Gizmodo: Tripods

Gorillapod Focus Is Muscled-Up Bendy Tripod for Hefty Cameras

Kit Eaton — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:08:00 EDT

As well as tweaking its Gorillapod flexible gripping tripod design in the Gogo model, to support all sorts of gadgets, Joby's now applied some real beefing-up techniques to its original camera-tripod version and created the Gorillapod Focus, designed for heavier camera gear. Made from aluminum so it weighs just 1.1 pounds itself, it can nonetheless support pro-video or SLR equipment that weighs up to 11 pounds, and of course fasten it/dangle it from all sorts of places you wouldn't normally mount a tripod. The Focus is due soon for a similarly beefed-up price of $150. [GeekyGadgets]

Monster Pod Is Peter Parker's Tripod of Choice

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:47:26 EST

What better way to take pictures of ~~yourself~~ Spiderman hurtling through the concrete jungle than with a mini tripod that sticks to "almost anything", from trees and poles to fences, rocks and walls? Monster Pod's stickiness comes from a "patented viscoelastic polymer"—I love it when SkyMall talks science. As far out as it seems, this thing sells for the low low price of $29.99, a great deal, at least until Make Magazine explains how to do it with a single bolt and 19 cents worth of string and chewing gum. [SkyMall via Crave]

How Manfrotto Tripods Are Bent Into Life

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Ever wonder how tripods are made? Enjoy seeing large robots cut, bend and flatten tubes of metal as they careen down an assembly line? Kick back and watch as we take you on a guided tour of the Manfrotto Tripod factory in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. It's a four-minute segment, so if you have to use the restroom, go ahead and do it now. – Curtis Walker

Disclosure: Freelancer Curtis Walker's tour was part of a junket paid for by Manfrotto. Gizmodo staff members are disgusted by the very notion of paid trips from companies; But frankly, the video was entertaining, and Curtis's fine work stands in service to the readers. This is in no way a paid advertisement for Manfrotto.

ClamperPod: When Crappy Gadgets Go...Crappier

Mark Wilson — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 10:50:17 EST

Every once in a while, we get an absolutely terrible product tipped to us by a shady manufacturer...that isn't even new. If the invention itself didn't naturally border on parody, there are plenty of telltale signs. Notice the lazy yet cheesy slogan, "You can always find something to clamp to!" Notice the lazy yet clearly made-up testimonials, "This is a "James Bond" gadget, wow!" (That helpful nugget of wisdom is attributed to Mr. Mario.)

But the ClamperPod isn't a parody, or even intended as parody. The ClamperPod is available for $16.95 on a site filled with other legitimately shoddy camera accessories. And then you realize the Internet is but a conglomerate of dreams, most of them pitiful. – Mark Wilson

Product Page

Slik S Pole Digital: Like Lifts for a Camera

Mark Wilson — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 17:00:54 EDT

The Slik S Pole Digital (a name that is surely butchered by translation) is a helpful way for SLR photographers to get that extra bit of height for a shot. Its 30cm to 60cm can help a camera reach those tough spots, like over private fences and up to bedroom windows.

The $58 pole can also be attached to a tripod, which makes more sense for serious photographers who are trying to capture images of a bit more legitimacy (sunsets, not sunbathers). Gizmodo Paparazzi Tip: If you're not looking for tripod attachment, just go with a monopod instead - you will gain reach and the ability to plant the camera to the ground. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via slrworld]

DIY $10 Panoramic Tripod Head

Travis Hudson — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 17:02:31 EDT

Our sexy sister, Lifehacker, is highlighting a little tutorial how to build a panoramic tripod head of your own. This head can attach on to your existing tripod for quick, painless and accurate panorama shots. All the project takes is a little woodwork and you will be able to take amazing shots like this with ease. Check out the linkage below for the tutorial and get panorama'ing. – Travis Hudson

How to Build a Panoramic Tripod Head for $10 [Via Lifehacker]

Joby Gorillapod SLR Launches

Travis Hudson — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:25:22 EDT

Back in February we first saw the Joby Gorillapod. It is an extremely versatile tripod that can wrap around damn near anything. Joby has answered the requests of the people and released a bigger, better version of the Gorillapod designed for small camcorders and SLR cameras. The Gorillapod SLR uses the standard 1/4-inch screw and can hold up to 2.5 pounds of gadgety goodness. It retails for $49.95, but they are offering a coupon code for the Gizmodo readers. Enter the code, gizmodoSLR, and receive $5 off your Gorillapod SLR purchase. – Travis Hudson

Edit: There was some issues with the coupon code earlier today, but all is well now. Thanks for the patience.

