NOTE: I got my Vanguard Auctus Plus recently but currently it seems to be out of production. There is still some stock out there so if you want one, grab it fast. Maybe more will be coming out in the future but right now you can’t even find it on the Vanguard company site.
I just got back from Florida and was reviewing some of my video clips taken on a windy beach on the Sanibel Island Causeway beach at sunset. Intending to capture some stock footage of cars traveling along the causeway, all I ended up with was shaky unusable footage due to my flimsy travel tripod. Never again. Next time I travel I’m going to check in a nice heavy duty tripod. My choice – the awesome Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT Professional Tripod for Cameras and Camcorders
Here’s what I like about this tripod – its one solid MFer for the price! That being said it has a lot of other cool features besides being a rock solid tripod for studio, video and field work provide you are trying to hike to the bottom of the grand canyon with it. Most of my work is done in the studio or close to the car so weight is not much of an issue for me. Besides judging by the number of times I’ve bent or broken a tripod leg in the past, its time for something beefy!
I’ve had Vanguard tripods in the past and they always come out with the most features for the best value. They also stand by their products. They’ve replaced legs for me in the past and sold me replacement parts when I slipped on ice and crash down on top of my tripod. Once they even sent me a new tripod to replace a broken section. Vanguard tripods come with lifetime guarantees and they mean it.
In the studio I’ve been looking for a beefer and more versatile tripod to handle weird angles for still lives and more precise positioning. I’ve been looking at various geared tripod heads for this but the wheeled height adjustment on the Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT Professional Tripod for Cameras and Camcorders
VANGUARD Auctus Plus 323CT Tripod Manufacturer Product Description
Professional photographers whose shoots take them from studio to outdoors will love VANGUARD’s new Auctus Plus Series tripod. This ultra stable, flexible tripod enables precise positioning and fine tuning that is great for the studio with extra features that make outdoor shoots a breeze, too. Available in carbon fiber or aluminum, Auctus Plus tripod offers extreme stability and flexibility. Its ultra-smooth Extreme Support Height Positioning (ESHP) Wheel System is a dual-function wheel gear that adjusts central column height securely while supporting heavy gear. This advanced gear wheel also enables precise height fine tuning while holding an extreme loading weight. Auctus Plus’ leg locks are exceptionally solid, secure and seal out dust and sand to provide impressive reliability. Setup is quick, too, with one-twist-to-loosen locks. Unique All-terrain Feet convert from anti-rust spikes to angled, textured rubber for secure footing on an array of terrains. It’s flexible, too, with legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80-degree angles for use on uneven ground and for low-angle photography. The Auctus Plus 323CT has a 32 mm top tube and is a three section tripod that at maximum height is 70 7/8 inches. Its folded height is 28 inches and the minimum extended height is 57 1/8. Other features include an innovative locking camera screw wheel, large bubble level, anti-shock ring, leg scales for precise height adjustment, rubber foam grips and bonus snow shoes.
From the Manufacturer”
Designed to go from the studio to an outdoor shoot in a snap, VANGUARD’s top-of-the-line Auctus Plus 323CT tripod is loved by professional photographers for its stability and flexibility.
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VANGUARD Auctus Plus 323CT tripod highlights
The wheel thing
Repositioning your tripod’s extended height with large format camera and extra long telephoto lens doesn’t have to be a nerve wracking experience. Auctus Plus 323CT’s ultra-smooth Extreme Support Height Positioning (ESHP) Wheel System easily adjusts central column height securely while supporting heavy gear, so you can set up your big shots with confidence.
This advanced gear wheel also enables precise height fine tuning while holding an extreme loading weight, so you can dial in your exact camera position with ease and peace of mind.
Sealed with a twist
Auctus Plus’ one-twist-to-loosen locks not only make setup a breeze, but they’re also solid, secure and seal out dust and sand to provide impressive reliability.
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All-terrain support
With legs that individually adjust to 25, 50 and 80-degree angles and unique feet that convert from anti-rust spikes to angled, textured rubber with bonus snow shoes, Auctus Plus is ready for use on any terrain and even for low angle photography.
Award winning
If that wasn’t enough, Auctus Plus 323CT has been recognized with several major photography and product design awards, including its being named Best Tripod 2011 by the Technical Image Press Association, an award voted on by the editors of several major, international photography magazines. Other awards include a 2011 reddot design award and, when paired with VANGUARD GH-100 pistol grip ball head, a 2011 IDSA design award.
Other highlights
- Lightweight carbon fiber legs
- Large bubble level
- Anti-shock ring
- Leg scales for precise height adjustment
- Rubber foam grips
- Innovative camera attachment screw easily converts from ¼” to 3/8”
Product specifications
Folded Height: 28 inches (710mm)
Extended Height: 70.875 inches (1800mm)
Minimum Extended Height: 57.125 inches (1,450mm)
Macro Height: 7.5 inches (190mm)
Weight: 8.04 lbs (3.65 kg)
Maximum Loading Weight: 39.7 lbs (18 kg)
Diameter of Leg: 32mm
Number of Sections: 3
Other Variations of the Auctus Plus line:
VANGUARD Auctus Plus 283CT Tripod
VANGUARD Auctus Plus 324AT Tripod
VANGUARD Auctus Plus 283AT Tripod for Camera Accessories
