3 Legged Thing Legends Bucky Bronze All-round Tripod

Bucky: an all-rounder with design qualities

Bucky from 3 Legged Thing raises the all-round potential of the Pro 2.0 tripod series to Legends standard! It resembles the Pro 2.0 Albert in terms of compact pack size and robust load capacity. When it comes to high-performance features, however, the British tripod makers have really upped the ante – Bucky comes with the high-end features of the Legends series. Lighter yet sturdier, smaller in pack size yet offering greater working height, more ergonomic and comfortable: simply the top tier of 3LT tripods, which until now was reserved for large video and landscape photography models.

1.8 m height and 30 kg load capacity in the dimensions of a travel tripod

Even in the Pro 2.0 series, the Albert surprised with a working height of nearly 2 m – a mark normally only reached by tripods with correspondingly bulky pack sizes. Bucky offers a similar range of performance: a maximum working height of 1.89 m and just 11 cm in the minimum position without the centre column, allowing you to get right down to the ground for macro shots. However, thanks to a slim centre plate and cut-outs, the weight and pack size have been reduced even further. The impressive height when fully extended is offset by a transport length of just 41 cm and a weight of 1.9 kg. Bucky thus brings the capabilities of full-fledged high-performance tripods used in professional landscape photography into a travel-friendly format, making it an interesting alternative for anyone who travels frequently and wishes to meet high photographic standards with flexibility. A 30 kg load capacity also provides ample headroom for DSLRs or full-frame equipment and telephoto lenses.

Carbon fibre and magnesium alloy for maximum strength

Incidentally, this corresponds to a strength-to-weight ratio of 20:1, a figure rarely found on the market. For a wide variety of applications, the tripod legs can be locked into three different angle positions (23, 55 and 80 degrees) using a simple sliding mechanism. The load capacity also depends on this angle, dropping from 30 kg at 23 degrees to a still robust 10 kg at an 80-degree leg angle. 8-layer carbon fibre and state-of-the-art magnesium alloys make these impressive performance figures possible. What’s more, ‘Airflow’ is the new magic word here – a slimmer centre plate with cut-outs reduces weight without compromising stability.

Reversible centre column, detachable legs, monopod

As varied as photography requirements can be, with Bucky there are virtually no limits to your creativity. The centre column is, of course, removable and can be used upside down. Without the centre column, the minimum height is just 11 cm – ideal for macro work on the ground. Tabletop, table tripod or monopod setups are also no problem. To enable this conversion, the 3LT design team has made not just one, as is usually the case, but all three legs removable. The separately available VANZ Spikes (mini-legs, so to speak) can then be screwed into the upper section. This feature opens up a wide range of new applications in macro photography as well as in tabletop photography.

Tri-Mount mounting plate with mounting eyelets and 1/4-inch threads

As a mounting plate for attaching a tripod head, the Bucky is equipped with the Tri-Mount mounting plate, which features a central 3/8-inch threaded hole with a 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch reversible thread, allowing tripod heads, cameras or accessories with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch internal threads can be mounted. In addition, the Tri-Mount mounting plate features three mounting lugs and six 1/4-inch internal threads for mounting any accessories for a wide variety of applications.

New fasteners and locks

The O-Pad twist locks on the legs have been given a new grip surface. Now slightly raised for an even more comfortable, intuitive feel, they have become significantly more grippy, secure and water-repellent. Handling is now even more comfortable and the rigidity higher, as redesigned locks inside also provide greater clamping force to ensure the tripod legs are locked in place with absolute stability. Even in poor weather conditions and cold temperatures, these non-slip locks are easy to operate, allowing the tripod to be set up at the desired height and position in a flash and without any awkward contortions. The Rapid-Latch locking system for the legs has also been brought up to Legends standard. The magnesium alloy locking notches have been specially optimised to make the stepless adjustment of the leg angles even smoother. Even with limited mobility, for example when wearing gloves, the optimal angle can be easily set.

Interchangeable tripod feet for any surface

To ensure a non-slip grip even on smooth surfaces, Bucky is fitted with specially shaped rubber feet. For maximum stability on any surface, the tripod feet can be unscrewed and replaced with four different tripod feet available as accessories. All tripod legs feature a 3/8-inch internal thread with a 1/4-inch internal thread adapter, allowing other accessories to be mounted.

AirHed VU Blue – The ball head with a window to the ball bearing

Sure, the AirHed VU Blue from 3 Legged Thing is ‘just’ a particularly high-performance ball head, with an extremely robust and easy-to-use quick-release system. But the British tripod designers at 3LT aren’t known for settling for good performance. Who else would turn a ball head into a design icon? So the inventors from Stagsden simply fitted a window in a high-quality magnesium alloy, revealing the central ball bearings in the AirHed VU’s locking mechanism.

Durable carry bag for use as a counterweight

The package includes a beautifully crafted fabric bag with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap for transporting the tripod. Furthermore, the bag can be filled with sand or stones via a nylon lining and attached to the D-ring on the tripod centre column using the supplied carabiner. This provides a simple way to create a counterweight for additional stabilisation of the tripod.

Toolz multi-tool

The package also includes the 3LT Toolz multi-tool, which serves as a screwdriver, Allen key, carabiner, bottle opener and key ring. This allows you to carry out all relevant tasks when using a camera tripod (tightening the quick-release plate, changing the quick-release base and tripod feet, readjusting the tripod leg joints, etc.).

Technical details 3LT Legends Bucky (with AirHed VU ball head)

Maximum working height with ball head: 1.89 m

Maximum working height: 1.79 m
Minimum working height: 39 cm
Minimum working height (without centre column): 11 cm
Maximum height as a monopod: 1.88 m
Material: Carbon
Colour: Anthracite / Copper
Load capacity: maximum 30 kg (at 23-degree leg angle) or
20 kg (at 55-degree leg angle) or
10 kg (at 80-degree leg angle)
Weight: 1.9 kg
Leg sections: 5
Packed size: 41 cm
length Carrying bag: 46.5 cm

Contents

1 3LT Legends Bucky camera tripod
1 3LT AirHed VU Blue ball head
1 Arca-compatible QR Octa quick-release plate
1 3LT Toolz multi-tool
1 carry bag with shoulder strap