Product Page [Joby]

Bottle Top Camera Tripod You Can Buy

johnb — Wed, 31 May 2006 15:31:52 EDT

OSNk has built an "official" retail version of the bottle cap tripod we posted about a few weeks ago. This tripod fits on almost any 20 ounce bottle and pops off when not needed. It can also attach to flat surfaces like "binders" and "books." Don't stick your DSLR on there, but otherwise you're golden. – John Biggs

Product Page [OSN via MobileWhack]

Fotosniper Camera Mount

Robb — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 13:08:46 EDT

Russian camera maker Zenit has produced the most homoerotic camera accessory of all time, a "tough-guy rifle mount" packaged with a Zenit 122 SLR camera and monstrous telephoto lens.

Similar to a real sniper rifle, they say, except that it "shoots brilliant, contrasty pictures rather than bullets." The jokes write themselves.

It even has one of those assault-rifle style stocks to help you absorb the recoil action that comes slamming down into your shoulder when you release the shutter. All 0.0001 pounds per square mile are adequately dispersed.

In all seriousness, it appears to be designed to help steady shots taken at great range without the use of an unwieldy tripod. Alas, too late to win the Cold War.

Fotosniper [Zenit]
Zenit MF-1 [Zenit]

PMA Live: Faster MonsterPod! Stick, Stick, Stick!

johnb — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 08:56:29 EST

While there were plenty of mega camera, printer and camcorder releases at PMA this week, there was only one monster release—MonsterPod, that is. What the heck is MonsterPod? Good question. We were skeptical too when we saw it stuck to a swinging tennis racket at a press preview off the show floor in Orlando this week. Basically a tripod head mount with some kind of indiscernible goo that looks like two years worth of old bubblegum stuck to the bottom, MonsterPod will mold to practically any surface. What that means to the traveling photographer is that whether you re in the woods, on the ski slope or hiking the Grand Canyon, you can screw this baby into your digital camera and press it to any surface at any angle and it will stick, creating an instant tripod.

On the side of rock? No problem. Hanging from a railing? Easy, peasy. On top of a fire hydrant? Sure thing.

While that may be all fine and dandy, what the heck is that goo on the bottom? According to inventor father and son team Randel and Tyler Byrd, it s what they call Viscoelastic Morphing Polymer Super Grip, and it s still patent pending.
The entire device stands less than two inches tall and four inches wide and can be molded (or morphed) to just about any surface. Even better, the bond is only temporary so once you re done with your shot, just peel MonsterPod off and move on to the next spot. No fuss, no mess.—Dan Havlik with DigitalCameraInfo.com

Product Page [MonsterPod]

Joby Gorillapod: Part Deux

Travis Hudson — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 12:00:54 EST

After a good response from people about the Gorillapod, we have secured a deal with the manufacturers to offer a coupon code for the Gizmodo readers. We apologize to those who have already purchased one, but maybe this is an excuse to buy another? Enter special code GIZMODO at checkout for $3 off.

Product Page

Joby Gorillapod: Versatile Tripod

Travis Hudson — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 07:30:22 EST

Joby's Gorillapod is a tripod designed for smaller, lightweight cameras that allows placement in a variety of places that traditional tripods just can't manage. The tripod allows you to utilize the environment around you with the three flexible legs that can wrap around a variety of objects.

Each of the grippy joints on the legs are able to bend and rotate 360 degrees. The base joints also have larger grips so the tripod can stand in the traditional manner without any slippage. It uses the traditional 1/4-inch screw and only weighs 1.5 ounces. Available for $25 through the Gorillapod website.

Product Page

DIY: Nalgene Bottle Tripod Hacks

Travis Hudson — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 15:56:17 EST

Aaron wrote us with a handy hack turning something he learned about in an old Gizmodo post into a cheap on-the-go tripod. Back in November we wrote about the Nalgene Press-Bot, a way to make coffee on the fly in Nalgene bottles. Aaron purchased this and encountered some problems. He mentions not only was the coffee mediocre but the top broke off, his girlfriend noticed that the threaded shaft is a perfect fit for the standard camera tripod attachment. Voila! A new camera tripod and bad coffee all in the same container. This is probably more sturdy and works better than the Bottle-cap Tripod mentioned earlier this month. Good work, Aaron.

Wide-mouth Nalgenes for your tripod [Amazon]

Poor Man's Camera Tripod

Travis Hudson — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 15:58:43 EST

This is a bottle cap tripod. The screw-on tripod adapter has been integrated onto the top of standard soda bottle caps. Sometimes even the smallest mini tripods can be a pain in the ass to carry around all day, but these could easily fit into any camera bag and then turn an 20oz or even two-liter bottle into a convenient tripod. A very innovative idea, but at $20 each, you may want to look into making one of these yourself.

Product Page
Bottle Cap Tripod [Popgadget]