Ever since 2012 I am the proud owner of several 3 Legged Thing tripods and accesoiries. When I started out with photography I bought the infamous and famous HAMA STAR 61 tripod (who didn’t start with it!), but soon I noticed the limitations of these legs and started looking out for a replacement. I wanted a tripod to go lower and have a ballhead for added flexibility. All landscape photographers I knew and followed used either a Manfrotto or Gitzo tripod however. These were quite pricey at the time and a good reason to continue looking. I wanted quality and by accident I noticed a page-size ad in a known British magazine for landscape photography for a new tripod brand called 3 Legged Thing.
The artwork of this, then, brand new British brand immediately caught my eye and resonated with me. It was sassy, rebellious and playful at the same time. And their stories about the development of their tripods in the “chicken shed” were hilariously written. But the owners were and are all passionate photographers and as such their design philosophy fitted me like a glove. As one of the first Dutch photographers I purchased their “Brian 1.1” carbon tripod via their just opened webshop.
I had to wait weeks for my tripod to arrive. The partly assembled tripods came from their production line in China and were completed upon arrival after a quality check. Only then were they shipped. Alas, the stock was limited in the UK and we had to wait for the next container from China. I was thrilled when I got the email saying the container was due any day now. But I rejoiced too soon, Her Majesties Customs and Revenue Service kept the container for nearly 2 weeks fro customs checks before releasing it… Then it still took 1,5 weeks for Brian to get delivered home. I can still remember how our British Shorthair Cat didn’t like his new roomey…
Ik got a personal letter from CEO Danny Lenihan with apologies for the delay and a voucher for a free 3LT T-shirt. Thus my relationship with Brian started and he thaught me new ways to use a tripod. We could go down and low and the new ballhead was a blessing. When Brian was injured, 3 Legged Thing was always at hand. I happened to somehow loose the cap of the big knob of the ballhead and got 4 of them sent right away (I still have three as spare). When Brian had a broken ballhead I was immediately sent a new one and I could use the box to return the faulty one for research back at the chicken shed.
Brian and I had many adventures but a few years ago faith happened and Brian got injured on one of his legs. I was reimbursed by the insurance and I decided to invest in his heavier Magnesium brother Tony. This tripod was heavier, sturdier and higher and fitted me better at this stage. But I couldn’t say good-bye to Brian and with the help of the gents at 3 Legged Thing, a Youtube video and a few spare parts I could partly repair my faithful Brian. His stiff leg still troubles him, but at least he can still be at my side as my backup tripod and when I use both camera’s.
This year I was looking for an L-bracket for my Canon 70D backup camera. Because it is not the newest camera model I had difficulties finding a suitable solution which could actually be delivered. I had read about the new universal L-Bracket by 3 Legged Thing so the decision was quickly made. The bracket is more than sturdy and very easy to use. The included Toolz Multitool is brilliant and a perfect companion for every photographer. And yes, I did not choose the funky Burned Orange colour, which was a bit too funky for my style, but the grey Slate version is just as pretty!
Recently, 3 Legged Thing also released a new range of monopods, together with a special stabilization foot. I myself do not need it, especially because both Brian and Tony lovingly give up a leg (temporarily) to make a single-legged tripod with a few actions, but they look great again as always, well thought-out but at the same time sassy and rebellious!
3 Legged Thing has always remained the sassy and rebellious tripod brand developed and produced by passionate photographers with the photographer in mind. Meanwhile, the tripods are made in Great Britain and there are no more delivery problems. It has become a flourishing business with products that I can really support. And it is very nice when people react to Tony when he hangs on my backpack. People often do not know the brand, but they immediately think it’s a sassy and rebellious brand when they see Tony. That means the marketing works!
