Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 303CV 18 - Carbon Tripod with levelling base and video head - 15kg load capacity
by Vanguard
£424.95
Claim a FREE VEO CP-46 Accessories Kit (RRP £129.99) when you purchase this tripod between 6th January and 31st March 2025 from Optic Nature using this claim form.
The Alta Pro 3VL 303CV 18 is an ultra-tall CNC machined carbon fibre tripod with a levelling base instead of a central column, fitted with a VEO PV-18 Arca compatible video head. A perfect combination that delivers incredible stability for videographers, heavy long lenses or spotting scopes.
Awarded the Editor's Choice Award, ePhotozine summarise this tripod as "The Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 303CV 18 is a tripod that packs a punch. It's big, it's strong and handles anything you throw at it." while Camera Jabber says "From the ground up, this tripod packs in the features anyone who shoots both stills and video could want".
The 3-section, 30mm diameter legs are designed to maximise stability and height, reaching up to 1.8m without needing to extend a central column. Perfect for even the tallest photographer.
The solid 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.
Replacing a traditional central column is a built in levelling base with a 65mm 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 and compose your shot in seconds
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 290mm.
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.
There is also a thread built into the side of the clamp on the VEO PV-18 video head to allow you to attach a second accessory that can be set up to follow your aim, such as a such as a directional microphone.
At the base, there are retractable rubber feet that can be set as either rubber or stainless steel spiked feet in seconds.
On top of the tripod, the VEO PV-18 Arca compatible video head offers a smooth fluid movement with two long telescopic handles for maximum control.
On the base of the video head is a pan-lock knob, and between the telescopic handle is an oversized tilt locking knob that allows you to set the vertical angles between -45° and +90°. Combined with the two oversized spirit levels, this allows you to set your level with ease.
To help control the vertical movement with your video camera on top there is a damping control on the side of the head that allows you slow the movement, making it easier to position your video camera in the optimum position. On the opposite side is a scale to help you to repeat a position over a period of time.
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 extra large Arca compatible QS-61P quick shoe which offers a secure base to a larger device such as a video camera, 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 a spring operated safety pin built into the base to ensure that your valuable kit doesn't slip off if the clamp is not securely tightened*. 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 Vanguard's 10 year extended manufacturer's warranty.
Designed with height and stability front of mind, this tripod weighs 2920g and folds down to 855mm, but comes with a luxury padded shoulder bag to keep it safe at home or on the go, and make it easy to carry.
| Tripod Style | Full Sized Video Tripod | |
|---|---|---|
| Central Column | No | |
| Levelling Base | Yes (Built In) | |
| Levelling Base Movement | Pan: 360° | Vertical ±15° | |
| Material | Carbon Fibre | |
| Weight | 2920g | |
| Folded Length | 855mm | |
| Maximum Height Central Column Extended | No central column | |
| Maximum Height Central Column Down | 1800mm | |
| Minimum Height | 290mm | |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 15kg (Legs: 25kg | Head 15kg) | |
| Leg Diameter | 30mm | |
| Leg Sections | 3 | |
| Leg Lock | Easy clean twist lock | |
| Leg Angles | 3 (23°, 50° and 80°) | |
| Feet Type | Retractable Rubber Feet and Spiked Feet | |
| Hook For Hanging Extra Weight | No (can use the Alta SBM - available separately) | |
| Monopod Leg | No | |
| Head Attachment Thread | 1/4" and 3/8" thread | |
| Tripod Head | VEO PV-18 | |
| Head Style | Video Head | |
| Arca Swiss Compatible | Yes | |
| Quick Shoe | Extra Large QS-61P | |
| Separate Pan Lock | Yes | |
| Friction Control | No (but includes a damping mechanism for vertical movement) | |
| Bubble Level on Head | 2 extra large | |
| Tripod Bag | Yes (luxury padded) | |
| Accessories | Quick release plate, 3mm hex key, 4mm hex key and tripod bag | |
| Suitable For Mirrorless | Yes (pro models) | |
| Suitable For DSLR | Yes | |
| Suitable For Long Lens | Yes | |
| Suitable for Video Camera | Yes | |
| Suitable For Spotting Scope | Yes | |
| Suitable For PRO Kit | Yes | |
| Warranty | 2 Years | |
| Extended Warranty | 10 Years | |
| Series | Alta Pro 3VL | |
| Colour | Carbon Fibre | |
| Other | - | |
Claim a FREE VEO CP-46 Accessories Kit (RRP £129.99) when you purchase this tripod between 6th January and 31st March 2025 from Optic Nature using this claim form.
