Vanguard ABEO 323AT
This is the only aluminum tripod here, and
considering how tall it is, the weight is a very respectable 2.4kg. Compared to
its more costly sister Vanguard, that’s one third lighter, mostly explained by
swapping the heavy geared center-column mechanism for a more conventional
sliding version. The ABEO’s main feature is its height, standing 152cm and
extending to 183cm, which is only just below the super-tall Induro. Perfect for
giants, it’s also great for getting unusually high angles in the studio, or for
large group shots with the help of a small stepladder. But despite the size,
the leg and platform joints are not as rigid as some, and if you lean on the
legs a little too heavily, the locks can slip. Not too much of a problem when
the tripod is new, but over time it’s likely to get worse with wear and the
levers are not adjustable.
The
ABEO’s main feature is its height, standing 152cm and extending to 183cm
Verdict
If you need the height, there’s very little
else that can compete with the ABEO 323AT on price. It’s got to be recommended
on that score.
Details
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Price: $360
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Material: Aluminum
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Length closed: 69cm
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Height: 153cm
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Extended: 18cm
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Min: 41cm
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Weight: 2.4kg
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Leg sections: Three
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Max leg diameter: 32mm
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Leg locks: Lever
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 10kg
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Overall: 4/5
Velbon GEO E440L
If
you’re chasing really low weight, this Velbon has the edge and it’s also a bit
cheaper
On paper, the spec reads much like the Slik
724CF. Both with four leg sections, they’re similar in height and folded
length, and they each have splitable center columns. Though if you’re chasing
really low weight, this Velbon has the edge and it’s also a bit cheaper. But
when you set them up and compare side by side, the Slik wins on stability, just
as it beats the diminutive five-section Giottos Vitruvian, too. The main reason
for that is the slimmer leg sections, and possibly the Velbon’s lever locks are
not as rigid, though none of the three can quite match the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3
for solid stance in the super-light sub-1.5kg category. This Velbon has a
couple of nice touches, such as the inch marking down the legs, rubber feet
that can be screwed back to reveal a spike and the splitable center column
takes you down to just 15cm.
Verdict
If the best tripod is the one you can
always take with you, then the ultra-light Velbon GEO E440L wins, but there are
some compromises.
Details
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Price: $387
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Material: Carbon-fiber
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Length closed: 46cm
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Height: 135cm
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Extended: 159cm
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Min: 15cm
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Weight: 1.1kg
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Leg sections: Four
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Max leg diameter: 22mm
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Leg locks: Lever
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 2.5kg
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Overall: 4/5
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3
If
weight is a priority, this smaller version deserves serious attention
Take our Best Buy Manfrotto 055, knock 17cm
off the basic height and scale everything down to match, and you have the 190CXPRO3.
If weight is a priority and when you’re hiking and fully loaded up, a few
hundred grams count then at only 1.3kg, this smaller version deserves serious
attention. It still has the horizontal center-column mechanism, so the same
comments apply there, and it’s only the height that’s on the low side. Fine if
you’re average size, where the camera will come up nicely under your chin, but
if you’re 6ft-plus, it will not help a dodgy back. Extending the center column
is a solution, but that throws away a lot of stability – and fro a smallish
tripod, the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 is remarkably solid. When choosing, this is a
very good and unusually versatile tripod. It boils down to height versus
weight.
Verdict
Low weight and the tilting column is a
strong combination for a bit of macro on a trek. Great buy if the height is
right and works for you.
Details
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Price: $450
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Material: Carbon-fibre
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Length closed: 59cm
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Height: 123cm
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Extended: 146cm
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Min: 5cm
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Weight: 1.3kg
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Leg sections: Three
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Max leg diameter: 25mm
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Leg locks: Lever
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 5kg
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Overall: 5/5
Manfrotto 055CXPRO3
This
Manfrotto is a decent size for serious work
Manfrotto, the Italian brand, is actually
part of the same company as Gitzo, owned by the UK-based Vitec Group. Between
them, they’ve got everything covered and the Manfrotto 055 series keeps on
delivering. This Manfrotto is a decent size for serious work, similar to the
Giottos MTL 9261B, and capable of handling all but the heaviest outfits. The
same basic tripod can be had with three or four-section legs, with or without
the tilting column. This is a simplified version of the tilting column ideal,
and while it can only be locked upright or horizontal, in practice that doesn’t
compromise versatility. You can still get down to ground level, adjust the
height with the normal leg levers or by selecting one of the four leg angle
positions. The tilt mechanism allows a tiny bit of flex around the camera
platform, but you’re unlikely to notice it.
Verdict
It’s a good size, light in carbon-fiber,
well made, and has the added versatility of the horizontal column option. The
price is right, too.
Details
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Price: $510
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Material: Carbon-fiber
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Length closed: 66cm
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Height: 140cm
·
Extended: 175cm
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Min: 7cm
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Weight: 1.7kg
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Leg sections: Three
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Max leg diameter: 29mm
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Leg locks: Lever
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 8kg
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Overall: 5/5
Slik 724 CF
The
Slik’s tubing is wider than some and the collar locks do a good job of keeping
things rigid
As smaller tripods go, the Slik 724 CF has
a slightly different take on things. When set up, it’s usefully taller than the
Manfrotto 190 for about the same weight, but thanks to its extra leg section,
it folds down smaller for transport. Four-section legs with inevitably slender
tubes at the bottom don’t make the engineering challenges easy, but the Slik’s
tubing is wider than some and the collar locks do a good job of keeping things
rigid – close to the Manfrotto 190’s high standard of stability for a
lightweight tripod. Other nice touches are the center column that is secured
both by a knob on the platform and a large collar underneath, so that’s not
going to budge. Also, the center column splits, and the bottom 25cm or so can
be unscrewed. Then when the legs are angled wide, the whole rig can get down to
18cm. this Slik is well designed and quality built.
Verdict
Compact and lightweight for transport, yet
it stands decently tall and offers notably better support than some, if at
slightly more cost.
Details
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Price: $600
·
Material: Carbon-fiber
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Length closed: 47cm
·
Height: 131cm
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Extended: 163cm
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Min: 18cm
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Weight: 1.4kg
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Leg sections: Four
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Max leg diameter: 25mm
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Leg locks: Collar
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 5kg
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Overall: 4/5
Giottos MTL 8261B
This
is a classic three-section tripod, which puts it in the middle of the popular
size scale as the best all-rounder
You can’t have it all, and the ideal
requirements of high strength, low weight and competitive price tend to be
mutually exclusive. Compromise is the name of the game, and some tripods make a
better fist of it than others like this Giottos. It’s tall and strong, very
light at only 1.6kg, and although it uses pricey carbon-fiber to achieve that,
the cost is very reasonable at just under $300. This is a classic three-section
tripod, which puts it in the middle of the popular size scale as the best
all-rounder. It’s more than big enough for most, strong enough to take anything
short of the heaviest super-teles and light enough to be carried anywhere. It
does everything you need, without any tilting center column or other tricks,
including lever locks that are adjustable for friction and wear. All it needs
is a good quality head on top.
Verdict
The Giottos MTL 8261B so nearly took the
Best Buy rosette, just beaten by the slightly more versatile Manfrotto 055. But
it’s very close!
Details
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Price: $288
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Material: Carbon-fiber
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Length closed: 66cm
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Height: 146cm
·
Extended: 169cm
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Min: 34cm
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Weight: 1.6kg
·
Leg sections: Three
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Max leg diameter: 28mm
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Leg locks: Lever
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Manufacturer’s load rating: 8kg
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Website: www.giottos-tripods.com
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Overall: 4.5/5
