Gorillapod SLR

[Stephen Nelson]

an amazingly useful and sturdy tripod for even heavy SLR cameras. It is light (5.8 oz) and very durable. I love it

[Craig Shelley]

I don't like it at all. Maybe some of these work and some don't. My camera with batteries is within the weight range specified for operation. The camera gets dumped into the sand/dirt. I wouldn't dare put it high off the ground, like on a fence post. The fall for the camera would be fatal, most likely. And yes, my review is also for the SLR Gorillapod.

[b d]

I rarely bother to review items I would not use or which deserve less than a 4, but this chain caught my eye. Owning a GorillaPod for SLRs I can't recommend it for a person trying to go UL. So I agree with the esteemed rock climber and dangler Craig S. But, I also agree with Stephen N. that it is a good piece of equipment.

I think the real issue is what camera to use and not what tripod.

If it were me personally and I didn't care what others do as a consequence of anything I write or recommend then I would give it a 5 or 4 — because I would only use it rarely.

There are cameras out which weigh less than a combination GorillaPod and heavier SLR which will do the job and can easily be supported by the lightest weight tripod or "pod" type tripods.

There are card cameras that pro-photo friends of mine are using which blow my mind because they are smaller than my wallet, but probly could cost more than it would hold.

I would look for a camera first, then I would worry about a tripod unit.

For me the GorillaPod works, but it satisfies me because I am used to having to carry full weight am-pro gear/tripods around for years for longer timed photos or to shoot wildlife at a fixed location in a fraction of a second — like hummingbirds at a feeder. Which reminds me, the newer digitals can be pushed to an 1800 speed for darker shots. And, there are free photo programs you can use to add the light as though it was a longer exposure shot originally — without losing much detail.

So I give it a 3 because it is what it is, but I sure wouldn't fight about it nor would I carry the GorillaPod with me into the backcountry. I would actually carry a disposable camera or a more expensive card camera and bolt in a MYOG fixture with wires on it to stick around junk or support it (mainly if I was interested in self portraits). bd

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