum height of the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod? A: The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB extends to an impressive maximum height of 68.9 inches (175cm) with the center column fully extended. This allows you to frame shots from various angles and perspectives, perfect for landscape photography or capturing wildlife at eye level.
Q: How stable is the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod? A: Stability is a key strength of this tripod. It features ultra-durable aluminum legs with three leg sections for secure positioning. The detachable rubber feet provide excellent grip on various surfaces, from smooth studio floors to uneven outdoor terrain. Additionally, the tripod incorporates a built-in counterweight hook, allowing you to hang your camera bag or other weight for added stability when using heavier lenses.
Is the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod good for travel? A: While not the most lightweight option, the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod offers a good balance between portability and stability. The aluminum construction ensures durability without excessive weight. It folds down compactly for easy transport in a backpack or carrying case.
Q: What kind of camera head does the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB come with? A: The tripod includes a 3-way pan/tilt head for smooth and precise camera movements. This head allows you to tilt your camera up and down, pan left and right, and rotate for portrait or landscape shots. The head also features a quick-release plate for easy camera attachment and detachment.
Q: Can the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB tripod hold heavy camera setups? A: Yes, the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB has a maximum load capacity of 154.3lbs (70kg). This makes it suitable for supporting heavy DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and even medium format setups with various lenses.
Who should consider this product?
Who should consider this product?
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod is an excellent choice for :
Enthusiast and professional photographers who need stability: This tripod is known for its sturdiness, making it a great choice for heavier camera setups and situations with wind.
Photographers who need an angled center column: The center column can be positioned horizontally, which is useful for macro photography, product photography, and achieving unique top-down angles.
Studio photographers: The build quality and adjustability make it suitable for controlled studio environments
This product may not be ideal for ?
This product may not be ideal for ?
The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod may not be ideal for :
Travel photographers who prioritize portability: It’s a bit heavy and bulky compared to travel-specific tripods, making it cumbersome to carry long distances.
Hikers and backpackers: The weight and size become a burden for long treks.
Budget-conscious photographers: There are more affordable tripod options available, especially if you don’t necessarily need the angled center column feature.
Photographers who need the absolute fastest setup: While sturdy, it might not be the quickest tripod to deploy compared to some lightweight travel options.
Reviews (874)
874 reviews for Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Tripod
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fgr33n –
I bought this tripod to replace one I’ve been using since 1993. When I unboxed it I was very impressed with the build quality. It is extremely smooth to articulate. The tripod feels well made and it easily holds the weight of my DSLR with my heaviest lens. I was a little concerned about the quality because of some of the negative reviews but my concern is now replace with joy. I couldn’t be happier about making this purchase.
If you are still debating on ordering this I wouldn’t hesitate. Remember that there will always be defective units leaving warehouses no matter the product. Quality control is not perfect so eventually someone will get a bad one. Don’t let that discourage you. The tripod is very sturdy and incredibly smooth to adjust.
I have no doubt that if my last tripod lasted 27 years then I likely won’t need to replace this for a very long time. That is of course unless my wife gets her hands on it like the last one.
Malayo –
This tripod is very sturdy and easy to set up quickly. The multiple articulations at the head make it very usable for several types of photography. I appreciate the overall height as well – taller than many similar tripods on the market.
Krys Boyer –
Amazon sent me a used tripod and the mount was broken on the head. Vanguard support was AMAZING. I was so happy with the way they treated me.
A lot of my work requires bracketed shots and I don’t have to hold my breath(literally) with this tripod. It’s a solid piece of equipment that is easy to maneuver and you could put this in any configuration imaginable. I was hesitant with some of the reviews on how cheap the adjustments feel, but I don’t get that.
My gear weighs roughly 9 pounds and there was ZERO wobble, ZERO play in the ball head and with the legs. I know it won’t slip, won’t fall and for me – that makes it worth every penny.
fgr33n –
I use this to support an iPad Pro, 12.9″ for shooting training videos, and it is a nice addition to a minimal, lightweight location kit. It is very sturdy for the weight, and has a lot of nice features, including the angle-arm to offset the pan head– which is especially handy for shooting table-top items like products or demos of small items. The legs have a nifty, quarter-turn lock so it is pretty fast to extend and adjust the legs. Both the pan-head and the legs have a bubble-level. When combined with the quarter-lock legs it is easier to get a level setup on uneven surfaces than with other types of leg locks.
The pan head is fairly smooth, for something in this price range. There is a little inertial, friction jerk, when starting a slow pan, especially if zoomed, but it is a budget tripod, so pretty smooth for the $$$. I also got the gear shelf, which is pretty essential for adding some weight to increase stability. It is also handy to hold mics, batteries and etc. Overall I really like this tripod.
My only complaint is the bag. The pan-head handles have to be removed from the head to fit the tripod with head attached in the bag. These inevitably drop to the bottom, and the small washers come off. The tripod will still work without these, but you get a gritty feeling when tightening the handles without them. The bag really needs an additional zipper-compartment for storing these handles/washers and other small parts like Allen keys. As it is, I’ve frequently dropped them when fishing the handles out of the very bottom of the bag, and It is very embarrassing to have to waste time searching the floor for these stupid little washers, especially with a client looking on. I’ve thought about storing these separately, but it’s even more embarrassing to show up for a shoot and forget the small parts, because they aren’t in the same bag. So 5 stars for the tripod, but 3 (or less) for the lame-o bag.
