Gorillapod vs normal, portable tripod.

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Looking to get a cheap tripod, but unsure about what to get. I like the Gorillapod, but the thing that's putting me off is the (lack of) height, when there's nothing to mount it on.

However, the thing that's putting me off a 'proper' tripod is the (lack of) portability, especially compared to the Gorillapod.

I'm swaying towards the Gorillapod for this reason. I've seen the SLR Zoom + Ballhead for £44.99, which is very very cheap, but is this site one to avoid?

http://www.oddsandpods.co.uk/joby-g...-heavier-cameras-p-913.html?source=googlebase
 
I've one of these (& my review as well at that :$) Trek-Tech T'pod holds some weight as well (see signature) complete with a head as well....
 
The purpose of the Gorillapod is for it's ability to mount pretty much anything. You can take it anywhere (literally) and set it up in crazy positions compared to the uniformed composition of the typical tripod.
 
By the way what camera and heaviest lens combo will you be using because most people get by fine with the Gorillapod SLR rather than the SLR ZOOM.

As for website clarification, I have never used it but I would rather buy from a reputable dealer such as Jessops, Jacobs, Calumet, Warehouse Express, Amazon.
 
I have always considered the Gorillapod fine for strobist stuff but I would be concerned about mounting SLR on it.
Perhaps I am over cautious but I prefer a lightweight tripod.
 
I have the SLR version of the Gorillapod, although I hardly ever use it :|.

One annoying thing about using them 'free-standing' is that they tend to act like a giant spring and bounce around everywhere after you let go of the shutter button :(. I had to start getting into the habit of triggering the camera with a remote when using it.

That said, they are very portable and sometimes (for me) it's a case of 'that that, or take nothing'.

I am going on holiday to Venice soon and have been looking for a very portable, 'proper' travel tripod. The only one that I have seen, which is less than 40cm long when folded (to fit my camera bag), is the Slik "Sprint Mini GM II' (Link ...).

It extends to over 1m high and folds down to just 35cm (14" :thinking:). It's about 60GBP though (with ball head) - better value than the plastic Gorilla SLR Zoom (IMHO), but still more than I wanted to spend :|.
 
What about those monopods that fold down small, but have tripod legs that come out of the bottom. I can't remember who makes them.
 
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In the past, I've used a GorillaPod SLR Zoom as my travel support but I've recently bought a Giottos Vitruvian CF tripod. The GorillaPod is easier to transport (it's a lot smaller) and can be wrapped around most things to make it a sturdy support (as a free standing tripod, it's not ideal although it does sort of work).

I want to play a bit with star trails (including planes coming in towards the camera) next holiday, so want a slightly more stable support to be free standing - a breeze on the beach can introduce some vibrations to a beach bed on which the GorillaPod's mounted.

Not sure how much I'd trust one of those legged monopods as a tripod when extended.
 
Byker28i said:
What about those monopods that fold down small, but have tripod legs that come out of the bottom. I can't remember who makes them.
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We have a Trek Pod XL. It's great as a monopod, very light & strong (carbon fibre), but as a tripod it is quite poor. 3 short legs and a tall single section make it vulnerable to movement in light winds.

I agree with the comments about the Gorilla, we have a couple and find them to be great for flexibility and easy to fit in the bag etc. The only drawback seems to be the "springyness" in the structure. Give it a firm tap with a camera mounted on it and you can feel the vibration last for a few seconds.

Chris
 
:( I am weak ... I spent 3 minutes thinking about what I wrote in my last post ...

... and then went an ordered one of these :D ....

http://www.sliktripod.co.uk/pages/sprintmini.html

Even at a price of 100 Euros (about 85GBP), most of these people gave it a 5 star review (Link...).

I found one for 54GBP (Link ...), so I decided to just get off the fence and have one. Afterall, it's exactly the specification that I was looking for - it was only the fact that I already have two other 'proper' tripods, which made me think that I was being excessive.

NWT, I'll let you know if it's any good, BTW :thumbs:.
 
mastertrinity said:
By the way what camera and heaviest lens combo will you be using because most people get by fine with the Gorillapod SLR rather than the SLR ZOOM.

As for website clarification, I have never used it but I would rather buy from a reputable dealer such as Jessops, Jacobs, Calumet, Warehouse Express, Amazon.
Click to expand...

i used to have the SLR zoom untl someone ask me for it...very fantastic kit. i used it to my nikon d70 with my 70-300mm tamron lens mount it in a fence and its fine..not so sure about with my battery grip on it...i think its too heavy for it...but still it can hold it....only tried it on the table top...but wont gamble hanging upside down......
 
mastertrinity said:
By the way what camera and heaviest lens combo will you be using because most people get by fine with the Gorillapod SLR rather than the SLR ZOOM.
Click to expand...
I've got the Gorillapod Focus, which is the sturdiest one they do. And it's just about strong enough to support a D3 with 28-70 f2.8 sitting on a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead. This link is to a timelapse I shot with this combination but I'm linking because there is also a photo of the setup too.

