3 Legged Thing Patti: Tripod manufacturer launches sub-£100 tripod

Three Legged Thing Patti

British tripod manufacturer 3 Legged Thing has broadened its Punks tripod lineup with the Patti, a new general-use tripod with a keen price tag.

Pitched as "an ideal starter tripod for users of compact, bridge, mirrorless, and lightweight DSLR cameras," and named after punk legend Patti Smith, the model is said to be designed from aircraft-grade magnesium alloy, with hard-wearing ABS plastic also used at various points.

It measures 45cm/17.7in when folded and extends to 1.63m/64in when fully extended, with flip locks to hold the legs at the desired position. 

While pitched at a novice user, the tripod boasts a handful of features more commonly associated with pricier models. The single-section centre column is both removable and reversible, for example, while the tripod's payload is a generous 10kg/22lb.

3 Legged Thing - Patti

The legs can also be adjusted to 23˚ 55˚ and 80˚angles, which allows the photographer to shoot as low as 11cm/4.25in from the ground.

Read more: The best tripods for travel right now

The new AirHed Mini ballhead that's bundled as standard sees a simplified design, with just a release-plate clamp knob and a combined panning and ballhead tension knob.

3 Legged Thing - AirHed Mini

AirHed Mini ballhead

Other features include a patented Tri-Mount plate that lets the tripod stay compact when the legs are folded up, as well as three hollowed spurs that allows for accessories to be attached.

The announcement follows the recent launch of the Alan and Trent models, as well as a new foot stabilizer. 

3 Legged Thing Patti: price and release date

Three Legged Thing Patti

3 Legged Thing has stated that Patti will be available in two separate finishes: Punks grey with blue AirHed and accents of copper, and Punks Anarchy matte black with accents of British Racing Green. 

The tripod will be available to pre-order from 14 August, and the release date will be a month later, just before Photokina 2018 swings its doors open. The company has also confirmed that the model will be on display at the show (Hall 2.1, Stand A25/B26).

A suggested price of £99.99 has been set for the UK, while those in the US should expect to pay $119.99. 

Read more: 3 Legged Thing announces new monopods and foot stabiliser

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Matt Golowczynski

The former editor of Digital Camera World, "Matt G" has spent the bulk of his career working in or reporting on the photographic industry. For two and a half years he worked in the trade side of the business with Jessops and Wex, serving as content marketing manager for the latter. 


Switching streams he also spent five years as a journalist, where he served as technical writer and technical editor for What Digital Camera before joining DCW, taking on assignments as a freelance writer and photographer in his own right. He currently works for SmartFrame, a specialist in image-streaming technology and protection.