The tripod legs can be locked or unlocked by simply turning and each open into a stable rubber buffers. By simple push of a button on the legs 25 and 50 degrees can be set. The top leg segment is provided with a high-gloss black finish, while the remaining segments and the center column were executed black matt finish. The tripod legs end above each in a mug that is just like the lower half of the tripod collar made of black plastic. Taking the stand up to its maximum height of 161 cm from, unfortunately, it has only a very shaky state and I would use it only in absolutely windless environment with a slight camera.
The supplied ball head of Nivelo 245BK is a 2-way model, which only allows the tilting and lowering and turning the camera 360 ° (z. B. for Panormaaufnahmen). Unfortunately, this panorama function works more bad than good, because the head just not soft enough runs, resulting in unerwünschen stuttering. Had Vanguard tripod donated a full spherical head, aligning the camera would be a lot easier, it also changes the small dragonfly on the release lever quick coupler little. This quick-change device has a rubberized metal plate with a diameter of almost 5 cm and a screw with folding metal bracket, which greatly simplifies the screwing into the tripod socket of the camera. It would be desirable an additional copy of this release plate to ensure the rapid exchange against another camera. The latching of the camera in the exchange system works very simple and provides my Panasonic Lumix G6 secure grip.
The Vanguard Nivelo 245BK the buyer receives a lightweight and compact travel tripod which is not completely convinced despite many thoughtful features like the rotating and swiveling center column just in stability. If you want to achieve with the 245BK in outdoor applications a stable state, it is advisable not to take off the bottom two segments and to retract the center column. Although the so achievable height of almost 85 cm is anything but a bad back but for the equipment is not compromised. For macro photography, the tripod in my opinion is to very good, because you can be retracted, the leg segments and the center column to achieve a small distance to the photographed object rotatable and can be swiveled.
