Last minute gift ideas for shutterbugs

December 13th, 2011 by vanguard

The year’s quickly drawing to a close, and the holiday shopping season is in full swing!

For those of you who haven’t already wrapped everything and put it under the tree, here’s a quick look at some photo-video accessories sure to please all of the shutterbugs on your list!

endeavor scopeFor the nature lover and shooter:
Endeavor spotting scope
Endeavor helps take nature observation and photography to new heights with bright, clear, high-contrast images, even in low light!

Pair it with your DSLR camera using our simple-to-use PA-201 adaptor (sold separately) for digiscoping to easily capture breathtaking images without a pricey telephoto lens (one less thing to carry!).

One hundred percent waterproof and fogproof with fully multi-coated lenses and a BaK4 prism, Endeavor is available with a straight or angled eyepiece and is perfect for bird watching or any other outdoor activity.

Endeavor comes with a straight or angled eyepiece in 65 x 16 ~ 48 or 82 x 20 ~ 60 and is available for $499 – $599

For more on Endeavor, click HERE


auctus plus in useFor the heavy lifter: Auctus Plus tripod
Made to support large format cameras and long, heavy lenses with security and precision, Auctus Plus tripods are loved by photographers for their stability and flexibility.

An Extreme Support Height Positioning (ESHP) Wheel System lets you fine tune your camera’s position with the use of a unique, easy to use wheel-gear while holding a serious amount of weight. It’s individually adjustable legs let you set up on uneven terrain, or get flat to the ground for low-angle and macro photography.

Award winner:
* Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Best Tripod 2010 (Auctus Plus 283CT)
* reddot International Design Award

Auctus Plus comes in aluminum alloy or carbon fiber and is available for $329 – $479.

For more on Auctus Plus, click HERE

tn
For the photographer who wants it all:
Alta Pro 263AGH tripod & GH-100
Quite possibly the most flexible tripod & ball head pair in the world, Alta Pro 263AGH is everything you need for out-of-this-world photography!

Alta Pro tripod’s Multi-Angle Central Column and individually adjustable leg angles mean you can shoot from just about any angle imaginable. GH-100 offers smooth, ball-head precision with the convenience of a grip handle, which can be rotated to any of eight positions.

Together, they offer solid, simple to use camera supported limited only by your imagination!

Award winner:
* TIPA Best Photo Accessory 2009 (Alta Pro Tripod)
* Popular Photography POP Award for Best New Products of 2010 (GH-100)

Alta Pro 263AGH is available for $239.

For more on Alta Pro 263AGH, click HERE

TheHeralder
For the pro on the go:
The Heralder camera messenger bag
The Heralder is a great looking, fast-action messenger bag for photojournalists, event photographers and other on-the-move shooters.

Its Quick Top Access puts your gear right at your finger tips, and its amply padded deluxe strap is designed to distribute weight evenly for less shoulder fatigue.

It also has a laptop holder, tripod sling and fully customizable and removable interior, so you’ve got everything you need to get out and get snapping!

The Heralder comes in three sizes and is available for $139 – $199


For more on The Heralder and a demo video, click HERE.

sf-1-Adaptor
For the day tripper: Adaptor camera sling bags and backpack

Whether you shoot right or left handed, Adaptor daypacks deliver with quick-access zippered gear openings on both left and right sides, so you can get to shooting in a matter of seconds.

Easily convert from backpack style to a sling bag by repositioning one of the shoulder straps and neatly stowing the other in its pocket.


For long-lens shooters, Adaptor 48 passes on the side openings, but offers full-opening gear access from the back.


Adaptor comes in four sizes and is available for $89 – $129


For more on Adaptor, click HERE.

nivelo tripod in use
For the Micro Four Thirds shooter:
The Nivelo collection

With more and more manufacturers rolling out new offerings, 2011 was the year of the compact, interchangeable lens (or micro four thirds) camera.

Impress the early adopters of these game changing cameras on your list with these forward thinking accessories made just for them!


Nivelo tripod comes in black, silver or pink and is available for $79.
For more info, click HERE.

Nivelo camera bag comes in two sizes in
black or red and is available for $14-$18
For more info, click HERE.

Where to buy
Whether you prefer to shop in your PJ’s from your home office or are a die-hard local business patron who loves to pop quiz the guys on the sales floor, we’ve got you covered.

