Gorillas In Our Midst: The Gorillapod and Gorillapod SLR Zoom Reviewed [Archive]

Vincent Ferrari

03-13-2007, 04:00 PM

<img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/2256/ferrari_gorillapod_figure0.jpg" /> Product Category: Tripod Manufacturer: Joby USA Where to Buy: Amazon.com (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP1-00EN-Gorillapod-Flexible-Tripod/dp/B000EVSLRO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4807839-0647654?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1173115949&sr=8-1">Standard </a>/ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP3-01EN-Gorillapod-SLR-Zoom-Flexible/dp/B000KFRSG4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/105-4807839-0647654?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1173115949&sr=8-3">SLR Zoom</a>) Price: $46.99 USD for the SLR Zoom model, $19.55 for the original model (Prices are USD) System Requirements: N/A Specifications: SLR Zoom: 9.8 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches, 8.5 ounces; Original: 1.2 x 1.2 x 5.9 inches, 0.8 ounces Pros (Applies to Both)<li> Infinitely positionable; <li> Can be wrapped around strange objects; <li> Excellent on uneven surfaces.Cons (Applies to Both)<li> Standard GorillaPod is a bit light and doesn't counterbalance your camera; <li> SLR Zoom model requires purchase of a tripod head for full functionality; <li> Can be a bit finnicky to get into the right position.Summary Looking more like a gadget than a photography tool, the GorillaPod seems more like a sci-fi medical device than an important part of a gear bag. Is it? Read on for the full review!<!> <PAGEBREAK> What The Heck Is A GorillaPod? I heard about the GorillaPod last year. They introduced what has now become known as the standard model and it was received lovingly by the photography community, or at least most of it. Turns out, they forgot a group of photographers who tends to spend a lot of money: SLR owners. The original model is nowhere strong enough to hold an SLR with even a minimal zoom on it. Joby corrected the problem somewhat with the introduction of the SLR model, but even then, a big zoom (like my Canon 100-300) would tip it over, bend it, etc. Finally, Joby introduced the SLR Zoom model, and it's made like a tank. The crowd rejoiced. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/2256/ferrari_gorillapod_figure1.jpg" /> Figure 1: The GorillaPod SLR Zoom and the GorillaPod side by side. The GorillaPod is a brilliant idea. It's a series of small plastic balls, each with a rubber grip on the outer circumference. Each "leg" can be rotated, twisted, and turned into myriad of positions, giving you the ability to pretty much level the GorillaPod on any surface. On top of that, you can twist the legs around objects, allowing you to take some pretty unique photos from angles you wouldn't otherwise be able to get. The question is, for all the promises, does it hold up? <PAGEBREAK> The Baby Gorilla The original GorillaPod is excellent for point and shoot cameras. It's really small and fits easily inside your gear bag. In fact, I lost mine inside my daily bag. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/2256/ferrari_gorillapod_figure2.jpg" /> Figure 2: The clip attached to my SD800. Along with the GorillaPod, Joby includes a clip that you attach to the standard tripod thread on your camera. That clip is designed to pop off the tripod with the touch of a button and lets you grab the camera off of it and continue shooting. It's nice to not have to spin the GorillaPod around 200 times to get the camera off it and Joby gets a pat on the back for this. I found the original GorillaPod to be pretty stable. Granted, you won't be able to lean on it to shoot or anything ridiculous, but it does an admirable job of holding the camera steady while you line up a shot. It's also good for macro shots, although you may have to hold down one leg if you tip the camera forward. Because of its light weight, there's no counterweight to your camera, so be careful on those canyon ledges! One nice design point from the original model is that it has what could best be described as an extension where the legs meet that gives you a lot of flexibility in pointing the camera. I particularly like that you don't need to strap a big and heavy ball head on top of a relatively small gadget. <PAGEBREAK> The Big Daddy Gorilla Knowing I would use the GorillaPod more with my Canon Rebel XT, the first GorillaPod I bought was the SLR Zoom model. I always have trouble shooting my 100-300 handheld because it has no image stabilization and I figured if I could carry a small tripod with me, I would also carry the monster 100-300 more often. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/2256/ferrari_gorillapod_figure3.jpg" /> Figure 3: Rebel XT with Canon 100-300 lens on the GorillaPod SLR Zoom. I was initially concerned that the GorillaPod wouldn't be able to withstand the weight of the camera and the weight of the lens. My concerns were immediately alleviated when I stood the 100-300 on the floor and it had no problem standing upright. In fact, the GorillaPod is quite big as evidenced by my adult female cat Patches standing next to it as I tried to shoot the photos for this review. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/2256/ferrari_gorillapod_figure4.jpg" /> Figure 4: Patches wants to examine the softbox I used just a bit more closely. In fact, the only problem I had with the SLR Zoom model was that it doesn't come with a ball head, quick release, or any other means for attaching your camera to the tripod itself. There's a screw on a pad at the top, but that's really meant for you to mount your own tripod head on. I thought finding an appropriate tripod head would be a relatively straightforward and simple process, but it wasn't. I ordered a head from B&H in New York City, and when it arrived, I couldn't get it all the way onto the screw. After a day of trying, I gave up. Then I contacted a friend of mine who recently bought the same GorillaPod and asked him which ball head he was using. He recommended a model that I've been very happy with so far (the Slik SBH 100, roughly $20) and it's been roses ever since. Joby includes an adapter screw for 3/8" tripod heads if yours won't fit. If you choose to mount your camera directly on the screw at the top, you lose quite a bit of aiming and composition ability because the platform is pretty much fixed in its location and you can't move it. It's doable, but in reality you lose a lot of the neato factor by doing it. <PAGEBREAK> Something To Go Bananas Over? I'm happy, overall, with both. They serve the purposes they were meant to, and give you some neat composition options with their ability to grab onto stuff and balance out even on uneven turf (stairs are a good one). I've found that both of them provide enough stability to hold the camera steady for long exposure shots, and I'm very happy with how convenient they both are to carry. Without a doubt they're worth the money. You may not be blown away and you may not profess your undying love for them, but you will find more and more creative uses for them, and if you do, you can post them to their <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/gorillapod/pool/">flickr group</a>! If you've tried one and liked it, let me know in the comments. I'm interested to hear what you think. I'm a gadget guy and I love stuff like this, so it'll be interesting to see what everyone else's opinions are! In the end, it's nice to see something that could easily be dismissed as "gadgety" live up to its marketing promises. Vincent M. Ferrari is a blogger, photographer wannabe, digital media junkie, and Apple fanboy from the Bronx, New York. His most famous accomplishment is canceling his AOL account which got him an inordinate amount of fame, something he still brags about to all his friends. When he's not taking down multi-billion dollar corporations, he's writing on his <a href="http://www.insignificantthoughts.com">own blog</a>, <a href="http://www.theaterofmymind.com">taking photos</a>, and working as a Producer for the <a href="http://www.ilifezone.com">iLifeZone</a> podcast.