Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod with Alta BH-100 Ball Head and Multi-Angle Center Column

Vanguard tripods aren't available locally that I know of. So I decided to do a "shoot-out" by purchasing two of them on Amazon and figuring out which one is better for my needs. I'll use "CT" for the carbon-fiber model—Alta Pro 2+ 263CT. I'll use "AB" to refer to the aluminum model—Alta Pro 263 AB. This is a comparison between the two models as much as a review of the CT.The Alta Pro line is an older design than the Pro 2 and 2+, but it still has a lot going for it.At first glanceBoth units appear solidly made, but I get an overall impression of greater solidity with the AB. Especially when they're extended to their full heights—both 53", per the spec sheets—the AB feels more stable to me. (The max. leg diameters appear to be the same.)WeightBoth tripods are pretty lightweight and probably both would be good for travel (b.t.w. you can reduce the overall length slightly by reversing their center columns). The CT is likely better for travel, being a bit lighter. That aside, I barely notice the weight difference.Leg angle controlsThe CT has four possible leg angles. The AB has three.Leg angle lock/unlockBoth models' leg angle unlock mechanisms are flush with the surface, making them unlikely to catch on anything—good design there, Vanguard. I find the AB model's legs a bit easier to work with due to slightly lesser stiffness (at least, out of the box). With the AB, you press a button inward for unlocking; with the CT, you press the entire mechanism downward slightly. I find the AB's pushbutton a bit easier to work with. But it's a very minor difference.The trade-off for the lesser stiffness is that you can't conveniently pick up the AB by just one leg—the thing swings open. (I use a velcro strap to hold its legs in place when I'm carrying it.) The CT can be picked up by one leg and nothing moves.Foam grips on legsBoth tripods have foam grips—the CT on two legs, the AB on all legs. Kudos to Vanguard for this.Leg extension locks—clamp vs. twistThe CT has two "short-throw" twist locks per leg (the AB has clamp locks). I'd never used the short-throw twist locks before and didn't think I'd like them. But no, they're great—it requires little effort to lock and unlock them. The twist locks are fast and easy to use. Good design there.Rubber feetThe CT is supplied with angled rubber feet. It can be outfitted with metal spikes, available separately. The AB has round rubber feet, which can be screwed all the way inward to reveal spikes—convenient, but sometimes the rubber feet can loosen up and gradually rotate on their own, revealing the spikes when you don't want them exposed. Anyway, +1 for the design of the CT's angled feet.Tightening knobsThe CT's knobs appear to be at least partly metal and feel heavier-duty, with knurled rubberized surfaces. They're definitely an improvement over the AB's all-plastic knobs, which aren't rubberized. The CT's are easier to work with and feel more solid.Pan controlIf you go by the specs on Vanguard's web site, you might think that neither AB nor CT has a separate pan control. But both models do have pan locks, enabling you to rotate the entire center column easily. This is useful for fine adjustments when you're tilting the center column.Raising and lowering the center columnIMO the AB wins in this respect. The column slides more easily and feels more solid. Not that the CT's column is flimsy. It just doesn't feel as solid to me.Both models have thick rubber gaskets on the underside of the tripod head mounting plate. Purpose: to dampen shock if the center column falls unexpectedly. That's a nice touch.Center column hookThe end of the AB's center column has a hook to which you can attach a weight. This is handy if the column is extended way out. The CT does not have a hook in that location. Instead, it has a pushbutton release so that the center column can be drawn upward to use the column tilt mechanism or to remove the center column entirely if you want to reverse it. If you want to reverse the AB's center column, you have to press a small button (under spring tension) on the side of the column. Either way it's a trade-off of one convenience for another.Center column tiltingThis is a great feature of several Vanguard tripods: enabling the column to tilt at various angles or be positioned parallel to the ground.The CT (Alta Pro 2+ line) and AB (Alta Pro line) have very different tilt-lock designs. As one of Vanguard's promotional videos points out, with the newer Pro 2+ design you're less likely to pull the center column all the way out by accident. The CT's clamping mechanism (for tilt angle) requires only a single very beefy knob, while the AB's has a two-part lever-plus-clamp system that is not as easy to use, at least at first glance.BUT—the CT's locking mechanism contains some kind of "teeth" on the inside, limiting you to specific angles. To be sure there are plenty of possible angles. The AB mechanism seems to allow any angle I want to use (within its overall limits). To me, the AB mechanism feels more solid and turns out to be easier to use. Getting the CT column at just the right angle is more "fiddly" in my experience. So despite the AB's mechanism seeming less convenient at first, I prefer it for a greater feeling of solidity and lesser "fiddly-ness."Accessory attachmentsThe CT has a 3/8"-threaded accessory socket (with "captured" rubber plug). The AB has no socket in that location—it has a hook for suspending a weight.Bubble levelsBoth models have bubble levels.ConclusionThese are both great tripods, both worth 5 stars, and I can recommend both. The CT has a lot going for it, including lesser weight and better control knob design. But I think the AB is the one I'll keep, primarily due to the greater feeling of solidity and the design of the column tilt lock.