Our photo-video accessories are available for purchase from the following online retailers:

Adorama
B&H Photo Video
Amazon
Cameta Camera
The Camera Shop
Overstock.com
Sears

Or, for a list of brick and mortar dealers near you, please visit our Where to Buy page on our website.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Other | 1 Comment »

Alta Pro tripod: Serious gear on the go

October 26th, 2011 by vanguard
Wayne in Maine

Photo by Helen Dewolf

When archeological photographer, college instructor, and VANGUARD fan Wayne Smith needed a compact tripod for traveling to coastal Maine from his home in Texas over the summer, he called on our Alta Pro 284CT for its portable light weight and folded size. What he got was a whole lot more than he expected. Here are his thoughts on how it worked for him.

I recently had an opportunity to photograph the beautiful coastal communities of eastern Maine. Never having packed a tripod as part of carry-on luggage before, I thought it might be prudent to call the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The folks there were very helpful with sorting out the best solution to bringing a tripod on my trip (which was to pack it in my checked luggage).

In the past, I have enjoyed using VANGUARD’s Auctus Plus 323CT unit with a PH-55 pan head. But as I started to consider packing for the trip, it was clear my favorite tripod was a bit too large for my suitcase. After some searching, I acquired a VANGUARD Alta Pro 284CT Tripod and SBH-300 Ball Head.

With four leg segments, Alta Pro 284 CT packs into a nice short package. With head attached, it folds down to an overall length of slightly less than 26 inches, which is a perfect fit for my suitcase, and it weighs less than 4 lbs.

Besides being sized right for travel, the tripod also has a lot of features, including a multiple angle central column. I could not appreciate how useful this feature is until I found myself facing some interesting photographic challenges during the trip.

Other features of this tripod include low angle set-up capability and a very stable central column. The unit also includes a carrying bag and stone bag. For the unfamiliar, the stone bag is a handy, fabric bag that attaches with Velcro to the legs of the tripod, forming a unique pocket for spare lenses or filters. This turned out to be very handy.

While hiking along areas of the rocky Maine coastline, the tripod was light and sturdy enough to serve as a walking stick between photo locations. In all, it was extremely stable and performed beautifully. The multi-angle central column of the unit turned out to be a blessing. For one photo opportunity, I perched precariously on a steep, rocky drop-off, and I needed to use the tripod at an acute angle to get the best view. A wireless remote was the only solution to safely get the shot.

The ball head assembly was equally impressive. Apart from easily handling large lenses, I loved the smooth action of the ball head, and when set, the camera and lens were locked firmly into position. The ball head also has an interchangeable attachment screw, allowing for 3/8 inch and ¼ inch threads.

The most impressive aspect of the ball head assembly was the camera mounting plate. I thought it seemed a little large at first glance, but once mounted to the camera, it provided a snug, non-slipping attachment to the ball head. The mounting plate has two bubble levels built in, which were handy in a couple precarious set-ups. The receiving bracket on the ball head includes a locking side pressure plate and a safety lock to ensure solid attachment of the camera.

Wayne in Maine 2

Included above is a photograph of my set-up close to the edge of a drop off site on Cadillac Mountain, in Acadia National Park, Maine. At certain times in the day, low-lying clouds appear to blanket the small islands off the coast. These make wonderful photographs. The intent was to take a series of images to compile into dramatic high dynamic range images. On this windy outcrop, camera shake and overall stability can be an issue, but by using mirror lock-up and a fast shutter speed, I got some great shots.

The more time I have had to think about my experience with the Alta Pro 284CT and SBH-300 ball head configuration, I have realized it is more that a compact tripod; it’s a serious piece of equipment that just happens to take little space in a piece of luggage.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Other | No Comments »

Pop-up Photo

September 28th, 2011 by vanguard

8x10NSWO
Photo by Erik Bruhnke

For this edition of Viewfinder we’d like to share the story behind this, as the photographer who took it says, “Very cute treat” of an image, which won a VANGUARD sponsored photo contest hosted by WeLoveBirds.org over the summer.

The photo was shot by Erik Bruhnke, a 25-year-old ornithologist, adjunct professor, birding guide, and seasonally contracted field technician, whose love and study of birds have “lured him far and wide” from his native Wisconsin.

Last summer, Erik spent the summer studying cavity nesting birds in western Oregon, where he documented a nesting Northern Saw-whet Owl near the upper section of a Douglas fir snag.

“This owl was a busy mother, tending to and incubating a small clutch of eggs. She would poke her head out of the cavity every once in a while to see what was going on in the world that lies beyond the cavity. This photo was taken while I was monitoring the snag she was nesting in. She stuck her head out to investigate what the quiet noises were (my footsteps passing by), and I quickly snapped a few photos of her poking her head out, then walked away while jotting down a few field notes. It was a very memorable experience, and such a very cute treat to observe!”

