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One
technique for capturing great photos is by using a tripod.
Unfortunately not all environments are conducive for tripod use.
Plus lugging around a standard tripod can be a pain in the butt.
Thankfully Joby a company known for camera accessories have a remedy
for this very problem. They are the makes of the Gorillapod line of
flexible tripods and today we will check out their Gorillapod
SLR-Zoom tripod.
This
funky looking tripod is designed to securely mount cameras weighing
up to 6.5 pounds. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the
Ballhead SLR-Zoom. It is important to note that the Ballhead
SLR-Zoom must be purchased separately as it does not come with the
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom.
What
separates the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom from other tripods are its two
dozen bendable and rotatable leg joints that allows the tripod to be
positioned on virtually any surface. So if you need a tripod that can
work on almost any terrain and you should check out our review of the
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom.
Let’s
take a closer look…….
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom and Ballhead SLR-Zoom
Reviewed
by: Tomas Ratas
Sponsor: Joby
Tech
Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Ballhead
for SLR-Zoom
Designed For:
Heavy SLRs
Professional tripod heads
Size: 68 x 45 x 63mm (2.7 x 1.8 x
2.5")
Weight: 150g (5.3oz)
Connection: Removable bubble-level
clip with universal 1/4" tripod screw
Bottom Thread: 3/8" with 1/4"
adapter screw (pre-inserted). Compatible with almost all tripods.
Materials:
Ballhead and clip:
Machined aluminum
Tough ABS plastic
Durable TPE grip rings
Camera
screw:
Stainless steel
Gorillapod
SLR-Zoom
Designed For:
Heavy SLRs
Professional tripod heads
Size: 25 x 6 x 6cm (9.8 x 2.4
x 2.4")
Weight:
241g (8.5oz)
Materials:
Legs:
High quality Japanese ABS plastic
Durable German TPE grip rings
Camera
screw:
Stainless steel
Connection:
Permanent universal 1/4" tripod screw and 3/8" adapter
screw
A
Better Look at Things:
The
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom comes in a clear plastic rectangular box with the
tripod easily visualized. Inside the package be find the tripod
without any instructions. Luckily the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom’s usage
is self-explanatory.
 
The Joby
Ballhead SLR-Zoom comes in a cardboard box with the said ballhead
found inside along with an instruction sheet.
 
The
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is composed of Japanese
ABS plastic that according to
Joby has been injection molded to provide snug joints that are
designed to stay firm even after lots of manipulation. To make the
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom especially “grippy” Joby uses German
TPE grip rings.
The
tripod is black-and-grey with the leg joints composed of this black
plastic and grey rubberized rings and grips to provide stability on
most any terrain. On the underside of the tripod is a silver screw
for locking down the Joby Ballhead SLR-Zoom head and thus the camera.
Where the three legs of the tripod come together we see the Joby logo
in grey with the mount sitting about it.
 
 
The
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom weighs 241g (8.5oz) and measures 25 x 6 x 6cm
(9.8 x 2.4 x 2.4"). It is designed to hold a camera weighing up
to 3kg (6.5 lb).
The
Ballhead SLR-Zoom head is composed of black machined aluminum which
holds the ballhead composed of ABS plastic and locks into position
using TPE grip rings. It comes with a slimline quick release
bubble-level clip with universal 1/4" tripod screw. The bubble
level helps keep the camera parallel to your subject no matter what
position the Gorillapod sits in. Joby also includes a 3/8 inch
adapter screw for mounting cameras and professional tripod heads.
 
 
 
Installation,
Testing and Comparison:
To
attach your camera to the Gorillapod
SLR-Zoom detach the clip from the ball head by pressing the release
clip. Next securely attach the clip to your camera using a coin or
screwdriver to tighten the clip onto the camera’s tripod mount
screw hole.
Next
attach the Gorillapod to the ball head with either a coin or screw.
Once this is done, position the Gorillapod where you wish to set it
up and secure it into place. This is done by manipulating the legs.
The slid the clip and camera into the ball head shoe. Voila! You
are set to take your perfect photo.
 
 
 
 
The only
drawback to the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is its height. Standing at
under a foot, if you don’t have a high enough mounting surface you
may not get the proper framing for your photo. On the other hand a
regular tripod can not match up to the various terrains that a
Gorillapod can shoot on, so there is a slight trade offs with either
type of tripod.
The
Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is simple to use and it just works. Naturally
the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom also works with point and shoot cameras if
you so desire to use on with this mount system. Anchoring the
Gorillapod may take some effort as you don’t want your camera
taking a tumble, but once it is locked down it seems very secure.
Summary:
If you
love to shoot photos with your DSLR, then the Gorillapod
SLR-Zoom is a must for your camera bag. It is simple to use and
incredibly useful. Although it is not a total replacement for a
standard height tripod, it offers numerous shooting advantages over a
plain tripod.
DragonSteelMods
gives the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom
and Ballhead for SLR-Zoom a 5 out of 5 score and our Recommended
Award as well.
 
Pros:
+Simple
to use
+Sturdy
+Rubber
rings are very “grippy”
+Multitude
of camera positions available
Cons:
-Ballhead
is sold separately
-Short
height
review#634
Disclosure: This
product was given to DragonSteelMods for review by the company for
review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the
review, we do not, never have, and never will, accept payment from
companies to review their products.
To
learn more about our review policy, testing methods and ratings
please see this page.
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