Gorillapods

Dodger · 4th May 2010, 01:58 PM

Anyone use a Gorillapod ? if so are they any good and a worthwhile investment ?

I have been looking at them on the net and they look good to carry around for chance shot's rather than taking a full size tripod but they ain't cheap for a DSLR so any feedback is appreciated.

AB22 Easy Tiger · 4th May 2010, 02:00 PM

I have one that I've used a couple of times with my DSLR - when I had an EOS400D, I wouldn't trust it with a heavier camera.

Otherwise, they're pretty good and I've used it quite a bit with my compact.

youmademerealise · 4th May 2010, 02:59 PM

You must be bananas using one of those

Dodger · 4th May 2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB22 Easy Tiger

I have one that I've used a couple of times with my DSLR - when I had an EOS400D, I wouldn't trust it with a heavier camera.

Otherwise, they're pretty good and I've used it quite a bit with my compact.

Cheers for the advice ABB

I have a second hand D40, largest lens i have is a Nikon 55-200 so nothing too heavy. They range from £30 to £60 for a ball head and have decent reviews on Amazon. Just wondered if anyone on here uses one regular with a DSLR and what they thought of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by youmademerealise

You must be bananas using one of those

I'd go ape if it fell and knacked me camera.

Roger · 4th May 2010, 08:33 PM

I got the SLR version when they were selling them off cheap in Asda (£9).

To be honest I have hardly used it as it is too large to fit in my camera bag easily.

Most of the things you would wrap it round (fences, posts etc) are actually quite good things to lean the camera against/on anyway, so no great gain there either.

youmademerealise · 5th May 2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger

I got the SLR version when they were selling them off cheap in Asda (£9).

To be honest I have hardly used it as it is too large to fit in my camera bag easily.

Most of the things you would wrap it round (fences, posts etc) are actually quite good things to lean the camera against/on anyway, so no great gain there either.

I did have a giggle at the ad with the guy would has it strapped to his arm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

Cheers for the advice ABB

I have a second hand D40, largest lens i have is a Nikon 55-200 so nothing too heavy. They range from £30 to £60 for a ball head and have decent reviews on Amazon. Just wondered if anyone on here uses one regular with a DSLR and what they thought of them.
.

How many scenarios are you going to find where you can actually strap them to something?

Seem totally pointless to me. Are they supposed to save you the embarrassment of carrying a tripod?

Dodger · 5th May 2010, 10:50 AM

How many scenarios are you going to find where you can actually strap them to something?

Seem totally pointless to me. Are they supposed to save you the embarrassment of carrying a tripod?[/QUOTE]

I thought initially they would be handy to have in your kit bag mainly for ease of carrying about day to day rather than carrying a full size tripod. Scenarios longer exposure shots, shot's near to the ground in awkward places, above head hight shots with timer/remote setting ect. Some even have a spirit level attached to minimise wonky horizons

I don't own one, I seen them on the net so i was asking for feedback on there worth before splashing out on something that i may not use very often. After looking on youtube at the reviews i won't bother buying one as they do look unsteady.

Roger makes a good point that in many cases the pole or fence you would have used to strap it to you would lean against for stability anyway.

youmademerealise · 5th May 2010, 02:02 PM

Many cheap tripods weigh next to nothing anyway. Admittedly they are the type that will blow away in a light breeze, but as long as you can use a cable release they will still serve you well in good conditions with compacts and light slrs

keeps21 · 5th May 2010, 02:11 PM

I more often use mine as a flash stand when using off camera flash.

Dodger · 6th May 2010, 10:34 AM

Cheers for your input

I bought my tripod after searching the net and reading reviews, There are some very cheap tripods to be had but with bad reviews and some look realy flimsy.

I ended up buying a second hand Velbon off e-bay. Similar price to a new less quality tripod, it's not the lightest and it's been used regular before i bought it but it is sturdy and i do trust it with a DSLR.

If i do get into photography in a bigger way i will eventually upgrade my camera and accessories but jobs a goodun at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeps21

I more often use mine as a flash stand when using off camera flash.

Good idea, they seem to be more use for that situation.