Joby Gorillapod Focus GP8

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Keith
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Thinking on buying one of these for an upcoming trip. Anyone got one? How do you find it? Would you recommend getting a Joby X head to match? Or will any tripod ballhead fit?

I have a Giottos mh5001 3-way head, will this work?

Thanks.
 
Any ball will work.

That said... you will struggle to find a head as compact as the Joby, for the same price, that works so well. The ballhead x is a remarkably good little head! (I have one)
 
Cheers. Do you find any slippage or sag when you load up a body with a heavy lens?
 
I have a different branded equivalent so my advice may not be relevant but I'm sure they are all made to a very close spec...

Mine is rated at a combined 3kg load.

I'm nervous when it comes to my gripped D7000 & 18-200mm but for a premium compact it is amazing!

The only thing I could do with my slr is stand it upright which although a bit heavy for it really, there isn't any slippage.

Put a 500g load on it however and you're away - you would absolutely love it with your X10!
 
Hmmm, I'll have the X10 with, but want to use the D800 on it also. With at least the 24-70. That's about a 2KG combo. Joby state that it can bear up to 5KG, so it might be ok. I may just have to take the plunge. It would be a bit of a pricey one just for the X10. There are much cheaper ones from joby, for lighter cams. But, at least I know that will work well for it.
 
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Cagey75 said:
Hmmm, I'll have the X10 with, but want to use the D800 on it also. With at least the 24-70. That's about a 2KG combo. Joby state that it can bear up to 5KG, so it might be ok. I may just have to take the plunge. It would be a bit of a pricey one just for the X10. There are much cheaper ones from joby, for lighter cams. But, at least I know that will work well for it.

I'm talking about not just using it as a tripod but for hanging off tree branches and obscure places etc.

That's when I wouldn't risk it with a DSLR...
 
Hmmm, I'll have the X10 with, but want to use the D800 on it also. With at least the 24-70. That's about a 2KG combo. Joby state that it can bear up to 5KG, so it might be ok. I may just have to take the plunge. It would be a bit of a pricey one just for the X10. There are much cheaper ones from joby, for lighter cams. But, at least I know that will work well for it.

I've not tried with a heavy lens, but I have a 24-105 F4 on loan at the moment so I'll try with that later.
 
That would be a little lighter than the 24-70, but if that on a 7D is sturdy, and you would feel safe hooking it to benches/trees etc ...?
 
Cheers, that didn't come up when I ran a search for some reason. Maybe because it's from last year? Anyway, that looks the job. The head you mention in there doesn't seem to be available anymore, but I spotted this one:

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RSH-61_Ball_Head.html#nogo

As the focus can be bought atm, on it's own, for £59.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joby-GP8-01...U0MY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350824644&sr=8-1


Seems like matching it with that RS head would be a nice price overall, that should suit my needs.
 
Well, ordered the focus pod, but RS won't be getting my money. £22 for delivery to here! Defeating the purpose of what seemed like good value, I'll just get a similar head on amazon. The focus came with super saver delivery to Ireland.

Just ordered the Manfrotto 494RC2 instead. Actually worked out cheaper with the SS delivery.
 
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My focus arrived today. No sign of the head yet, so I tried it without. Stuck the D800 with the 24-70 and grip attached. Not a problem. I'm happy with it, pushed it down a little from the top, adjusted the legs in all kinds of positions with the camera on. Never felt like it would slip or fall over.

So, unless the ball head is really flimsy [which it shouldn't be, it's a manfrotto] - this is ideal for my needs.
 
Cagey75 said:
My focus arrived today. No sign of the head yet, so I tried it without. Stuck the D800 with the 24-70 and grip attached. Not a problem. I'm happy with it, pushed it down a little from the top, adjusted the legs in all kinds of positions with the camera on. Never felt like it would slip or fall over.

So, unless the ball head is really flimsy [which it shouldn't be, it's a manfrotto] - this is ideal for my needs.

I made a mistake - I have the zoom equivalent. Saw the focus a few days ago and looks a bit more professional.

I want one now :)
 
I think the zoom holds a max of 3kg? The focus is good to 5kg, but I wouldn't go over 4, always leave a bit of room on top. The ball-head I have ordered is also good to 5kg so I should be fine. I did have a minor slip earlier when I put it on the coffee table to take a few testers [of myself, no I'm not posting them :D] - but it was simply how I had it set up. I had the legs spread out, curled, and not exactly symmetrical. Just a little too close to the edge of the table. Caught it in time though.

The legs are quite stiff, takes a bit of force to mould them into the shape you want, but that's good. You know once you have it shaped, it'll stay that way until you change it.
 
Just an update on this as the ball head arrived this morning - If you buy the focus, make sure you hang on to that little adapter screw! It's needed for the head I bought at least Manfrotto 494RC2
 
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