Gorilla in the Park

Bruce and Gorilla having fun in the park

I had some time before the main PMPE participants arrived in Ho Chi Minh. I took Bruce (Pentax K-x) and the gorilla pod for a spin in the Park.

The GorillaPod model I had was a Gorillapod SLR Zoom with Joby ballhead capable of supporting a DSLR up to 3 kg.

Overall the weight of the gorillapod and ballhead is very light and can be carried in most camera bags.

This gorillapod has saved me in various low light situations or when I need to shoot in long exposures. It held the camera firmly in a variety of situations that I encountered along the PMPE3 trip.

The ballhead was a joy to use and it enhances the capability of the gorillapod close to that of a tripod. The mounting plate has a built-in bubble level for straightening those horizon lines. However, I find the construction of the bubble level to be a bit delicate. I was a bit scared that I might break the bubble. Luckily, it did not happened.

Bruce and Gorilla pairing together in the park

I just love trees

Look Ma! No hands

I need a higher point of view

I love lamp posts

The Park Keeker chained Bruce and Gorilla up for climbing the lamp post.

Would I get one? Sure, it is a light weight and reliable support for the camera in those low light and long exposure situations. It is great for group photos and self portraits.

I usually find carrying a tripod on a photo trip a big hassle especially with weaker knees. The gorillapod provides a faster workflow from setting up to picture taking than a tripod. However, there are always compromises one have to take into considerations like putting the gorillapod into the river for those flowing water shots…..but then no tripod is perfect, I would not put a Gitzo Traveler 1541T into the river either.