Romidar –
Vanguard tripods aren’t available locally that I know of. So I decided to do a “shoot-out” by purchasing two of them on Amazon and figuring out which one is better for my needs. I’ll use “CT” for the carbon-fiber model—Alta Pro 2+ 263CT. I’ll use “AB” to refer to the aluminum model—Alta Pro 263 AB. This is a comparison between the two models as much as a review of the CT.
The Alta Pro line is an older design than the Pro 2 and 2+, but it still has a lot going for it.
At first glance
Both units appear solidly made, but I get an overall impression of greater solidity with the AB. Especially when they’re extended to their full heights—both 53″, per the spec sheets—the AB feels more stable to me. (The max. leg diameters appear to be the same.)
Weight
Both tripods are pretty lightweight and probably both would be good for travel (b.t.w. you can reduce the overall length slightly by reversing their center columns). The CT is likely better for travel, being a bit lighter. That aside, I barely notice the weight difference.
Leg angle controls
The CT has four possible leg angles. The AB has three.
Leg angle lock/unlock
Both models’ leg angle unlock mechanisms are flush with the surface, making them unlikely to catch on anything—good design there, Vanguard. I find the AB model’s legs a bit easier to work with due to slightly lesser stiffness (at least, out of the box). With the AB, you press a button inward for unlocking; with the CT, you press the entire mechanism downward slightly. I find the AB’s pushbutton a bit easier to work with. But it’s a very minor difference.
The trade-off for the lesser stiffness is that you can’t conveniently pick up the AB by just one leg—the thing swings open. (I use a velcro strap to hold its legs in place when I’m carrying it.) The CT can be picked up by one leg and nothing moves.
Foam grips on legs
Both tripods have foam grips—the CT on two legs, the AB on all legs. Kudos to Vanguard for this.
Leg extension locks—clamp vs. twist
The CT has two “short-throw” twist locks per leg (the AB has clamp locks). I’d never used the short-throw twist locks before and didn’t think I’d like them. But no, they’re great—it requires little effort to lock and unlock them. The twist locks are fast and easy to use. Good design there.
Rubber feet
The CT is supplied with angled rubber feet. It can be outfitted with metal spikes, available separately. The AB has round rubber feet, which can be screwed all the way inward to reveal spikes—convenient, but sometimes the rubber feet can loosen up and gradually rotate on their own, revealing the spikes when you don’t want them exposed. Anyway, +1 for the design of the CT’s angled feet.
Tightening knobs
The CT’s knobs appear to be at least partly metal and feel heavier-duty, with knurled rubberized surfaces. They’re definitely an improvement over the AB’s all-plastic knobs, which aren’t rubberized. The CT’s are easier to work with and feel more solid.
Pan control
If you go by the specs on Vanguard’s web site, you might think that neither AB nor CT has a separate pan control. But both models do have pan locks, enabling you to rotate the entire center column easily. This is useful for fine adjustments when you’re tilting the center column.
Raising and lowering the center column
IMO the AB wins in this respect. The column slides more easily and feels more solid. Not that the CT’s column is flimsy. It just doesn’t feel as solid to me.
Both models have thick rubber gaskets on the underside of the tripod head mounting plate. Purpose: to dampen shock if the center column falls unexpectedly. That’s a nice touch.
Center column hook
The end of the AB’s center column has a hook to which you can attach a weight. This is handy if the column is extended way out. The CT does not have a hook in that location. Instead, it has a pushbutton release so that the center column can be drawn upward to use the column tilt mechanism or to remove the center column entirely if you want to reverse it. If you want to reverse the AB’s center column, you have to press a small button (under spring tension) on the side of the column. Either way it’s a trade-off of one convenience for another.
Center column tilting
This is a great feature of several Vanguard tripods: enabling the column to tilt at various angles or be positioned parallel to the ground.
The CT (Alta Pro 2+ line) and AB (Alta Pro line) have very different tilt-lock designs. As one of Vanguard’s promotional videos points out, with the newer Pro 2+ design you’re less likely to pull the center column all the way out by accident. The CT’s clamping mechanism (for tilt angle) requires only a single very beefy knob, while the AB’s has a two-part lever-plus-clamp system that is not as easy to use, at least at first glance.
BUT—the CT’s locking mechanism contains some kind of “teeth” on the inside, limiting you to specific angles. To be sure there are plenty of possible angles. The AB mechanism seems to allow any angle I want to use (within its overall limits). To me, the AB mechanism feels more solid and turns out to be easier to use. Getting the CT column at just the right angle is more “fiddly” in my experience. So despite the AB’s mechanism seeming less convenient at first, I prefer it for a greater feeling of solidity and lesser “fiddly-ness.”
Accessory attachments
The CT has a 3/8″-threaded accessory socket (with “captured” rubber plug). The AB has no socket in that location—it has a hook for suspending a weight.
Bubble levels
Both models have bubble levels.
Conclusion
These are both great tripods, both worth 5 stars, and I can recommend both. The CT has a lot going for it, including lesser weight and better control knob design. But I think the AB is the one I’ll keep, primarily due to the greater feeling of solidity and the design of the column tilt lock.