Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom Tripod

One of the most useful accessories for a photographer is the tripod. It allows for long exposures, prevents camera shake at slower speeds, and lets you use a self-timer ... to name but a few options. 

The trouble is that most tripods are pretty heavy, making them extremely bulky to carry around. There are carbon-fiber options available, but these cost hundreds of dollars.

There is an alternative, though: The Joby range of Gorillapods. Although they won't replace a normal tripod, they can come in very useful as a lightweight alternative.

Joby offers a range of its unique tripods to suit different cameras. For most DSLR users, the most suitable of them will be the SLR Zoom that's featured in this Joby Gorillapod review. Weighing just 8.5 ounces, which is far lighter than any conventional tripod, and measuring only 9.84 inches (25cm) in length, it still can handle weights of up to 6 pounds, 9 ounces. This means that you can safely use it with just about any APS-C DSLR camera, even if it's combined with a fairly hefty zoom lens. 

It's only a miniature tripod, but what's unique about the Gorillapod is that all three of its legs are bendable and flexible. They have multiple rubberized joints in them, so that you can bend the legs in many directions at once. This is combined with standardized rubber feet, so you can still use the Gorillapod conventionally. The bendable legs mean that you can wrap the tripod around almost any man-made or natural object.

Is it Just a Gimmick? 

No! While it might seem a pointless piece of equipment to those who haven't tried one, a Gorillapod opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities. It encourages spontaneous photography, as there's nearly always something available on which you can attach the Gorillapod. Suddenly, all sorts of new angles and previously unobtainable shots become accessible.  

You can screw the Gorillapod directly into your camera, but the SLR Zoom model also comes with a 3/8th-inch adaptor. This enables you to use one of Joby's tripod heads to allow for a greater range of movement.

In Conclusion

The Gorillapod can't replace a conventional tripod -- mainly because of its petite height -- but it is a brilliant additional tool to use alongside a conventional tripod. It is worth noting that it's best used with a cable release, particularly for self-timer shots, as the tripod can be inadvertently jostled just by pressing the shutter button, which could lead to blurry photos.

This is such a lightweight piece of equipment, and, ultimately, that's what makes it so attractive. The Gorillapod is an essential DSLR photography tool.