All I can say is that I am glad that I bought the original Joby Gorillapod. After seeing, feeling and trying the cheap imitation, I was relieved that I invested on my tripod.

The Original Gorillapod in grey, the Cebu Pacific Mini flexi-tripod in orange

 
At first glance they really look similar. Same size, same design. The flexi-tripod (a.k.a. Goofypod in some countries. What the heck?), can copy any position the Gorillapod can. It also comes with that clip thing to attach the camera to the tripod. And it comes in colors! (I bought my Gorillapod before they came out with the colored version. Boo!)

Bent over

 
That’s where the similarity ends, though. When handling the Gorillapod, one of the first things you’ll notice is that it’s pretty hard to position the legs. Not because it’s not flexible, but because it’s (for lack of better word), tight. In contrast, the flexi-tripod is very very loose. Think of it this way: the flexi tripod moves like a graceful dancer, while the Gorillapod is dacing the robot.

With my antique A70 loaded with 4 AA-size battery

 
This, however, plays a factor on how stable the tripods are. The Gorillapod with its strong joints, as well as its grips makes it a really stable tripod. The rubber grips of the flexi-tripod, on the other hand, is very smooth, which makes it prone to slipping. Don’t get me wrong, you *can* still use the tripod; it’s not totally useless. I was able to put my rather heavy Canon Powershot A70 on it and it managed to stay upright. I doubt that I would use it if I’m to attach the tripod to a chair back or a winebottle.

In the end, I am not regretting my decision to shell out Php1,400 for my Joby Gorillapod. Afterall, I am getting quality for that price. The flexi-tripod can be used as a regular tripod, but you don’t buy a Gorillapod-like tripod just to use it in the conventional way, right?

Anything you can do, I can do as well. Though not necessarily better.

 
You don’t have to get onboard a Cebu Pacific flight to buy this flexi-tripod. I was at Quiapo last Saturday and saw similar tripods being sold at the photography shops around Hidalgo. The point and shoot version sells for Php 450, while the SLR version costs Php 1,800 at Henry’s Cam (fronting SM Carriedo). Remember, you get what you pay for.

Not surprisingly, it pains me to see this inside Cebu Pacific’s latest Smile, their inflight magazine on my flight back to Manila yesterday:

What the hell?

 
Labeled as the CEB Camera Flexi Tripod in Pouch, this technically isn’t THE Gorillapod, but looks surprisingly close to one.

I wonder how it would compare to the original though. Is it as sturdy? As flexible? As stable? Does it grip as well as the original Gorillapod? I made the huge mistake of being cheap and not buying it so I can compare the two. Anybody have Cebu Pacific’s version of the Gorillapod? I would love to hear your reviews about it!

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.

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:

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.