It has come to my attention that recently a new brand (3 Legged Thing) is all the craze about tripods and how they have changed the perception of using one.  I decided to have a look at their website (http://www.3leggedthing.com) and judge for myself.  Afterall I would easily consider buying one if a brand lives up to their marketing.

First impression, fancy design, colorful, and looks light weight.  But as I took a closer look, I could not believe how close it resembled my Fotopro tripod (http://www.fotopro.sg/c5-series-2in1.html).  In fact, I would say it's practically identical.

1. Fotopro C-5

2. 3 Legged Thing 3LT

3. 3 Legged Thing 3LT with various user settings and ballhead.

I don't know what you guys think, but I would say they are almost exactly the same.  Representatives from 3 Legged Thing claims that their design is original and that it looks nothing like the Fotopro.  In fact I have posted this question regarding the two products' similarity in their Facebook Wall and someone replied that "You must be looking at someone else's products, because our tripods don't look anything like these..."

To be fair, I do find two different characteristics from the 3 Legged Thing tripod.  the middle shaft connected to the ballhead does allow you to extend further than and thus have a longer reach than the fotopro.  However, once I read the specs (listed below), I found both brands had their strengths and weakness making them pretty much equal when you look at their specs in general.  While the Fotopro had a slightly longer minimum operating height (17cm vs. 13.5cm), it was also shorter in Max Extended Length buy about 5cm (156cm vs 20cm).  The Fotopro however, was shorter in Folded Length (43cm vs. 50cm), which makes it easier to store or transport.  Weight wise, both brands were equal at 1.5kg.  Another difference, is the price.  The Fotopro cost me about $860HKD, while the 3 Legged Thing is about $278USD (which works about $2140HKD).  That is quite a big difference in price.  If buy the top of the end tripod from both brands the Fotopro will cost you $1300HKD, where the 3 Legged Thing will cost approximately $4300HKD.

I don't speak for everyone but as a professional/consumer, I don't really care who copied who (and in this case its not really clear).  All I know is that the Fotopro is doesn't look a bit dodgier than the 3 Legged Thing.  Price wise it is a "no-brainer," and quality well the Fotopro brand offers 6 years of warranty, where the 3 Legged Thing comes with 5.  

Here's an in depth look at each brand specs (I have chosen the two tripods that looks most similar to make this comparison)

FOTOPRO C5

*Model No : C5c series  (Carbon Tubes)
- Extended Max Height: 156cm.
- Min Operating Height: 17cm.
- Folded Length: 43cm.
- Maximum Load: 8kgs
- Net Weight: 1.5kg
- Max Tube Diameter: 25mm

*Model No : C5i (Aluminum-Magnesium Tube)
- Extended Max Height: 156 cm.
- Min Operating Height: 17cm.
- Folded Length: 43cm.
- Maximum Load: 8kgs
- Net Weight: 1.7kgs
- Max Tube Diameter: 25mm

3 Legged Thing

CONCLUSION

Looking at both brands, I don't really see why I would go for one and not for the other in terms of quality and practicality.  However, in terms of price, I would definitely go with the Fotopro.  With most  models, I could buy two Fotopros for the price of one 3 Legged thing.  I'd say the same when comparing Gitzo tripods and Manfrottos, but then again I feel the quality difference with Gitzos.

What really bothers me, is how the people at 3 Legged Thing cannot see how similar their tripods look alike.  Companies should really do some research before they market their products.  From my understanding both Tripods came out about the same time.  My theory is that there's a factory in China somewhere that does mass manufacturing of these products and different companies purchase them and add their brand label to them.  I would not be surprise to see another company with similar design.  I would be more than happy to apologize if the 3 Legged Company can show proof that their product was not manufactured in the China.

So as you can, not only are Chinese brands and manufacturers taking advantage of cheap chinese labours and copyright infringement in China, but same does overseas western companies.  The question is whether you are willing to pay a hefty premium with a "Gweilo" logo, or pay for what it is worth.  Don't get me wrong both Tripods should be really good and of great quality.  Buying the 3 Legged Thing would be like buying a iPhone and paying a premium due to its brand recognition over other smartphones, but just that 3 Legged Thing is not an Apple or that most people have even heard of them.  To charge such a price for Chinese manufacturing (correct me if I am wrong, but perhaps I should say "similar to chinese manufacturing") would be a very dumb move in terms of marketing because nowadays your average tech consumers are very smart and do incredible amounts of research before making a purchase, and if you think I am the only one that may have compared the 3 Legged Thing to a Fotopro, then you should think again.

FOTOPRO C5

Pros

Light weight

Afforadable

Strong and Sturdy

Can also transform into a monopod

Cons

None for the money

3 Legged Thing 3LT

Pros 

Light Weight

Strong and Sturdy

Can transform into a monopod

Cons

Pricey

Would I recommend this product to a friend?

FOTOPRO

Definitely, have recommended it to a few already

3 Legged Thing 3LT

Definitely, but I don't have such friends with money to waste. 

Tags ( Fotopro，3 Legged Thing tripods )

This week has been a busy week for DSLR shooters in Hong Kong.  Just about everywhere you go, you can see someone with a DSLR dangling on their neck.  While I do not doubt some of these users have some of best high end lenses around, I question whether they have the right lens?

One experience that I often find myself in is hearing young photographers talk about how they must have a fast lens (as in wide aperture).  While it's true the wider the aperture, the better the chances you can grab a photo with decent exposure in any light environment, but not necessarily will that be the best setting for that particular photo.

One example of this is for Photo-Journalism.  Photo-Journalists rarely shoot in wide aperture.  Usually Photo-Journalist shoot at around F5.6.  This is because when shooting lifestyle portraiture it's usually not very clear cut as to single subject and background and usually the background is just as if not more important than the subject.  By shooting wide open at all times, the background is usually blurred out and all you get is  the focused subject neglecting its surrounding that may have played a key importance in the story telling of the photograph.

I am saddened by this because nowadays I feel most people use their cameras like a rebel with a machine gun.  Constant firing and very few hits.  

I urge our photographers of today and tomorrow.  To aim at for the exposure and not at the equipment.  You see famous photographers with high end equipment not because they are proud of having expensive equipment on hand but because the job requires it.  In fact most top photographers don't even own cameras (most of them are lent out to them for exposure).

The DSLR owners of Hong Kong have become more tech junkies then photographers.  Chasing after the latest camera or accessory.  I always use a little trick once in a while to ensure I am using most of my photography skill rather than my tech skill and that is to shoot with nothing but ISO100, with a lens not faster than F4, and use nothing but manual selection (yes even focus).  If you can still pictures you are crazy about then you are still on the right track, but if you find your photos just a bunch of meaningless exposures, then you really have to ask yourself whether it is your camera capturing your stunning pics or yourself.

Tags ( Photography equipment photographers celebrity portraits， Hong Kong )