Photography News | Issue 65 | photographynews.co.uk
37
First tests
Vanguard VEO 2 Go 265HCB £219
Specs
Vanguard photo accessories are known to provide great value for money, and its newVEO 2 Go 265HCB is the sort of value deal that we have come to expect. At £219, this is a five-section carbon fibre tripod that comes completes with an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head, a set of spiked feet and a short centre column to allow very low shooting viewpoints. And there’s more. One leg (the one with a handgrip) unscrews to provide a monopod option, and the two-section centre column gives an impressive shooting height for such a short pod. With the twist grip legs fully extended at their normal splayed position, the camera platform is 125cm off the ground. Bring the two-section centre column into action and this extends to 163cm. In bare figures this might not mean much, but the camera at that height means I am very slightly looking up at the camera monitor. In 2010, the Office for National Statistics said the average man was 5ft 9in (175.3cm) – that’s me, and this travel tripod is more than tall enough for me. Of course, you can’t judge a tripod on its maximum extension, and there are plenty more out there that extend far taller. But remember: this is a travel tripod and in that context the 265HCB appeals. Low-level shooting is supported, too. A replacement short column is supplied and, with this in place and the legs fully splayed, the camera platform was just 16cm off the ground. The centre column can also be reversed for an even lower position. I took this tripod on a photo trip to Venice where one of my objectives was night photography with a medium format GFX 50R. I took two lenses: the 32-64mmf/4 standard and 120mm f/4 macro, plus a cable remote release. The GFX 50R has an electronic shutter and a maximum shutter speed of 60mins, so with the self-timer or the latest FUJIFILM Camera Remote app the remote release is redundant, but I like to have the hardwire option. The pod with its legs reverse- folded easily fitted the width of
Price
£219
In the box Bag, spiked feet, tools and low angle adapter Leg locks Twist Legs material Carbon fibre Monopod option Yes, available Load capacity 6kg Folded length 40.6cm Leg sections Five Leg angles 21°, 50°, 80° Max height (centre column down) 1.24m Max height (centre column extended) 1.64m Minimumheight 16cm with low angle adapter 40cmmin height with centre column in place Bubble level No Head T-50 ball head Plate fitting Arca-Swiss compatible, QS-64 plate supplied Weight 1.27kg Contact vanguardworld.co.uk
Above The tripod was perfect for night photography and long exposure shooting in Venice, as there was solid ground and no wind
I did a two minute exposure at maximum height. Bingo! No problem at all
the suitcase and its weight of only 1.27kg meant that my support bag of cables, adapters, chargers and other paraphernalia was heavier. I literally got the tripod two days before my trip, so my only chance to check stability was at home, but I was reasonably confident of a solid performance. I did check weights, too. The GFX 50R and 32-64mm combined is in the 1600g region, so well within the 6kg max load quoted in Vanguard’s specs. But maximum load and stability are not the same, so I started conservatively. To be honest, the shots I was taking didn’t needmaximum leg extension anyway. My shortest exposures were 15secs and the longest was two minutes. Checking images at 100% in-camera showed fabulous sharpness. Luckily I was blessed with calm weather, although there was a gentle breeze on a few nights. When a breeze was
present, I shielded the camera with my body, which is standard technique whenever tripod shooting. When I needed the height, I had no issues with using the centre column fully extended. As part of my test, I did a two minute exposure at maximum height, using the ten second self-timer to let the camera settle down. Bingo! No problem at all. I should stress that the conditions with no wind and solid ground were just about perfect for long exposure shooting. I would be more wary and not shoot at full extension if there was a stiff breeze. I did try electronic and mechanical shutter shots, too, but found no difference to tripod stability. To be honest, now that I have seen my shots on a big monitor, I am impressed with the 265HCB and have no reservations about its ability as a travel tripod. Of course, it has limitations, but for its size it packs a powerful punch. WC
Verdict
A good travel tripod needs to offer that delicate balance of portability, usability and stability. Get one out of kilter and that product’s viability as a travel pod is compromised. Having spent a couple of weeks with the Vanguard VEO 2 Go 265HCB, I can attest that this is a good, very good travel support. At its price it’s a bargain and, used with consideration, will suit full-frame and, as I found, even medium format shooting. Pros Very good maximum and minimum heights, monopod option, compact and light Cons Five sections means set-up is slower
Below Vanguard’s latest five- section carbon fibre tripod has an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head, a set of spiked feet and a short centre column
Powered by FlippingBook