REVIEW: Vangaurd Alta Pro Tripod

Vangaurd Alta Pro-263AT Tripod with GH100 Head

This Tripod has been with me 12,000 feet above sea level and more than 700 feet underground and everywhere in between.  It has seen 128 degree weather and -16 degree weather. It has been through snow, mud, rain, and hail. It has been drug against narrow canyon walls, forded streams, and pulled through dense forest. Through all of this, it has performed flawlessly.

Here are some images I have taken while using the tripod.

All in all there is not much more you could want out of a tripod. The only negative aspects that I have encountered are that it is a little heavy (but you get better durability) (and very light weight considering the price), and the second negative thing is that it does not tilt the camera upwards (easily done just by rotating the head 90 degrees to the left).

This tripod offers amazing versatility, stability, and durability for an amazing price.

I will be doing a review video soon where I will show more features and benefits.

The Value of a Good Tripod

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Many People will see my photographs and ask how they were taken.  A good majority of my shots are taken while the camera is mounted on a tripod.  Many will shy away from the tripod topic either because they don't have one, don't think they need one, don't have a good one, they view tripods as inconvenient, or they don't like carrying them around.  My post today will hopefully help convince you to overcome any of these thoughts about tripods.

Worth their weight in GOLD!

There have been times in the past when I have neglected to have a tripod with me and have regretted it.  An example was a trip I took to Yellowstone National Park.  I had been hiking all day and was pretty tired so for the last hike of the day (tower falls) I decided not to bring my tripod because I figured that I could hold my camera steady enough to get a good shot. I took a few and they looked great!.... on my little camera screeen but when I got home I realized they were all blurry! (see below)

Although this picture was only 1/2 a second long I wasn't able to hold it steady enough to have a sharp image.  Now compare this Image with the one at the top of the page.  The image at the top of the page was a 116 second exposure time.  The difference was all the Tripod.

There are many different subjects that will require the use of a tripod, especially those that involve motion or if photos are taken at night.  A good rule of thumb is that if your shutter speed is longer than 1/60th of a second, then use a tripod.  I often times will use a tripod for shots that technically do not need one for to get those tack sharp photos.   

My top things to look for in a good tripod?
     -Quick Release Plate
     -Versatility (high and low)
     -Stable / Sturdy
     -Ball Head

I will do a full review in a later post but the tripod I would personally recommend would be the Vangaurd Alta-Pro Tripod  It can be found here:

http://www.vanguardworld.com/index.php/en/pv/products/photo-video/list-1-4-225.html 

I personally have the version with the pistol grip ball head and it is perfect for my needs!