I’ve written before about the amazing Joby Gorillapod, that wondrously sturdy device that can hold your camera pretty still for fairly long exposures. It works just as well as a mini-tripod on a desk as it does with one or more of its claw-like arms clinging tenaciously to a street lamp post like King Kong on the side of the Empire State Building. And, unlike Kong, the Joby Gorillapod remains quite portable, meshing well with the rest of the equipment in your camera bag.
The folks at Camera Labs have now weighed in as well. They were able to put the Gorillapod SLR Zoom, the newest and strongest member of the Gorillapod band — yes, that’s what a group of gorillas is called — through the paces.
Is this gorilla rugged enough to grip to rocks, trees, fences and railings, and even the back of a chair with a variety of Canon and Nikon SLR cameras all appropriately equipped with heavy and expensive-looking lenses? Answer: yes, most definitely. Can it tear apart your luggage? No, you’re thinking of a completely different gorilla.
In fact, the Camera Labs editors highly recommend the Gorillapod SLR Zoom, but their affection falls short of advising you to throw out your traditional tripod since there are still some instances when you’ll still want the tripod, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, for height and greater stability.
Check out Amazon.com for the latest prices on Joby Gorillapods
