Gorillapod

[North West Tom]

Are they worth it? Are they any good? Thinking about getting one, either the SLR or SLR Zoom.

Where's the best place to buy them?

[toasty]

I've got the SLR version and it's only really up to the job with the smallest of lenses.

If you're going to get one, get the zoom version.

[Spudler]

toasty said:

If you're going to get one, get the zoom version.

+1. Great bit of kit. Think i got mine off Amazon.

[Speed addicted]

Go with the zoom version, I've found that the smaller version tends to move slowly down on long exposures.
It is very handy to be able to clamp it to handrails or balance it on rocks. Not so handy if there is nothing about to put it on.

Overall good and well worth having.

[markmullen]

Has anyone tried the focus model?

[North West Tom]

Is the ballhead worth the extra 30 quid?

[ian in lancs]

Gave mine away and bought some sticks of licorice instead! Useless! I either use the ISO to get a faster shutter speed, tripod or mono pod or if traveling I locally buy a bag of rice or pasta as a modifiable support. Keep meaning to get some lighter polystyrene beads - one day!

[Nick M]

North West Tom said:

Is the ballhead worth the extra 30 quid?

£30 ? Maybe...

But if you're patient you can find it on Amazon for £17.50. I'd put it in my 'wish list' because I wasn't sure I could justify £30, but then noticed the price had dropped so snapped it up.

It's well made and hold the camera well, but it's nothing particularly special.

[vtecstu]

Assume that it still works perfectly well without the ballhead...?

[andy-xr]

ian in lancs said:

I use the ISO to get a faster shutter speed

Ditto, something as weighty as the D700, even with just a 50mm on it and my Gorillapod sank to it's knees. Fine for something like D40 with kit lens weights

[Nick M]

vtecstu said:

Assume that it still works perfectly well without the ballhead...?

Yep, but the ballhead makes it easier to get the camera into the right orientation if, for example, you've wrapped the legs round something rather than just using it as a normal tripod.

[Stu R]

I think they're superb, use mine fairly regularly too (compact and SLR)

[Gad-Westy]

Just wondering here as I was thinking of getting one of these. Those having trouble with these sinking, are they using the standard SLR version or the zoom version?

[bobs4c]

This is just my understanding, but I could be wrong. I was going to buy the SLR version but it wouldn't cope with my 40D plus a lens - too heavy for the spec. That meant I'd need the SLR Zoom version, but this cannot be directly attached to your camera, so you need to buy a ball & socket head as well. This brought the cost to an unacceptable level for occasional use as I have a nice tripod and that doesn't get used often!

Bob

[Gad-Westy]

bobs4c said:

This is just my understanding, but I could be wrong. I was going to buy the SLR version but it wouldn't cope with my 40D plus a lens - too heavy for the spec. That meant I'd need the SLR Zoom version, but this cannot be directly attached to your camera, so you need to buy a ball & socket head as well. This brought the cost to an unacceptable level for occasional use as I have a nice tripod and that doesn't get used often!

Bob

I see. That does put a different perspective on things. I see these as a cheap toy to use occasionally so I'm in the same boat. Don't want to spend £50+ on one.

[CooperD]

Bought one the other day off Amazon with the revolving ball head. It seems to be alright. Tried it with my Olympus E410 with a 70-300mm zoom on it and it was fine.

[markmullen]

I'm thinking of going for the Focus model as it has to support a 1D MK2 and a 24-105 F4IS which together is a weighty combo, was thinking of putting another Giottos head on it so I keep the same QR plate as my main tripod.