The first time that I took this
Joby GP3 GorillaPod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod
out of my camera bag, there were a couple of kids in the area, and they ran over to see what they called my "Alien Transformer" as they saw it wrapped around a tree limb while I was trying to take a particularly tricky photo of a flower just blooming.
It may look like a creature from another world to some, and this isn't the first GorillaPod that I've owned, but for use with a medium-weight DSLR, hybrids, and those heavier high-end compacts, this is the best one that I've found. Bought this primarily for DSLR use, and have been quite happy with its compact versatility, overall stability, light weight, and the fact that it can be used in an amazingly wide variety of shooting situations.
For those who just want the basics, here they are...
Likes:
+ Compact tripod solution; can be used in a wide variety of situations
+ Allows for shooting at some very low angles, almost at ground level
+ Excellent quality of construction; top-class materials - see the specs
+ Flexible legs with rubberized rings and foot grips; wraps to so many surfaces
+ Surprising overall stability
Dislikes:
- When used with the Joby BH1 Ball Head, bubble level can be obscured depending on how it's mounted
In Use:
I had the older
Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
, and while it was quite good for a simple point-and-shoot digital compact, I needed something a bit more. The primary reason that I bought this GorillaPod Hybrid was for use with my
Nikon D5000
, and because this DSLR features a fully articulating 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD display, it permits some very low-level shooting angles. And this is where the GorillaPod really shines, as the legs can be quickly spread apart to an almost flat position, allowing for some very low ground level shooting.
Was skeptical when I had read in the specs that this GorillaPod could handle cameras weighing up to 6.6 pounds, but a number of occasions have occurred arose where it proved itself, I've been pleasantly surprised that there was enough gripping power in the legs to hold it to such things as a relatively smooth vertical pipe. Have used this GorillaPod in a wide variety of shooting situations. It has been attached it to the obvious tree limb, street signs, NYC subway stair railings, fence posts, the handlebars of a mountain bike, the back of a chair, a light fixture hanging from the ceiling, a statue in an outdoor sculpture garden (allowed), a piece of driftwood, doorknobs, the base of an office desk chair, a rusty pipe sticking up in the middle of nowhere and more.
But where this GorillaPod really shines is with the
Joby BH1 Ball Head
mounted. Low angle shots become very easy, and it just extends the versatility of the product. Have used this combination with a number of different cameras attached, and this experience made me decide that additional head attachments might help. With a little digging and confirmation that they would fit, I found them here, including a flash clip:
>
Joby GP2-41EN Extra GorillaPod SLR Clip with Bubble Level
>
Joby GP1-11EN Quick Release Replacement Clips for Joby GP1 GorillaPod
>
Joby GP2-21EN Flash Clip for Joby GP2 GorillaPod
Using the Flash Clip with BH1 ball head attached to this GorillaPod has given my old Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash new life in its wireless slave mode, and with no hot shoe extension cords. I say new life because this Speedlight was often left behind because if it was going to be used as a fill flash, as it required toting along extra stands, clamping devices or gaffer's tape. Now this simple device, smaller than a matchbox, allows the flash to be carried and used without a second thought.
Play with it, explore the range of motions with the legs, get used to the feel of it in your hands; it doesn't take much ingenuity to always find new ideas for uses once you've explored it yourself. Hand a young child the GorillaPod, give him or her about two minutes to explore the bendability, and then watch the facial expressions as the imagination soars. Put it on a table at an outdoor restaurant and don't be surprised if a curious individual or two will stop to ask what it is.
Summary:
There are some special purposes when a conventional tripod just won't do, circumstances when you need a steady platform that can grab onto a surface. Part tripod, part clamp and part gripper, devices like this will keep your camera steady in awkward locales. This
Joby GP3 GorillaPod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod
does just that, and I've found that its uses are only limited to your imagination. Provided that it fits your camera gear, this one is highly recommended as a great time saver and good platform for those tricky and difficult shooting situations that do and will arise.
