From Digital Camera World · · 2m
3 Legged Thing built a tripod you assemble yourself
The new James and Jason swap legs, canopies and feet, so one kit covers travel, studio, tabletop and boom duty.
In brief
The new James and Jason swap legs, canopies and feet, so one kit covers travel, studio, tabletop and boom duty. If you own three tripods for three jobs, one modular system with swappable canopies and legs can replace the lot, starting around $365 on Kickstarter. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
The three tripod problem
Supports are built for one job each, so photographers end up with a travel tripod, a heavy studio one, something for tabletop work, and often a monopod too.
Everything comes apart
On James and Jason, legs, canopies, flat plates, rings, heads and feet all swap out. A full-size rig becomes a travel or studio setup, and one leg alone works as a monopod or light boom.
Pick your canopy
Both hold up to 30kg / 66lbs and carry an accessory mount for a light arm or mic. James stays slim enough for a bag's water bottle pocket. Jason is larger, with a ballast hook.
“The heart of the system is the canopy.”
Three sets of carbon legs
Five-section legs fold to 42.5cm and reach 123cm. Three-section legs go up to 154cm and stand steadier, but forget carry-on. Four-section legs sit between the two.
Angles without gloves off
A new trigger-pull catch sets each leg's angle for a wider stance or a low shot, and 3 Legged Thing says you can work it in gloves.
“easy to use even when wearing gloves”
Feet, or no legs
Three foot options cover different ground. Leave the legs off entirely and the canopy with feet attached stands in for a mini tabletop tripod.
A head to match
The system launches with the Airhed Orbit, a ball head that levels, adjusts and locks the camera from one main control.
Strip it down to clean
Because every part unbolts, sand and salt do not mean writing off the whole tripod. You can pull it apart for maintenance.
“creators can break apart the tripods for upkeep and cleaning”
On Kickstarter, funded already
The campaign has passed its goal, with pledges 20 to 25 percent under retail. About £269 gets a canopy and legs, £669 covers all three leg types, and the Orbit head adds £152.
The takeaway
If you own three tripods for three jobs, one modular system with swappable canopies and legs can replace the lot, starting around $365 on Kickstarter.
