GEAR
GROUP TEST
VANGUARD VEO 2X 265CBP £249/$280 vanguardworld.co.uk
SPECIFICATIONS Legs: Carbon fibre single tube Leg sections: 5 Payload: 12kg/26.5lb Minimumheight: 19.3cm/7.6in Maximumheight: 151cm/59.5in Weight: 1.59kg/3.5lb
This is not a dedicated video tripod like all the others on test, but it can be used for video as well as lots of stills-based applications. With many video shooters coming from a stills background, or being hybrid image makers doing both stills and video, it’s an interesting option. It’s a four-in-one lightweight and compact travel tripod with an Arca Swiss- compatible ball head and five-section carbon fibre legs that clamps down with a twist-lock mechanism. The more leg sections you have, the smaller you can fold the tripod and this one really is very portable – it packs down to just 46.5cm/18.25in. But the pay-off is lack of stability when it’s at full extension. The payload may state an incredible 12kg/26.5lb but remember – this is on a standard, non-fluid stills ball head. Vanguard says the tripod can be used as a conventional stills tripod, of course. That’s why it has the Arca Swiss fitting, which is relatively common in stills but pretty much unheard of for video use. It is a quick-release system, but there is no fore and aft counterbalance adjustment for video use. The centre column can be used as a monopod by attaching it to one of the legs. And by removing the centre column, you can hold it out as a stabilising vlogging stick, if that’s your schtik. For video use, the tripod comes with an extending pan handle that you insert into the back of the head, and secure it with a grub screw. We had a hard time fitting this screw, and needed a screwdriver to get it to tighten. It could have been because the tripod was brand new, but it was a faff. Once this is in place, you level up the ball head using the spirit level then lock it off. That leaves the tripod free to pan around, and you adjust the friction using the ball head’s friction knob. It’s simple, and turns the tripod into something that’s useable for video with a small camera at a push. With no fluid damping, this is not a particularly well-controlled motion, and of course there is no tilt control. So, it’s not really a tripod designed for video, but can get you out of a hole if you’re a hybrid shooter who wants to do the odd pan. The tripod itself oozes robust quality, with well-finished components and that glorious carbon fibre weave effect on the legs. The knobs are ergonomic and a joy to use, and the leg locks are smooth and solid. If you put more focus on stills than video performance, it could be a great travel tripod for you.
HOW IT RATES
Features: 6/10 Lots of photo features but not for video Performance: 6/10 Formotion use it’s limited Handling: 7/10 It’s tricky to set up formoviemaking Value formoney: 8/10 You can’t go wrong at that price OVERALL RATING: 7/10 For some users, it could be just what they need Pros: A four in one tripod, and a jack of all trades Cons: Certainly not master of shooting video
IMAGES The most compact tripod on test, the Vanguard is ideal for mirrorless camera users
“The knobs are ergonomic and a joy to use, and the leg locks are smooth and solid”
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SPRING 2020 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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