Joby Gorillapod on test: Flexible Mini-Tripod

The Joby Gorillapod is very light, yet can withstand comparatively heavy equipment.


The Gorillapod DSLR-Zoom already belongs to the classics of mini-tripods, because its flexible legs offer enormous flexibility. It can be wrapped around pipes and trees, or can be hanged on doors and table tops. With all these art pieces it is even able to withstand heavy cameras of up to 3 kg. In the editorial department, the Gorillapod is mainly used when there is relatively little space and weight reserves for equipment, because it weighs only 390 grams.


Even after years of intensive use, the plastic does not have any use traces. And none of the many leg joints has gotten any further game, all of them still stand stable to the weight.


If you want to work with long exposures in conjunction with long focal lengths, should activate the mirroring in the camera. In addition, you have to take the time to bring the round elements of the legs into their starting position, so that the alignment folds faster again next time. The stand plate of the small ball head helps with a small water scale. The head is operated with only one screw so that the panoramic axis can not be locked separately. If these are only loosened slightly, the head offers a little friction, which makes handling easier. Thanks to a notch, the head can be angled for high-angle images.


If you want to use the tripod also with Telebrennweiten, should go to the 180 Euro expensive Gorillapod Focus with ball head, whose structure is largely identical. The load capacity is up to 5 kilograms, and this ball head is equipped with a separately lockable panoramic axle and a larger stand plate.