Joby Gorillapod Focus GP8 Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras

The JOBY GP8-01EN Gorillapod Focus Tripod was built for the professional photographer. It can support an amazing 11 pounds (5 kg), providing the stability of a standard tripod at a fraction of the size and weight-only 1.1 pounds (500g). Sturdy machined aluminum sockets with an anodized gunmetal finish offer incredible flexibility while ensuring a rock-solid hold in almost any environment. Cleverly designed to help capture hard to get images like time-lapse, available-light, night-time or long-exposure, the JOBY GP8-01EN Gorillapod Focus Tripod helps photographers refine their imaging skills. It is the biggest, strongest Gorillapod yet!

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars The Joby Ballhead is Necessary and Very Weak
I have tried and destroyed five gorillapods over the past few years on hikes, backpack trips, etc. I have progressed from the smallest gorillapod (when I had my point and shoot camera) to the plastic zoom models (when I bought a serious SLR camera) all the way to aluminum Focus GP8. The aluminum GP8 is the ONLY gorillapod that I did not break. All of the other gorillapods eventually failed near the leg joint. The legs would either fall off entirely or pop off after wrapping them around an object. The GP8 withstood the abuse. Unfortunately, I wish I could say the same for the Joby ballhead that is an expensive extra. The quick release failed after only two uses. It would not be fair for me to rate this product poorly since it is the only one that did not fail (thank you REI return policy). However, keep in mind that the Joby ballhead is an important (if not essential) add on for a serious photographer. It is too bad that it is very week.

2 Stars Good idea but wasn’t strong enough for my needs
I purchased the Gorillapod Focus after deciding that I would probably require the strongest gorillapod for my camera(canon 50d w/grip and canon 24-70mm f/2.8L). I mounted the manfrotto balljoint head on it (486RC2) and found that, while it was able to hold the weight while the camera was fully upright (for taking photos in landscape) as soon as I would adjust the camera to take a photo in portrait (so the weight of the camera is off centre) the gorillapod focus just could not cope with the weight no matter what configuration I put it in. I attempted to get the camera stable in this position for a good 20 minutes but it would just sag as soon as I let it go. The construction overall seems very good but the stiffness in the balljoints just wasn’t enough to cope with the weight of the camera being off centre. I’m very disappointed in this as I hoped this would be a good alternative to dragging my fullsize tripod around, however I found that this just doesn’t meet my needs and I would not trust this to securely keep my camera in place.

4 Stars 11 pounds may be an exaggeration.
7 pounds is pushing it. I put a D300 with battery pack and a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 lens on this and it’s OK if not stellar. The lens has a tripod collar, so the weight is pretty evenly distributed, but I had to widen the legs of the Gorillapod, with one leg facing front, under the lens, just to be sure it wouldn’t tip over. Altogether the combo is just under 7 lbs. I was going to try it with my Sigma 150-500, but the weight is too far forward and I don’t want a busted lens mount. Or worse. In any case, the camera is hard to aim on the tripod, you have to aim up from the intended target, then let it come down to shooting position. There is also a lot of wobble, a cable release (or timer) is a necessity. So, you really need a head to aim it right, but the head will add height and make it more unstable. Catch 22.

I don’t think I will try to wrap it around a tree branch or fence pole with $4K of camera attached. I tried wrapping it around a light stand and different parts of a ladder, without my camera on it, and it held, but really needed something to keep it from sliding down. Since the legs are not necessarily under an equal load, they will not hold as much weight. A light camera would probably be OK. That being said, I wouldn’t mind walking around with this stuffed into a deep pocket or in my camera bag, it’s better than nothing, and the only tripod I can carry on the subway is one that nobody can see. I used to shoot with one of those tiny pocket tripods under a P&S. The hardest part was finding a ledge or something to put it on so it would be at eye level, at least at a squat. Without finding something you’re on your belly, which might make for an interesting perspective (and good with animals), but is hard in the rain and snow.

So, I’m glad I bought this, and I’ll carry it (it’s light by the way, just over 1 lb.), but it will not take the place of a real tripod or even a monopod.

This review was for the Focus GP8, rated at 11 pounds, as the reviews seem to have been messed up.

4 Stars Great Minipod, but mounting could be Improved
Pod works great, good for propping against rocks and trees,very stiff stays in place well . However screw mount needs much improvement . A very good pod to take along on hikes and had to get to areas like rocks and uneven terrains .

4 Stars Finally, a Gorillapod that will hold up my camera – usually
Gorillapods are great, but you need one thats one-model stiffer than what Joby says. For example, get this one if you have a D300, and dont expect it to hold it up very well with a 600mm/2.8 lens on it. But it will hold it up with medium size lenses. My previous one, one model down, was not strong enough for me to be comfortable putting a D300 on with anything heavier than the 18-200 mounted. Just be careful – its easy to dump your camera with this thing if you’re not.

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