To show off the versatility and some of the more extreme uses of Gorillapods, I’m running a photography contest.

The winner will be sent $20 (USD, this is a British site but US dollars are a more internationally accepted currency), runners up will win my admiration, which is possibly a greater prize. It’s not a huge prize, but then there isn’t going to be much competition for you since not many people read this blog anyway.

It’s Easy to Enter

Take a photo of a Gorillapod being used in a creative/cleaver/unusual way.

Once you’ve taken your best photo of a Gorillapod in action, sent it or a link to a webpage with it to contest@gorillapods.co.uk along with your name (and optionally your website/blog/whatever) by 11/10/2009. You can still enter after that date, but voting will have already started so you’ll be at a disadvantage.

Come up with a creative use of a Gorillapod and win $20.

Voting

Once all the photos have been posted on this site, there will be a month for voting starting on the 9^th of October. Anyone one coming to this site will be allowed one vote. Voters may cast their vote based on whatever criteria they decide but are encouraged to vote based on the quality of the photo, use of the Gorillapod in the image and overall… coolness.

Rules

• No overly Photoshopped images. Touch your photos up by all means, but don’t create a completely fantasy image… that’s for another time.
• The voting will close on 11th of November and the winners will be announced on November the 15th. Prizes will be sent out as soon as possible via Paypal. You may still enter the Gorillapod Photo Contest during this period, but you will be at a disadvantage since you won’t have as much time to gain votes.
• You may enter up to 4 pictures.
• Anyone suspected of unfair practices will be disqualified.
• The final say in any disagreement will be mine.
• Every photo you enter must be legally yours (you took it/have copyright permission to use it).
• By entering a photo, you are giving permission for it to be used on this website.

I’m back from my holiday in Prague. I had planned on showing you a creative use of the Gorillapod while it was taking a photo. I’d visualise attaching the Gorillapod to unexpected like the head of one of the statues on Charles Bridge and focusing the camera on the castle then taking a photo of the set-up with my mobile phone. The only problem was I forgot my phone charger and the battery ran out before I got the chance to do something creative. Probably for the best; I didn’t want to get arrested for scrambling up some statue from the middle ages and braking its nose off while I was at it.

Anyway, here’s one photo I took while I was there although it has nothing to do with Gorillapods (I don’t think I even had it attached for this picture), but I did say I’d post a photo so I’ll try to stick to my word.

This week I’m enjoying a little holiday in Prague. Actually it’s not quite a holiday because I’m still finding time to work on this blog. I’m sure it’s really important that I let you know about this since so many people visit the blog all the time just to check out what I’m doing with Gorillapods at that time.

Anyway this is the first time I’ve taken my Gorillapod with me anywhere. On the first day though I completely forgot to take it out of the hotel room with me. It almost felt like taking photos would be a waste of time without the stability of a tripod which I could wrap around the railings on the edge of the river to zoom in on Prague Castle. Anyway the Gorillapods moment of glory will really be at night when getting a stable picture is more important so that the increased shutter time will not result in a blured image due to hand shakes while the image is being captured.

Of course all tripods do this same basic job but unless you’re using a Gorillapod, you will either have to carry a very large piece of equipment around with you or, if you use a minitripod, your photos may have to be taken from ground level if a flat surface cannot be found. It’s only with Gorillapods that you can you can attach your tripod to a railing, tree branch, sign post or support your camera on any surface, no matter how uneven.

So tomorrow I will definitely take the Gorillapod on all my journeys with me and I’ll put some pictures on here so you can see just how stable the camera was.

Update: I’ve looked around for some better prices on Gorillapods and found that Memory Card Zoo have been selling the original in 6 colours for just £12.50, which is probably the best price I’ve seen on them from a reliable retailer. In priced very well Below is a list of their prices:

Gorillapod Focus – £99.99

UK Prices
To give you an idea of prices I took a look at the Joby website and got the prices they sell them at.

Original Gorillapod -£17.95

SLR Gorillapod – £36.95

Gorillapod SLR Zoom – £45.95

Focus Gorillapod – £109.95

Ballhead – £39.95

Gorillapod Prices in the USA

The different kinds of Gorillapods have prices ranging from $21.95 for the original Gorillapods, $39.95 for the SLR Gorillapods, SLR-Zoom is priced $49.95, Focus could be bought for $99.95 and the Ballhead for the SLR-Zoom support is priced at $49.95.

