Anyone use a GorillaPod tripod?

Dangerspouse

Senior Member
I only recently heard of these, and it looks like something I'd use a lot in the woods around my house. Does anyone have one? Is it well made? Does it live up to the hype I've seen in online reviews? Thanks!
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
No. I use a Platypod with a ballhead. They have 2 different sizes.

https://platypod.com/

There might be other devices out there that also offer a low perspective. They are fun to use. :)
 
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Dangerspouse

Senior Member
No. I use a Platypod with a ballhead. They have 2 different sizes.

Thanks for that, Cindy! Wow, that's a really innovative design, I can see why you like it.

I was leaning towards the GorillaPod because I can't tell you how often I've been out in the woods and said, "If only I could mount the camera on this tree branch....". The G-Pod seems to have that capability with its fully articulating legs.

Gotta look into this more....

Thanks bunches!

:)
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Thanks for that, Cindy! Wow, that's a really innovative design, I can see why you like it.

I was leaning towards the GorillaPod because I can't tell you how often I've been out in the woods and said, "If only I could mount the camera on this tree branch....". The G-Pod seems to have that capability with its fully articulating legs.

Gotta look into this more....

Thanks bunches!

:)

You're welcome. Choose whatever seems like it will work best for your needs. The Platypod comes with a strap to secure it to posts but am not sure about tree branches - especially if they are smaller branches.

Initially I purchased the Platypod Ultra but eventually moved to the Platypod Max. The Ultra is kind of tippy when using certain lenses. But I am going to keep it to use as a tabletop support for a flash unit. And it will still work with smaller lenses. :)

The GorillaPod sounds like it will be very beneficial for your circumstances. :encouragement:
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
@Dangerspouse
I got the 3k a week ago and have been really enjoying it until I bumped the poorly designed quick release switch and the camera took a small tumble off the tripod while I was bringing it over to my camera bag. I can't trust that I wont touch the button accidentally again in less ideal conditions so I just exchanging it for the 5k version that has a twist knob to release the camera instead of the poorly designed push button. Its a great little tripod because its easily portable but the legs are the weak point. The heavier the lens, the more unstable the legs become. The only way I would trust them to hold on to a branch is with a light weight lens, nowhere near the "max" weight it claims it will hold. It will hold up my D800 with a 70-200 2.8 on slick counter tops,(the 3k version, I haven't received the 5k yet) but the legs want to do the splits unless you have a perfect angle. I would not trust them around a branch enough to walk away with that camera/lens combo. I did hang a D7500 and Sigma 18-35 1.8 from a banister for Christmas group shots and it worked flawlessly. It worked pretty good for some macro shots with a 100mm f2.8, but even the shutter had a big impact on the wobbly legs. As long as you are aware of the shortcomings of this tripod and don't expect it to be as stable as a larger one with solid legs, its fantastic! I liked it enough to give the bigger brother a chance after a fail with the smaller one. I plan on taking it snowboarding with me and hanging it from trees and stuff. There are "arms" you can get for additional accessories and/or strap attachments if you really need to hang heavy loads from the trees, but I plan on taking a 7500 and 70-300 which is lighter than the 18-35- that is if we ever get some snow.
 

Dangerspouse

Senior Member
@Dangerspouse
I got the 3k a week ago and have been really enjoying it until I bumped the poorly designed quick release switch and the camera took a small tumble off the tripod while I was bringing it over to my camera bag. I can't trust that I wont touch the button accidentally again in less ideal conditions so I just exchanging it for the 5k version that has a twist knob to release the camera instead of the poorly designed push button. Its a great little tripod because its easily portable but the legs are the weak point. The heavier the lens, the more unstable the legs become. The only way I would trust them to hold on to a branch is with a light weight lens, nowhere near the "max" weight it claims it will hold. It will hold up my D800 with a 70-200 2.8 on slick counter tops,(the 3k version, I haven't received the 5k yet) but the legs want to do the splits unless you have a perfect angle. I would not trust them around a branch enough to walk away with that camera/lens combo. I did hang a D7500 and Sigma 18-35 1.8 from a banister for Christmas group shots and it worked flawlessly. It worked pretty good for some macro shots with a 100mm f2.8, but even the shutter had a big impact on the wobbly legs. As long as you are aware of the shortcomings of this tripod and don't expect it to be as stable as a larger one with solid legs, its fantastic! I liked it enough to give the bigger brother a chance after a fail with the smaller one. I plan on taking it snowboarding with me and hanging it from trees and stuff. There are "arms" you can get for additional accessories and/or strap attachments if you really need to hang heavy loads from the trees, but I plan on taking a 7500 and 70-300 which is lighter than the 18-35- that is if we ever get some snow.

