Tripods tend to be purpose-built for different shoots, which means some photographers will own more than one – one for travel, one for maximum stability, one for tabletop shooting, and maybe even a separate monopod. But 3 Legged Things' latest invention is a build-your-own modular tripod system that replaces several purpose-built supports in one.
The new 3 Legged Thing James and Jason is a tripod system with swappable parts. While most tripods can swap out for different heads or feet, the two new modular systems can swap out legs, canopies, flat plates, rings – along with heads and feet.
The idea is that by building a modular system, creators don’t need to own several tripods for different purposes. The James and Jason are full-sized tripods, but they can convert to travel tripods or studio tripods, and the swappable legs can also double as monopods and boom poles.
The heart of the system is the canopy. Both options can handle up to 30 kgs / 66 lbs, but one is built for portability, and the other is built for strength and features.
James uses a smaller, slimmer profile that creates a tripod that can still fit in the water bottle pocket of a camera bag. Jason, on the other hand, is a bit larger, but has a ballast hook and is built for strength. Both canopies have an extra accessory mount for attaching arms for adding lighting or a mic.
With those two canopies come three different swappable leg types, all built with carbon fiber. The five-section legs are the most compact, folding down to 42.5 cm / 16.7 inches and reaching a maximum height of 123 cm / 48.4 inches. The three-section legs are built for maximum height and stability, reaching 154 cm / 60.6 inches – but probably won’t fit in carry-on luggage. The four-section legs are the happy medium between the two.
Those legs can be adjusted to different angles for a wider stance and lower shots using a new trigger-pull design that the company says is easy to use even when wearing gloves.
Along with the swappable legs, the tripods launch with three options for feet to accommodate different terrain – and the tripods can also be used with the canopy and feet (no legs) to replace a mini tabletop tripod. The legs can also be used without the canopy as a monopod or light boom.
The modular tripod series also launches with a newly designed head that 3 Legged Thing has dubbed the Airhed Orbit. The ball-style head uses one main control to level, adjust, and lock the camera in position.
Beyond the versatility, the modular design also means that creators can break apart the tripods for upkeep and cleaning.
With multiple different setups possible, 3 Legged Thing has built several different bundles for the tactical tripods, including some basic setups with the canopy and feet to bundles with multiple pieces.
3 Legged Thing is bringing James and Jason to creators using Kickstarter, where the campaign has already surpassed its original funding goal. Pledges take as much as 20 to 25 percent off the expected retail price, starting at £269 (about $365 / AU$506) for a canopy and legs, £669 (about $907 / AU$1,257) for a kit with all three leg variations, with the new Airhed Orbit head a £152 ($207 / AU$286) add-on.
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For more inspiration, check out the best travel tripods or the best tripod for photography.