The Alta Pro 3VL 303CV 18 is an ultra-tall CNC machined carbon fibre tripod with a levelling base instead of a central column, fitted with a VEO PV-18 Arca compatible video head. A perfect combination that delivers incredible stability for videographers, heavy long lenses or spotting scopes.
Awarded the Editor's Choice Award, ePhotozine summarise this tripod as "The Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 303CV 18 is a tripod that packs a punch. It's big, it's strong and handles anything you throw at it." while Camera Jabber says "From the ground up, this tripod packs in the features anyone who shoots both stills and video could want".
The 3-section, 30mm diameter legs are designed to maximise stability and height, reaching up to 1.8m without needing to extend a central column. Perfect for even the tallest photographer.
The solid 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.
Replacing a traditional central column is a built in levelling base with a 65mm 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 and compose your shot in seconds
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 290mm.
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.
There is also a thread built into the side of the clamp on the VEO PV-18 video head to allow you to attach a second accessory that can be set up to follow your aim, such as a such as a directional microphone.
At the base, there are retractable rubber feet that can be set as either rubber or stainless steel spiked feet in seconds.
On top of the tripod, the VEO PV-18 Arca compatible video head offers a smooth fluid movement with two long telescopic handles for maximum control.
On the base of the video head is a pan-lock knob, and between the telescopic handle is an oversized tilt locking knob that allows you to set the vertical angles between -45° and +90°. Combined with the two oversized spirit levels, this allows you to set your level with ease.
To help control the vertical movement with your video camera on top there is a damping control on the side of the head that allows you slow the movement, making it easier to position your video camera in the optimum position. On the opposite side is a scale to help you to repeat a position over a period of time.
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 extra large Arca compatible QS-61P quick shoe which offers a secure base to a larger device such as a video camera, 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 a spring operated safety pin built into the base to ensure that your valuable kit doesn't slip off if the clamp is not securely tightened*. 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 Vanguard's 10 year extended manufacturer's warranty.
Designed with height and stability front of mind, this tripod weighs 2920g and folds down to 855mm, but comes with a luxury padded shoulder bag to keep it safe at home or on the go, and make it easy to carry.
| Tripod Style | Full Sized Video Tripod | |
|---|---|---|
| Central Column | No | |
| Levelling Base | Yes (Built In) | |
| Levelling Base Movement | Pan: 360° | Vertical ±15° | |
| Material | Carbon Fibre | |
| Weight | 2920g | |
| Folded Length | 855mm | |
| Maximum Height Central Column Extended | No central column | |
| Maximum Height Central Column Down | 1800mm | |
| Minimum Height | 290mm | |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 15kg (Legs: 25kg | Head 15kg) | |
| Leg Diameter | 30mm | |
| Leg Sections | 3 | |
| Leg Lock | Easy clean twist lock | |
| Leg Angles | 3 (23°, 50° and 80°) | |
| Feet Type | Retractable Rubber Feet and Spiked Feet | |
| Hook For Hanging Extra Weight | No (can use the Alta SBM - available separately) | |
| Monopod Leg | No | |
| Head Attachment Thread | 1/4" and 3/8" thread | |
| Tripod Head | VEO PV-18 | |
| Head Style | Video Head | |
| Arca Swiss Compatible | Yes | |
| Quick Shoe | Extra Large QS-61P | |
| Separate Pan Lock | Yes | |
| Friction Control | No (but includes a damping mechanism for vertical movement) | |
| Bubble Level on Head | 2 extra large | |
| Tripod Bag | Yes (luxury padded) | |
| Accessories | Quick release plate, 3mm hex key, 4mm hex key and tripod bag | |
| Suitable For Mirrorless | Yes (pro models) | |
| Suitable For DSLR | Yes | |
| Suitable For Long Lens | Yes | |
| Suitable for Video Camera | Yes | |
| Suitable For Spotting Scope | Yes | |
| Suitable For PRO Kit | Yes | |
| Warranty | 2 Years | |
| Extended Warranty | 10 Years | |
| Series | Alta Pro 3VL | |
| Colour | Carbon Fibre | |
| Other | - | |