Which Mini Tripod – Joby Gorillapod/GP Magnetic or Pedco Ultrapod?

I should have said smartphone and point and shoot photography, of course forgot first post can’t be edited.

I used the Ultrapods for many years and switched to a Gorillapod (classic, or original, or whatever; I’m not sure they still make it…?) a few years ago. I do prefer the Gorillapod. Maybe the best part is the QR ‘plate’ for the camera making for a quick setup, but I’m not sure any of the current models have a QR system. It also conforms to uneven ground more easily, and you can hang it from branches without needing to resort to a velcro strap (though I do have a thin one wrapped around one leg). The grippy feet also are nice. It is perhaps a little more affected by wind since it’s less rigid, but I just lean a rock up against it if it’s breezy. The leg joints don’t seem to loosen up over time in my experience. I tried one of the cheap copies off eBay but it was crap. The rubber rings on the leg sections started to chip off and the plastic cracked at the ball joints. The original Joby seems solid.

RE: quick release plates

My mirrorless cameras have Arca Swiss plates.  I use the Newer® Fish Bone quick release for tripod head with Pedco Ultrapod II. Works great to provide a stable platform.

If I were looking just to stabilize my smartphone for photography, I would probably use the Joby GripTight.

I have the Ultrapod, a couple of Joby mini tripods, and a Manfroto PIXI tripod. The Joby is my least favorite for stability and the legs get loose over time so I can’t rely on it to hold tightly. The Manfroto is the heaviest but most stable and quickest to deploy. I’d buy an Ultrapod again if I had to. I’d also install a slim quick release plate.

Thank you Philip, Bruce and Mike.

Philip, how heavy is the camera you’re using on the Gorillapod? Are you using the light GP that supports 325g? By the way, my wife and I love your films. Just watched your last one and neglected to comment. Went to bed with Alaska dreams…

Bruce the Ultrapod II is very solid, but heavier and larger than the Ultrapod. I might use that for a heavier camera, but as you noted for a large smartphone or RX100-sized point and shoot, I’d try to stay more compact and lighter.

Mike are you using a heavier camera? What kind of quick-release plate would you install? I’m assuming that quick release plate would be only for a point and shoot or mirrorless, not for a smartphone, right?

I’m planning to use a smartphone holder with a cold shoe, like the Ulanzi ST-03 (which I just posted about on another thread), which screws into the light tripod.

Yes, I’m using light cameras. I always carry a GoPro and also a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 or -ZS40 (both under 250 grams). I use this Gorillapod

As you can probably tell from my videos, I only use the tripods for self-exposure scenes (normally wide angle shots). I hand hold all telephoto shots (animals, etc). Since the cameras are so light, I have pretty modest tripod needs.

Hey Ethan,
I am mostly using iPhones and compact P&S cameras with those tripods. I do sometimes put a QR plate on a smartphone holder when I am also bringing a small camera for tripod use. It just makes it easier to swap cameras to the tripod. A slim arca plate works well but I’ve also used a full size manfroto QR plate on a small camera when using a larger tripod with a dSLR.

I like that Ulanzi ST-03. If you are just carrying a smartphone then you obviously don’t need a QR plate – they just come in handy sometimes. I’ve been using the Shure MV-88 mic with my iPhone so I haven’t needed an external hotshoe mount.

If I didn’t have a hotshoe mount, I’d probably make something custom using Instamorph (reusable plastic pellets that become moldable in hot water) or Sugru.

I have the Ultrapod, Platypod, and Gorillapod.   Of the three, the Gorillapod functions the best for phones and P&S cameras.

I use ultrapod. It’s lighter, and seems more solid IMO than the Gorillapod.  I wanted to like the gorrillapod, but just found it more likely to move during timelapses and stuff.

Ultrapod plus super light Arca-compaible clamp, plus voile strap where the Ultrapod’s original velcro strap went. Works great for me and closes the distance in features vs the Gorillapod, at a lighter weight.

The Ultrapod is light and I like the simple leg design.

Several high-profile vloggers are in love with the Switchpod, a Kickstarter-funded replacement for Gorillapods that’s much stronger, more stable, and easier to hold. And unlike Gorillapods, Switchpods don’t wear out and collapse without warning.

Unfortunately, Switchpods weigh 11 ounces – a pretty big hit for backpackers, especially compared to the 3.2 ounce Ultrapod. But maybe some will like it.

— Rex