Garth Wood wrote:
> Komtanoo Pinpimai wrote:
>
>> http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/slrzoom/
>>
>> Anyone has this ? Does it work ?
>>
>
> Yep. Took it to Britain and Crete with me last spring. Works well in
> most situations. If you can, try it out in a camera store first, just
> to see if you're comfortable with the whole idea of the thing.
>
As another inveterate searcher for the perfect travel tripod, I also
have one. I took it to the US NE last year.
I found it pretty decent. Much more flexible (literally) set-up to adapt
to uneven surfaces than anything else I've seen. Solid enough to hold
the 5D with Tammy 28-300 VC, or the similar size/weight E-3 with a
decent size lens as long as the legs are fairly straight. With a
significant bned in a leg a heavy "DSLR plus zoom" load and you may
experience creep at the joint. I've only had that happen once, but it
might increase with age and use. The leg composition/construction
inherently resists vibration with enough weight on them.
I never had occasion to hang a few $1,000 of camera and lens by wrapping
it around a tree limb or some such. I suppose I would, as long as I held
onto the strap. Works nicely to prop against something solid, like
trees, rocks, buildings, etc.
Unlike their smaller ones, it doesn't have a built-in QR plate/receiver
combo. So mounting it directly involves spinning the whole thing onto
the camera. Precise aiming would then be a frustrating exercise. So it
really needs a head. I used the small head from the Velbon 343e tripod.
Any decent small head should do, but you are going to need something.
The next question is to QR or not to QR. Spinning a tripod this size on
and off by hand isn't that big a deal. But if you want QR, most systems
are too big and awkward. Even my favorite Cullmann QR system, although
the plates are small, has a big receiver that would be awkward for this use.
I just got a small Velbon QR system I've been looking at for some time.
<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=322209&is=REG>
The plates are a bit smaller than the Cullmanns and have a firm,
slightly tacky rubber friction surface that grips pretty well in the
couple of days I've had it.
The real advantage is in the receiver. It is metal (light, probably
aluminum alloy, maybe magnesium) and MUCH smaller than the Cullmann, or
anything else I've seen. Yet they manage to borrow from the Manfrotto
playbook for easy one handed connect and disconnect.
Pushing the plate into place in the receiver releases the spring loaded
cam lock to grab the plate. You will have to give it a push for no flex
with a heavy camera/lens, but it's secure enough to be safe right away.
Pull back on the cam lock and the plate pops up a bit to keep the lock
from re-engaging and assist pulling it out.
So far, I'm quite impressed. Possible disadvantage - no anti
twist/unscrew provision. I think I can live with that as a trade-off for
size, price and other functionality.
The alternative compact tripod I also rather like is the Ultrapod II.
<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/239963-REG/Ultrapod_PD02010_Ultrapod_2_Black.html>
Less flexible and the built-in ball head thingie is a little quirky. but
it's smaller. lighter, less expensive, especially compared to a Gorilla
with added head and/or QR, and has a velcro strap to do the "attach to
things" thing. It works.
Moose
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