A traditional tripod centre column only moves up and down, but Vanguard has models with a multi-angle centre column that can pivot and tilt almost 360° in any direction, but do you need that flexibility?
In this article we share the pros and cons of a multi-angle centre column and why Vanguard should be on your shortlist if you think it would be of use to you.
Benefits of a multi-angle centre column:
It does everything a traditional tripod can do. If you just need to use the vertical centre column to adjust the height, you can.
Goes down low without needing a special low angle adaptor or separating the centre column. This varies by brand, but the Vanguard multi-angle centre column can be positioned to be around 1cm from the ground in seconds. Perfect for a more unique perspective with an unexpected low angle shot on your shoot.
A multi-angle centre column is not just about going low. It allows you to take your camera to the ideal position with ease. With a traditional tripod (or even a tripod without a centre column), the legs make getting that perfect position a challenge. Pushing a leg through the brush to frame that perfect shot can force you to compromise and cause complications when you want a small adjustment to your composition. A good multi-angle centre column gets around that by simply adjusting the position of the camera.
This style can also get around awkward obstacles. Whether you're a landscape photographer with a wall that limits your options, or an estate agent trying to get the perfect shot, a multi-angle centre column gives you options that no other tripod style does.
You can also create overhead shots with ease. Whether you're a food or product photographer, or a content creator looking to create an unboxing video or need a shot across the shoulder, a multi-angle centre column gives you a lot more choice.
Pulling all this together, we'd summarise the two key benefits that a multi-angle centre column delivers are:
- Versatility: These tripods can do any style except video where you have to follow a moving subject, and you can still do this if you add a levelling adaptor and a suitable video head.
- Save time: You can make pretty much any tripod fit almost any solution, but it takes time. The multi-angle centre column and leg angles will do the bulk of the work for you and save you time in most scenarios, allowing you to focus on your photoshoot rather than trying to configure your tripod correctly.
What styles is the multi-angle centre column most suitable for:
- Low angle landscape photography
- Macro photography
- Product photography
- Food photography
- Flat lays and overhead video
Disadvantages of a multi-angle centre column
The multi-angle central column clearly has some drawbacks, or every tripod would incorporate the system, and here we share the key considerations.
There is reduced stability when the multi-angle centre central column is deployed. The weight of the camera can create uneven weight distribution (though you can open the legs or add a weight to counterbalance this) and there can be more sensitivity to the wind and vibration (on windier conditions you can simply use it as a traditional tripod with a weight to anchor it down).
It can be more complicated to use. You don't just have a vertical control, on a Vanguard multi-angle centre column you can rotate the centre column 360° and tilt it almost 360°. This means that you have three controls to consider: vertical, pan and tilt. Practice makes this more intuitive, but traditional centre columns (or no centre columns) do remove this complexity.
Tripods with a multi-angle centre column are normally heavier as the pivot needs more controls and needs to be a more robust construction to keep your camera in position when deployed.
What to look out when choosing a multi-angle centre column tripod:
How flexible is the multi-angle centre column? Some brands will only go to 90° which does limit the flexibility. If you just want to look at overhead video or flat lays then that is fine, but for styles such as macro or food photography then it can limit the options. All Vanguard multi-angle centre columns move almost 360° in any direction for maximum flexibility.
How easy is the multi-angle centre column to use? Ignoring other brands, on paper the Alta Pro 263AB G2 and the VEO 3+ 263CB do the same job (though the latter is carbon). In use, the VEO 3+ option is more intuitive to set up, and includes the ability to transform to a multi-mount when deployed. It can be best to visit your dealer to try all the options for yourself.
Can you use a horizontal arm on your current tripod? Rather than investing in a whole new tripod for the multi-angle central column, you can get horizontal arms like the VEO MT-12 Multi-Mount that can fit on a traditional full sized tripod. It won't be as versatile as a multi-angle central column for styles like macro photography, but it's fine for overhead shots and attaching accessories for studio work.
What Vanguard tripods have the multi-angle centre column? This can vary by country, but in the UK you can see the models we stock for:
- Full size tripods: Click here
- Travel size tripods: Click here
In Conclusion:
We're big fans of the multi-angle central column for the versatility that it offers pretty much any photographer. It gives you a system to expand into, rather than be constrained by the purchase of a traditional tripod before deciding that you'd like to develop into a style like macro photography.
That said, if you're simply looking for a lightweight solution, or you never plan to take advantage of the multi-angle central column, then another option will be more suitable.
If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments below.