Gorillapod - worth getting one?

[electrolyte]

I'm going to Japan in a couple of weeks and I won't have space in my luggage to pack my tripod. So I was contemplating buying a Gorillapod and taking this instead. I was thinking of getting the SLR Zoom model. Anyone got one? And are you happy with it? Or does it never get used? Answers on a postcard please!

[Spod]

I have one although not the zoom or even the SLR for my point and shoot when I went mountain biking, quite fiddly to get how you want at times with the push it bit here push a bit there approach but they do the job once there. I tried my SLR on it but felt insecure, the SLR Zoom version is a lot more bigger and beefy although note that it doesn't have the quick release top like all the ones below it. If you have a quick release ball/head set up already it won't bother you but can be a pain taking it on off if you're not used to it.

[jradley]

I just bought the SLR-Zoom version, which arrived on Saturday. Initially I thought I'd been a mug and wasted my money.....but....it fits easily inside my camera bag, weighs next to nothing and when I wanted to hang my camera outside the window to take a photo of the snowy street at night it did the job very nicely, so now I like it.

I do have one gripe though - it comes with a thread adapter that goes over the screw so you can fit a tripod head - my fear is that if I attach a tripod head when I unscrew it it will unscrew the adapter too, leaving it inside the tripod head with no easy way of getting it out

John

[Pirate!!]

I'd just opt for a gorilla . . and hope they don't run away with your stuff :o)

[electrolyte]

Thanks guys - anyone else got an opinion on them?

[Goody]

I got the SLR one as a late Christmas present but not used it in anger yet. I like how light it is but I did have to pop out to Jessops shortly after getting it to get a separate head attachment to give me some flexibility. That cost £8 but when I get to using it properly, I think it'll be great.

[Jas H]

Originally Posted by electrolyte

Thanks guys - anyone else got an opinion on them?

Yes, I use a Gorillapod SLR Zoom version, and it's pretty strong, yet light.

I use a Manfrotto ball head & quick release plate with it. Perfect match IMHO.

Plus it gives me a spare quick release plate for my geared head on my normal big manfrotto tripod.

[Malone]

I bought one about 6 months go, rarely used it, when I do try and grip stuff it just slides round and doesn't feel like its gripping anything. Oh and its the Zoom SLR model, supposedly the strongest one. Could be i'm not using it properly but personally don't want to spend 5-10 minutes messing around. Not my cup o tea. Although I don't own one I think those bag style ones (fill with sand etc) look far more useful.

Matt

[Jas H]

Originally Posted by Malone

I bought one about 6 months go, rarely used it, when I do try and grip stuff it just slides round and doesn't feel like its gripping anything. Oh and its the Zoom SLR model, supposedly the strongest one. Could be i'm not using it properly but personally don't want to spend 5-10 minutes messing around.

Matt

I found it took for ever to get it set up right too - until I added the ball head. After that it was quick and simple

Are you using any kind of head on it?

[jonboy1963]

Mine arrived today and i have to agree it does need a ballhead.
think ill go for the jessops, as i cant justify 40 quid for a manfrotto one, when ive only spent 30 on the tripod.
are the jessops ones okay?

[electrolyte]

Thanks guys.

[Malone]

Originally Posted by Jas H

I found it took for ever to get it set up right too - until I added the ball head. After that it was quick and simple

Are you using any kind of head on it?

To be fair I have given up on it. I now always carry a camera bag with lenses and a side section for Slik tripod with Manfrotto ball head, how awsome are they :-)

[Jas H]

Originally Posted by jonboy1963

Mine arrived today and i have to agree it does need a ballhead.
think ill go for the jessops, as i cant justify 40 quid for a manfrotto one, when ive only spent 30 on the tripod.
are the jessops ones okay?

I don't know about the Jessops one, but I did try various ones before buying the Manfrotto.

Painful experience has taught me: "buy cheap, buy twice"

I got the SLR Zoom a year ago when Amazon had them on for £15 Nevertheless I was happy to use a good ball head, as it can also be used on normal tripod. Plus Manfrotto equipment holds its value on resale anyway (like Canon L glass).

[electrolyte]

Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered an SLR-zoom plus a Manfrotto MN-484RC2 head from Amazon which should arrive next week.