If you have lighter gear though the lower models might be fine, although for me they were not really suitable.

Gorillapods are gerat for what they are. I took mine to Istanbul when I did the timelapse linked above, because I didn't want to have to take a big tripod with me as it was just a quick break. I loved how much easier it was to carry the Gorillapod but I was compromised many times with how low it was. If I could only have one tripod, I'd have a real one. The Gorilla is just a handy extra to have for the times a real tripod isn't practical IMO

:)
 
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Have the Aldi Tevion flexible tripod and I think its equivalent to the gorillapod SLR zoom.
If the gorillapod is anything like that its probably not very useful for long exposure shots. Its simply not stable enough for long exposure, but probably okay if you use it to take regular shots from a higher angle.
 
I wouldnt say a ball head was essential with the gorillapod, I dont have one with mine and it works pretty well.

It is not a substitue for a mini tripod though, but is great for using in strange situations where a tripod would not be practical.
 
Trig's said:
T'pod £41.95 - crooked imaging :thinking: - you was saying :naughty: Highly recommend Simon @ crooked-imaging (top notch dude)

Just make sure that you get the (00131) version with the magmount....
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Trek-Tech T'pod £37.99 from crookedimaging via evilbay.

Not clear from description, but I asked and was told that it includes the magmount ballhead with star mount.
 
Slik Mini Pro III with Ball Head.

I have just bought the above from Warehouse Express its on offer for £21.99.

I still have the Mk1 which does not have the Ball head just a fixed Tripod thread the newer one comes with a Velvetine bag.

Top Notch Build have a look its a little Cracker.

Regards.
 
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Zsev said:
Have the Aldi Tevion flexible tripod and I think its equivalent to the gorillapod SLR zoom.
If the gorillapod is anything like that its probably not very useful for long exposure shots. Its simply not stable enough for long exposure, but probably okay if you use it to take regular shots from a higher angle.
Click to expand...

I bought one of these and for £9 its great for what it is, would the gorillapod do any more for £40 :shrug:,

Dave
 
f1charlie said:
Trek-Tech T'pod £37.99 from crookedimaging via evilbay.

Not clear from description, but I asked and was told that it includes the magmount ballhead with star mount.
Click to expand...


Thats the one - as there was an earlier version that had a crappie head to it... Did do a review on this on Amazon (see link above in post) its a cracking little mini tripod and does hold some weight...
 
f1charlie said:
I am tempted although I'm not sure I really need one!
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I thought that - but it does come in handy as its not all that big when stored in its case... So no real need to lug a proper tripod around... so its neat enough to go into your OH handbag ;)

It held my gripped Nikon D700 & Nikon 70-200 VRII with no probs... You can either have it on the legs or extended which is quite high - fully extended its just a fraction under 13 inches... Thats without a camera fitted (obviously )

The earth magnets are something else as well - they could hold an elephant on concord at supersonic speads - :thinking: well it could do if it was still flying :lol:
 
Naboo32 said:
:( I am weak ... I spent 3 minutes thinking about what I wrote in my last post ...

... and then went an ordered one of these :D ....

http://www.sliktripod.co.uk/pages/sprintmini.html

Even at a price of 100 Euros (about 85GBP), most of these people gave it a 5 star review (Link...).

I found one for 54GBP (Link ...), so I decided to just get off the fence and have one. Afterall, it's exactly the specification that I was looking for - it was only the fact that I already have two other 'proper' tripods, which made me think that I was being excessive.

NWT, I'll let you know if it's any good, BTW :thumbs:.
Click to expand...

NWT said:
Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Well, it arrived! And it's good. Very, very good :thumbs:.

I haven't been outdoors and used it yet, but from the tests that I've made at home, I know that this is light years ahead of my Gorillapod SLR in terms of stability. It's really built like a proper tripod and the supplied ball head is made of metal and surprisingly effective (especially if you remember to flick the QR thumb switch down, so that I locks the plate steady :naughty:).

I can't be arsed to write a full review of it, as someone will only come along and pick it to bits :D, but here are some pictures, which should illustrate why it's such a good travel tripod and the answer to my prayers :). Extending to 1m 9cm and folding down to just 13" (to mix my units :D), this strikes me as the perfect 'Holiday Tripod'. At £50, including ball head and (basic) carrying case, it's also something of a bargain, IMHO.

Compared, for size, to the GP SLR:
AJH_1984.jpg


Compared, for size, to a Giottos 'Travel' tripod:
AJH_1980.jpg


Fitting itself into the laptop pocket of my camera bag:
AJH_1985.jpg


Looking right at home with a D700 and Bigma 50mm f/1.4 lens attached:
DSC_6114.jpg


I make no claims that the entire range of SLIK products are anything out of the ordinary, but I couldn't find any 'real' tripod as compact and functional as this one, when I looked :shrug:.

So, £50 well spent, in my book :thumbs:!
 
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