Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras
Rating:  -
I was interested in this product mainly for its ability to screw into cameras and my GPS. It's so lightweight it's barely there, which is a plus and a minus. It's wonderful as a tripod for digital point and shoot cameras, and the design is very cool. But the specs for weight are very precise--the device you can screw it into cannot weigh more than 11.5 oz. (which may be stretching it a bit)--unfortunately my wide screen GPS and my camera overwhelmed this delicate little model. The adhesive clips hold about 10 oz. and the suction cup 7 oz. If in doubt, upgrade.
Rating:  -
This odd contraption looks like something out of War of the Worlds, which actually makes it a kind of cool visually. On top of that, in theory, it's actually an incredible concept. But how good it works probably depends on how you use it.
I'll start with the legs themselves. Comprised of a series of plastic balls with rubber skid-resistant rims, eack of the 3 legs is flexible. But you don't have to fear it being a rubber band-like experience that won't support your MP3 player, digital camera or other electronic handheld equipment. Bend these 3 legs into any shape and they stay in that position--and the weight of your product won't interfere with the hold. The legs can be twisted and shaped in any way you see fit, and still keep balance, not tipping over. The box even shows them wrapped around a vertical pole holding a camera, but I don't know if I'd be willing to try anything vertical, despite the firm grip and the rubberized rims on the balls.
The real problem starts with the included adapters that you can use to connect your product to the stand. I personally used mine for my Ipod, and at first, despite my skepticism, I quickly got into it and thought it the coolest product for when I was sitting at my desk at work with my pod. Thing is, I have a nice pleather case for my pod to protect it from scratches and bumps, but you can't attach the included suction cup adapter to the pleather surface, so you have to take the pod out of its protective case. The other option is the included, 'permanent' adhesive clip--but then you're basically sticking sticky tape to your 300 or more dollar pod. I guess it depends on how you care for your own pod, but that wasn't an option for me--so I couldn't even determine how permanent that adhesive would be. The suction cup itself made me nervous, but the box assures you it has a super strong hold. You press the cup down onto the back of your pod, then flick a switch and it locks in place. I was amazed at how it stuck like glue ALL day. But, at the end of the day, to fit my pod back in its pleather case, I had to detach the suction cup. Well guess what? Next day when I arrived at work and tried to set up shop again, the suction cup would not hold on anymore at ALL. Every time I thought it was locked in place, it would slip off WHILE I was attaching the clip to the stand. So now my pod can come tumbling to my desk at anytime--without its protective leather case? I tried to clean the back of the pod of any dust or fingerprints. I cleaned the suction cup. But nothing worked. So basically, that put an end to this product for me.
But to continue, the optional adapter all slide into place on the groove on top of the stand. No fear of them slipping out because there's a locking mechanism, and you need to firmly press the 'joby' button to unlock it.
As for the camera adapter, it uses a screw, which I assume is pretty much universal to all digital cameras? I don't know, so I'd rather not give any opinion on this one, and just leave that to other reviewers using this for a camera.
Great product in concept, but my real concern is assuring that your product is going to stay attached to the adapter of your choice. The suction cup failed in my case, the adhesive might be perfect for you if you plan to permanently use the stand and don't mind having the adapter permanently attached to your product, and the camera screw is probably the safest bet if it's universal, but I can't verify that since I don't use it for a digital camera.
Rating:  -
I use the Gorillapod with my Panasonic Lumix TZ5 and I assume it works with all the Lumix lines since they have the same standard tripod mount. This device has single-handedly changed the way I take pictures! I recently went with my gf on vacation and we were able to get such amazing shots of the both of us in a huge variety of settings because we were able to take great "self portrait" and night time pictures - and all without bothering other people to constantly take photos for us!
Pros:
- Small and portable (about as big as a thick magic marker when compressed). It's light and I carry it around in the pocket of my cargo shorts all the time.
- Flexible legs can be used to grip around just about anything. And I mean anything! This enables amazing and creative camera shots. I have been pleasantly surprised by its ability to grip/hold onto different surfaces and structures. We hung it on trees, railings, set it up on the street, on cars, tables, chairs, etc.
- Get the shot you want using "self picture". How many times have I bothered some stranger to take a picture for me so that everyone can be in the picture? Usually, they don't frame it exactly as you like and you are lucky to get a couple of shots in before you feel like you're imposing. With the Gorillapod, those are issues of the past!
