Vanguard VEO3T+264CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head and Multi-Angle Center Column for Overhead Shots

The center column going horizontal can be a real game changer, and has as sufficient weight capacity that it can handle a mirrorless camera and other equipment together without fear of collapse. I feel as though I need to treat the legs quite gingerly, though. I’ve had a Vanguard tripod with similar carbon fiber legs with twist lock, and if you twist just a bit too hard, they can sheer off at the joint.

Light and easy to use. I'm afraid of the mount not getting tight. That me on Nikon d850 with 200-500mm. Very versatile.

When I used to do a lot of graphic design and photography work for the medical industry, and needed to have a studio set up for shooting surgical instruments, I needed a professional tripod, and chose top of the line Manfrotto. When it arrived I couldn't believe how big it was. It was and is an absolute monster and has been perfect for absolute stability. But it weighs a ton and is huge and I have never seen a back pack that could fit it in. That meant that my landscape photography ended being handheld and far from lacking camera shake.When I saw the product description of this VEO3 tripod from Vanguard it seemed a mistake that a carbon fiber tripod could weigh 5lbs. But I just did a lifting comparison with my big Manfrotto and the difference was stark. This tripod is a fraction of the weight of my big boy. The VEO3 is not feather light but if it were any more lightly built I don't think it would be useful.The overall impression is one of high end design and precision manufacture. It comes in a very strongly made canvas tote that deserves a whole review on its own. Medium silvery gray duck canvas with lots of double layers and very strong stitching. I have a bunch of canvas bags for lighting tripods and such, but none of them are anywhere near as tough and chunky as the Vanguard. It has briefcase type strap handles and also an over shoulder strap which is wide and made of top quality webbing. The inside layer of the bag is padded throughout to prevent bumps from reaching the carbon fiber. It has an inside zipper pocket for holding a whole bunch of accessories.Tripod buyers are spoiled these days. I remember the frail little dainty thing my Dad handed down to me from the 1950's that was a triumph of hope and getting away with it over real engineering.But this VEO3 is a masterpiece. When you erect a tripod it is a very tactile experience because you have to manipulate so many different components. You have to pull, and squeeze, and flex, and twist using your hands and fingers. But everything you touch is a joy to experience. All the surfaces are silky and inviting. The clips are smooth and easy to operate and the leg-tightening tensioners are smooth and solid. This is a big deal because have lost count of all the nasty telescopic legs I have fought with over the years. A bit too tight or a bit too loose invites misery, but these legs from Vanguard create happiness.The carbon legs are very pretty and silky smooth and will keep me happy until I get a Porsche with a carbon dash. All the adjusters are satin chrome. This is nice touch because if you are trying to change something you just for the nearest bit silver amongst all the black and gray. The legs locks have ratchets that prevent the legs from moving outward. The top of the tripod is a mass of vertical and lateral and rotational movements. There are graduations/graticules so that you can see how much you are moving from the previous position. The ball joint adjuster with the Arca Swiss dovetail mount on top is utterly gorgeous and you want to keep running your hands over it. The balance of adjustment and locking is very smooth and could not be improved on.To save weight it lacks some of the luxuries on my Manfrotto such as leg braces and crank handle height adjustment but they all things I can live without in order to be able to pack it out to the countryside in my search for beauty. If I can't find any beautiful scenery I'll just look at the beautiful tripod.The VEO3 from Vanguard is utterly delicious.

This is a review on the carbon fiber version of this tripod, apparently, it is also available in aluminum.Before I get in to specifics, I should explain that I have been involved in photography for decades, both commercially and as a professor. I have owned or managed several commercial studios for both still photography and video. As such, I have used a lot of tripods, all of them professional grade.I can say without hesitation that this is one of the nicest tripods I have ever used. To be fair, it is not what I would consider inexpensive for a compact tripod, at the time of this review, the carbon fiber version was priced just under $350 - so we are talking a premium tripod. In this case, you definitely get what you pay for. This tripod is exceptionally well engineered. The pivoting boom mechanism is nothing short of genius.This compact tripod provides an extraordinary amount of versatility. It will sit flat to the ground or rise up to just over five feet. It has in integrated boom and comes with support for two camera mounts.The fit and finish is excellent, as are all the locks and controls. I really appreciate the clearly marked degree scales and spirit levels on all the axes, and the large, easy to operate knobs to tighten everything down. The tripod comes in a high quality storage bag, with an internal zippered pocket for camera mounts and accessories.The tripod folds up into a very compact package. The carbon fiber construction is intended to save weight, however, this still is not what I would consider an "ultra-lightweight" tripod (the listing states 5lbs). That is not an issue for me, as I will take a sturdy professional grade tripod over a flimsy lightweight every time - the reason is, this delivers. It is rock solid when locked down, with a head that allow smooth pans when required. It is a master of manipulation, morphing into shapes and setups that most tripods could never achieve. In addition, one of the legs can be used as a monopod if desired.As you've probably guessed by now, I am extremely pleased with this tripod. It has allowed me to replace a tripod and boom with a single compact device that is perfect for remote location work. It is also really handy in the studio due to its ability to quickly conform to a wide variety of positions with minimal fuss.Bottom line: This is what I consider an ultra-premium compact tripod. It is a professional grade tool that offers an extreme amount of versatility with minimal fuss. It is a pleasure to use, which means you'll probably use it more often, which should result in better shots. As a true perfectionist, I am not easily impressed, and this exceeded my expectations. This is an exceptional tripod well worth the investment.

This tripod is so cool. The feel, sturdiness, versatility; it's a one stop solution. So much was thought of when this was made. The legs, though they aren't flip locks, are your standard twist locks. However, the design and engineering put into these locks is quite nice and actually rivals the ease of use from flip locks. It has a great height to it, though it's not on par with the max heights in its class, it's good enough for most shooting needs. The leg locks that allow you to get lower to the ground are genius. No more awkward negotiating with pulling and flipping some release, instead, it's a simple push button and that's it. The overall construction is wonderful and I could brag about it for hours. What I also love is that there's a simple lock for everything - pan, tilt, low mode, overhead mode; everything is so easily identifiable on this tripod and easy to adjust. If you're in the market for a tripod, Vanguard has some great options for you.