Should I trust those flexable legged tripops?

Uglulyx Takes Photos Too · May 11, 2008

Should I trust on of thise tripods that has flexible legs so you can wrapp it around ropes and tree branchs etc? Those legs don't look too firm to me.

PhilGarber · May 11, 2008

:thumbdown:No.:thumbdown:

The Point and shoot model can't even hold my point and shoot camera upright!

They may be cheap, but they're @!#^:x.

Uglulyx Takes Photos Too · May 11, 2008

That's what I was thinking.

PhotoDudeMS · May 11, 2008

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Ignore these!!!

Ignore the Bottlecap models too. Even a Small Point and shoot make them way too top heavy.

bahandi · May 12, 2008

i've got one of those 'gorilla' pods.. i think that's what they're called.

it works well with my canon p&s

Overread · May 12, 2008

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122582
just had a similar debate over here - upshot: BAD
much better to save and get a good solid tripod which will do all you want (and if you want to stick it to a lamppost use duct tape!)

Uglulyx Takes Photos Too · May 13, 2008

Lol, I like ductape but not that much. Maybe I could be a human tripod.

Tiberius47 · May 13, 2008

if you want something like that, you can get clamps that attached very solidly to posts and railings.

TamiyaGuy · May 13, 2008

I've seen mixed reviews about these flexible tripods. If you get the cheap Ebay knock-offs, then NO, they will be awful. I've seen a lot of reivews on those complaining that the "DSLR" version can't even hold a Canon rebel body without a lens on it!

The real deal Gorillapod, however, is a bit different, depending on how you want to use it. If you want a sturdy tripod for long-exposure photos, then it isn't good at all. If, however, you just want to put your camera in an otherwise inaccessible place, then the Gorillapod is OK. It's not flawless, however, and I wouldn't trust it with my life, but it's OK.

I would recommend Tiberius47's idea, though, as fixed clamps will always be better than anything flexible.

Uglulyx Takes Photos Too · May 13, 2008

Thanks guys, I saw at the photo store at the mall and figured I see what you guys think. It's a gorillapod.

But I just thinking I could use it to take some crazy pictures, but I don;t want to buy it without knowing if I can trust it not to drop my camera. I'd never be able to pay for a new one if it did.

PhotoDudeMS · May 16, 2008

I say don't risk it. A querky angle isn't worth having to buy a new camera in my book.

Alex_B · May 16, 2008

this thread really made my day because of the spelling!

Sorry, I mean no offence, but it just reads funny

OK, getting back to the topic concerning those Gorillapods. They are not really an option for SLRs or anything larger. But for p&s cameras they work like a charm! I gave one of those to my Ex (when she was not my Ex yet) and she really enjoys it and produces stunning images at night or in low light.

Chris of Arabia · May 16, 2008

Alex_B said:
she really enjoys it and produces stunning images at night or in low light.

Now there's a use for a Gorillapod I hadn't thought of...

Alex_B · May 16, 2008

Chris of Arabia said:
Now there's a use for a Gorillapod I hadn't thought of...

Oh my, even my dirty mind was not there yet :lmao:

manaheim · May 16, 2008

I couldn't resist (they were like $50) and I bought one of the SLR sized ones to play with it and see. I'll subject the D100 to my experiment instead of the D300.

Spec says it holds 6.6 lbs. (SLR-zoom version)