Let's Talk Tripods: 3 Legged Thing Anarchy Punks Brian (what a name!)

[@priorsb11]

On a platform over saturated with over enthusiastic and hyper people, your calm and soothing personality is a welcome relief!

[@3BMEP]

🙏🏻

[@charlieb.4273]

I so enjoy your reviews. You turn a topic as pedestrian as tripods into poetry approaching Shakespeare. It reflects my soul so well. Photography for me is not just the final image, it is the journey as well. If you don’t think of it as a creative act but as only a set of specifications then you miss the point of it being an art. Your oratory communicates this creative artistic approach to what we do and how we do it marvelously. Thank You.

[@3BMEP]

Truly - my joy!

[@jackthehatphoto]

"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty tripod"

[@tb8651]

First video I watch on the channel... 3:18 in I subscribed. I have a feeling you guys will be my go to channel.

[@3BMEP]

Tim Bishop welcome!

[@toddswain7459]

Great review. Helped me pull the trigger on this one. Thanks for your time. Earned my Sub for sure!

[@romualdb5968]

Hi there... Isn't it better clips locks than twist locks? I'm looking for a 200/250€ tripod for my E-m1 mk2...

[@akleit]

Great review! Thank you for getting the word out on 3LT. After abandoning Manfrotto over their (honestly, incomprehensibly) poor customer service and having a pair of Siriu legs fall apart on me, I have been a 3 Legged Thing fan for quite a while. As a Pentax shooter, I already have to defend myself - it's good to know there are at least other 3LTers in my corner:) Love your work! Keep it up!

[@networkbyedvitug]

Your'e talking about a tripod and it felt like I'm listening to a poetry...a very fluid one. Your style is one of a kind. Thanks!

[@3BMEP]

Ed Vitug 🙏🏻😊

[@robstammers7149]

Delivered with your usual, peaceful, aplomb. You make Three Legged things sound as essential as our single lens friends. Many thanks.

[@adrienwillmott3975]

I've been using the 3legged thing leo for trekking for a year or so, bloody brilliant bit of kit..and it fits in my pack too..

[@smiff9577]

You’re like the Morgan freeman of reviewers.

[@3BMEP]

🙏🏻😊🖖🏻

[@JasonLorette]

My "Punks Travis" is being delivered tomorrow (40lb capacity)...can't wait to use it! Thanks for the review! :) Cheers! :)

[@3BMEP]

Jason Lorette Enjoy!

[@arlendavis]

I was looking at this tripod and You sold me!

[@3BMEP]

LAD enjoy - using it right now in New Mexico!

[@view23015]

Just wanted to say that I've used a 3 Legged Thing L bracket for the past year and had spent many a long look at their tripods whenever I ventured into my local camera store, London Drugs. After watching your video when it came out in November I then spent a lot more time reviewing and trying this tripod out - the Brian - until I finally bought one for myself and the smaller Corey for a buddy of mine for Christmas. Rock solid build, a stunner in the looks department, and so light and compact. This was so easy - just buy one . Thanks !

[@3BMEP]

Justin Cathcart Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@brianmengini]

This is how I found your channel. This video. Btw - can I ask what lighting and modifier you’re using? As a fellow spectacle sporter, I dig the lack of reflection from the lighting. Thanks!

[@Sams911]

Really Right Stuff!

[@romualdb5968]

RRS are more expensive I guess

[@romualdb5968]

RRS are more expensive I guess

[@coolmstj]

So this has been awhile since the video but I’m just now looking at the three legged thing for a new tripod. However I question is I have a Nikon d850 and trinity. Will this handle that? Or do I need a different ball head? Mostly landscape shooting. Thanks!

[@madhumenon]

Have you tried the Sirui T-025X ?

