The Alta Pro 3VLT 235CV 12 is a super light CNC machined carbon fibre travel tripod with a built in levelling base, fitted with an open bridge VEO PV-12 Arca compatible video head. A perfect combination that delivers incredible portability for videographers, heavy long lenses or spotting scopes on the go.

The 5-section, 23mm diameter legs are designed to deliver an optimum combination of portability and usability, weighing just 1155g and folding down to 54cm while reaching up to 148cm without needing to extend a central column, with non-slip rubber feet on the base of each leg.

The slimline legs also incorporate silent twist leg locks with Vanguard’s technical design that is designed to be quick to set up/pack away and be easy to clean, allowing you to maximise the life of your tripod. For full cleaning instructions, view our blog.

Replacing a traditional central column is a built in levelling base with a 45mm base that is incorporated into the tripod canopy. This includes a spirit bubble and can be rotated 360° or moved ±15° vertically, making it simple to level your tripod and compose your shot in seconds, whatever the terrain.

Removing the central column also allows the legs to fold more closely together, and these tripod legs here have a diameter of just over 60mm, with a circumference of 195mm. This means you can almost fit your hand around the folded legs, making them incredibly easy to carry or slip into a camera bag pocket or tripod holder.

For low angle or macro shots the tripod is equipped with three easy-set leg angles, (23°, 50° and 80°), allowing the tripod to go down to just 195mm.

On the side of the tripod canopy is a a 3/8″ thread hole with a 1/4″ adaptor that is designed to fit any magic arm, allowing you to attach accessories to maximise your shoot. This also includes Vanguard’s non-slip bayonet slot fittings, so it guarantees that when used with a VEO TSA DLX your magic arm won’t come lose in the middle of your shot.

On top of the tripod, the open bridge VEO PV-12 Arca compatible video head weighs just 335g and offers a smooth fluid movement with a single 215mm long handle that can be folded down with ease to pack away. It also includes a counterbalance that returns your head smoothly towards level if you release it.

This is classed as an “open bridge” design it has one point of contact to save a little weight without compromising stability, as opposed to a traditional “closed bridge” video head which has the traditional two points of contact either side of the body (like on the VEO PV-10) which features on the Alta Pro 3VLT 235AV 10 (aluminium) and Alta Pro 3VLT 235CV 10 (carbon).

On the base of the video head is a pan-lock knob that allows you to rotate 360°, on the side is an large tilt locking knob that allows you to set the vertical angles between -75° and +90°.

To help control the vertical movement with your video camera on top, the control on the side of the head allows you adjust the tension, and therefore the speed of movement to your desired level, making it easier to move your video camera smoothly to capture the optimum footage.

The clamp on top of the video head is Arca compatible, allowing you to fit in almost any brand of Arca compatible plate, or if your spotting scope has an Arca compatible foot like the Vanguard spotting scopes then you can slot that straight into the clamp for maximum stability.

As standard, it it supplied with the super compact Arca compatible QS-56P quick shoe which offers a secure base, and includes a non-twist spring pin to ensure that the video camera is always facing forwards.

To hold the quick shoe securely to the video head, there is the traditional locking knob to close the clamp, with the removable non-slip pins built into the quick release plate*. This can be released using the push button on the side of the clamp.

Both the tripod and the head are manufactured with Vanguard’s CNC technology, using aircraft grade aluminium for load bearing parts alongside Vanguard’s anodising process to ensure outstanding quality that is backed by a standard 2 year warranty, but this can be extended to a 10 year extended manufacturer’s warranty.

Designed with the balance of stability, portability and height front of mind, this tripod weighs 1155g and folds down to 540mm, but comes with a luxury padded shoulder bag to keep it safe at home or on the go and make it easy to carry, with quick top access or full length access.