Originally posted by Panache I got a Gorilla Pod for Christmas [SLR Zoom], [as I asked] but now I'm a little nervous to open the box. I'm hesitant that I will use it.
Do you have one? Do you use it often? Is it worth keeping? [They're pretty pricey and I can think of other things I could put the $$ towards!]
I already have a regular tripod and a mini tripod.
I'd appreciate honest answers!
Thanks in advance.
Yes, I have one Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom.
I bring it every time I need a light tripod and my big tripod is too cumbersome/heavy.
I have a regular Giottos tripod, a Giottos Monopod and 2 smaller regular tripods and this Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom. Guess which one I carry the most?
...Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom. The reason is it fits perfectly inside my Kata 3N1-30 bag and nobody can see whether I'm carrying a tripod
I think it's money worth spent. Last time I carried this only on my trip to Hawaii and without it I wont be able to take shots for this stitched panoramic view:
This shot is taken using K20D + DA*16-50 attached on Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom wrapped on the end of hotel's patio fence on 20th floor
if it failed to hold, you can imagine what my camera & lens will look like after falling from that height. I was pretty scared too but the Gorilla Pod did a good job clinging to that steel fence.
Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom (Warning: not the regular one) is also strong enough to hold my K20D + FA*80-200 when attached to a coffee table's leg.
Seriously, at first I thought it's a little bit too much for a small tripod. But knowing how light & versatile it is now, this will be my main tripod for now everywhere I go.
Last time I went camping without my DSLR, just a point & shoot Fuji camera and this Gorilla Pod too. I used it to hold my camera by mounting it on the car's door frame to take our group picture with me included. All my friends were surprised to see this weird looking bendable black & white thingy. But they are more surprised to see that I could wrap it on their car's door
Like Gary said, you can use it to attach your wireless flash also. Gorilla pod has it's own hot shoe but I use this one:
Stroboframe | Shoe - General Purpose | 300-405 | B&H Photo Video
Oh btw, get a small ball head and you'll be glad you did. I got this one from B&H since it comes as a kit:
Joby | Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Mini-Tripod with Medium |