New toy day!!!
THE GORILLAPOD FOCUS– I got this on Saturday from REI. My price $30!!!! Retail $150 on the box ($109 most places). How did I get this amazing deal, REI Membership, 65 bucks from dividend check, 20% on one item discount for March, and price was marked down by 50, =30 BUCKS!!! I am really excited. This past year on my trip to Colorado I carried my Manfrotto tripod through the airport luggage, “just in-case” I might need it for some time-lapse photography or something else. I love this tripod, however, its a lot to carry on trips like this, non-photography trips. I have seen the previous versions by Joby, they are all neat for point-shoot cameras, great for that stuff, but no where near what you need professionally. So since I got an incredible deal from REI, I bought the PRO version the Focus.
My First review of the device.- SOOOOO COOOOOL!!! It feels very sturdy. Now keep in mind this is NO substitute for your studio tripod. But as a portable not “scary” or intimidating tripod, this is great. (Ever tried to set up a pro tripod on a street corner, people start acting funny and the police start asking questions) The legs are metal instead of the previous plastic models, each ball joint has rubber ring for grip. Each foot has a solid rubber foot (I would have liked to seen the rubber tips come off and turn into spikes so you could use it on grass a bit better, maybe). The tripod mount comes with 3/8inch adapter for pro tripods. They claim it supports up to 11lbs. This is a lot. The whole thing weighs about 1.1lbs. A heck of lot less than your big tripod, and a whole lot less space in your bag.
As you can see in the photos it will support my Nikon D200 w/battery pack, and 80-200 2.8 pro lens (mounted via lens mount). I also have my Manfrotto 3288 Elbow Bracket mount on my camera body for more weight. One MAJOR addition to this is I added my Manfrotto 488RC0 Ball Head (from B&H). This is a major improvement, I would not use this Gorillapod with out it. It will add a bit more weight, but the ability to move your camera freely is huge. It will support the weight, but it does need you to pay attention to how the legs are positions, common physics is needed. How you displace the weight is very important. I really would back up your system no mater what if it puts your camera in a precarious position. It will hold, but be smart with your camera! It works great as a low angle tripod, wrapped around railings as seen in the photo above.
Final Thoughts- It is a great device, is it worth 150, well maybe not, 100, maybe. 30, heck yeah! Add a ball joint pro head, will save you on trying to position the legs. Remember its not a “magic arm” or other fool proof device, you have to think about how you set it up, and be careful even when it is set. It is also not as sturdy as your studio tripod. But if you want a light weight portable, fun, “pro”, non-intimidating tripod this is for you! For travel, backpacking, or lightweight photography that works with a PRO DSLR Outfit, this is what I have been waiting on. When it comes to client photo-shoots, I will still use my bread and butter studio tripod. Let me know your thoughts, or what you would like me to test with it. Thanks-Brandon.
Leave a Reply