3 Legged Thing Punks Billy 2.0 Review

I first came across 3 Legged Thing whilst in Birmingham at an expo. I had heard of the brand before, having seen them on CameraWorld frequently. And since I was in the market for a new once after repeated issues with my K&F Concept Carbon Fibre tripod, they were one of the first stands I visited. It can be a bit hard to compare tripods through a screen, so it’s nice being able to see the range side by side. 

After chatting with the 3 Legged Thing team, they decided the lighter weight of the Punks Billy 2.0 would be the most suited for my style of photography. I’m always looking to bring you the latest travel gear review, so we both agreed this would be perfect. The Punks range is their entry level tripods, but don’t let that fool you. The quality rivals that of other brands high end models. Especially Manfrotto as their threads account takes joy in pointing out.

I love the naming structure as well. I often complain about companies using serial number names for their products (I’m looking at you here Sony) which just makes it difficult for the consumer. When searching for a product in a shop I want to sound like a human, and not a robot speaking binary. How am I supposed to find a product if I can’t remember its name. I love the Sony GP-VPT2BT for tabletop recording, but I have to check my own review just to remember its name. So thank you 3 Legged Thing for making things easy again.

Included with your Punks Billy 2.0 tripod, you will also get the Airhed Neo 2.0 (or the Airhed Trinity if you opted for the video kit version), an Arca-Swiss plate, a Toolz multi-tool and a clamshell bag.

The first time I set the tripod up was at home, but it felt very easy. The legs are all twist locks. Each section has a big rubber grip which makes it easy to quickly grab, twist and adjust. I found the striking colour schemes help set up quicker too. As I can just see out of the corner of my eye where the next one is whilst I adjust the one before. There are bubble levels on the included AirHed and on the tripod itself, helping you to make sure you get a level photo on uneven terrain.

Thanks to its Carbon Fiber built, the Punks Billy 2.0 comes in at 1.57kg. Making it the lightest tripod within 3 Legged Thing’s travel tripod range. The heaviest stands at a much heftier 2.19kg with the Albert 2.0. A regular-sized tripod isn’t something I would bring with me just in case; I would like to have a plan before I leave a hotel room.

I think 1.57kg is reasonable for the size and weight. I may not use it every day for a trip, but I would bring it and adapt it to what I need. If I’m unsure, maybe convert it to a Monopod, or even the tabletop size. So I have some form of stability, but I am not carrying around as much weight without a plan. I am however bringing it with me to Dubrovnik. My hotel room will have a sea view and there’s some fantastic viewpoints to bring it only a short walk away. It might be too big for the city though so i’ll leave it in the room when in the Old Town.

When I’ve travelled with the Punks Billy 2.0, I do usually have to keep it outside of the bag as it doesn’t fit in most of mine. I’ve tried the DB Hugger and the Osprey Arcane large but it’s just slightly too long. 

3 Legged Thing does provide a carry case, complete with handle and strap which allows you to carry it separately. To prevent myself carrying too much, I usually pair the tripod in this case along with my Vanguard VEO Range Shoulder Bag. That gives me everything I need and it’s all still accessible. Although I’d prefer everything together, two smallish bags pair together nicely and as they can sit on separate shoulders they balance the weight out.

Earlier in the review, I mentioned a previous tripod, the K&F Concept Carbon Fibre tripod. While the K&F is significantly lighter, the difference in build quality is just as noticeable. After only a few months of use, one of the K&F tripod’s legs came unglued, and without fail, it would detach every time I set it up. In contrast, I’ve used the Billy 2.0 for a longer period, in tougher terrains without any issues. Although it’s heavier, it feels far more robust. Personally, I’d rather carry a slightly heavier tripod that’s built to last than a lightweight one prone to failure.

Changing from tripod to monopod was intuitive. It’s just a case of removing the centre column and one leg, and screwing the two together. It takes seconds to do. If you are really on the fence about bringing a tripod on a trip, then using it as a monopod is a great compromise. It works as a compromise between having some too much weight, and having some extra stability for your shots.

The Punks Billy 2.0 is really easy to adapt and personalise. As well as being able to convert into a monopod to decrease the weight, you can change the head and feet too. Changing the feet will allow you to ensure the tripod can grip and stay stable in all environments. Changing the head will make it more usable depending on if you are a photographer or videographer.

Switching either was really easy, just simply requiring a twist of the screw. I wouldn’t carry multiple heads or feet with me on trips, but planning in advance means you know what environments to expect. The rubber-tipped feet are the safest bet if you are ever unsure.

If you need to, you can change the feet on the Billy 2.0. This makes it much more adaptable depending on the terrain. These are sold separately, but they have variations for Ice, for rock, and there’s even the option to convert the tripod for tabletop use. Making my Billy 2.0 perfect for every environment. It can travel with me everywhere from the Arctic to the Sahara, and even to a London Photo Studio. 

The tripod itself comes bundled with a tripod head, either the AirHed Neo 2.0 or the AirHed Trinity, which is designed for videographers. I like to do a bit of video occasionally, but my primary focus is photography. So it makes sense I have this head. 

The AirHed Neo 2.0 is Arca Swiss compatible, with a provided plate. I have an Arca Swiss cage on my camera which makes it easy to attach and detach. The twistable locks are easy to adjust, with the ball-head mount capable of supporting up to 18kg. More than enough for 99% of photographers. 

The bubble level as well makes a helpful addition so that I can set up my camera and ensure I have dead level shots. There’s also a little notch built in, so that I don’t have to use a cage for vertical shots. 

Included, you get an Arca-Swiss plate which you can attach to any camera, allowing you to quickly attach your camera to the Punk’s Billy 2.0. 3LeggedThing also sells L-Brackets separately, made specifically for a variety of cameras, making it easier to switch between horizontal and vertical recordings (perfect for Instagram).

Unfortunately for me, they don’t make a version for the Sony A7CII as of yet, but I do have a Smallrig and Ulanzi brackets with Arca-Swiss, which work just as well with the tripod. You can also attach the standard plate, which is compatible with every camera for horizontal shooting.

Currently, the Billy 2.0 comes in three colour combinations, and honestly, there isn’t a wrong choice. You can get Black, Black with Orange accents, or black with Blue accents. I’ve seen all three at various trade shows over the last few months, and all three look fantastic.

Mine is Black with an Electric Blue, and a matching blue AirHed Neo 2.0. I love it, it stands out enough for me to see it in my peripheral vision, but not so much that it’s over. I can use the blue accents to make adjusting easier. They allow me to adjust the height using my peripheral vision whilst keeping my eyes on my subject, something that’ll be fantastic for wildlife photographers.

As a photographer and tech enthusiast, I get the temptation to buy new accessories or upgrade your gear. But there are some accessories that, if looked after, can outlive your camera body or even lenses. And a good quality tripod is one of them. So it makes sense to invest in quality and buy once. 

I loved the Punks Billy 2.0 from 3 Legged Thing, and its definitely gotten me eyeing up more of their line up. There are other tripods within the Punk range, so check them all out to find out what would be most suitable for you. But if you want a lightweight but full-size tripod for travel, you will love the Billy 2.0.