Healthy Living Books Electronics

Rating: - Check your tripod mounting before you buy.
This doesn't really work unless your camera has its a tripod mounting in the centre. Using it with a Panasonic DMC-TZ3, which is well within the specified maximum weight, tends to topple over because the mounting in the left hand corner.

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Rating: - Gorillapod SLR Zoom good lightweight alternative for a full tripod.
OK, so it's not a proper Manfrotto tripod and you probably need something to rest it on that's higher than the ground - such as a wall, fence or post - but that's the point of this little gadget, isn't it?

Anybody who rates this low because it is not as sturdy as a proper tripod has missed the point. It isn't intended as a replacement or only means of supporting a camera (although it probably does that job for a point & shoot camera).

For an SLR user this is a handy addition for use in the field when a tripod would have been just too much extra weight or bulk to carry around - imagine backpacking with a bloody great bundle of metal sticks on your back? I thought not.

This will fit into most people's camera bag or day rucksack and adds less than a kilo to their kit.

I just recieved one as a Chrsitmas present and haven't had a chance to properly test it out, but the legs are far stiffer than I imagined they could be and I have changed my mind about it being far too expensive.

The original Gorillapod that I had played with in shops felt like they couldn't take a digital SLR, but this version certainly is sturdy and steady - especially if you use a remote release (or are gentle with the button).

I'll update this review once I've got a couple of dozen photos under it's belt.

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Rating: - Brilliant design
This so simple that I bet a million people wish they had thought of it. Nobody would carry around a tripod for their little digital camera unless it was something that could fit in their pocket. This Gorillapod has flexible legs that can be fixed into different positions and also wrap around poles, branches, handrails etc... Took it on holiday last week and was able to take group/self photos without having to ask a passer-by to take the picture (they never get it right anyway!). Of course this cheaper version is only good for a recreational size digital camera. I tried it with my heavy SLR and it did the splits very quickly. Well, you've got to try haven't you?

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Rating: - Not really steady enough for my needs
When I first saw this with its plastic flexy legs I had my doubts whether it would be steady enough. But reassured by the enthusiastic reviews bought one, and discovered my initial reservations were justified. I used it with my Sony R1 and Ricoh GX100 and find it flexes and wobbles too much to be much of an advantage over careful hand holding and bracing the camera against walls, lampost etc. So since it's not all that small I find myself leaving it at home quite a lot.

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Rating: - Nice idea but it has its flaws
I was bought one of these as a present and it is great at gripping on to various objects and can function as a mini tripod reasonably well. However, the ball joints near the plate is not robust enough to take a heavy SLR body. It probably works fine with a lighter entry level camera with a light digital zoom, but if you have any sort of serious kit then it is incapable of remaining stable. I also have a quibble with the locking pin and camera plate which requires a 10p coin to attach and detach from the camera. It is a simple engineering fix to add some sort of recessed tag and I can't understand why it hasn't been done yet.