I got the tripod and was concerned about the head and adapter plate since I've primarily used the Manfrotto style mounts and didn't know how it would work. After I got the tripod and tried it, the plates and quick release work as expected. Although, the release mechanism with the locking pin means that it's necessary to unscrew the lock for the plate all the way since it won't let is slide out of place. I think this is an oversight for a "quick" change adapter. The other issue I had is with the plate on my camera and inserting it in the head so the level could be seen, then the battery can't be changed since the lock screw sticks out a bit too far on my Canon 6R to change the battery with the camera mounted.I found a great solution for this with a Manfrotto style plate adapter that screwed onto the head with the same screw and locking slot under the adapter and I now have my true quick release that I've become accustomed to over the years. See this adapter plate if you want the same feature for a great price. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0957FYJFM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1The only thing that had to be done is to remove the 1/4 to 3/8 adapter in the center to allow the screw from the tripod head to pass through and fasten in place of the plate adapter that came with the tripod.The bag that comes with the tripod easily fits the tripod with the ball head and still has room for a mono pod too.

I use this to support an iPad Pro, 12.9" for shooting training videos, and it is a nice addition to a minimal, lightweight location kit. It is very sturdy for the weight, and has a lot of nice features, including the angle-arm to offset the pan head-- which is especially handy for shooting table-top items like products or demos of small items. The legs have a nifty, quarter-turn lock so it is pretty fast to extend and adjust the legs. Both the pan-head and the legs have a bubble-level. When combined with the quarter-lock legs it is easier to get a level setup on uneven surfaces than with other types of leg locks.The pan head is fairly smooth, for something in this price range. There is a little inertial, friction jerk, when starting a slow pan, especially if zoomed, but it is a budget tripod, so pretty smooth for the $$$. I also got the gear shelf, which is pretty essential for adding some weight to increase stability. It is also handy to hold mics, batteries and etc. Overall I really like this tripod.My only complaint is the bag. The pan-head handles have to be removed from the head to fit the tripod with head attached in the bag. These inevitably drop to the bottom, and the small washers come off. The tripod will still work without these, but you get a gritty feeling when tightening the handles without them. The bag really needs an additional zipper-compartment for storing these handles/washers and other small parts like Allen keys. As it is, I've frequently dropped them when fishing the handles out of the very bottom of the bag, and It is very embarrassing to have to waste time searching the floor for these stupid little washers, especially with a client looking on. I've thought about storing these separately, but it's even more embarrassing to show up for a shoot and forget the small parts, because they aren't in the same bag. So 5 stars for the tripod, but 3 (or less) for the lame-o bag.

threads on the inside of the center column are stripped. I send them email. I received center column replacement few day after.