[@3BMEP]

Madhu Menon not yet

[@DonAdwick]

Three Legged Thing and a Brian

[@kane01337]

Great overview! If one has the budget - the Gitzo series 1 for travel is brilliant - compact , sturdy and lighter (only 1kg!) - you do pay for it though! ( not as tall - but on travel tripods it's usually best to avoid centre column's extending too much due to wind + vibration / stability etc)

[@AndyOutdoors]

I do like 3 Legged Thing products (they are based 3 miles up the road from me so obligated to say that!). Good quality and don't take themselves too seriously. I'm still after the holy grail of a hiking tripod thats less than 1kg, has some height, fairly sturdy with a video head.... some day...maybe!

[@3BMEP]

Andy Outdoors Video head - that’s now my number one issue (for this kind of stuff, anyway) 😜

[@cpatras7302]

Just a quick note, when doing this kind of video, it will be useful in post to add Metric units; ounce and inches don't mean anything to the rest of the world. Cheers!

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

And I just mentioned the complete opposite on a different video 🇺🇸. Peace...

[@C0llinsW0rth.]

really nice lighting and review/overview

[@TheLDunn1]

I’ve amassed a veritable forest of tripods over the past half decade or so, most of them Gitzo. The one I use the most though is the GT1541 Traveller, it goes everywhere with me. It also does the quarter turn leg lock action, I wouldn’t get a tripod with lever leg locks at all now. Tripod legs have not been an issue, it’s the head that I’ve found the hardest challenge to find the ‘perfect’ solution for me. I tried a Gitzo 3 way, a manfrotto geared head, a manfrotto fluid head, a ‘smooth’ Gitzo panning base, and a Markins Q3t ball head. They were all most good at one thing but compromised too much else where. I finally found two heads that I’m very happy with. The Arca Swiss P0 & the RRS fluid gimbal. The P0 is an inverted ball head design which works like a normal ball head for regular shots, but really comes into its own for panos, where the ball head acts as a leveller and the turntable is on the top then permits perfectly horizontal pans for stitched panos. It’s also pretty secure & stable without being too big. I also prefer the inverted design as it reduces the risk of debris falling into the ball/socket. The only negative is that it’s not ‘fluid’ so video pans could be better. It’s great when you need compactness but are not planning any video pans. My second option is the RRS Fluid gimbal, the only downsides are cost and size/weight (vs the likes of the P0 & Q3T). Firstly being fluid on both pan and tilt, lends itself well to video pans, second, being a gimbal design lends itself to long focal lengths. I use a telescope on it, which I also use during the day for long lens work. If you have a levelling ball under the gimbal, it is possible to cant the gimbal backward so that the telescope can point directly up to the zenith, and then anywhere else in the sky. Thirdly, the vertical arm of the gimbal can be removed and a RRS Arca compatible clamp can be fitted directly to the horizontal arm of the gimbal so you can mount a camera/lens at its nodal point for panos, again having a leveller under the horizontal arm of the gimbal. Or you can leave the gimbal fully assembled and add a rail & second clamp to the clamp on the vertical arm and get the nodal point that way. The ability to remove the vertical arm of the gimbal helps a lot with packing & travelling with it too. In short, it is the most flexible (in a good way) head I’ve ever used, if I had to have just one, this would be It, it’s a ‘do it all’ product, it does everything well enough with few compromises.

[@3BMEP]

I’ve gotten as far as RRS QR plates, but I’ll take a look at that gimbal.

[@TheLDunn1]

I use RRS QR clamps (the lever versions), and L plates on my cameras. I have replaced some of my RRS QR clamps with Kessler Crane clamps (still Arca compatible) though. What I like about the Kessler clamps is that there’s a kind of sprung loaded, clip in safety catch, as well as the lever. So you can just drop a camera into the clamp and it’s captured so safe, but can be moved fore-aft, and then the lever swung across to lock the camera/lens securely in place. The RRS fluid gimbal is an absolute joy though!

