Manfrotto 055XPROB or Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT?

[Phut]

I'm looking to replace my Manfrottoa 3021BPRO with either tripod that I listed in the thread title. Main reason is that when I want to get low to the ground, I have to disassemble the center column to do so. With the Manfrotto or the Vanguard, it's a snap.

I haven't read much about Vanguard tripods on here and would like some opinions/feedback from those that have experience with them.

[LoganJ]

I have no experience with the Vanguard, but shooting close to the ground on the 055XPROB is extremely easy. Collapse the legs, set them to the widest setting, raise center leg and slide in horizantally, turn ballhead, and bam - shooting 3" off the ground :)

[Phut]

Yeah, I played with the 055XPROB at a local camera store and was amazed how easier it is to get horizontally and low to the ground as compared to my 3021PROB. My brother-in-law has the 190XPROB and that thing is too short for my taste.

For the Vanguard, their site doesn't list if the maximum height is with the center column fully extended or not. I'm 6' even and my current set up is perfect for me. It's just the center column issue that bugs me.

[Phut]

Well, upon further researching on the Vanguard, it looks as if my 488RC2 won't mount onto the tripod cause of the thread size, 1/4" 20 versus 3/8"(488RC2). Can anyone confirm this?

[LoganJ]

Honestly I would just get the 055XPROB. No worries about if it will work and you will be using the same brand for head/legs.

[Jon]

Well, upon further researching on the Vanguard, it looks as if my 488RC2 won't mount onto the tripod cause of the thread size, 1/4" 20 versus 3/8"(488RC2). Can anyone confirm this?If the tripod has a 1/4" 20 thread, you can get a bushing to step it up to the 3/8" 16 your 488RC2 uses for very little, like under $5, and maybe under $2 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/503797-REG/General_Brand_NPTRB_3_8_to_1_4_20_Tripod.html). I toss one or two things like that into any order I have where I'm going to be paying shipping anyway, since it makes the incremental cost negligible.

[hockey9999]

I picked up the 264AT today and so far I am very happy with it.

The top of the center column where the head mounts to (Don't know the formal name for it) does in fact have the bushing/adapter screwed in off to the side. There is also a small tool included to install the adapter.

If you want, I can take a picture of it tomorrow. PM me if ya want me to.

[yendikeno]

I picked up the 264AT today and so far I am very happy with it.

The top of the center column where the head mounts to (Don't know the formal name for it) does in fact have the bushing/adapter screwed in off to the side. There is also a small tool included to install the adapter.

...

The 263 series comes the same way.

[hockey9999]

I chose the 264AT over the 190XPROB mainly because of the additional flexibility that its multi-angle center column has. The price difference was only about $10 so that was not a factor. I feel that it is of comparable quality.

Without the center column extended the 264AT is - approx 51.5" tall. I think the dimensions on the 263AT are slightly different, maybe +/- an inch or two due to having 3 leg sections instead of 4.

I just picked it up yesterday and so far am very happy with it. I also got the Vanguard SBH-100 head. It is my first ball head so I don't have anything to compare it to but it seems to perform pretty well. I opted for it instead of the SBH-250 which had a higher load capacity and also a 3rd knob for tension control. I'm not sure how much I will miss that or not. It was fairly cheap, around $50, the SBH-250 was only about $30 more but also weighed a lot more.

Not the best pictures but I hope they help. If anyone wants any more shots of anything specific just let me know.

I will update my brief review once I have a chance to take it out in the field!

Pic showing thread adapter and included tool
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4245749928_f3df563bf5_o.jpg
Pic showing thread adapter and included tool which has an Allen wrench, tool for thread size adapter and a socket wrench to adjust leg locks.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4245749634_c1d9601b6c_o.jpg
(Crooked) Picture of Head mounted to tripod.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4244975875_5e4eb6b554_o.jpg
Fully Extended
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4245748824_1c30bee5b4_o.jpg
Showing various center column positions. It stops in a ton of positions between vertical and horizontal.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4244974809_449172dd72_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4245749282_a2ed74c140_o.jpg
And it gets low!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4245750830_76804615bc_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4245750440_12b94de1a7_o.jpg

[hockey9999]

Update:

I decided to exchange the SBH-100 head for the SBH-250. For the extra $30 it was well worth it. Having the extra knob for tension/friction adjustment made a night and day difference in the performance of the head. It is very smooth, locks with less then a full turn of the lock knob and when unlocked has varying levels of tension due to the friction adjustment.

The only drawback to the Vanguard heads is the lack of an Arca compatible quick release which makes L-plates and other plate options very limited or non-existent. The QR platform is removable so I may switch it out in the future for something more standard.

I typically use a handstrap on my camera, which as of now is not an option for me. I may pick up a regular/plain camdapter plate and then attach the Vanguard QR plate onto it. Anyone have other suggestions for a handstrap without a battery grip?

I would definitely suggest this combination for anyone looking for a semi-compact set-up for approx $230.

If anyone has any questions about this setup, feel free to ask!

[Phut]

Thanks for the feed back hockey9999. I'm still debating between the two legs but leaning more towards the Vanguard because of more adjustability features.