- Great for night pictures or any picture with a long exposure. Again, this is true of any tripod but who is going to lug around a big tripod just to take better night time shots?
- The tripod is rubber/plastic. So its ok to keep in your bag or purse without fear of scratching whatever else is in there.
Cons:
- The neck has some trouble holding the weight of my camera in a fixed position. The mount attaches to the side of my Lumix camera. Because of that, in certain positions, the neck of the tripod sometimes folds under the weight of the camera - particularly in situations where the camera is already tilted a little relative to the legs of the tripod. So far, I've usually been able to position the camera in such a way as to overcome this issue. If your mount is in the middle of your camera base, then probably won't be a big issue. I can only imagine this will be an even bigger issue with heavy DSLRs.
----------------------------------------------------------
As for the Bottle Cap Tripod, it's actually very useful as well. It's not really a tripod, more of a mount.
Pros:
- You can mount it onto the top of a variety of bottles. Soda, beer, water bottles will all work, and it works with both threaded and unthreaded bottles. Basically anything with a small mouth. For extra stability, it's helpful to mount it on a bottle with liquid.
- The base pivots and turns so that you can find the right angle for your shot
- Smaller and more compact than the Gorillapod. Not much bigger than two bottlecaps together.
- Great for night time pics (especially at a restaurant at night where there should be plenty of bottles and the need for a steady mount if you're not using flash)
Cons
- Can only use it on flat surfaces (unlike the flexibility of the Gorillapod) and obviously, it requires a bottle.
In summary, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Gorillapod. As for the Bottle Cap, I think it's unnecessary if you are carrying around the Gorillapod. However, it's definitely useful by itself and is small enough that you can throw it in your bag and forget about it until you need it. So if the price is right, might as well get them both!
Rating: -
I use this tripod with my Panasonic Lumix TZ5 and I assume it works with all the Lumix lines since they have the same standard tripod mount. This device has single-handedly changed the way I take pictures! I recently went with my gf on vacation and we were able to get such amazing shots of the both of us in a huge variety of settings because we were able to take "self timer" pictures of ourselves - and all without bothering other people to constantly take photos for us! The picture taker is always missing from a shot, but not with the Gorillapod!
Pros:
- Small and portable. Lightweight and easy to carry around. I carry it around in the pocket of my cargo shorts all the time. I'm certainly not going to lug a big tripod around. So for me, it's either this or nothing.
- Flexible legs can be used to grip around just about anything. This enables amazing and creative camera shots. And I mean anything! We hung it on trees, railings, set it up on the street, on cars, tables, chairs, etc.
- Get the shot you want using "self picture". How many times have I bothered some stranger to take a picture for me so that everyone can be in the picture? Usually, they don't frame it exactly as you like, you are lucky to get a couple of shots before you feel like you're imposing and it's impossible to take the time to set the camera to settings that create a good picture. With the Gorillapod, those are issues of the past!
- Great for night pictures or any picture with a long exposure. Again, this is true of any tripod but who is going to lug around a big tripod just to take better night time shots?
Cons:
- Has some trouble holding weight of camera in a fixed position. The mount attaches to the side of my Lumix camera. Because of that, in certain positions, the neck of the tripod sometimes folds under the weight of the camera - particularly in situations where the camera is already tilted a little relative to the legs of the tripod. So far, I've usually been able to position the camera in such a way as to overcome this issue. However, if the base/neck of the tripod was much stiffer, would be better. If your mount is in the middle of your camera base, then probably won't be a big issue.
All in all, don't hesitate to buy this tripod. It has completely changed the type of pictures I take and dramatically increased my picture taking as well!
Rating: -
I got this as I love taking photographs and have had experiences in which I have wished I had a tripod like this so I could place it in places in which my regular tripod wouldn't fit.
First thing to mention is that this thing is so small I don't think I will use it, and not because it is a bad product, but the problem is that I own a Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, which is quite big for this little add-on. As soon as I placed it on it the little thing fell down, which means I will not be able to use it at least for that camera.
I do own a little Flip video camera and it worked marvelous with it, since the camera is light and small, I could place it in lots of places without the tripod even moving.
Bottom-line, it is a good product if you intend to use it with small cameras, take a look at a Sony DSC-H2, if your camera is similar in size or bigger, don't get this.
|