Gorillapod Focus is designed for heaver equipment such as professional video and photo cameras with powerful zoom lenses. It gives you all the stability of a professional tripod at a fraction of the price and size and adds the flexibility you associate with Gorillapods. Allowing you to attach up to a massive five kilograms or 11 pounds of camera equipment, it has machined aluminium sockets that comes with snug joints made of upscale thermoplastic moulding for firmer grips in any kinds of activities and conditions. This type offers more than two dozens of leg joints and is rotatable up to 360 degrees.

(also the Gorillapod Focus looks really cool)

The Gorillapod Focus - It's SO Strong!

With this wonderfully created innovation, holding a large SLR camera and powerful zoom lens such is possible even if it weighs up to 3 kilograms or 6.5 pounds! That’s nearly 10 times what the original Gorillapod can hold and over three times what a SLR Gorillapod can manage. As its name suggests, The SLR Zoom Gorillapod is capable of supporting a digital SLR camera with a large Zoom lens.

Aside from the common features found in its counterparts, Gorillapod SLR Zoom includes the Gorillapod Ballhead. The Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is also taller and provides even more flexability!

The Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is the big one there. Not shown with the ballhead in this photo unfortunately.

The Gorillapod Ballhead is not a tripod but can be connected to one. It is actually small stand capable of supporting an SLR camera with a large zoom attached. It allows you to tilt and maintain a steady position on your camera as you would expect with a top quality tripod. The Gorillapod Ballhead is of course best when it is attached with a tripod. The Ballhead is compatible with almost any tripod and also includes a spirit level to give you a level picture every time.

The Ballhead is included with the Gorillapod SLR Zoom.

Joby... Obviously not a Scotish company.

SLR Gorillapods have the same common leg features as other Gorillapods but the difference is with the maximum weight. They can carry up to 800 grams or 1.70 pounds of camcorders and digital cameras. That means it’s more than twice as strong as the original Gorillapods. It generally has the same features as with the original type only that the quick-release clip comes with a spirit level to ensure more accuracy levelling shots. The Gorillapod SLR has additional features that include remarkably high quality snug joints made of moulded plastic for firmer grips to cope with even more extreme conditions and activities. Its rubberised foot and ring is a feature that ensures great stability whatever the surface or terrain may be.

Gorillapod SLR hanging out at the lake.

Gorillamobile is the new name for the Gorillapod Go Go. This is essentially the same as the Original Gorillapod but also includes a strong suction pad which lets you use devices on your Gorillapod which can’t normally be connected to a tripod. The main purpose is to give camera phones a way to attach to the tripod. I’ve not tested but you could probably connected other devices with cameras on to it such as the Nintendo DSi.

As well as cameras you can use the Gorillamobile as a stand to hold small screens in place such as those found on mobile phones or iPods/iPhones. This makes it easier for you to watch a film or picture slideshow when you’re away from home.

If you’re thinking of getting an Original Gorillapod, it is probably worth the extra couple of pound to get the Gorillamobile as you’ll probably find a use for it.

The Gorillapod Go Go was renamed Gorillamobile because Gorillapod Go Go didn't really mean anything... well that's what I think anyway.

This is (as you may have guessed by its name) the first version of the Gorillapod. It is designed to hold compact cameras. The maximum weight it is designed to hold is 325g which is suitable for just about any compact camera you come across.

Although it wasn’t the first tripod with flexible legs, it was the first tripod to feature wrap-able legs which take the flexibility of the legs to another level. No other tripod would allow you to attach a camera to railings or a tree branch for example. It’s a great securing feature especially made for mini video cameras and digital cams. Gorillapods feature a slim release clip that is suitable to connect your camcorders or digital cameras is definitely a good aspect for quick setups while a lock ring is perfect for safely attaching electronic gadgets. A further joint that can rotate up to 360 degrees is capable of holding up to 325 grams of gadgets. This model comes in seven different colours; blue, green, grey, pink, yellow and red.

The original Gorillapod comes in 6 colours as nearly shown above (the grey Gorillapod is just out of shot).