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Buying Guide: Tripods over $225 (Part 2) : Vanguard ABEO 323AT, Velbon GEO E440L, Manfrotto 190CXPRO3, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Slik 724 CF, Giottos MTL 8261B

6/12/2013 9:07:59 AM

Vanguard ABEO 323AT

This is the only aluminum tripod here, and considering how tall it is, the weight is a very respectable 2.4kg. Compared to its more costly sister Vanguard, that’s one third lighter, mostly explained by swapping the heavy geared center-column mechanism for a more conventional sliding version. The ABEO’s main feature is its height, standing 152cm and extending to 183cm, which is only just below the super-tall Induro. Perfect for giants, it’s also great for getting unusually high angles in the studio, or for large group shots with the help of a small stepladder. But despite the size, the leg and platform joints are not as rigid as some, and if you lean on the legs a little too heavily, the locks can slip. Not too much of a problem when the tripod is new, but over time it’s likely to get worse with wear and the levers are not adjustable.

The ABEO’s main feature is its height, standing 152cm and extending to 183cm

The ABEO’s main feature is its height, standing 152cm and extending to 183cm

Verdict

If you need the height, there’s very little else that can compete with the ABEO 323AT on price. It’s got to be recommended on that score.

Details

·         Price: $360

·         Material: Aluminum

·         Length closed: 69cm

·         Height: 153cm

·         Extended: 18cm

·         Min: 41cm

·         Weight: 2.4kg

·         Leg sections: Three

·         Max leg diameter: 32mm

·         Leg locks: Lever

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 10kg

·         Overall: 4/5

Velbon GEO E440L

If you’re chasing really low weight, this Velbon has the edge and it’s also a bit cheaper

If you’re chasing really low weight, this Velbon has the edge and it’s also a bit cheaper

On paper, the spec reads much like the Slik 724CF. Both with four leg sections, they’re similar in height and folded length, and they each have splitable center columns. Though if you’re chasing really low weight, this Velbon has the edge and it’s also a bit cheaper. But when you set them up and compare side by side, the Slik wins on stability, just as it beats the diminutive five-section Giottos Vitruvian, too. The main reason for that is the slimmer leg sections, and possibly the Velbon’s lever locks are not as rigid, though none of the three can quite match the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 for solid stance in the super-light sub-1.5kg category. This Velbon has a couple of nice touches, such as the inch marking down the legs, rubber feet that can be screwed back to reveal a spike and the splitable center column takes you down to just 15cm.

Verdict

If the best tripod is the one you can always take with you, then the ultra-light Velbon GEO E440L wins, but there are some compromises.

Details

·         Price: $387

·         Material: Carbon-fiber

·         Length closed: 46cm

·         Height: 135cm

·         Extended: 159cm

·         Min: 15cm

·         Weight: 1.1kg

·         Leg sections: Four

·         Max leg diameter: 22mm

·         Leg locks: Lever

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 2.5kg

·         Overall: 4/5

Manfrotto 190CXPRO3

If weight is a priority, this smaller version deserves serious attention

If weight is a priority, this smaller version deserves serious attention

Take our Best Buy Manfrotto 055, knock 17cm off the basic height and scale everything down to match, and you have the 190CXPRO3. If weight is a priority and when you’re hiking and fully loaded up, a few hundred grams count then at only 1.3kg, this smaller version deserves serious attention. It still has the horizontal center-column mechanism, so the same comments apply there, and it’s only the height that’s on the low side. Fine if you’re average size, where the camera will come up nicely under your chin, but if you’re 6ft-plus, it will not help a dodgy back. Extending the center column is a solution, but that throws away a lot of stability – and fro a smallish tripod, the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 is remarkably solid. When choosing, this is a very good and unusually versatile tripod. It boils down to height versus weight.

Verdict

Low weight and the tilting column is a strong combination for a bit of macro on a trek. Great buy if the height is right and works for you.

