Gorillapod or other small tripod?

nixcamic · 12-21-2008, 10:34 PM

I'm looking to get a tripod or other support device for under $50 that I can carry around in my backpack all day, and lets me do longish exposures, gorillapods seemed to be the answer, but if anyone knows of something cheaper/better, I'm all ears

*heliphoto* · 12-21-2008, 11:56 PM

If you're opting for the gorillapod, make sure you try one out with your representative lens before you buy... I played with one in a store with my K200D with the DA 18-250 attached, and the pod wasn't really up to the task... maybe it was a weak example of the gorillapod - I dunno 'cause I didn't buy one.

I can recommend the Ultrapod II from pedco. Balanced right it'll hold my K20D with a Tamron 90mm (only configuration I've used it with the SLR) and probably more if you can keep it balanced. I've seen someone show their BIGMA (sigma 50-500mm - a heavy beast lens) set up on an ultrapod, but I can't find the link right now...

baltochef920 · 12-22-2008, 10:04 AM

nixcamic

I posted a similar question over on photo.net not long ago..I wanted to know if it was possible to shoot with a Pentax 67II camera and its smaller lenses with any of the various table top tripod and head combinations..

The answers were interesting and may be helpful to you in your quest..Most of the recommended table top tripods are priced higher than the $50.00 that you have set as your budget..You may want to consider saving up a little more money in order to purchase a tool with a greater range of uses..

Tabletop Tripods with Pentax 67? - Photo.net Medium Format Forum

If you go to photo.net you may also wish to use their search function on table top tripods..A LOT of interesting information there..

Good luck!!!!

Bruce

philbaum · 12-22-2008, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by heliphoto

If you're opting for the gorillapod, make sure you try one out with your representative lens before you buy... I played with one in a store with my K200D with the DA 18-250 attached, and the pod wasn't really up to the task... maybe it was a weak example of the gorillapod - I dunno 'cause I didn't buy one.

I can recommend the Ultrapod II from pedco. Balanced right it'll hold my K20D with a Tamron 90mm (only configuration I've used it with the SLR) and probably more if you can keep it balanced. I've seen someone show their BIGMA (sigma 50-500mm - a heavy beast lens) set up on an ultrapod, but I can't find the link right now...

I got a gorillapod for a gift. I wouldn't trust it on my K10D, but i do take it along because its handy to use on a remote radio flash,. Many times i've just spread the legs out flat and been able to support the flash on a lot of irregular surfaces like snow, leaves, etc.

*Ratmagiclady* · 12-22-2008, 11:05 AM

If you can find one, there's those little sort of New-age health-craze neck pillows from a few years back, full of some kind of grain hulls, they're light and make good bean bags. Not very moisture-friendly, all on their own, though. (This is why they might be hard to find, ...they didn't translate well to wetter climes than they came from.)

Do you need it to stand alone?

I've also got this thing called a 'Red pod' (though mine's a factory second that's yellow.

) which is sort of a big hockey-puck shaped beanbag with a tripod screw, and is pretty good for bracing on things, you can screw it onto the camera, or, sort of stand it on its side and just use it more or less like a regular bean bag. I keep one in the car. (It makes a handier combination with a car to brace on, anyway,)

My yellow one, with a little modification, also makes a marginally-effective cranky-young-subject amuser:

Talisker · 12-22-2008, 02:07 PM

Which gorillapod are we talking about? The big one will certainly cope with a decent small head (mine's got an old Uniloc 25) and a K10D. I would also second the 'red pod' above (imagine a heavy duty beanbag with a tripod screw) which is excellent for bracing long lenses. Love the modifications

rockmaster1964 · 12-22-2008, 05:37 PM

The Gorillapod SLR-Zoom model will hold a heavy lens just fine. I used one a Disney World recently and it worked great.

kerrowdown · 12-23-2008, 03:31 PM

I use a beanbag type of thing, (no tripod screws or anything clever like that).

It has an inner bag and a outer bag waterproof (ish) cover. I carry it about empty (no weight to lug about), when I need ito use it, I just partially fill it with sand, soil or whatever's about.

lbam · 12-23-2008, 09:12 PM

I think the SLRzoom version of the Gorillapod should be fine.. it's also amazingly light in weight...

*k100d* · 12-23-2008, 09:52 PM

i've used the ultrapod before, it's not bad and has a flexible ball head.
the problem with the Gorillapod is that it's finicky to make adjustments and might be worth it to add a ball head to it.
problem w/ beanbags is that they are heavy and not that stable.

*LaRee* · 12-23-2008, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by philbaum

I got a gorillapod for a gift. I wouldn't trust it on my K10D, but i do take it along because its handy to use on a remote radio flash,. Many times i've just spread the legs out flat and been able to support the flash on a lot of irregular surfaces like snow, leaves, etc.

Good idea! I also received one as a gift and I haven't used it with the k10d or k20d, I just wouldn't trust it. But for a flash...now that is a great idea. Thank you!