Review: Joby Gorillapod

IMG_1459I remember 4 years ago when I was taking a photography workshop, I borrowed my brother’s gear: his camera bag with the SLR body and all his lenses and filters, even his tripod. The bag was heavy enough and with the tripod, I was a walking accident. I never really got to use that tripod anyway. Silly me.

Enter the Gorillapod. It’s not a bulky 6-foot tripod, but it can go up to 6 ft or higher, given the right tree or other object I can secure it to. You can actually secure it to almost anything, even wine bottles (yes, I’ve tried it). And the best thing about it? I can fit inside my teeny handbag!

From the official Joby website:
 
 

The Gorillapod is the ideal camera accessory for photographers on the go. Throw it in your pocket or backpack and you’ll be ready for your next adventure! While the Gorillapod serves all the functions of a traditional camera tripod – steadying your camera under low-light conditions, taking timed group shots, etc. – it is the only tripod malleable enough to provide you with the perfect shot while wrapped around a tree branch, hanging from a pole, or perched on a jagged rock. The possibilities are endless!

The bendy legs are fun. It’s every frustrated contorionists’ wet dream. You can bend and twist it whichever way to fit the contour of the object you’re securing your camera to. Each joint has a rubber grip in it, so your Gorillapod won’t easily slip when it’s attached.

IMG_8977IMG_8980

I have the Original Gorillapod, which is suitable for compact point & shoot cameras. As you can see, it worked well with the Canon Powershot cameras, as well as the Canon Ixus line. Joby also have two variants for SLR cameras: the Gorillapod SLR and the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom. To know which Gorillapod is for you, head on to Joby’s Gorillapod selector tool.

Thanks to the Gorillapod, I was able to take photos under low-light conditions, which would’ve turned out blurred had I took it with shaky hands:

Manila Bay SunsetRoxas & DeweyRajah Sulayman FountainBeing silly

The last picture was obviously thrown in to balance the photo layout XD But as you can see, the Gorillapod (or any tripod for that matter) is perfect if you’re to shy to ask random strangers to take your photo while you all lie down on your tummy in the hotel corridor.

Nina’s tip on using the Gorillapod:

  • Secure the legs first before clipping your camera to the Gorillapod.
  • Double lock your camera using the lock ring. I used to hate having to use the lock ring, because it was a pain to unlock, but one time I pressed the release button accidentaly and my camera started slipping off. Good thing I caught it on time! So yes, utilize the lock ring!
  • Straight is boring! Well, not really boring, but not as stable as bending in various positions. Err, that still doesn’t sound right. When using the Gorillapod on a flat surface, it’s better to bend the legs (ala octopus) to make it more stable. I had one instance of my Gorillapod tipping because I didn’t position the legs properly.
  • Ensure that it’s secure. Again, double check your Gorillapod is secure and stable before clipping in your camera.
  • Put one leg forward. I find that it’s best to position one of the legs in front, specially when using heavier point and shoot cameras when using the Gorillapod on a flat surface. I guess it balances the weight of the lens when it’s..erm…extended?

The Original Gorillapod is available at the Joby website for $24.95. In the Philippines, the Gorillapod is distributed by JT Photoworld. I bought mine at 5th Avenue for Php1,400.


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Comments

16 responses to “Review: Joby Gorillapod”

  1. gita Avatar

    ive been wanting to get one too. pero i always end up buying pinky dolls instead. hahaha… 😉

  2. ajay Avatar

    Cute!

    I think we saw this during our Diamond lunch, when you sat beside the JT owner, haha

  3. nina Avatar

    Hahaha, naalala mo pa yun Ajay! 😀 I made sure I had a working camera first before I bought the Gorillapod XD

    Gita! Stop muna ang pag bili ng Pinkies, bili muna ng Gorillapod! 😉

  4. kaoko Avatar

    Wow, 1.4k? I always assumed it was much much pricier! I want muchies. But maybe if I manage to snag an SLR. Right now, good old 100 peso purse tripod is still serving me well. It’s really the gripping possibilities that has me…well, gripped 😛

  5. nina Avatar

    Well, the Gorillapod SLR is pricier…about 2x the original. But yes…Gorillapod is love ^_^

  6. Mike Avatar

    Nina, great write-up. I bought the GorillaPod for my Canon Rebel a couple of months ago and I absolutely love it!

  7. davidd (aka puuikibeach) Avatar
    davidd (aka puuikibeach)

    “straight is boring”
    “various positions”
    “position the legs properly”
    “erm… extended….”

    I’m thinking you had a little too much fun researching this review. And that you probably have a few related photos you aren’t making public.

  8. nina Avatar

    Have I not mentioned how my friend took one look at the Gorillapod and said he thought it was a butt plug? XD

  9. khursten Avatar

    This is why I should consider getting a tripod for christmas. OH! The possibilities! :3 Bendy legs love! :3

  10. miss.adventures Avatar

    hey thanks for the info on gorillapod. can’t wait to get my own!

  11. […] love my Gorillapod. When people see me using it, they all look at it in amazement and it always end up with them […]

  12. carms Avatar

    where is 5th avenue? i really want one in yellow!!

  13. lori Avatar
    lori

    hi! nice blog you have here!Nice pictures too. I’m planning to buy a camera for my trip this September, could you give me some advice regarding what camera to buy? What camera brand/model are you using for your travels?

    Thanks. ^___^

  14. tine Avatar
    tine

    Can the gorillapod carry an SLR?

    1. nina Avatar

      Yup, they have two DSLR models available.

  15. karlettes Avatar
    karlettes

    pwede sama sa hand carry gorillapod? or sa check in baggage? thanks!

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