9/10/2012
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This Item  JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom. Flexible Tripod with Ballhead Bundle for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras Up To 3kg. (6.6lbs). |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $79.00 | -17% $49.99 List: $59.99 | $15.38 | -38% $22.99 List: $36.99 | $36.99 | $19.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Versatility | ||||||
| Sturdiness | ||||||
| Light weight | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Sold By | Slick Returns | K&F Concept | Amazon.com | EUCOS Direct | Wanfaau | Amazon.com |
| compatible devices | Camera | Smartphone, Camera | iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone X, iPhone, iPhone 6 | iPhone, Android | iPhone 15 Pro Max/ 15 Pro/ 15/iPhone 14 Pro Max/ 14 Pro/ 14/iPhone 13 Pro Max/ 13 Pro/ 13/ iPhone SE/ iPhone 12/ 12 pro/ 12 pro max/ 12 mini/ 11/ 11 Pro Max/ 11 pro/ X/ XS max/ XR/10, iPhone 8 plus/ iPhone 8/ 7/ 7 plus/6S / 6/Samsung Galaxy S22/ S21 Series/ Galaxy Z Flip/ NOTE/ Google Pixel Series/ One Plus 1+Series | iPhone, Android, Camera, Gopro |
| tripod head type | Ball Heads | Ball Heads | Ball Heads | — | Ball Heads | Ball Heads |
| material | ABS Plastic, Aluminum, Rubber, Stainless Steel, Steel, TPE | Aluminum | Metal, Rubber | Aluminum, Modify Nylon PA6/6 | Alloy Steel | Aluminum |
| minimum height | — | 52 centimeters | — | 12 inches | 74 inches | — |
| maximum height | 30.5 centimeters | 163 centimeters | 28.3 centimeters | 62 inches | 1 centimeters | 62 inches |
| weight | 0.88 pounds | 1.15 kilograms | 0.4 pounds | — | — | — |
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Reviews with images
JOBY GorillaPod Zoom & Ballhead - Awesome & details!
This tripod is AMAZING!I got the Zoom with the ballhead. I have been looking at these tripods for some time and finally decided to buy one. This is one of the best purchases I have made in a while. I highly recommend getting one and here is why. This tripod allows me to do so much and achieve angles and shots that I never could have gotten before without a second person! The make, build, material, fuctionality.......all top notch. The tripod is extremely durable and well built. It is plastic but not a cheap feel, very solid. The gray rings on the joints and the bottoms of the the legs are rubber. This helps with grip like you wouldn't believe. The extra grey rings provide traction when you are using the tripod in grapple mode. The joints are stiff which is a good thing. At first look I thought it was going to be easy flexing and unreliable but it is the opposite, solid stiff flexing and completely reliable. You can adust the legs at each joint! EVERY BALL MOVES! I have found it best to use 2 legs to grapple and the third on the bottom as a stabilizer in a kind of "Y" shape when I need just a little more distance or range than allowed when the 3rd leg is grappeling. The ballhead is a must! You recieve so much more range of motion with it. The ballhead includes a quick release so that the camera can be detached from the tripod with the push of a button. The ballhead also has a slot on one side so you get that much more range of motion for adjusting your camera (see photo). Even better the mounting plate has a level on it so that you can be sure to frame your shot just right. Bonus on bonus, the level is on the mounting plate so if you quick release, the level goes with your camera! I chose the zoom because of the size. The Hybrid looked to small to support the camera and the Focus looked to big/bulky for vlogging. I picked the right one one.....it supports my camera and then some. It is surprisingly comfortable to hold when self shooting.The tripod can be used to get super low to the ground, wrap entirely around an object, and even grapple widespread (see photos). Experiment with it! You'll be surprised at what you can do and where it can go. Just make sure to protect your camera and always make sure the tripod is set securely before you walk away from it. It can be difficult or rather a hassle to straighten the legs back out but seriously, why? They never have to be straight plus you have a level. Super compact so it can go in my pack without losing gear room.I am totally happy to add this tripod to my gear. It will be interesting to see where I can grapple for time lapse shots!For reference to size & weight:The camera in the photos is a Canon Rebel T6i with 18-55mm kit lens and hood. The stand being grappled is a microphone boom stand.If you found my review helpful, please let me know! Thanks and happy shooting!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2012
Size: Leg OnlyStyle: GorillaPod SLR Zoom StandVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2010
Size: GorillaPod KitStyle: GorillaPod SLR Zoom KitVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Faja
Mas que suficiente
Reviewed in Mexico on February 20, 2022Size: GorillaPod KitStyle: GorillaPod 3K Video PROVerified Purchase
nygel smith
So versatile!
Reviewed in Canada on April 30, 2019Size: Leg OnlyStyle: GorillaPod SLR Zoom StandVerified Purchase
SergiCar
3 Kilos?
Reviewed in Spain on July 3, 2020Size: GorillaPod KitStyle: GorillaPod 3K Video PROVerified Purchase
Rocha
Muy contento con el
Reviewed in Mexico on April 9, 2018Size: GorillaPod KitStyle: GorillaPod SLR Zoom KitVerified Purchase
CUTINI Christophe
Stabilité ok
Reviewed in France on November 2, 2019Size: GorillaPod KitStyle: GorillaPod 3K Video PROVerified Purchase
