Joby Gorillapod Focus Tripod With Ballhead X Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Jul 5th 2010 at 2:01PM

The problem with reviewing a tripod for your camera, is that you can't actually take a picture of it with your good camera, if it is seen mounted with your good camera. I realized this dilemma late in the game, so you'll have to take my work for it when I say the Gorillapod can hold a heavy dSLR camera properly. This is actually two products you see before you. The Joby Gorillapod Focus Tripod meant for dSLR (or any camera or camcorder), and then the add-on Joby Ballhead X adjustable mount specially made for the Gorillapod Focus. These are professional-grade, highly flexible (literally) tools for mounting and stabilizing a camera or similar equipment with the same universal mount. Joby got famous from the original Gorillapod. It was a simple tirpod with Dr. Octopus style tentacle feet that could bend and wrap around things. Making it quite literally, the most flexible-bendable, go anywhere tripod ever.

Gallery: Joby Gorillapod Focus and Ballhead X

What can you do with a Gorillapod? Well you can wrap around things (many things), use it on odd surfaces, get extra traction on slippery floors, or just get creative. The Gorillapod Focus is meant for larger cameras and video recording equipment. Alone, it can hold something stead which is up to 11 pounds (5kg). It has a basic universal mount on it, but if you want more adjustability akin to something on a more traditional professional tripod, then you'll want the Ballhead X mount. Unlike the regular Ballhead, the Ballhead X can support up to 11 pounds as well. Enough for some serious equipment. Joby makes these items in a really high-quality manner. Mostly metal, and good rubberized plastics for traction. There are even more mounts which are able to go on the Gorillapod Focus aside from the Ballhead X - perfect for more complex video uses.

When it comes to flexibility, Joby really delivers. Moving the feet around isn't too hard, but they are sturdy - really sturdy. I never did have to worry about my camera falling or the whole thing slipping. Of course, you need to be prudent with how you attach the Gorillapod to things, but you won't be disappointed as the product delivers on its promise. The Ballhead X adds a quick release universal mount, a ball-joint adjuster, and a pivoting adjuster. One thing I wish it did have though was a bubble level (or similar). Given the nature of the tripod, it isn't exactly always level.

While I wouldn't use the Gorillapod Focus as my only tripod, I highly recommend it if you think you might find use in its ability to stabilize a camera anywhere. All professional photographs and videographers should have a Gorillapod of some type in their arsenal of tools. Also perfect for the pro-sumer photographer who wants all the best stuff. These flexible tripods simply come in too handy, and once you have one to use, you'll never want to be without it when the need arises. The Joby Gorillapod Focus retails for $99.95 and the Ballhead X mount is an additional $69.95. Both can be purchased online at Joby's website.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Thanks to Joby for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.

Tags: ballhead x, focus, gorillapod, joby, review