For netting the most votes from fellow WeLoveBirds forum members this summer, Erik was awarded a prize of Vanguard Endeavor ED 8.5 x 45 binoculars. “I’m very appreciative of such a fine reward. I’ve already made great use of them!”

We’re sure Erik will continue get great use of them, as he crisscrosses the country observing birds and sharing his passion with others. “My main goal when teaching field ornithology is to provide a meaningful and captivating course that immerses the students in the amazing world of birds,” he says. “It’s so much fun to see the students learn such a specialized skill, and to have a greater appreciation for the beautiful world around us.”

He hopes to eventually settle down in Duluth, Minn., where he’s spent the last three fall migrations working as a count interpreter for the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, where tens of thousands of birds of prey fly every year.

In addition to research and teaching, Erik leads birding and bird photography tours and talks through his business, Naturally Avian. Those who want to see more of his bird photography, and maybe someday purchase prints, can visit his blog at www.NaturallyAvian.blogspot.com.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Other | No Comments »

Tripod ‘hater’ likes Nivelo!

August 15th, 2011 by vanguard

pm-Nivelo-204BK-1
After seeing several posts by Phoblographer editor Chris Gampat about his love for compact, Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras, we sent him our Nivelo 204 tripod – designed just for these cameras – to test drive.

A self-professed hater of tripods, Chris found some very nice things to say about Nivelo and identified three situations where MILC shooters should find it very useful:

• Shooting with lenses without image stabilization
• Shooting video
• Shooting long exposures

Read the full write up, with photos, HERE

For another Nivelo use not mentioned in the review, here’s a Phoblographer post on setting up your MILC camera with a flash ring; Photos featuring yours truly!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Other | No Comments »

Camera bags, evolved: Adaptor Camera Daypacks and Backpacks

July 19th, 2011 by vanguard

vanguard-adaptor-in-use-2Looking for an extremely versatile, streamlined camera bag that works for right or left handed shooters? If so, our Adaptor camera daypacks and backpacks are a natural selection!

This highly evolved camera bag is full of features, letting you:

• Wear it as a backpack or sling for either shoulder

• Retrieve gear instantly from the right or left with quick side access (Adaptor 41, 45 & 46)

• Easily transport tripod with built in holder

• Carry long lenses attached to your camera body with fully opening backpack version (Adaptor 48)

More images, info and specs are available HERE

See Adaptor in action! Watch the video below.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Other | No Comments »

More like “WhOa”WAA!

July 8th, 2011 by vanguard

What a weekend! We had a blast at the Snowbird resort, just outside of Salt Lake City, mingling with the photographers and writers of the Outdoor Writers Association of America at their annual convention.

Here are a few snapshots from “Demo Day,” where we gave a sneak peak of some new products, let folks dunk our Endeavor ED binoculars in tank of water and got some incredible, glowing feedback, especially on our tripods and optics!

Thanks to the OWAA for making this event such a great time. Hoping to see you all again next year in Alaska (fingers crossed!).

owaa-roundup

Posted in Other | No Comments »

Big shots: Auctus Plus stands up to large format cameras

June 7th, 2011 by vanguard

_MG_8703

C. Wayne Smith, accomplished photographer and associate professor in the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University, stays plenty busy between teaching classes, heading up archival missions, and speaking at national conferences (and the list goes on). But he still made a little time in his hectic schedule to share his impressions of our new Auctus Plus 323CT tripod with us, especially noting how it stood up under the old school, large format cameras he loves to work with.

“When it comes to supporting large format view cameras and digital SLR cameras alike, nothing can take the place of a reliable tripod. Many of us still use these behemoth cameras because of the creative possibilities they offer.

My favorite unit is a Gundlach Korone 8 X 10 camera. On this camera I generally use a No. 5 Universal Synchro Shutter (made by Ilex Optical Company for Eastman Kodak Company). The camera shown with me here in the photo is a custom made unit I believe from Calumet. It is an 8 X 10 unit with an Alphamax 330 mm (Wollensak 13) lens. With film cassettes and a cover cloth in place, the units weigh about 21 and 18 pounds, respectively. With longer lenses, they can get as heavy as 25 pounds.

_MG_8702

Today’s digital technologies have advanced to the point that even photographers working with very basic cameras can benefit from using a tripod. For example, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging alone has expanded many aspects of modern photography.