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

The best fluid head I have found and I have tried many is the wonderful Footage Komodo. I use this with either my Sony Z90 or Sony A7Sii on my three legged thing with a Novaflex leveller and it is perfect. I have also been using the Rollei Traveler Carbon Tripod (which I would not be surprised if this is a 3 Legged Thing) and the price......wait for it less than £90.00 from Amazon. It also has a detachable leg which becomes a monopod. I have now used it on a couple of shoots and it is great. As for the BeFree I have now tried two of them and the head is rubbish. I have never found it locks off correctly so if you walk along with the camera on the tripod it will always suddenly flop down even with the lightest camera Dave Knowles - Director/cameraman/editor.

[@bachmannmanuel1562]

For the last 10 years my old Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro served me well. but now its getting old, it have A LOT of bumps and it isnt as stable anymore. Maybe my next one will be a Benro Adventure TAD28C , it looks good and much more light.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Does the Three Legged Thing fit in your travel bags? I may have missed it, but I don't recall it being mentioned?

[@3BMEP]

White Wulfe It does!

[@romualdb5968]

Well I think I'll go for Brian... Thanks ! I have one question is it steady for outside picture? For exemple for astropgography with several seconds exposure? Or in windy weather ( well of depend of wind strength but I would like to know your thoughts about it)?

[@3BMEP]

For long exposure photograph of any kind, a I’d suggest hanging some weight from the center post and shortening up the legs, but yes.

[@romualdb5968]

@@3BMEP thanks for your answer. Some people complain about the fact that the last legs are very thin... Did you noticed that too?

[@3BMEP]

Romuald B of COURSE they are - all small travel tripods with any height are like that! 😊 Ergo my comments. 🖖🏻

[@TheCoomer]

I honestly did not know there was an English Tripod Manufacturer. Just an hours drive away from me. It seems alot products 'Made in Britain' are shipped around the world whereas alot of Items here are imports. Perhaps we design alot of things, then manufacture elsewhere?

[@stefansphotos4639]

I use 2 tripods, for travelling the Rollei Compact Traveller No. 10 (Alu) with a Mantona S1-3410AF ball head. And a Rollei C6i for anything else.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@petercookson135]

I have a 3 Legged Thing Billy, and am very pleased with it, especially in relation to price and performance. I have been looking around for a suitable fluid head, and was interested in the comments about the upcoming Gitzo head. One question, though. Would the Gitzo head, with a base plate diameter of 610mm, be suitable for use with a 3 Legged Thing tripod with a top plate diameter of only 400mm?

[@3BMEP]

GREAT question. There is a market opening here...to be determined.

[@robojimtv]

I have a 3 Legged Thing Vyv from a little earlier on. It's a great travel tripod.

[@darrelrobertson8169]

Nice video. From the sixties I have moved on from a 620 box camera, 35mm rangefinder, film SLR, digital compact and now an Olympus Lite Pen PL-5. During this time I had and still have a cheapo target or Goodwill tripod and a cheapo monopod stick perhaps from Walmart. I find that I don't use them much. Most of my photos are of the snapshot variety...family and stuff and those photography aids would dispell the occasion. Nonetheless, I found your video very informative concerning professional needs and equipment.

[@Weeeee75]

Cool loved your video thanks for the help

[@stanspb763]

The price and utility of the TLTAPB seems like a solution to me, mostly still shooter who inherited a whole box of new, used-once heads for video and still from a camera collector who bought everything only to test, keep one and give the others away. One had the price tag of $799 still on it a fluid video head. Speaking of heads, thanks for the heads up.

[@3BMEP]

Stan SPb My pleasure!

[@cmaynebne]

Re the fluid head, have a look at the iFootage Komodo fluid head. They have some great products and very well made. I have 2 Sachtler Ace video tripods bur as you suggest weight for travel is an issue.

