Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 264AT Aluminum Tripod with Multi-Angle Center Column

Probably this is the worst experience I ever had with Amazon and this particular product.I first ordered this product on August 17th and I received as promised in 2 days. I was so hyped about this one and eagerly waited to unpack and start using it. But as I opened the packaging, the box looked new but it is not sealed. The tripod has some small dents and scratches indicating that it has been used previously and returned by someone else (Might be a refurbished piece) But I didn't care about that and I thought I will keep it if the product does not have any issues. But here comes the headache, the list of problems with that piece:1. The spirit level on the camera mount plate does not have a bubble in it (Are you kidding me !!)2. The center column of the tripod does not raise smoothly and it even does not rotate (This is the key feature of this tripod). After struggling to turn the column, it finally rotated. Probably due to some rust/dust in the rotation joint.3. The legs of the tripod had some scuffs here and there. But still I thought this can be ignored if the top 2 issues does not exist.So I finally spoke to the Customer service and explained my problem and raised the request for a replacement.Finally on Aug 23 the second order was placed and as promised it got delivered in 2 days. I was really hoping that this time I get a brand new one with no issues #FingersCrossed.The initial thoughts of the packaging was good. I can easily make out from the box that this is brand NEW because the box is sealed. My first order packaging does not have the tape seal.This time the legs looked fine with no marks of usage. I was happy but that didn't last long though :(The ball head of the tripod which is Alta BH-100 model. It does not move at all and is stuck. I struggled for straight 30 minutes trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong and I loosened all the rotating controls. But nothing works. I am going to return the 2nd item as well.Is this Amazon's fault or Vanguard's fault ?Or may be I got the piece from the BAD BATCH of Tripods delivered to Amazon !!Whatever it is, I am totally disappointed. And it was a total waste of my time and money. And I had to buy a temporary tripod to get my job done.This was the first time buying a Vanguard product after seeing all the positive reviews, but it was a bad choice though.Hopefully Amazon or Vanguard must fix the issue and look exactly why it has happened for two orders.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  After a few weeks of use, the leg opening release mechanism on one of the legs refuse to work. The two legs can open to allow the tripod to sit lower to the ground, but one is stuck in the closed position. So I can only use this tripod a one fixed position. I removed the leg to examine it and realized that the spring release mechanism is stuck and won't move. This is so disappointing after paying USD$300 for this tripod. I would recommend looking at a different brand for tripods instead of this one. Or maybe your luck may be better than mine.**Update** August 2018Vanguard offered me a replacement if I ship my Tripod to them in Michigan, USA. I live in the Caribbean and it will cost me USD$400 in shipping costs. Would be cheaper to just purchase a replacement leg but Vanguard is out of stock. What a disappointment this product has been.

**Update - 10/30/2018Received a replacement tripod for the Pro 2+ 263AB100... extremely disappointed in that MACC. Not sure why people praise this model and state that it is sturdy, it isn't. The replacement that I received also wobbles and the MACC scratches the center column when raising or lowering.Not sure if there is a bad batch going around or this is really how all of the Alta Pro2+'s are.This was my first experience with Vanguard products, will be looking into other brands now.----------------Seems like I received a used model or something, shows signs of previous usage/wear all around this tripod.Also, the center column wobbles... a lot! This tripod leaves a lot to be desired. I read the manual carefully and took my time to learn everything about this tripod, but nothing will fix the wobble.The center that rotates and holds the column in place also has wobbling. This is not a sturdy tripod, I would not use this for night photography, long exposure or anywhere where it would be very windy.

More update: A guy named Thomas called me to troubleshoot and saw the issues. He offered another replacement from their line up or a refund. I looked but all are similar so i called for the refund he offered which wasnt even my idea i just wanted a working product. few days later a lady named nancy called me with an attitude to basically cut the conversation short and told me to go to amazon. since this was the third tripod the time for amazon return passed. i called back and the lady had even more attide for some reason and kept getting louder and condescending she talked over me until i got frustrated and on her. seems like getting rid of th ecustomer was the goal. terrible and unnecessary experience. going to have to sell the defective product at a lossUpdate: I received the replacement from issue below and it had the same issue with stuck knobs/rubber loose but only on the tension knob which i dont use so i just kept it. As i started using it more and adding heavier lenses I noticed the center column moves a lot even after tightening to the max making the rest of the tripod feel flimsy and uneven. Maybe some quality issues from this seller. Now i contacted Vanguard and will need to pay shipping so they can fix or replace it. hopefully that's the end of it.This is a great tripod. Very sturdy. Only slight complaint is the ball head knobs get stuck and the rubber grip on it slides so it's hard to undo them. That said it's great.Had to return it because it got stuck. Got a replacement and a different knob on the replacement also got stuck. The rubber grip is useless. Not a good ball head.