Hey man, thanks for taking the time to give me that great synopsis based on your first hand experience. I really appreciate it! I gotta ask - was your camera damaged when it took that nosedive? Damn, that's a scary thought.

Well then, I think I'll pass on the 3K model for sure. Would you do me a favor? When you get the 5K would you drop back here and tell me if you think the upgraded model is an improvement?

Thanks very much again, and I hope you get dumped on with a ton of snow! :encouragement:
 

NestorStura

Senior Member
Hi DS I can tell you my son's experience. He has used one of this for several years. Although he uses it with a Fuyi FF that is lighter than our DSLR.
Pros
1. You can hang it anywhere, trees, any kind of handrail or stand it over any firm surface. In his case, he travels alone -not married yet ;-) - and it is very useful to take very ineresting photos of himself.
2. Very light... You don't notice it in the backpack.
Cons
1. The durability of the legs. After moving them many times, the compression of the legs assemblies starts getting loose.

In summary, it is very interesting and cheap (I may buy one too) but don't expect to have it for many years.

If you do buy it please tell us your experience...
 

Dangerspouse

Senior Member
Hi DS I can tell you my son's experience. He has used one of this for several years......

Thank you so much Nestor, it was very nice of you to pass that along. (Tell your son to post some of his pictures here :encouragement: ) After getting some very good advice here I'm going to step back and think about this, maybe see what my other options are (like the 5K instead of the 3K). I'll let you know if I pick one up! :)
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
No damage, it was only about a foot away from the camera bag onto carpet when it slipped off, luckily. I also ordered a Peak Design strap. My thoughts are to tether the camera to the tree using the quick release strap for added security(and something a little more comfortable to wear under the snowboarding jacket). Really though, I haven't had any troubles with the legs using normal size lenses- even with the 3k. The Tokina 11-16 has been a gem with this tripod so far. Like Nestor pointed out though, I do worry about the longevity of the leg stiffness. But it has given shooting opportunities that weren't possible with a normal tripod and its fun to use!
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
DSC_5475.jpg
Here is a D7500/24-120 mounted in a tree on the 5K (man, I love Sunday delivery). The legs are much more sturdy than the 3K and no worries about the quick release ball head so far, there are no big buttons for my clumsy thumbs to bump. It seems like a much more secure connection. There is no physical bubble on the 5K like there was on the 3K, but a small price to pay.


D75_5265.jpg
Ok, now I am impressed. This is the same challenge I did earlier with the 70-200 2.8- slick counter tops with a D800 on the 3K. Unless the legs were setup with the perfect angle, the tripod wanted to do the splits. And that was just with the 70-200. This is the 5K with a Sigma 150-600 mounted on a D800 -and there is no wobble... yet. I don't think I will be able to do this once I have some mileage on it. Still, the brand new 3k that could hardly support the weight compared to the 5K that easily supports much more gives me better peace of mind in the long run. Not that I plan on testing out the weight limit often, but I am glad I swapped for the 5K,(and I will probably drop my camera 100% less often with the better designed quick release).
 

NestorStura

Senior Member
View attachment 327494
Here is a D7500/24-120 mounted in a tree on the 5K (man, I love Sunday delivery). The legs are much more sturdy than the 3K and no worries about the quick release ball head so far, there are no big buttons for my clumsy thumbs to bump. It seems like a much more secure connection. There is no physical bubble on the 5K like there was on the 3K, but a small price to pay.


View attachment 327495
Ok, now I am impressed. This is the same challenge I did earlier with the 70-200 2.8- slick counter tops with a D800 on the 3K. Unless the legs were setup with the perfect angle, the tripod wanted to do the splits. And that was just with the 70-200. This is the 5K with a Sigma 150-600 mounted on a D800 -and there is no wobble... yet. I don't think I will be able to do this once I have some mileage on it. Still, the brand new 3k that could hardly support the weight compared to the 5K that easily supports much more gives me better peace of mind in the long run. Not that I plan on testing out the weight limit often, but I am glad I swapped for the 5K,(and I will probably drop my camera 100% less often with the better designed quick release).
Hi TwistedThrottle. It looks impressive... Which is the brand please?

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