Gorilla Pods

jaz · 03-29-2009, 01:06 PM

The heavier duty gorilla pods seem like a convenient, lightweight, low-storage option for image stabilization out in the field in lieu of a tripod. Are there any recommendations or horror stories to using them? Are they practical, and how big of a lens can they realistically accommodate?

D0ri · 03-29-2009, 01:15 PM

Gorillas are pretty annoying!
It's hard to stabilize it, I think that a mini tripod (or desk tripod, whatever the name is) is better.

MikeW · 03-29-2009, 01:23 PM

From what I've heard, DOri is correct. When I need small, I have a little table top tripod that works very well. When I need very small (e.g., to travel), I have a C-clamp affair (sold by Rowi that I bought a LONG time ago). It is kind of a Swiss-Army knife affair: screws, clamps, tripod all-in-one. I just found it on-line. They are still selling it.

Rowi

jaz · 03-29-2009, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the responses and the link. Looks like it's 0 for 2 against the gorilla pods.

YJD · 03-29-2009, 02:48 PM

I have one and I like it... but the goal is not to set it up like a tripod but to attach it to a tree and anything like that. It is very useful when I'm traveling (I mean walking) and don't want to carry a tripod (even if I'm looking to buy a monopod some time this year).

Everything depends of your usage... a table tripod might do it for you.

For me it was the Gorilla Pod SLR-ZOOM, it can carry less than the FOCUS, but it is enough for what I but in my backpack.

But the Gorilla Pod, even the FOCUS version, will not replace a full size tripod... ever!

geauxpez · 03-29-2009, 07:05 PM

I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed.

Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one.

OregonJim · 03-29-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by geauxpez

I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed.

Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one.

The GorillaPod was not really designed to be free standing. You're supposed to wrap it aound a fence post or tree limb, etc. Which is why I don't use one - there's rarely a suitable object nearby to wrap it around when I need it. Also, they come in several different sizes - only the largest one would be able to handle your K10+BG+Tammy.

The UltraPod (again, multiple sizes) works well for me - it's a sturdy but conventional tabletop tripod with some long velcro loops that allow you to wrap it around things a la GorillaPod...

Last edited by OregonJim; 03-29-2009 at 09:02 PM. Reason: added velcro comment

Damn Brit · 03-29-2009, 09:14 PM

Like other people have said, it's better when it's attached to something. The next size down is worth having because the head is removable and you can get a flash attachment. That one you can use standing or wrapped around something.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-29-2009, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by geauxpez

I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed.

Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one.

They come in several sizes. Yours is probably one of the smaller ones. Mine will hold the k10d with grip and 16-50 with no problems, even used as a table top tripod.

geauxpez · 03-30-2009, 05:59 AM

I have the larger Gorilla Pod and I did try attaching it to an object, but it still didn't hold. I think the object was a little large, but if you can never find the right size mounting surface, what's the point? Dead weight.

Originally posted by Damn Brit

Like other people have said, it's better when it's attached to something. The next size down is worth having because the head is removable and you can get a flash attachment. That one you can use standing or wrapped around something.

Originally posted by OregonJim

The GorillaPod was not really designed to be free standing. You're supposed to wrap it aound a fence post or tree limb, etc. Which is why I don't use one - there's rarely a suitable object nearby to wrap it around when I need it. Also, they come in several different sizes - only the largest one would be able to handle your K10+BG+Tammy.

The UltraPod (again, multiple sizes) works well for me - it's a sturdy but conventional tabletop tripod with some long velcro loops that allow you to wrap it around things a la GorillaPod...

Lloydy · 03-30-2009, 02:30 PM

I've used a clamp, with three small screw in legs that will just about take the K10, for years.
It's the one piece of kit that goes wherever my camera goes, even when I've got my tripod with me as there are times when it's just far quicker.

It opens up to 53mm by pressing the green button and it ratchets open. Even though the ball head is very small it's very rigid.

It's made by Kaiser, and I don't know if they are still available.

Vormulac · 03-31-2009, 02:35 AM

There are several GP sizes available, if yours isn't holding your camera right then you've got the wrong one. I have the bigger one (biggest at the time, there is now an even meatier one) and it is always in my camera bag, I use it as a tabletop tripod, wrapped around bollards for long exposures of traffic, hooked over the top of a door for an elevated shot, to mount my flash on when I'm taking shots in a room - it's a brilliant piece of kit that works very well - if you have the right one.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-31-2009, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Vormulac

There are several GP sizes available, if yours isn't holding your camera right then you've got the wrong one. I have the bigger one (biggest at the time, there is now an even meatier one) and it is always in my camera bag, I use it as a tabletop tripod, wrapped around bollards for long exposures of traffic, hooked over the top of a door for an elevated shot, to mount my flash on when I'm taking shots in a room - it's a brilliant piece of kit that works very well - if you have the right one.

Your uses sound similar to mine. I don't use bollards - there are not very many up here in the Rocky Mountains - but there are a lot of branches. As a table top it holds my k10d, grip and 16-50 quite firmly.

I've never used the over the top of the door trick, but that sounds like an absolutely brilliant use. Thanks.

YJD · 03-31-2009, 09:45 AM

I found this at TigerDirect, it looks like what Lloydy is talking about and it cost $30.

Lumiere L60221 Camera Table Stand - 3-Way PanTilt Head, Quick Release, Adjustable, Light Weight at TigerDirect.com

Lloydy · 03-31-2009, 02:05 PM

That little clamp of mine will fit in a pocket, which gives me no excuse to go without some camera support.

03-29-2009, 01:06 PM	#1
jaz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 45	Gorilla Pods The heavier duty gorilla pods seem like a convenient, lightweight, low-storage option for image stabilization out in the field in lieu of a tripod. Are there any recommendations or horror stories to using them? Are they practical, and how big of a lens can they realistically accommodate?

