Gorillapod SLR Zoom - any users?

[Chris]

Investigating a more lightweight tripod than the beautiful one I currently use but rarely carry very far, I kept finding enthusiastic references to Gorillapods (don't laugh Adam - though I certainly did when they first came up).

Are there any users out there, happy or not? I'm particularly interested in the SLR Zoom model to accommodate my Canon 300D with 75-300 zoom (total weight 1.21Kg).

I have read and tried to digest all the advice on lightweight tripods on BWT, but the Gorillapods don't get much of a mention.

[tasadam]

Not laughing. There's a few users of them here on the forum
search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keywords=gorillapod

Not stable enough for my liking, particularly with that much camera weight. More zoom = more critical is the stability of the support for a sharp, clear image.

How heavy is your current tripod? What is it?

[Chris]

1.54Kg.
It's >40 years old (originally Athol's) - Sciansky tripod and Leitz ball and socket.
One forum member uses his with a compact camera; not sure what sthughes uses?
No-one said much about them except that they use them; lots apparently being sold, but ? results.

[tasadam]

I think they're ok for a light weight point & shoot (compact). I wouldn't use one on an SLR. But then, I haven't used one.
I'll search for some reviews when time permits.
Cheers!

[Chris]

Thanks Adam. That was certainly my impression initially; then I saw that they had produced one specifically for DSLR with zoom and wondered.
http://cameralabs.com/reviews/Joby_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom/ was enthusiastic, but I'm not sure how biased they may be.
Cheers. Chris.

[Drifting]

From memory there's one that holds more weight, but I can't remember the name of it. Made by Joby though.

[tazz]

I purchased a generic version from an online chinese camera shop,this one has a claimed maximum capacity of 3kg.probably ok with a heavy camera and lense tied to a tree branch or something but I wouldn,t fully trust it otherwise. The quality of it seems ok.

[tasadam]

More options -

Shopbot

eBay

[Chris]

Thanks Adam.
I get the message that it would be fun to play with, but still haven't decided whether it's going to be stable enough.
At least it won't break the bank though!

[tasadam]

Have you looked at the UltraPod?
They make an UltraPod II as well. There's some user reviews here.

I have an UltraPod that doesn't get used, you're welcome to borrow & see if it suits your needs. PM me if you're interested.
At least it's rigid.

Another option, something I would class as small, but not that small, and not lightweight, but definitely stable and solid -
The Kirk Mighty Low Boy.
Probably not what you're looking for, but we have one of these not being used as well, we have the Benro KB-1 ballhead mounted on it.
Total weight less than 2 KG... But like I said, solid!

More options...
Google found me this mini tripod reviews site.

[Nuts]

I used a gorillapod style with my film olympus and 50mm prime, worked ok for what it was. Chris's setup is lightweight...

[tasadam]

Chris's setup is lightweight...

The Mighty Low boy is a solution to that!

[Nuts]

yer, hey there are a heap in that link, lotsa options, I have a great big benbo uni-lok and a tiny little silk nothing so small or light as many of them though.