My 3 Legged Thing
Over a decade ago, I was contacted by a contacted by a guy at a start-up company, asking if I wanted to try/test/destroy some of the new gear that he was developing. Years later, I’m still using 3 Legged Thing monopods and tripods, albeit the decidedly more finalised versions as a part of their 3LT Pro Team.
If I need some camera support, my main bit of kit I reach for is a monopod due to the extra flexibility and maneuverability they offer. My 3LT monopods of choice are the Trent magnesium alloy and the Alan 2.0 carbon fibre options.
Trent is insanely tall, standing at 2.02m when fully extended, and 60cm when collapsed down.
Alan, however, is the choice if I want a more compact option. Standing at 1.48m tall when fully extended and folding away to just 44cm, it’s a great travel monopod.
When it comes to tripods, I chose to go for both extremes, with the almighty Legends Tommy carbon fibre at one end and the compact Leo 2.0 carbon fibre at the other.
Tommy is a rock-solid slice of carbon fibre mountain range, standing at 1.62m when fully extended, and 73cm when collapsed down, it can support 60kg of gear. Sixty. Kilograms. 6-0. Sheesh. Being a smart bit of kit, you can also remove the legs, giving you a very respectable 1.73m tall stick. If you feel the need to turn the tallest tripod into the smallest tripod, you can whip the legs off and replace them with the mini Vanz feet, making a low-level micro tripod for remotes.
When I don’t want to carry the tower of power, I fall back on the Leo 2.0, standing at 1.37m tall when fully extended and folding away to a dinky 37.4cm, the little tyke can support up to 30kg of toys. Weighing just over 1.5kg, it’s a great bit of kit.
Up on the top, I have a choice of heads, being the frankly greedy chap that I am; the AirHed Vu and the AirHed Pro Lever. Both offer insanely solid positioning, and fast switching due to the included QR Octa Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate with 1/4"-20 screw thread. No, I didn’t just copy and paste that from the site. Whether you believe that or not, the only thing you really need to know is that they all have quick-release plates, allowing you to whip your camera off the legs in a flash. Both also have load capacities of 40kg. If you have a camera that exceeds that, you won’t need a tripod.
So there we go. If you need more legs in your life or just some support (be it photographic, technical or emotional), I recommend 3 Legged Thing. Job done.