First test
Offering a very useful maximum height, versatility and great portability – Vanguard’s latest carbon fibre travel pod is something quite special VanguardVEO 3T 235CBP PRICE: £229.99
VANGUARDWORLD.CO.UK
“THE FIVE-LEG SECTIONVEO 3T 235CBP REVERSE FOLDED, MEASURES JUST 41CM... TO FIT IN A ROLLER CASE” to be used with care. Here, the centre column comprises two sections. One section extended got the camera eyepiece to 142cm – this became just over 162cm using both. At the latter height, I could use the EVF perfectly by standing upright. Of course, there’s a potential downside to using a centre column in this manner, so good technique is important – notably for long exposures and using telephotos. You need to give the camera time (at least 10 seconds) to settle down. Taking the camera strap off is advised, as is the use of a remote release. If it is a breezy day, shooting from a protected position is also highly recommended. It depends on exactly what you are shooting. Such extension is not always needed, but when you do go for extra height, use with care. Take off the ballast hook, and the centre column can be removed, and either reversed, or the supplied low- position column used. When you just need support, one leg is detachable and with the centre column you have a very serviceable monopod. WC ACCESSORIES FORVALUE The VEO 3T 235CBP comes with a Bluetooth remote, spiked feet, low position adapter and a pan grip with extending handle
A TRIPOD’S ROLE in life is the same as it ever was, but in this era of content creation and social media, buyers are not just photographers and video makers. So, for modern tripods to succeed in a busy market, they need to be more than one-trick ponies – like this new Vanguard, the VEO 3T 235CBP. It has all the credentials to be a top travel, multimedia tripod. It’s light, small, gets high for its size, lets you shoot from low-down and one leg can be unscrewed to be used as a monopod. Plus, its VEO BP-50T head accepts Arca-Swiss plates, and a pan handle means it suits stills and video use. A key requisite of a travel tripod is compactness. When the five-leg section VEO 3T 235CBP is reverse folded, it measures just 41cm. That’s short enough to fit in a roller case or even a photo backpack. No locking button is needed to rotate the legs to their working position. But there is a large button to release the legs, should you want a different angle. At full working height, with no centre column extension and a Nikon Z 7 in place, I measured the viewfinder eyepiece at 124cm. That’s a good height, whether using the EVF or the rear monitor. But there’s plenty more height on offer, if needed – and when the conditions are favourable. Centre column extension of any tripod needs
SPECS › Price £229.99 › In the box Tripod, VEO BP-50T Arca compatible ball head, telescopic pan handle, Bluetooth remote control, low-angle adapter, QS-72T quick-release plate, spiked feet, 1/4in to 3/8in adapter and tripod bag › Legs material Carbon fibre
› Load capacity 8kg › Folded length 41cm › Leg sections Five › Leg angles Three – 20°, 50° and 80° › Max height
111.5cm (centre column down) 155cm (centre column extended) › Minimum height 14cm (with low-angle adapter) › Monopod 137cm (minimum height) 158cm (maximum height) › Bubble level One › Weight 1.6kg › Head VEO BP-50T ball and pan › Plate fitting Arca-Swiss › Contact vanguardworld.co.uk
HEAD FOR HEIGHTS The centre column has two sections and adds around an extra 42cm in height when fully extended
Verdict The VEO 3T 235CBP is a very good fit in Vanguard’s range of great-value kit. It’s a high-quality, very compact tripod with lots of user-friendly features. At £229.99, it’s also excellent value for money – the aluminium version is £179.99. Highly recommended. PROS Great value for money, fast to use, lightweight, compact, good maximum height, very handy minimum height, head design, monopod option, ballast hook CONS Nothing
READY FOR TRAVEL The VEO 3T 235CBP reverse folded is impressively compact, and it weighs 1.6kg, complete with the supplied ball head
38 Photography News | Issue 93
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