3 Legged Thing releases low-budget Camera Desk Mount System

Many photographers will no doubt have heard of 3 Legged Thing (3LT) by now. The British company has been making very solid tripods and camera accessories since 2010. Well, now they’re targeting content creators with a new Camera Desk Mount System.

It’s a modular ecosystem, allowing you to mount your camera, microphone, lights or anything else you use in your live streams and video productions. It’s a versatile and efficient-looking system that addresses some of the issues with similar systems and devices.

3 Legged Thing – Camera Desk Mount System

For content creators, especially those working in relatively small spaces, setting up tripods can be challenging. Often, you end up having to put them in less-than-ideal positions or have to completely rearrange the room in which you shoot to accommodate them.

Either way, they typically get in the way. This is where desktop mounting solutions come into play. There are a number of such systems out there, a few modification monitor mounts, and some completely DIY solutions for creating desk-mounted and overhead cams. This one, though, might have them all (well, most of them) beat.

While it can’t handle the heaviest loads, this isn’t designed for studios with cinema cameras. It’s designed for YouTubers and content creators using smartphones and mirrorless cameras at home. And for those, I think they’ve (almost – but it’s just a personal niggle) hit the nail right on the next.

A modular system for multiple configurations

The 3LT Camera Desk Mount System is available in three different kits. The first – and the core component of the system – is the Vertical Extending Pole. This is essentially a 3-segment monopod with a clamp at the bottom for attaching to your desk and a small ballhead on top.

This is the base on which the system is built. The two other kits include the above vertical mount, along with what they call an Auxiliary Arm. This is a straight, non-extending arm that clamps onto the vertical pole. One of those two kits also includes an Articulating Arm, allowing for a wider range of movement and positioning.

Extra Auxiliary and Articulating arms are also available separately, if you want to add more fixtures to the pole, but remember to keep an eye on that weight limit and your balance. 3LT says that each of the components can handle cameras and other devices up to a weight of 1kg.

It works with your tripods, too

For those that don’t need desk mounting, the two Auxiliary and Articulating arms can also be clamped to your tripod legs or the centre column. So, if you regularly find yourself looking for somewhere to mount a field monitor, recorder or whatever, this could be the ideal option.

The components are made from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy for durability and reduced weight. It comes in a matte black finish with blue and copper accents.

Almost perfect

I suggested above that it’s almost perfect, and I want to elaborate on that. Because as much as I’d like to get one of these myself, I won’t be doing it. I had the same issue with desktop monitor arm stands, too. Not all of us have desks that are away from the wall or have an edge exposed that’s convenient to mount from.

I wish there were an option that included a mounting plate and bolt to attach it to the desk. This is what I ultimately found in a monitor mount. Drill a hole through the desk, plate goes underneath acting as a huge washer, and a bolt goes through the desk and into the base, holding it very secure with a beefy wingnut.

I do want to stress that this is a personal problem and probably won’t be an issue for many people who’d choose to buy this. But it would be nice to see an extending vertical pole with this option instead of the clamp in the future.

Price and Availability

The 3 Legged Thing Camera Desk Mount system is available to buy now on the 3 Legged Thing website in three kits at £17.99, £38.99 and £46.99. Extra Auxiliary and Articulated arms area also available for £17.99 and £22.99 each.

[via PetaPixel]

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