Let’s observe the Vinten Vision 3 AS in action. Tripod Mounting / Head Levelling The tripod mount is classic Vinten, with the usual three lobed handle on the bowl clamp…

And the bottom line is…. I won’t beat about the bush. I love this head. In use, the Vision 3 AS is even more flawlessly smooth than it’s predecessor, and…

The FiberTecs look like no other tripod I’ve ever seen. Out of the box they seem tiny, surely not capable of getting to that published maximum height of 61.5 inches/ 156 cm? Then you grab the tripod by the attached carry strap and lift – they aren’t lightweights, those 7.3 pounds/ 3.3 kilos are there all right. Pressing the yellow leg latch on the bottom of one of the first main leg sections allows the legs to be spread and a decent look to be had.

My immediate impression was of utter solidity. At the tripods lowest height setting, those nested 3-section legs offer a solid black girder appearance, with not a chink of light visible through them anywhere. When viewed standing back from the tripod, the “front on” leg appears to be massive widthways (as, indeed, it is), the other two legs, slightly more side on, offering a much slimmer profile.

My first impression having unpacked the Spread – Loc was that it was manufactured out of Depleted Uranium – it’s so darn heavy! At two pounds (just shy of a full kilo) it seems totally Over the Top for just a simple spreader. There’s no disputing it is beautifully crafted however, and seems to be primarily composed of various types of carbon fibre..