Details

·         Price: $450

·         Material: Carbon-fibre

·         Length closed: 59cm

·         Height: 123cm

·         Extended: 146cm

·         Min: 5cm

·         Weight: 1.3kg

·         Leg sections: Three

·         Max leg diameter: 25mm

·         Leg locks: Lever

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 5kg

·         Overall: 5/5

Manfrotto 055CXPRO3

This Manfrotto is a decent size for serious work

This Manfrotto is a decent size for serious work

Manfrotto, the Italian brand, is actually part of the same company as Gitzo, owned by the UK-based Vitec Group. Between them, they’ve got everything covered and the Manfrotto 055 series keeps on delivering. This Manfrotto is a decent size for serious work, similar to the Giottos MTL 9261B, and capable of handling all but the heaviest outfits. The same basic tripod can be had with three or four-section legs, with or without the tilting column. This is a simplified version of the tilting column ideal, and while it can only be locked upright or horizontal, in practice that doesn’t compromise versatility. You can still get down to ground level, adjust the height with the normal leg levers or by selecting one of the four leg angle positions. The tilt mechanism allows a tiny bit of flex around the camera platform, but you’re unlikely to notice it.

Verdict

It’s a good size, light in carbon-fiber, well made, and has the added versatility of the horizontal column option. The price is right, too.

Details

·         Price: $510

·         Material: Carbon-fiber

·         Length closed: 66cm

·         Height: 140cm

·         Extended: 175cm

·         Min: 7cm

·         Weight: 1.7kg

·         Leg sections: Three

·         Max leg diameter: 29mm

·         Leg locks: Lever

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 8kg

·         Overall: 5/5

Slik 724 CF

The Slik’s tubing is wider than some and the collar locks do a good job of keeping things rigid

The Slik’s tubing is wider than some and the collar locks do a good job of keeping things rigid

As smaller tripods go, the Slik 724 CF has a slightly different take on things. When set up, it’s usefully taller than the Manfrotto 190 for about the same weight, but thanks to its extra leg section, it folds down smaller for transport. Four-section legs with inevitably slender tubes at the bottom don’t make the engineering challenges easy, but the Slik’s tubing is wider than some and the collar locks do a good job of keeping things rigid – close to the Manfrotto 190’s high standard of stability for a lightweight tripod. Other nice touches are the center column that is secured both by a knob on the platform and a large collar underneath, so that’s not going to budge. Also, the center column splits, and the bottom 25cm or so can be unscrewed. Then when the legs are angled wide, the whole rig can get down to 18cm. this Slik is well designed and quality built.

Verdict

Compact and lightweight for transport, yet it stands decently tall and offers notably better support than some, if at slightly more cost.

Details

·         Price: $600

·         Material: Carbon-fiber

·         Length closed: 47cm

·         Height: 131cm

·         Extended: 163cm

·         Min: 18cm

·         Weight: 1.4kg

·         Leg sections: Four

·         Max leg diameter: 25mm

·         Leg locks: Collar

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 5kg

·         Overall: 4/5

Giottos MTL 8261B

This is a classic three-section tripod, which puts it in the middle of the popular size scale as the best all-rounder

This is a classic three-section tripod, which puts it in the middle of the popular size scale as the best all-rounder

You can’t have it all, and the ideal requirements of high strength, low weight and competitive price tend to be mutually exclusive. Compromise is the name of the game, and some tripods make a better fist of it than others like this Giottos. It’s tall and strong, very light at only 1.6kg, and although it uses pricey carbon-fiber to achieve that, the cost is very reasonable at just under $300. This is a classic three-section tripod, which puts it in the middle of the popular size scale as the best all-rounder. It’s more than big enough for most, strong enough to take anything short of the heaviest super-teles and light enough to be carried anywhere. It does everything you need, without any tilting center column or other tricks, including lever locks that are adjustable for friction and wear. All it needs is a good quality head on top.

Verdict

The Giottos MTL 8261B so nearly took the Best Buy rosette, just beaten by the slightly more versatile Manfrotto 055. But it’s very close!

Details

·         Price: $288

·         Material: Carbon-fiber

·         Length closed: 66cm

·         Height: 146cm

·         Extended: 169cm

·         Min: 34cm

·         Weight: 1.6kg

·         Leg sections: Three

·         Max leg diameter: 28mm

·         Leg locks: Lever

·         Manufacturer’s load rating: 8kg

·         Website: www.giottos-tripods.com

·         Overall: 4.5/5

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