Vanguard’s Auctus Plus 323CT Carbon Fiber Tripod an essential piece of equipment for almost any photographic assignment. The Auctus Plus Series of tripods boasts some very impressive features and close attention to detail. Even the spin plate camera screw attachment is interchangeable from ¼ to 3/8 inch with a simple twist adjustment. These tripods also include an anti-shock ring to minimize vibration. In a recent outing, I found the center column lock mechanism and twist-lock leg height adjustments to work surprisingly well.

The Auctus Plus 323CT comes equipped with spiked tips, as well as anti-slip, self-adjustable rubber feet. This feature of the tripod was particularly useful on uneven, wet ground. This tripod also includes preset angle adjustments for each leg, a counterweight hook at the base of the center column, and a bubble level.

For HDR imaging (multiple bracketed image compilations) Auctus Plus 323CT worked flawlessly. Repeatedly, I was able to capture bracketed sequences of images free of discernable shake and ghosting. Photographers working with large format view cameras will like the fact that there was no twisting or unwanted swivel movement thanks, in part, to its sturdy construction and large diameter components.

Best of all, the Auctus Plus 323CT unit I worked with was actually lighter and more maneuverable than other professional quality tripods on the market. Vanguard has created a line of dream gear in the Auctus Plus series of tripods.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Other, Used by the pros | No Comments »

Auctus Plus a real winner for outdoor photographer Jim Foster

May 20th, 2011 by vanguard

Jim Foster

Nature photographer, author, avid outdoors blogger and friend to VANGUARD Jim Foster took some time with our new Auctus Plus tripod topped with an SBH-300 ball head. Here are some of his thoughts on this versatile, workhorse combination:

“I recently had the pleasure of giving two of Vanguard’s latest photo products a try. They were the new Auctus Plus 283AT tripod and their SBH-300 ball head.

Auctus Plus 283AT is a top-of-the-line product, having the stability and flexibility to make a photographer love using his heavy equipment. Designed to go from the studio to an outdoor shoot, it features an Extreme Support Height Positioning (ESHP) Wheel System that is a dual-function wheel gear, adjusting the central column height securely while supporting heavy lenses.

Auctus-Plus-283AT-1---blog

Setup is quick, with one-twist-to-loosen locks. Unique All-terrain Feet convert from anti-rust spikes to angled, textured rubber for use on an array of terrains. This tripod’s legs adjust to 25, 50 and 80-degree angles for use on uneven terrain and for very low-angle photography. This product is a real winner, and I recommend it highly as I have done with other Vanguard products for years.

Sitting atop this three-legged giant is Vanguard’s SBH-300 ball head that is sturdy as well as lightweight. The precision-cut ball head moves swiftly and steadily to catch the action and help get the image. The large camera plate has outstanding loading capacity for professional gear; it supports up to 70 pounds. The head also includes a sliding quick shoe that comes in handy for quick set ups.”

For more on Jim and his work, visit his site at www.JimFosterOutdoors.com.

For more on Auctus Plus tripods, click HERE.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Other, Photo Video, Used by the pros | No Comments »

See you in Utah!

May 17th, 2011 by vanguard

vanguard - PDN Outdoor Photo Expo

We’re gearing up here at Vanguard HQ for a few of days out west this summer for the first annual Outdoor Photo Expo hosted by the Photo District News (PDN) in Salt Lake City. This brand new event will feature open air demos, seminars and plenty of industry vendors showing off the latest and greatest gear for outdoor photographers. Sort of a PDNPhotoPlusExpo lite, just for nature enthusiasts!

Here’s more info from the official website:

PDN’S OUTDOOR PHOTO EXPO (OPE) will consist of 2 days of exposition, educational training, evening events … Currently, there is no equivalent live event that is dedicated to the professional outdoor photography market: adventure, landscape, nature, outdoor sports, travel and wildlife.

OPE will focus on bringing outdoor enthusiasts cutting edge technologies of the latest and greatest in the photography and imaging industries.

Programs are still being finalized, but you can already register, or even pitch your own idea for a talk HERE. For those who attend, be sure to visit us and check out our latest in tripods, camera bags and sporting optics. There’s a pretty good chance we’ll be giving a few things away as well!

Posted in Events, Other, Photo Video | No Comments »

Meet Auctus Plus: The new face of extreme camera support

January 21st, 2011 by vanguard



VANGUARD’s top-of-the-line Auctus Plus tripod is loved by photographers for its stability and flexibility. It’s designed to go from a studio to an outdoor shoot in a snap. 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 use on an array of terrains. It’s flexible, too, with legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80-degree angles for use on uneven terrain and for low-angle photography.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. Coming soon to a store near you!

01_Auctus_Plus_283CT_–_Extended-1

Posted in First look, Other | No Comments »

« Older Entries