Gorillapod tripod | best PhotoEquipment

Best GorillaPod Tripod

Whatever their specialty or gear, one thing all photographers need is a tripod. For important shots, tripods help stabilize a camera. However, most tripods are comprised of three stiff legs and a camera mount. They are big and bulky and difficult to carry from shot to shot. Additionally, they are typically designed for only one type of camera.

The GorillaPod, however, represents one of the most versatile tripods available. For instance, it offers articulating, joint-based legs that bend and adjust to virtually any surface. In fact, some even work on vertical surfaces. Because of the joint-based technology, a GorillaPod allows any photographer in any industry to capture any shot.

In terms of versatility, they come in a variety of forms that allow photographers to work with just about any gear. Finally, they are customized to offer compact solutions for a variety of camera types. From point-and-shoot cameras to video cameras, they offer any photographer to attach unique cameras.

In terms of tripods, it no longer comes down to a question of which tripod is best–the question is now a matter of which GorillaPod is best for a photographer’s situation.

1. For Point and shoot Cameras

The JOBY GorillaPod Original Tripod for Point and Shoot Cameras allows casual photographers to take excellent still shots with this tripod that has 10 joints per leg. Made of medical-grade Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, it is durable enough to survive any environment.

Key features

The legs adjust up to 360 degrees, allowing a photographer to position them securely on uneven terrain. In terms of strength, it can support cameras up to seven times heavier in weight without the legs bending. Additionally, the legs are not simply hard rubber. Instead, the high-traction rubber grips just about any surface, ensuring the mounted camera does not slip or move.

The .25-inch mount fits any standard camera mount, making it perfect for anyone needing a selfie or holiday group shot. In terms of portability, the tripod will fold into a ball or flatten into a long rod, making it fit easily into a variety of camera bags or duffel bags.

Premium features

– fits any point-and-shoot camera with a .25 mount

– lightweight for portability

– holds large cameras without buckling

– high-traction rubber feet

2. For DSLR Cameras

DSLR cameras are prosumer and professional cameras for enthusiasts and working professionals, respectively. These cameras can often be equipped with heavy lenses and other attachments, such as microphones or external flash bulbs. As such, they are much heavier than any standard camera.

In terms of tripods, this extra weight requires a tripod to be sturdy enough to withstand the weight. Additionally, the tripod must be versatile enough to allow the photographer to get the shot. Because artistic vision or commercial profits are often involved, the stakes are much higher.

Due to this level of professionalism, the GorillaPod SLR Zoom offers photographers a versatile platform capable of supporting cameras up to 6.6 pounds.

Key features

Made of Japanese ABS plastic, this stuff is resilient enough to resist scratches and impact damage. The .25-inch mounting screw fits standard DSLR tripod mounts, and the mount, itself, articulates left and right up to 90 degrees, allowing the camera to be positioned for vertical or Dutch angle shots.

The rubber legs offer a high-friction surface, and the joints allow for a 360-degree bend. As such, the legs can wrap securely around rods, posts, or branches without slipping.

The most important feature is probably the camera mount because it rotates 360 degrees. With this type of maneuverability, a photographer can setup the tripod, mount the camera, and rotate it for the perfect light.

Premium features

– supports up to 6.6 pounds

– 360-degree articulation

– allows for Dutch angles

3. For GoPro and Sony Action Cam

For GoPro owners, the GorillaPod Action Video Tripod fits the ever-popular GoPro video camera and Sony Action Cam. As with other GorillaPods, the legs wrap securely around just about anything. However, this particular tripod has an articulating ballhead that allows the photographer to pan for important video shots.

The .25 mount fits securely in the GoPro mount hole, and the quick-release clip allows for easy removal and re-attachment. As such, a photographer does not have to screw in the mount each and every time he or she changes locations. Because of the universal size, this tripod is perfect for other Sony video cameras, such as the 360 Fly.

Key features

The important thing about the GoPro video camera is that in the same way some GoPro cameras are designed to work under water, this particular GorillaPod will also work if submerged. The rubber design and the articulating joints will not rust or tarnish. Additionally, the legs will grip piers and settle easily onto rocks, ensuring a steady shot.

Premium features

– pans smoothly

– quick-release clip

– universal mount fits other motion cameras

4. For Video

The JOBY GorillaPod 3K Video PRO is made specifically for videographers needing to capture motion across any number of terrains. This tripod boasts all the traditional features of any GorillaPod. For instance, the rubber legs have a high-friction surface that make it easy to secure it to any type of prop, fence post, or tree limb. Whatever the location, a photographer will be able to secure this tripod.

However, the legs on this particular model measure just under 13 inches. This added length allows for a higher camera position, which enables a more precise position for the best possible shot. The extra length also involves a greater number of articulating joints. With more articulating joints, a photographer has a greater capability of wrapping the tripod around objects to achieve a more solid footing.

