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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Tripod Setup: Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT + Smith-Victor BH8 Head | |
Looks like a decent enough set up. Kind of heavy at 4.4 lbs and doesn't have much for a minimum height, 52.1", plus it's a little bulky if you plan on traveling with it. It does extend to 65" though.
I'm hooked on Mefoto right now for some reason, they are made by Benro which is a decent enough tripod company. For the about the same money you can get a MeFoto A1350Q1K Roadtrip tripod and head that's over 2 lbs lighter, gets to within 15.4" to the ground and folds up to 15.4". One leg even detaches for a monopod if you desire. The downside is it only extends to 61.6" vs 65", and has five leg sections vs three on the Vanguard.
Myself, I've got a smaller Benro for backpacking and a Gitzo 3 series for my bigger glass. I just ordered a MeFoto carbon fiber set-up at $400 for my midsize traveling. It was on sale. The point to all this is I believe in Benro quality, while maybe not as refined as a Gitzo or RRS, it's decent enough, especially for the cost concious and or infrequent tripod users.
The Vanguard seems decent enough, just a little heavy, which can be a good thing for tripods, a little bulky if you're traveling with it, and doesn't hug the ground very close. No idea what the head performs like, my past experience with the Benro head on my smallest set of legs was decent, although I later upgraded it to a smaller Markins head.
Just my 2 cents.
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