Joby Gorrilapod

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kpmarek

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I'm considering getting one of these Gorrilapod thingys to use with my Nikon D5000 + 18-55VR. Looks like it will be quite useful to use on urban ledges and the like.

The naming that Joby have given to these things is a little confusing. Having a look at some reviews it would seem that...

Gorrilapod SLR - Despite the name, does not take the weight of most DSLRs!
Gorrilapod SLR Zoom - Supposedly ok with camera plus small zoom.
Gorrilapod Focus - Looks the business but MUCH more expensive.

The SLR Zoom costs £26.50 on Amazon.co.uk whilst the Focus costs £79.95.


Anyone have one of these? Is the SLR Zoom likely to do the trick for my D5000 or would I be much better off going for the more costly Focus?
 
I have recently bought the slr zoom version and it is ok, on paper it should take the weight of a 40d and 100-400 lens but in reality it doesnt cope very well.

Infact I even found it not that great when using with a very small compatch camera.

I was trying to wrap it round a wooden railing which was prob about 2.5" by 2" but I had real difficulty in getting it to stay put which did put me off somewhat. (this was not due to the weight factor but just the grip of the legs)

I definately wont be relying on it for much at all but i guess its handy to have
 
I've got the SLR model - not the SLR Zoom. It can support quite a load, but not safely, and only if you have things balanced "just so". It is intended for a Rebel sized camera with a short prime like a 50mm or a light consumer zoom. I don't know the specs on your gear in terms of weight. Maybe the SLR version would cope but you would be better served, I think, by the Zoom version.

They work best, and are more stable when the legs are wrapped around something, or laid out completely flat. They do not work especially well as mini tripods, unless they are on a grippy surface, otherwise the legs can just splay outwards, which is not much use.

Just for a laugh I did load mine up way beyond the recommended weight. It is completely unuseable like this and if the load isn't balanced perfectly it will just collapse. Of course, this is ridiculous and I just did it for a grin.

20080624_110442_02960_LR.jpg


That price for the Zoom version semms pretty good, so if you want the wrapability of the Gorillapod, to wrap round a chair/branch/fence then go for that. However, if you actually want a small, rigid tripod I'd look at alternatives.

I have this little fellow - http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Velbon~productID~7494~categoryid~178.html.

I did replace the head with a better one from my monopod and used it with great success to hold my gripped 50D and 100-400 lens. Here it is with my 1D3, 70-200/2.8IS and a 580EX II flash....

20090924_210109_0669_LR.jpg


20090924_210218_0670_LR.jpg
 
i'll give you the true list so you dont get confused.

gorrilapod - pretty much all compacts and maybe a few bridge cameras

gorrilapod SLR - digital SLR and a standard small lens

gorrilapod zoom - this is your big jobby if you have a heavy weight lens such as the 70-200mm f2.8

gorrilapod focus - the business, it can hold pretty much anything, mainly designed for massive heavyweight camcorders or pro SLR's

you only need the gorrilapod SLR for what your equipping.
 
I'm sure I saw an all-singing (metal?) one that looked as if it would be good, but I had the SLR one, wouldn't trust that with a flashgun, never mind a camera.
 
I bought a SLR one as it was the only one I could find in duty free on my way to Thailand ad it worked fine with my 400D and kit lens- which I know are light in the DSLR world but still a bit of weight. It also seems ok with my Sigma 17-70 which is much heavier than the 18-55, its just the couple of links between the legs and plate which sometimes sag a bit- due to getting some heavier lens' since buying it I may trade it for the SLR Zoom version, I didn't realise how much chunkier it is until I saw some comparison pictures!
 
Thanks for all the comments. Have gone ahead and ordered the SLR Zoom as the price seemed pretty good.

Now deciding on a ball head to go with it... I'm probably going to go for the Manfrotto 486RC2 which should also be useful if I get a full size tripod at some point. Any difference between that and the newer 496RC2?
 
I have the SLR Zoom version. Works OK for those times you can't be arsed carrying a proper tripod. Can be a pain to set up though. I use it with the 496RC2 head. Don't think there's much difference between that and the 486RC2, it's just the newer model, it has a friction control knob that I don't think the 486 has?
 
while at the LCE photo show @ bristol over the weekend i noticed a competition to this, it was similar in design, the legs would bend etc. but had fabric over it, seemed to be quite good (not sure on make though)
 
The Gorillapod arrived in the mail today. Attached the camera to it for a bit but I most definately need a head for it ASAP! For sure it's not practical without one. Now to find a good deal on a 486RC2/496RC2...
 
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