PRICE: £499.99 VANGUARDWORLD.CO.UK Vanguard Alta Pro 3VRL 303CV18 Many photographers now work in multimedia, so the need for a versatile tripod is greater than ever. Vanguard’s latest sticks could be just the ticket for all of your imaging needs
“THE BASE CAN BE ROTATED 360° AND ADJUSTED +/- 15°, MEANING THE CAMERA CAN EASILY BE MOVED AND LOCKED INTO POSITION USING ONE HAND”
TESTED BY WILL CHEUNG
VANGUARD’S ALTA PRO 3VRL 303CV18 is aimed at the semi-pro and pro shooter who demands a high level of performance in addition to smart handling and versatility. The three-section, carbon-fibre tripod has a maximum load rating of 25kg and uses a removable levelling base rather than a centre column. This set of legs comes with a VEO PV-18 video head mounted in a levelling bowl. Locked and unlocked using the rubber-coated twist grip below the head, it’s easy to level the camera or spotting scope. The base can be rotated 360° and adjusted +/-15°, which means if the initial tripod set- up is not perfectly level, the camera can easily be moved and locked into position using one hand. Undo two locks and the levelling base can quickly be swapped for another head. The Alta Pro 3VRL Platform 30, a lightweight non- levelling base which normally costs £29.99, is included in this outfit. If you already own a tripod head, fit it onto this mounting plate for an easy-to- switch two-head support system. If you need a ball head, Vanguard has a range including the VEO BH-250S we tried here, which sells for £139.99. The Alta Pro 3VRL 303CV18’s folded length with no head attached measures 74cm from the feet to the head platform.
SPECS Alta Pro 3VRL 303CV18 › Price £499.99 › In the box Alta Pro 3VRL
303CV18 legs, VEO PV-18 video head with two extension arms, quick-release plate, Alta Pro 3VRL Platform 30, 3mm hex key, 4mm hex key and tripod bag › Leg material Carbon fibre › Leg sections Three › Leg angles Three (23°, 50°, 80°) › Leg locks Easy-clean twist grips › Folded length 86.5cm › Max load capacity (legs) 25kg › Feet type Retractable rubber and spiked › Weight 3260g with removable level and head › Maximum height 180.5cm › Minimum height 28.5cm VEO PV-18 video head › Price (when bought separately) £159.99 › Max load capacity 15kg › Arca-Swiss compatible Yes › Bubble level Two
› Handles Two supplied › Damping control Yes › Weight 1180g
VEO BH-250S › Price £139.99 › Max load capacity 25kg › Arca-Swiss compatible Yes
HIGH HOPES Fully extended with the PV-18 head, the camera platform is an awesome 180cm from the ground
› Bubble level One › Friction level Yes › Weight 640g
GET A GRIP Levelling the tripod head is a cinch: simply loosen the twist-grip lock and adjust, using the two bubble levels on the VEO PV-18 to help
Issue 114 | Photography News 49
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