Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100 Carbon Fiber Review

From nature to urban photography, the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100 Carbon Fiber was a joy to use throughout testing. Most tripods we tested fell into either camp of being easy to use or capable, but the 263 proved to us that it was both feature-rich and user-friendly.

Ease of Use

The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100 Carbon Fiber is very intuitive to use and will likely spare you from whipping out an instruction manual. While there are a few more intricacies with angled shots or when you need to fully extend or lower the 263, this is a tripod that won't fight your photograph composition.

Some tripods use twist locks that need more rotation to lock or unlock, but the 263CB only needs a quarter turn, making this one of our favorite twist locks in the entire review. The two bubble levels make it simple to level the camera on uneven ground

Using angle-able center columns can be notoriously difficult, but the 263 only needs a quick flick of the wrist to hinge the column and requires minimal effort to position it exactly how you want. We appreciated the security of the leg locks; the only minor complaint we had was that the pinch-releases required slightly more effort to unlock.

Stability

Yes, there are tripods with a higher weight capacity, but at 15.4 pounds, we never felt “under-gunned” when using our normal camera equipment. The 263CB is a wonderfully designed tripod when you've got precious camera equipment onboard.

Outside of its weight limit, the 263CB uses rubberized feet (that are actually shaped like feet rather than simply capping the ends of a pole) that made for excellent stability, even on slicker surfaces. From wet granite to muddy trails to pine needles, the 263 was able to keep our gear safe from the ground while we got the shot. In more complex setups, the leg locks and easy twistlocks allowed us to position this model how we wanted without a catastrophic tipover.

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Versatility

When you've got a model that's as “do-it-all” as the 263CB, it's inevitably a very versatile tripod. Pick any shot composition at any time of day, and this option will likely be able to meet your needs.

In addition to the center column's angle adjustability, the 263CB has a max height of 68.2 inches and a minimum height of 9 inches. This allows you to focus more on how you want your photograph to come out, rather than feeling limited on where your tripod can go. Its ball head is great for changing shot angles without adjusting the legs and easily allows you to tilt the camera aggressively skyward or toward the ground.

Portability

The 263CB is certainly not the most portable tripod in our lineup. At a whopping 4.75 pounds, this is one hefty model, and we'd suggest you look elsewhere if you need to carry your tripod over long distances on foot.

The 263CB includes a carrying case with a nice rolltop closure and a single shoulder sling, but we still needed to strap it to the side of our bag when the photo location was more than 10-15 minutes away. It also doesn't pack down particularly small, with a folded length of 29 inches, making it cumbersome to tote along through challenging terrain. There is a more affordable aluminum version of the 263 that weighs slightly more, at 5.12 pounds, but its packed dimensions are similar to the carbon option.

Durability

If you envision a rough life for your tripod, the 263CB is a worthy option. Vanguard has long been known for making high-quality tripods, and the 263 further reinforces this reputation. We deliberately dropped, kicked, and tipped over the 263 throughout testing, and it didn't even flinch.

The twist locks of the tripod legs and the flip locks at the head all performed well from the beginning to the end of our examination season. Dirt and grime had a tougher time getting inside the joints of the 263CB, though after sandier photo shoots, we felt a slight bit of grit as we rotated the twist locks, with at least a few granules making their way inside. The overall stability of the 263 was never compromised, and we loved its unwavering ability to support our invaluable camera equipment, no matter how rough a day it had.

Should You Buy the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100 Carbon Fiber?

If you're prioritizing shot flexibility and capability, this is the tripod for you. With an impressive max and minimum height range, and a multi-angled center column, the 263CB is bound to get you the shot you want. If you're logging miles of walking to get to a photo shoot, this might not be the most ideal option, with a larger folded size and hefty weight, but when performance and stability are a priority, the 263 is right at home.

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