This is the third Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100 Aluminium 3-section tripod i have bought in three years and every time one of the leg joints have broken, had only bought this latest one and had it two weeks and YES one of the legs joints broke so returned it for a full refund to Amazon who were great and issued a full refund within a week, when these tripods work they are excellent but not worth the hassle and these tripods are not cheap, i am using a old tripod at the minute which i have had for years until i decide what will be my next tripod but i tell you it won't be another Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100 Aluminium 3-section in fact it won't be another Vanguard.

My usual tripods are a Benbo Mk1, and a Manfrotto 190 XproB. I love the Benbo, especially the ability to tilt the centre column, but it can be a chore to adjust with a camera attached as when the lock is loosened you're wrestling with both the legs and the centre column. The Manfrotto is compact and light in comparison, so a bonus, yes the centre column can go horizontal but it can't lock off at tilted angles.The Vanguard really offers the best of both worlds. It is compact and a reasonable weight, I don't like them too light. The 3 way pan head, which isn't a bad head at all, was swapped for my current favourite, an Artcise MB52 ball head https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081TP7FSS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The leg locks, both for length & angle operate well and are smooth and easy to use. Finish is excellent throughout.For my current needs, mostly table top macro & flower portraits, this tripod really does tick all of the boxes, and I'd recommend it to anybody, especially for the price paid

Theres only one thing to like about this tripod in that it's lightweight but that goes for its performance too.Like the steady rock it should be, it's like putting it on a carpet.Don't breath on this thing as it might move!When it counts for example standing on a rock at a waterfall with shutter speeds in the region of 1/8 or slower it's a challenge let alone getting in a river given the other challenges.Fitted with spikes (non standard and had to send some back also irritatingly) showed up its lack of solidity.From the beginning one of the legs was loose despite my attempt at tightening with a 4mm alum key.So flopping about in some precarious positions was not very safe.Having owned this tripod for just over a year i noticed recently that there were chips around from a presumably cheap alloy used.I purchased this as a recommendation by Gavin Hoey but he probably only used it for a short while or had a better experience than me.Anyway it gets sticky and floppy around the central column and then the ball head started to wobble (also by altair pro) and a knurled rubber covering fell off so that's held on with blue tac!The ball head is brilliant apart from there might be a danger of wobble as the screw mounting holding the thing together starts to come loose.Not built for purpose and probably only good in an emergency!Folded down and used inside

A good, well built tripod and for the money it is excellent - it is much more sturdy that my original tripod. The ball head is a similar, robust, standard and the two parts working together means that you can get your camera mounted in just about any position that you want it to be, The leg locks are easy to operate and do their job well and the ability to open up the leg angle means that you can get a wide spread to get low or ensure stability in windy conditions.The only downsides (and hence 4 stars) are the weight and size that it packs down to. With the weight, I don't think you can get the build quality without it being much lighter unless you go for carbon fibre and the associated increase in cost. The size is a minor issue for me, though if you are looking fir a small and light travel tripod it might be worth looking at something else in the range.

Bought to replace an old and cheaper Vanguard tripod after a day looking around "The Photography Show" and originally selecting another make at nearly twice the price. Things I like: twist lock legs, ease of adjustment, secure and solid when set up. The ball head is also secure and when used with a 500mm lens on a crop sensor camera, giving an effective lens length of 800mm, there is very little movement when tightening everything up.The tripod itself probably deserves 5 stars, but the way that Amazon package stuff results in one star being deducted. The tripod is supplied by the manufacture in a solid box that Amazon then place diagonally in a flimsy cardboard box about 3 feet x 2 feet stuffed full of paper roll, which arrived damaged