Refined Nikon Z9 L-bracket launched by 3 Legged Thing – meet the Zaara One

The 3 Legged Thing Zaara One L-bracket in Darkness and Copper on a pair of Nikon Z9s
(Image credit: 3 Legged Thing)

Alternative camera accessory manufacturer 3 Legged Thing has released an update to its dedicated L-bracket for one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market, the Nikon Z9. You might be wondering how much one of the best L-brackets can change, but according to the UK-based company’s chief operating officer, the Zaara One is the product of customer feedback.

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Gone is the old L-bracket’s extendable base, in favor of a single piece of aerospace-grade magnesium alloy, carefully shaped to provide easy access to the strap lug – so a strap can remain attached – and focus mode button, without impeding the use of the Z9’s rear, tilting screen. 

The bracket is also rated to provide access to the flagship mirrorless camera’s battery compartment and all side ports, so you can expect it to pair seamlessly with your mirrorless pride and joy. 

The L-bracket also includes a pair of 1/4-in-20 screw threads for attaching external accessories – one on the outside of the vertical portion and one on the underside of the base. And, as you’d expect from a 3 Legged Thing L-bracket, it’s also Arca-Swiss compatible. The Zaara One is available in Darkness (black) or 3 Legged Thing's trademark Copper.

The 3 Legged Thing Zaara One L-brackets in Copper and Darkness

The Zaara One comes in Copper or Darkness colors (Image credit: 3 Legged Thing)

The contents of the box have changed too. The original Zaara featured a mini tool, flat tool, allen key, spare 1/4-inch screw thread and micro fibre bag, while the Zaara One has opted for a much more streamlined approach. It features a rather swanky looking multitool – complete with a bottle opener – 1/4-in screw and micro fibre bag. 

The Zaara One weighs in at one gram lighter than its predecessor at 145g / 5.11oz and is almost identical in size, save for a slightly longer base length of 12.4cm / 4.88in, as opposed to the older bracket’s 12.2cm / 4.8in. 

If you’re a regular tripod user who frequently wrestles with a drifting head, every time you position your camera in portrait orientation, then an L-bracket is a quality-of-life upgrade that comes highly recommended. The ability to quickly swap between landscape and portrait orientations, while retaining the same centre of gravity may well revolutionize your tripod-photography experience. 

(Image credit: 3 Legged Thing)

If you're a Nikon photographer you might be interested in the best Nikon camera, the best lenses for Nikon Z9 and Z8, and even the best Nikon camera bag.

Mike Harris
How To Editor

Mike is Digital Camera World's How To Editor. He has over a decade of experience, writing for some of the biggest specialist publications including Digital Camera, Digital Photographer and PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine. Prior to DCW, Mike was Deputy Editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine and Production Editor at Wex Photo Video, where he sharpened his skills in both the stills and videography spheres. While he's an avid motorsport photographer, his skills extend to every genre of photography – making him one of Digital Camera World's top tutors for techniques on cameras, lenses, tripods, filters and other imaging equipment – as well as sharing his expertise on shooting everything from portraits and landscapes to abstracts and architecture to wildlife and, yes, fast things going around race tracks...

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