2. The Eddie tripod is quite similar to the company’s “Brian” carbon fiber tripod, except the Eddie is more robust and has a built-in monopod. It is fastened to one of the legs and easily separated. You can use the monopod directly with your camera or pair it with the ball head. The monopod weighs 9.6 oz. (272g).
3. The carbon fiber material makes the Eddie both tough and stylish, while the ball head is a solid, anodized magnesium alloy. The legs are designed with 5 sections and are secured with rotating clamps. Each leg is just a bit more than one inch thick (28mm), as compared to just less than one inch (24mm) on the Brian.
4. 3 Legged Thing kept the Eddie tripod kit surprisingly lightweight at just 4.2 lbs. (1,935g) (including the ball head, which weighs 1.4 lbs. [638g]). When completed folded, the Eddie is only 1.4 feet long (440mm), so it can be packed in the same traveling bag that comes with the Brian.
5. The Eddie tripod is extremely versatile, as it has a wide range of operating heights, from a minimum of 7 inches (170mm) to a maximum of 5.4 feet (1.66m).
6. A primary reason a photographer may choose the Eddie over the Brian tripod is that the Eddie’s more robust construction means it can support 26.4 lbs. (12Kg) compared to the Brian’s 17.6 lbs. (8Kg). The Eddie, therefore, is a great match with most of the largest DSLR and telephoto lens combinations.
7. Many photographers and third-party testers are specifically attracted to the quality of the ball head on the Eddie tripod and its three controls: lock, rotation of the entire head and tension. Wildlife photographers have discovered that the tension control allows them to tighten the ball head just enough to track subjects smoothly, but still maintain plenty of steadiness and support under the camera.
8. During the actual use of the Eddie, any photographer is certain to be impressed by how easily the tripod unpacks and is ready to go to work.
9. There is also considerable versatility in the operation of the Eddie tripod from 3 Legged Thing. Although the Eddie serves most of the general needs for a tripod, it is constructed in such a way to help photographers that must place their camera low to the ground, floor or any appropriate surface. The legs can be spread very wide, which brings the camera to a low level, or the center column is removed and reversed as an alternative configuration. To put a camera as low as possible 6.9 inches (177mm), the central column is detached and a camera, or the ball head, is attached directly to the remaining tripod.
10. With a retail price of approximately $450, which is virtually identical to the Brian, The Eddie tripod from 3-Legged Thing should definitely be near, or at the top, of any photographer’s wish list. (The holidays are coming!)
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