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03-29-2009, 01:15 PM	#2
D0ri Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 76	Gorillas are pretty annoying! It's hard to stabilize it, I think that a mini tripod (or desk tripod, whatever the name is) is better.

03-29-2009, 01:23 PM	#3
MikeW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	From what I've heard, DOri is correct. When I need small, I have a little table top tripod that works very well. When I need very small (e.g., to travel), I have a C-clamp affair (sold by Rowi that I bought a LONG time ago). It is kind of a Swiss-Army knife affair: screws, clamps, tripod all-in-one. I just found it on-line. They are still selling it. Rowi

03-29-2009, 01:40 PM	#4
jaz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 45 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses and the link. Looks like it's 0 for 2 against the gorilla pods.

03-29-2009, 02:48 PM	#5
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529	I have one and I like it... but the goal is not to set it up like a tripod but to attach it to a tree and anything like that. It is very useful when I'm traveling (I mean walking) and don't want to carry a tripod (even if I'm looking to buy a monopod some time this year). Everything depends of your usage... a table tripod might do it for you. For me it was the Gorilla Pod SLR-ZOOM, it can carry less than the FOCUS, but it is enough for what I but in my backpack. But the Gorilla Pod, even the FOCUS version, will not replace a full size tripod... ever!

03-29-2009, 07:05 PM	#6
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed. Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one.

03-29-2009, 08:59 PM	#7
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by geauxpez I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed. Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one. The GorillaPod was not really designed to be free standing. You're supposed to wrap it aound a fence post or tree limb, etc. Which is why I don't use one - there's rarely a suitable object nearby to wrap it around when I need it. Also, they come in several different sizes - only the largest one would be able to handle your K10+BG+Tammy. The UltraPod (again, multiple sizes) works well for me - it's a sturdy but conventional tabletop tripod with some long velcro loops that allow you to wrap it around things a la GorillaPod... Last edited by OregonJim; 03-29-2009 at 09:02 PM. Reason: added velcro comment

03-29-2009, 09:14 PM	#8
Damn Brit Guest	Like other people have said, it's better when it's attached to something. The next size down is worth having because the head is removable and you can get a flash attachment. That one you can use standing or wrapped around something.

03-29-2009, 09:22 PM	#9
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by geauxpez I was given one for Christmas and it can't stand up with my K10d battery grip and Tamron 28-75/2.8 on it. Granted that is a good bit of weight -- the legs just collapse. I refuse to stip down my camera every time I want to use the thing. SO...I will use it with my off-camera lighting kit to hold a strobe when needed. Some friends of mine swear by the Ultrapod, but I haven't used one. They come in several sizes. Yours is probably one of the smaller ones. Mine will hold the k10d with grip and 16-50 with no problems, even used as a table top tripod.

03-30-2009, 05:59 AM	#10
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	I have the larger Gorilla Pod and I did try attaching it to an object, but it still didn't hold. I think the object was a little large, but if you can never find the right size mounting surface, what's the point? Dead weight. Originally posted by Damn Brit Like other people have said, it's better when it's attached to something. The next size down is worth having because the head is removable and you can get a flash attachment. That one you can use standing or wrapped around something. Originally posted by OregonJim The GorillaPod was not really designed to be free standing. You're supposed to wrap it aound a fence post or tree limb, etc. Which is why I don't use one - there's rarely a suitable object nearby to wrap it around when I need it. Also, they come in several different sizes - only the largest one would be able to handle your K10+BG+Tammy. The UltraPod (again, multiple sizes) works well for me - it's a sturdy but conventional tabletop tripod with some long velcro loops that allow you to wrap it around things a la GorillaPod...

03-30-2009, 02:30 PM	#11
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I've used a clamp, with three small screw in legs that will just about take the K10, for years. It's the one piece of kit that goes wherever my camera goes, even when I've got my tripod with me as there are times when it's just far quicker. It opens up to 53mm by pressing the green button and it ratchets open. Even though the ball head is very small it's very rigid. It's made by Kaiser, and I don't know if they are still available.

03-31-2009, 02:35 AM	#12
Vormulac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Posts: 219	There are several GP sizes available, if yours isn't holding your camera right then you've got the wrong one. I have the bigger one (biggest at the time, there is now an even meatier one) and it is always in my camera bag, I use it as a tabletop tripod, wrapped around bollards for long exposures of traffic, hooked over the top of a door for an elevated shot, to mount my flash on when I'm taking shots in a room - it's a brilliant piece of kit that works very well - if you have the right one.

03-31-2009, 09:26 AM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Vormulac There are several GP sizes available, if yours isn't holding your camera right then you've got the wrong one. I have the bigger one (biggest at the time, there is now an even meatier one) and it is always in my camera bag, I use it as a tabletop tripod, wrapped around bollards for long exposures of traffic, hooked over the top of a door for an elevated shot, to mount my flash on when I'm taking shots in a room - it's a brilliant piece of kit that works very well - if you have the right one. Your uses sound similar to mine. I don't use bollards - there are not very many up here in the Rocky Mountains - but there are a lot of branches. As a table top it holds my k10d, grip and 16-50 quite firmly. I've never used the over the top of the door trick, but that sounds like an absolutely brilliant use. Thanks.

03-31-2009, 09:45 AM	#14
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529	I found this at TigerDirect, it looks like what Lloydy is talking about and it cost $30. Lumiere L60221 Camera Table Stand - 3-Way PanTilt Head, Quick Release, Adjustable, Light Weight at TigerDirect.com

03-31-2009, 02:05 PM	#15
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	That little clamp of mine will fit in a pocket, which gives me no excuse to go without some camera support.