An affordable pro level tripod - sturdy and capable of all the angles - Vanguard Alta Pro Review

recently tested and looked at a zillion of tripods currently on the market - everything from cheap-o "blue light" specials to top of the line professional models that require taking out a second mortgage on the house.

As far as getting a very good, professional grade tripod that is not too heavy for travel but not so light that your risk losing our expensive camera equipment, I found the Vanguard Alta Pro line is an excellent value for the money.

Amazon.com has these babies for under $150 for the Aluminum ally version (head not included) and they have all the candy - Multi-Angle Center Column can be adjusted from zero to 130 degree and Quarter-Twist Legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80-degree angles.

I shoot a lot of closeups and macro shots with my Panasonic Lumix G2 and these Alta Pro tripods have unmatched flexibility, with the innovative Multi-Angle Central Column (MACC) System. This system allows users to move the central column from zero to 130-degree angles in variable vertical and horizontal positions. Take a moment to watch the video to see how versatile this system is and close to the ground you can get your camera.

The carbon fiber version weights only 3.6 lbs.while the aluminum version weights 4.6 pounds.

Overall this tripod scream of quality - from the smooth design to the padded legs to the quick release legs and center column shock absorber and camera bag hook. The instructions are great and the included bag is awesome.

This tripod does not weight that much more than your so called "light weight" models. Yet it will give you a whole lot more versatility as well as a much more steady base.

So if you are wondering if you should go ahead and buy one of these great tripods. What are you waiting for? You won't find a better value in a quality tripod.

Recently I took my Vanguard Alta Pro tripod and ball head out in the field to give it a test. I figured the 32nd Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival would give me plenty of opportunities to use the tripod especially at the 6 pm ascend and since most of the action happens just off the ground. Before taking off for the festival I taught my assistant, my eleven year old son, how to work all of the controls on this amazingly flexible tripod.

At the festival the tripod worked like a champ and the matching ball head provided for quick adjustments as I swiveled my Lumix DMC-G2 and zoom lens to capture the action. The second day of the festival my tripod help me capture a perfect shot of a balloon heading over the covered bridge in Quechee as the sun was setting and the delayed flight created dwindling sunlight. Thanks to my tripod I was able to capture enough great shots to produce a hot air balloon calendar of the hot air ballooning action at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival.