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Our early ability to create tools is largely due to our dexterity, most of which we owe to our opposable thumbs. That same ability to grip can also be found in a handy little gadget that I carry with me five days a week.
I commute to work with a small Patagonia backpack containing my laptop, a compact digital camera (with extra battery) and an original Gorillapod. Since I first got my hands on the Joby Gorillapod over a year ago, it has had a home in my daily kit.
Weighing just 1.6oz (45.3g) and measuring only 5.9 inches (15cm), this flexible little wonder is covered with rubberized joints that help make it grip to most anything that you wrap it around. That dexterity allows me to use most anything—a chair, lamppost, stair rail or tree limb—as a secure mount for my digital point-and-shoot.
Since the original Gorillapod rolled out over a year ago, Joby has introduced two more, designed for SLR size cameras, able to handle up to 6.5 pounds (3000g). Additions to the lineup next week will be five stylish Gorillapods (below) that will allow you to color coordinate your couture collection of digital cameras.
If that doesn’t get you excited about the Gorillapod, take a look at what ingenious flickr users have done with their malleable tripods. My personal favorite is the dog collar cam.
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Comments
Aug 29, 2007 8PM #
Are there digital cameras (relatively inexpensive point and shoot variety) which allow for the use of a cable release? Is a gorillapod effective without the use of a cable? Thanks, Marty
Aug 29, 2007 8PM #
Marty, I don't know of a point-and-shoot that works with a cable release. Best way to get around camera shake during long exposures is the use the self-timer. On my camera there is a setting for 2 and 10 seconds, I use the 2-second self-timer setting when shooting long exposures on a tripod. Yes, the Gorillapod will work if you use this method.
Aug 29, 2007 8PM #
Being somewhat of an amature to photography (although you would never know it with the gear I carry) I purchased the Gorrillapod just prior to our cruise to Alaska three weeks ago. I was carrying a Canon EOS Digital Rebel, a Panasonic TZ3 and a Sony HandyCam. Sadly I missed a great shot of an eagle because I didn't realize that the Gorrilapod was for a point and shoot camera and wouldn't support my Canon with the 75-300mm lens. We were in a bus on an excursion so no tripod. I will be purchasing the larger Gorrillapod very soon. It's a great gadget and I love gadgets.
Aug 29, 2007 8PM #
....stumbled here by terrific chance...thanks for this Gorilla arms thing...how about re-naming it Octopus, or, Tri-pus....sorry, couln't resist that one..jaws wide open (another pun, sorry I'm addicted. No pun there.
Aug 29, 2007 8PM #
Yep, this Gorillapod is absolutely amazing when it comes to taking pictures of the kids when we go on hikes. When my friend saw mine, she said she had never seen one before...for those who are looking for a place to buy one, here is the website I visited: http://wize.com/tripods/joby-gorillapod-multi-adjustable-tripod-green/421054
Here's to capturing the great outdoors no matter where we are!
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