Key features

With this particular model, there is not one particular stand-out feature. Instead, the overall feature set is what helps this GorillaPod stand apart. For instance, the .375-inch mounting screw is a heavy-duty mount designed for professional-grade video camera mounts. It will provide a more secure fit and allow less play. For ease of use, the sliding plate accommodates .25-inch mounting plates, which enable photographers to snap their cameras into place.

Because this camera is made specifically for videos, the camera arm is important as it allows additional components to be installed on the tripod. These components can be such things as external flash bulbs or microphones. Because each shot must be level, the built-in bubble level allows the photographer to adjust the camera’s position until it is perfectly aligned.

Finally, the pan bar allows the photographer an intuitive design for panning or tilting. Just as important, the pan bar features a comfortable amount of resistance, which eliminates sudden pans or abrupt motions and makes possible smooth panning and video capture.

Simply put, this is a compact tripod with all the professional features of larger tripods. However, due to its versatility and unique leg-positioning system, it easily outmuscles traditional tripods in a variety of demanding environments.

Premium features

– legs just under 13 inches

– built-in bubble level

– pan bar

5. For Smartphones and iPhone SE to iPhone 8 Plus

Although smartphones cannot yet compete with high-quality cameras, they will soon be able to. Even now, with 4K video capability and high-resolution photography and the ability to use some lenses, many photographers rely on nothing but a smartphone, but because smartphones are smaller and more lightweight, they are more susceptible to jarring vibrations or arm movements.

However, the GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO has a slot custom designed for smartphones. As such, it merges all the best features of standard GoPro tripods with the unique mounting requirements demanded by phones. The result is a tripod capable of holding an awkward, flat camera.

Key features

The extending arm will grip phones ranging from 56 millimeters (mm) to 91mm. Additionally, it can also accommodate the added thickness created by phone cases. Most important is that the phone mount is secure and tight. As such, any danger of an expensive phone slipping from the mount is eliminated.

In terms of shot orientation, the mount can adjust for landscape or portrait shots. Additionally, the legs can wrap around just about any surface to allow a photographer to capture a shot from just about any unique point of view. Finally, the tripod can be compressed to form a handle, which makes this model perfectly adapted to serve as a selfie stick.

Premium features

– wide phone mount

– accommodates phone cases

– works as a selfie stick

Here are a few inventive ways that photographers and filmmakers can use the Gorillapod Tripod:

1. Exciting Nature Shots:

Outdoor photography can present a number of challenges when trying to find the perfect shot. The flexibility of the Gorillapod Tripod offers users the opportunity to take interesting and exciting pictures of everything from deer grazing in a field to birds playfully flitting around a birdfeeder.

Capturing the right angle for a picture close to the ground, like a stream, can be complicated. Keeping hands steady while filming something can cause strain that creates unwanted shaking. The legs of the tripod can be placed in several stable positions to make such pictures possible. For users who want a higher view, the rubber grips around the legs allow the tripod to be wrapped around generally challenging objects like tree branches. A patient photographer may be rewarded with an intimate view of a variety of wildlife.

2. Unusual Angled Shots:

For the ambitious, the Gorillapod Tripod can also be used for unusual or complicated angles. Classic overhead shots that feel as if the audience is floating over a scene can be tough to execute. The tripod legs can be wrapped securely around a stable object like an overhead fan to give audiences that ethereal feeling of hovering above a scene.

For an unorthodox application, the tripod can be positioned on to something like a rail. These angles can be used to capture the crowds of people descending down the stairs, perfect for B-roll referencing the activity of a professional environment.

3. Dynamic Perspective Shots:

The Gorillapod Tripod is not limited to stationary shots. The tripod also has several dynamic applications that empower users with the ability to create thrilling footage. The legs of the tripod can be shaped into different positions that give users a number of options for their shots. A tripod leg curled over the top of a camera in the shape of a handle gives photographers a way to create low shots that travel along the floor. Outer legs bent into handles can give users enough stability to create sweeping or tracking shots.

For fun, the tripod can be affixed to any number of unusual, mobile surfaces, from a pet dog to an arm. A curious pet owner can clamp the camera to a dog collar and see what kind of trouble their pet gets into. Strapped to an arm, the tripod offers yet another dynamic angle from which a scene can be filmed.

For the filmmaker or photographer looking to diversify their portfolio, the Gorillapod Tripod can be a valuable tool with limitless possibilities that allows them to create dynamic, unusual, and creative shots.

All About Flexible Camera Tripods and How to Choose the Right One

As the popular saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Ever since the very first (almost) successful photograph was taken back in 1816, cameras and photography have grown increasingly popular as time passes. Now, we have whole museums, galleries, and showings dedicated to the art of photography, and plenty of people are even pursuing degrees and extensive, permanent careers in the field. Anyone with an eye for piecing together attractive visuals could potentially pick up a camera and capture tellings of beautiful stories.

