Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT Professional Tripod for Cameras and Camcorders

 

18kg load capacity and a MSRP of just under 600, - ... confidently positioned the Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT so priced. slightly below the top dogs of the 057-series from Manfrotto and in direct price competition with the Induro tripods CT313/CT314 But that there is also more expensive for example, Gitzo, Novoflex or Really Right Stuff. A direct comparison is certainly legitimate, but this should not be the focus here.

A tripod with a 18kg load capacity is no doubt for the clients of the professional user and should man / woman actually already expect a lot from Auctus Plus. Besides spikes for field and rubberized caps for indoor use, the standard also provides 323CT with "snowshoes" , dish-shaped, large rubber sheets, which are intended to better distribute the load and this prevent it from sinking.

A word at this point again to the closures. The legs of this carbon fiber tripod screw caps are locked and unlocked (hence the name CT, C = Carbon, T = Twist Lock). Some like it, others prefer the clamp or snap closures. I personally prefer the rotation variant, this advantage 323CT.

Another selling point of Vanguard is the adjustment wheel, which will facilitate the height adjustment of the center column. Here, each photographer must first answer the question yourself whether this feature for him / her is really necessary. If desired, then the 323CT can extend to a maximum of 1.80 m - and the smooth "and slidably adjustable friction means then the actuation force during cranking or the brake." Of the equipment to be adjusted. The height adjustment works very well and then basically almost free of play, only a loosening of friction when moving directly causes noticeable play in the crank motion. For the photo shoot can then fix the center column again also has a swivel, so that all play can be eliminated because of the center column adjustment.

So much mechanics has its price, and not just in. The weight for me when Auctus Plus 323CT the biggest shortcoming. With 3.6 kg, this tripod sets standards. Even the wooden Berlebach tripods are the same load capacity as much underneath. With appropriate head the 323CT comes but then relaxed and easy to 4 to 4.5 kg total weight. Because you should consider carefully whether one takes this part of the next flight or trekking trip, especially 71cm pack size also are not bad either. About the predicate travel tripod "we need in this case, probably not talking, here are muscles, broad shoulders and endurance needed, because just at the Vanguard Tripod Bag has saved in the wrong place.

Dear developers of Vanguard, we photographers are usually Although very capable of suffering, some comfort and pampering pleasure we would have at a price of 600, - but then wanted. On the one hand you give us "snow shoes, spikes and sand / dust resistant adjusting for outdoor use, on the other side is a heavyweight of equipment and then not even a reasonable Wearing? Well, there is still room for improvement!
Is absolutely exemplary but then the processing of the stand. The legs slide evenly and smoothly, length markings on the elements provide fast and accurate "pre-adjustment. Nor could I find any negative or exhalations when used resin, of course I have made only a sniffer test and any emission testing or material sample to the gas chromatograph.

Also, the stability can be largely no reason to blame, for outdoor use in wind are under utilized in leg length then but a slight vibration in detectable. A counterweight on the hook of the central column, however, creates here remedy.

My conclusion: the Vanguard 323CT is a studio tripod! Stable and difficult with useful features for indoor use. Even if all the equipment features speak of who have it drags in a outdoor use must in my view masochistic equipment. The price is then despite the very good quality for a Chinese tripod already quite steep, Benro and Sirui offer as equivalent material for a few hundred to more favorable. It's always a question of the purpose, but who needs a top universal stand (Manfrotto fan community forgive me) is, in my better with the SIRUI M3204. 1.7 kg weight with stand 18kg load capacity, 51cm packing size and 1.77 m height to stand at 400, - and excellent quality camera tripods.