[@vettepwr23]

I want to like 3 Legged Thing products but “The Rick” version that I have is problematic. It is sturdy but the twist locks don’t work. Every time I setup the tripod, at least a few of the twist locks will not work. It appears that the plastic sleeves inside the legs move out of place which makes the legs not want to slide up and down until you reset the sleeves. Has this issue been addressed with their newer stuff? I really like everything else about the tripod except it is very slow to setup and use in the field.

[@3BMEP]

Hmm... just looked it up on B&H - discontinued. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hope they HAVE fixed it!

[@3BMEP]

vettepwr23 I reached out to 3 Legged Thing, and they replied (in part): “... Rick is a much older model of tripod, not in our current range, and we’ve changed manufacturing since those tripods, so they’re not reflective of the quality of today’s products, but thank you for flagging it up. If the user’s tripod is still under warranty, we encourage them to contact our support team, so we can help them further...”

[@vettepwr23]

Thanks for following up. Much appreciated. I will check on the warranty. My guess is that the warranty has already expired.

[@3leggedthing]

@@vettepwr23 Please drop an email to support(at)3leggedthing.com and the team can work with you find a solution.

[@vettepwr23]

@@3leggedthing Just wanted to say thanks. I reached out to your support team and they took care of me. You guys are top notch! Thanks again.

[@CarmeloVazzanaAudiovisivi]

When I'm on a trip I use a Velbon Ultra Lux I L tripod with a MHXPRO-2W Manfrotto fluid head.

[@pilgrammedia7295]

i use and love full sized Giotto tripods arca/swiss heavy yes, sturdy yes , i use manfrotto for my back pack

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for weighing in (pun intended).

[@pilgrammedia7295]

lol@@3BMEP

[@Michaelb1975]

A little dry this one Hugh ;) I use the Sirui W-2204 CF with the A7R3. I think it pairs well and is budget priced.

[@3BMEP]

Sirui keeps popping up. Will have to give it a go at some point.

[@FlySistah]

I came across your video while checking out tripod reviews while deciding on the Peak Design Travel Tripod, which I am not buying. You definitely have a career in reading audiobooks should you decide to make a change. Thanks for the review.

[@3BMEP]

Thank you! I wouldn’t know how to approach such an opportunity, though I love what Stephen Fry does.

[@romualdb5968]

Or in hypnotherapy lol

[@ownvideofootage]

Get us an affiliate link with discount for the gitzo GHF2W... I need a fluid head for "birding" but not at that price... What about ifootage K5?

[@ownvideofootage]

"Hold that thought" Batman

[@ArizonaMMJ]

Is there a reason you ignore Olympus Mirrorless??

[@3BMEP]

They didn’t respond to my earlier initiatives, but I’m delighted to tell you that is changing as I write this.

[@ArizonaMMJ]

@@3BMEP awesome. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the M-10 mark 3. That's a lot of camera for the price!! SEems to get glanced over by many but it shoots 4k and has the best IS in the biz apparently.

[@StewartMarsden]

VIDEO HEAD - YES you can get a small one. I use and swear by Vanguard Tripods I have used them on 100-meter high rooftops in London UK to shoot The New Year Fireworks with a 100 megapixel Hasselblad on a windy evening from over a mile away so as you will imagine any shake at that distance will be amplified massively not only by the reciprocal rule of focal length but also across the enormous resolution of he H6D100c. I used the Alta pro line up for stills and also video. They after this project made me a brand ambassador (full disclosure) and have sent me a variety of kit. In particular, one thing I Love is their VEO2 lineup carbon travel tripods, the look like the BeFree range, but are much more rigid, MUCH MORE and I have had success overloading it with the workhorse H6D100c. They have a ball head system but also some fluid heads to for smaller video setups - very impressive with buttery smooth pans at your fingertips all made much more stable with the sandbag attached to the legs under the tripod with your backpack on it to lower center of gravity and make it all the more (overkill )stable shooting, (you can see my fireworks shooting on my channel if you like (I don't post much I'm not a KZbinr) and you can see the pictures on my website (link on my channel info) Love the shows you do keep - them up, keep them coming. Glad you love the UK, It's awesome Here. Best regards

