Gorillapods. Anyone used one?

Flibster · 7 Oct 2006 at 19:31

Went out shopping to get a few little things for my camera. Had a look at one of these today.

I'm seriously tempted by it.

Anyone used one? Was initially looking at the Pod's but then had a little play with one of these and though that it could do everything the Pod could do and more.

Found their web page. Looks so tempting...

http://www.joby.com/

Simon/~Flibster

Brycheiniog · 7 Oct 2006 at 19:47

You dont say what camera you are going to use with it. I have a small tripod that I use with my D70, and it is fine with a 50mm lens, bit even the additional weight of the 18-70 makes it much less useable. Anything bigger than the 18-70 and it takes ages to stop vibrating...

If it is for a small camera then it looks a great idea, but for something more heavy weight I would want to have a play with it before handing over any cash...

Jonathan

Colin_da_Killer · 7 Oct 2006 at 19:48

Brilliant idea I think! Might try and innovate my own!

Flibster · 7 Oct 2006 at 19:56

Would be using a Fuji S9500 with it primarially.

Not the haviest camera in the world.

Simon/~Flibster

themask70 · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:19

Go for it! I think it's a great idea and great for your camera. Oh, and thanks for sharing.

Flibster · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:41

Am going to pick one up tomorrow.
They're not cheap sadly. £20 for the small - £40 for the large. But they do look very cool.

Will get some pictures of it though when I get it.

Simon/~Flibster

Simonnn · 8 Oct 2006 at 14:07

I read about these in my photography mag, it said there was one for compacts and they were releasing one for DSLRs soon, not sure if thats out now?

Rich · 8 Oct 2006 at 15:22

Yep, its on the site. 800G max weight.

Unfortunately, the 30D with battery weighs 785g

Add the tokina 12-24 in there and you are way over the limit. If they made one that held 1600G it would sell a hell of a lot more imho. I would certainly buy one.

Rich · 8 Oct 2006 at 15:27

I have sent them an email asking for more information on the Pod Pro, which isnt out yet. Mainly to ask if it will be able to cope with more weight. Will post their response here if i get one.

Flibster · 8 Oct 2006 at 15:34

The Gorillapod SLR holds 1100g iirc *just checked the back of the box - 1100g or 2.5lbs* It's substantially larger than the normal version. I've bought the SLR.

It's a pretty cool thing tbh. Will get some photo's of it soon.

Bounces a little with the camera on it - however using a cable release makes it fine. This is just using it as a normal tripod though. Will try it for more 'unusual' positions later and see what it's like.

Simon/~Flibster

Colin_da_Killer · 8 Oct 2006 at 17:00

Does anyone know where I can buy a tripod screw head (that u screw into the bottom of your camera?

I'm gonna make my own one of these

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 8 Oct 2006 at 17:36

Colin_da_Killer said:
Does anyone know where I can buy a tripod screw head (that u screw into the bottom of your camera?

I'm gonna make my own one of these

Why dont you just buy one ?

Rich · 8 Oct 2006 at 17:38

You can buy tripod heads at all good Camera retailers.

Colin_da_Killer · 8 Oct 2006 at 18:18

Fstop11 said:
Why dont you just buy one ?

$25 to buy one, yet it is £40 for the uk vendor... I could build my own custom one for under a tenner easily. Why waste £30 on a name?

Flibster · 8 Oct 2006 at 18:26

Colin_da_Killer said:
$25 to buy one, yet it is £40 for the uk vendor... I could build my own custom one for under a tenner easily. Why waste £30 on a name?

The small one is $25
The large one is $50

The small one in the UK is £20 and the large one is £40

It won't be easy to make one of these - unless you can rubberize a ring around each joint for grip.

It's also a fairly stiff structure to grip onto items.

Very cool though.

I have a few pictures - got to edit them down though.

Simon/~Flibster

Darryn · 30 Nov 2006 at 23:51

How have you go on with this Flibster?

Ive just ordered the GorillaPod SLR-Zoom for £35 ($62) and that holds upto 3kg .

Flibster · 30 Nov 2006 at 23:56

It's been great.

The new one is slightly bigger and more sturdy, but the SLR that I have is perfect for what I need.

I've used it in several places so far - most commonly for wrapping around a signpost pole or handrail to steady shots that are marginal on exposure time.

I do tend to use my shutter cable with it as well just to cut down on vibration, although when it's wrapped up tightly there's minimal vibration in it.

Well worth the cash I think. The mini one is a little harder to justify - if the legs were a bit longer then it'd be better as it could wrap round more things.

Will have to have a look at the Zoom one for the future.

Simon/~Flibster

morgan · 1 Dec 2006 at 08:24

there is no way in the world I would hang my gear from one of those. They just look too flaky from their website. Why would you want to mount your camera on a lamp post anyway? :rolleyes:

Flibster · 1 Dec 2006 at 08:29

Oh well You lose out then.

They are solid. I've hung my S9500 off one for a good 10 minutes and was fine.

The base plate for the camera screws in and grips very well - that then clips into the Gorillapod and you have a lock mechanism to stop it coming out again.

As for why?

Say it's getting dark and it's hitting the point where you would want a tripod...any post can be a tripod. Unusual angles if you can get the gorillapod onto it then you can get your camera onto it.

Simon/~Flibster

morgan · 1 Dec 2006 at 13:20

Flibster said:
Oh well You lose out then.

They are solid. I've hung my S9500 off one for a good 10 minutes and was fine.

Simon/~Flibster

no offence mate but your camera is only worth £250. When your gear is worth 10x more, and weights a great deal more you may look at it differently