From a Sony to a Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, or even a GoPro, there are plenty of options available on the market for cameras able to take high-quality, stunning photographs when in the hands of a talented photographer. However, even the best or most expensive of cameras couldn’t overcome photography’s worst enemy: the shake. The shake is what happens when you hold your camera in unsteady hands or set it on a surface that isn’t stable. This is why every good camera – even the best of them – needs a partner in crime, which is where the flexible camera tripod comes in.

Benefits of Using a Tripod

A tripod is the added tool of perfection that every photographer needs to help capture an image in all of its glory. Without a stable tripod, the photograph is likely to come out blurry, unstable, or not completely leveled. The flexible camera tripod is a three-legged device with an adjustable central column and exchangeable heads to hold the camera depending on whether you are shooting photographs or videos.

Using a tripod brings many benefits to a photographer, some of which may be surprising to someone who has never used one before or who is new to photography. Obviously, tripods prevent blurry or unstable photographs, which is very important, especially to professional photographers. However, they also improve macro shots and allow long exposure photographs to be taken in conditions of low light.

Another benefit of using a tripod can be experienced when taking photographs outside, especially while during rainy or windy weather conditions. Tripods can also help relieve photographers from feeling significant physical strain due to holding heavy cameras with long, obtrusive lenses. These devices are clearly very beneficial to hobbyists and professionals alike; although, it would be especially silly for a professional photographer to forgo the use of a tripod during sessions – unless they prefer selling blurry pictures, of course.

The Composition of a Tripod

Tripods are usually made from one of three different materials: aluminum, carbon fiber, or basalt fiber. Of the three materials, aluminum is typically used in tripods designed for beginners or low-budget photographers to the inexpensive cost while still being incredibly sturdy. However, if a photographer is looking for an optimally portable tripod, a newer one made from carbon fiber would be a better choice. Although they are typically more expensive than tripods made from other materials, carbon fiber tripods are lighter and easier to handle in difficult weather conditions. Basalt fiber, on the other hand, has been often criticized for its unreliability and low durability qualities.

Typically, camera tripods will weigh anywhere between 2.2 pounds and 6.6 pounds, depending on the model and chosen material. Weight should be an important factor to take into account for photographers who plan on traveling frequently, as many flights may have an excess baggage weight allowance in place. Otherwise, it should also be kept in mind that heavier tripods may be more difficult to carry over long distances. With that said, heavier tripods typically provide more stability and resistance to vibration or certain weather conditions.

Tripods usually feature three different height options to choose from: the closed length, minimum height, and maximum height. The closed length describes the length of the tripod when it is completely compacted to match the size of your carrying bag. The minimum height describes the lowest height of the tripod when all legs have been folded out; this height is often used when shooting at floor level or for macro photography. Finally, the maximum height describes the tallest height of the tripod when it has been extended to its fullest potential; using a tripod at its maximum height may introduce some instability due to the fully extended center column.

The head of the tripod is where your camera sits. Many tripods come with already integrated heads; although, these heads often introduce heavy limitations when it comes to customization and upgrading. Tripods like these are best for people who will only be using the device occasionally. Otherwise, it may be better to invest in a tripod that comes with a mounting screw to hook up external heads to so you can plan on upgrading your tripod or camera in the future.

There are two major categories of tripod heads: 3-way pan/tilt heads and ball heads. 3-way pan/tilt heads allow both vertical and horizontal orientation of your camera and are often used for landscape shots, macro photography, or videos. These heads are often very stable due to being equipped with either one or two handles for manual manipulation. Ball heads, on the other hand, allow the camera to be maneuvered on a 360 degree, panoramic rotation. These are often used by wildlife photographies for their wide scope allowance and provided freedom.

How to Choose the Right Tripod for You

There are several things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect tripod. First, a photographer should always consider the weight of his or her camera and possible future upgrades. Someone may want to spend less money on a lighter tripod that could be easier to handle, but this choice would end up being a waste of money if the photographer has a heavier camera that won’t be supported by the tripod.

Another feature to carefully consider if the tripod head, which is the part of the tripod that the camera attaches to. Typically, tripods are made to accept interchangeable heads; however, photographers should always be sure that the tripod head you purchase is made for your camera. Some heads are only made for particular cameras, so it may be the case that a specific camera is excluded by some. Photographers should also consider what type of photography will most often be taken, as 3-way pan/tilt heads and ball heads lend themselves better to different genres of photography. For example, wildlife or sports photographers may be better prepared with a ball head that allows 360 degrees, panoramic movement.

When all is said and done, it is possible that all of these features may not even apply to some photographers, specifically hobbyists or professionals who choose to use compact cameras! If a photographer does use a compact camera, they may be better off using a mini camera tripod. Mini tripods, like the popular Gorillapod tripod, can be attached to nearly anything and provide freedom of use and optimal stability for compact cameras. In the end, photographers must simply keep in mind their particular cameras, and then the right tripod will come with those specifications.