[@StewartMarsden]

4K fireworks from 2 years ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4Hcm4iNpK1ph5I

[@StewartMarsden]

On a vanguard from over a mile away kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2OaoqqPaKaZo5o Rubbish audio My Mic broke

[@StewartMarsden]

A crop in from the 4K to something just larger than 1080 that I can scale to 1080 to show the guts of the display - there is one "glitch" because i kicked my tripod - #mefail kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6PNln5jlr-VjLc&t=

[@StewartMarsden]

Pictures you can zoom in on to demonstrate the stability of the kit (and resolution of the H6D100c) of the London new year fireworks www.stewartmarsden.co.uk/2018/01/02/happy-new-year-2018/

[@3BMEP]

I’d be happy to look at one if they want to send some kit over for review.

[@sonvfave]

nice job

[@3BMEP]

🙏🏻

[@colintomjenkins]

Very nice review. I have used a 3 Legged Thing tripod (Frank) for many years and one thing I would like to highlight is that their customer service is second to none that I have used; incredibly helpful and generous.

[@mlentsch]

They're putting Harriet Tubman on the $20? I did not know that... Anyway, I have the Eclipse Albert legs and I think they're sweet. Cheers-

[@seymourjackson9777]

Mike Lentsch they were not anymore

[@BimboKatan]

The head of my Brian keeps coming off. Don’t know what to do.

[@3BMEP]

Have you reached out to them?

[@prasand]

The 3 Legged Things is a great choice. I haven't tried one in person, but I read much about it and people are very satisfied with its features / build quality. About a month ago, I decided to lessen my load as I've been doing 15+ miles of street photography walking each day of the weekend. So I moved away from my hefty Manfrotto 055 4-section Carbon Fiber with Hydrostatic Ballhead, to the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 5-section. At half the height (14") / weight the difference was noticeable, and the max height is enough for my 6'1" frame. But the 3 Legged Things is definitely more versatile; with higher load capacity (30.9 vs 22lbs), greater maximum height (74" vs 58.5"), slightly lighter weight (3.0 vs 3.1lbs), and ability to use one of its legs as a monopod, at a lower price-point ... one can't really go wrong. It's a great choice, and recommendation. Curious, which tripod manufacturer would you say has the deepest / richest history?

[@SimonPollock]

Thanks! Glad you like him! - Simon @ 3LeggedThing

[@Jagrajagra]

Looking at this video on a tiny screen, so I was intrigued by the tripod on the far right, which looks like my old Uniloc System 1700 (if I recall the name correctly). They shared that style with another manufacturer whose name I can’t recall. It’s massively heavy (mine wasn’t carbon fibre, sadly), so I only use it on rare occasions. Most recently this Autumn when I was trying out the wonderful Fujifilm 16mm f1.4 on some fungals. It handles like pair of demonically possessed bagpipes and folded with the column extended, has the unfortunate side-effect of looking like you’re wielding a seriously lethal sniper rifle. As the two police constables pointed out when they knocked on my door later that day to question me. I still remain fond of the neighbours up the street who reported me. We remain a pretty terrorise-free neighbourhood As to the 3 Legged Thing. Tried one of their ballheads out, back with my first Fujifilm, an X100s, and no matter how much I tightened it, it always had some give and proved extremely unreliable, not to mention the knobs were just so very, very uncomfortable and hard to grip. Their customer service did however give me a full refund without complaint, and if your own experience is very positive today, I can only assume they listened to my grievances and improved on their design (yay for my ego!). A thing which would please me enormously and cause me to look at them afresh. As always, a pleasure to listen to your thoughts. Inspiration and reflection are two of my favourite things. Wishing you well.

[@3BMEP]

That Benbo is a fascinating tripod. Bought it more than 15 years ago, and keep it for the height and ability to sling a camera over something from the side. Telegraphs vibration, though.