Joby JB01561-BWW Gorillapod 5K Video Pro, Black

I use the Gorillapod Focus GP8 with my Battery-Packed 5D and 17-40L Lens and 30D mounted with a 50mm 1.4 lens.First off, the Battery-Packed 5D is (sadly) a bit too heavy for the GP8 in that the legs start to sag due to the tremendous amount of weight from the 5D. Not a big deal. I've learned how to take advantage of the Gorillapod's flexibility. If you shape the legs like it was a walking monster octopus (minus 4 legs)(bend (from top to bottom) at ball #5 and ball #7 on all 3 legs) the Gorillapod seems to be able to handle and maintain the weight very nicely.Absolutely no problem with my 30D mounted onto the GP8.I'm also using Joby's BH1 Ball Head which is an excellent addition to my set-up. It allows easy and convenient mounting and off-mounting of my cameras from the Gorillapod. - Buy a second Quick Release Replacement Clip if you're using more than one camera.At first, the Gorillapod's legs are stiff and a bit hard to position/maneuver but after it loosened up with use, it seems to flex and shape very easily. It's light, compact and easy to carry around vs having to carry around my manfrotto tripod.All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase and recommend the Gorillapod Focus GP8 to anyone looking for an inexpensive, portable, durable, flexible and compact tripod.Get one when you can.

I own many tripods, and the last time I spent over one hundred dollars on a tripod it was a 6 foot heavy duty monster, so I was somewhat skeptical that this would be worth it.I’ve only had this for two weeks and I don’t know how I’ve lived without it! This tripod and ballhead make impromptu, or run-and-gun, setups a breeze. The ability to place it on any uneven surface and level the camera is probably the most handy and most used function of this combo. It is not tall, but you can set it almost anywhere to make up for the lack of height.I have used this gorillapod with nearly all of my digital cameras and it performed well, as long as I make sure my knobs are actually tightened. It has held up the following cameras: Canon T3i with heavy vintage prime lenses, Panasonic FZ1000, Panasonic G7 with adapters and old lenses, GoPro Hero4, and Canon Vixia video camera, all with a Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun microphone attached to the shoe.I was worried that it would not be able to handle my most common setup (G7, vintage lens, adapter and shotgun mic), but it does so easily. I can also put the legs together and hold the camera in front of me, like a selfie stick, then easily convert it to tripod mode in seconds, placing it almost anywhere.As far as use on the Panasonic G7, the best thing about the Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate is that it allows the bottom mounted battery and memory card door to be opened without being removed (not the FZ1000, though, because the tripod receiver is too close to the door on that camera).I would definitely buy it again, and if the legs only last a year I would consider it more than worth the asking price.

First thoughts of Joby Gorillapod Focus GP8.Joby Gorillapod FocusThis is a short first thought on my latest toy. Its specs report it to be able to hold 11 pounds. I am not sure how valid and important a metric that is. Most importantly it is the largest of the Joby products. It lists for almost 110$ US on Amazon, but I got it for 53$ US due to future shipment date and sale prices. I bought this for use with a D300 and a 55mm f2.8 MF and a 18-200mm VR. I got it for hiking and snowshoeing so I could be in the picture without having to lug a monopod or tripod. I wanted to attach this thing to an adjoining tree and get into the picture... I also wanted to use this as a basic small travel tripod, again to allow me to get into the picture. Once I got this, I found it quite nice for a very low tripod to take macro photos of small flowers like crocuses and such.I would recommend always using a head; In my case, I use the same smaller head I use on my monopod, a Manfrotto 486RC2 head. This smaller head fits perfectly on the top of the Gorillapod. It also allows you to align everything so that gravity goes straight down the tripod and then focus the camera where you want.I would not recommend trying to photograph in portrait position without a L bracket. With the right head, you obviously can do it but the center of weight is all wrong and the vibrations are magnified. And even pressing the picture release button with this Gorillapod aligned correctly with gravity will move the camera; doing so with the camera in non centered portrait position, even more so.Perhaps it is best not to think of this as a tripod; instead think of it as a hybrid mini tripod attachment device. The gorillapod focus does not dampen vibrations; I bet it increases them. But as an attachment device with the goal of attachment and hands free tripod operation, it has no real product opposition in the marketplace for the price.In short this product will force me to improve my technique: Shutter up; Remote actuation; correct weight alignment on Gorillapod; etc. But for me and its intended use, I think I am going to like it a lot. In the short time I have had it has already proved worth its value.PS, while I got a reduced price due to agreeing to a future shipment date, I got mine delivered earlier than estimated. Yahooo!