Vanguard Vesta GO T 233 Table Top Tripod | Review

   I had contacted Vanguard a couple of weeks ago about some potential product reviews and luckily I contacted them at the beginning of their new product release cycle, at least when it comes to tripods.   They are in the process of releasing a new line of tripods so Marketing asked to be in touch soon.  A week after that they sent me one of their new line of table top tripods, The Vesta GO T 233.  The Vanguard Vesta GO T 233 AP (AP is their aluminum model) Table Top tripod is a small tripod designed to be portable and to get you either a low shot or to be used on a table for recording videos/photography.

Technical Specifications:

• Folded Height: 10.2 Inches | 260mm
• Extended Height: 22.7 inches
• Standard Height: 18.2 inches
• Weight: 2.5 lbs
• Head: VEO PH-24
• Quick Shoe: QS-55P
• Tube Diameter: 23mm
• Material: Aluminum alloy (Carbon fiber option available)
• Max Load: 6.6 lbs

Build Quality:

• This table top tripod has a nice weight to it.  I went outside a couple of times to take some macro shots with a canon FD 50mm macro lens and had a little bit of wind behind me.  The tripod stood still and i didnt even have to add a weight to it (does have a hook you can ad a weight to if you are in windy conditions to stabilize).  Each leg of the tripod comes with two rubber/metal wheels for you to adjust the height of the tripod to your desired height.  Each foot is covered with a rubber end.

• Whats in the Box:  Tripod, Head with quick shoe, storage bag and smartphone holder,4mm wrench for adjusting tripod leg tension and 3mm wrench for adding/removing a tripod head.  The phone holder can hold my Iphone 13 in vertical mode with no problems.  The storage bag is a nice blue bag with foam designed to protect the tripod.

Price for the Money:

• The Vanguard Vesta GO T tripod will cost you $109.99 for the aluminum option and $129.99 for the carbon fiber option.  The tripods will release June 18th 2024.

User Experience:

• This is a very small tripod.  I never thought of owning one until i started using it outside for shooting some of the flowers in the backyard with my vintage manual lenses.  As you know, it takes time to get the settings right for a good shot with an older manual lens.  Bending down constantly was a pain in my back until i used this tripod for close up ground shots.  I got the level i wanted, the settings i wanted on the camera/lens and then just shot away with only having to bend over once for the shot i wanted after setting up.  I have a shaky hand too so this tripod solved this problem for me.  Inside my home I have been using it for my talking head videos.  It fits right on my desk with a minimal footprint.  It easily takes the weight of my camera and lens (Sony A7C II, Sigma 16-28mm) with no issues.  That combination weighs 2.6 lbs and this tripod is rated for 6.6 lbs so I never had a problem with it; zero shake during my recordings and macro photography sessions.  After i am done using it I just store it in its nice little blue bag and I just put it away.  You can store this thing anywhere with how small it is.  The legs on the tripod can be adjusted to 3 angles (20,50,80 degrees) to set it to your specifications.

• My favorite part about this tripod are the head and quick shoe.  They are both super sturdy.  The quick shoe plate is made out of metal and holds the weight I have thrown at it easily.  Ive had tripods with plastic quick shoes before and have had problems with them bending down with gear on top.  You want your gear secured; this head and quick shoe combination look/feel very solid.  You should get years of use from it with no issues.