{"id":895,"date":"2016-06-26T20:58:57","date_gmt":"2016-06-26T20:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/?p=895"},"modified":"2018-03-06T05:04:30","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T05:04:30","slug":"product-review-gorillapod-focus-ballhead-x","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/product-review-gorillapod-focus-ballhead-x\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Review: GorillaPod Focus & Ballhead X"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It\u2019s short and stocky, it\u2019s strong, it\u2019s adaptable, and it\u2019s flexible. It can hang on poles, fences, tree branches, railings, and sign posts. It can stand upright, sit down low, or twist and bend and turn. Yes, it\u2019s ape like, and it\u2019s called the GorillaPod Focus tripod by Joby.<\/p>\n

Since 2006, Joby has manufactured and distributed its innovation series of GorillaPod tripods, but now they have met the needs of photographers with heavier DSLR cameras and lenses. The GorillaPod Focus<\/a> with accompanying Ballhead X<\/a> can support up to 11 pounds of equipment.
\nGorillaPod Tripod<\/strong><\/p>\n

The tripod stands 11.4 inches high, with an additional Ballhead X height of 3.3 inches, so of course it\u2019s not tall enough to replace your full-sized tripod, but that\u2019s not why you\u2019ll want to own one.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re actually going to gain height over your regular tripod by wrapping the flexible legs around objects high off the ground. And if you don\u2019t want to spend the time manipulating your standard tripod into a low position, just grab the GorillaPod Focus, quickly pull the legs up and get your camera 5\u201d off the ground \u2013 great for those low to the ground macro shots.<\/p>\n

It can also be very useful when hiking into rocky terrain. Just manipulate the legs in and around the rocks or other uneven surfaces.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a sturdy tripod that\u2019s built well – Joby cut no corners here.<\/p>\n

Its legs are made of machined-aluminum sockets with rubberized rings around each socket and rubberized feet, so they can grab and add stability when attaching it to various objects. Now it may take a little time to bend and manipulate the legs, due to sockets that are somewhat laborious to move, but that\u2019s a good thing.<\/p>\n

Be patient, because you\u2019ll want to take all the time needed to make any necessary adjustments so you know it\u2019s secure before you let go of your tripod and camera – you certainly don\u2019t want blurry images if it slides or watch your camera falling to the ground.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re done photographing, it can be a bit of challenge to get all 3 legs aligned straight again, so just enjoy its attributes and work on that when you get home.<\/p>\n

Note: To avoid any slight movement of the camera, I would suggest using a remote shutter release when making your images.<\/em><\/p>\n

With its legs folded in, it\u2019s compact and very portable. Just strap it to your camera bag or belt. Here in Florida, it\u2019s great to take along when you\u2019re walking the beach for miles and miles, as the combined weight of the Focus and Ballhead X is less than 2 pounds.<\/p>\n

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Image provided by Joby, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ballhead X<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now you can certainly use the tripod without a ball head, but you will lose a lot of flexibility. You may only have a couple of options when wrapping the legs around an object, so the tripod\u2019s mounting plate could end up pointing in the wrong direction. Screw on any professional ball head and have the ease of adjusting the camera\u2019s angle.<\/p>\n

Joby\u2019s Ballhead X is a nice little addition to the Focus. You attach your camera to the rubberized quick release X-shaped mounting plate, by just flipping up the metal tab attached to the screw, screw it in and press it back down. You\u2019re now ready to attach or release it from the ball head.<\/p>\n

It is constructed of aluminum so it is very light weight, coming in at 9.3 ounces, yet it\u2019s quite sturdy with easy to use rubberized adjustment knobs that allow you to pan 360\u00b0 and tilt +\/-90\u00b0. As with any ball head, just be sure the knobs are fully tightened or the weight of your camera is going move from the intended point of focus, especially if it\u2019s in unusual positions.<\/p>\n

In the Field<\/strong>
\nThis is a fun, easy to tote and functional little tripod, so you might be inclined to go on a GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead X adventure.<\/p>\n

The weight of the camera did cause the quick release plate screw to loosen from the camera on occasion, which is a bit of a pain, but just remove the quick release plate and tighten down the screw and you\u2019re on your way.<\/p>\n

Look around for your photo subject and then see what you can wrap the tripods legs around to make some interesting images. It also makes a great car window camera mount. The possibilities go on and on and on\u2026.<\/p>\n

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Are you out walking about, but don’t
\nwant to take your full-sized tripod?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Take the GorillaPod – you’re bound to
\nfind an object to which it can be attached.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Take your time. Make sure the GorillaPod is secure before you let go.
\nBackdrop: St. Johns River and downtown Jacksonville, Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The railing around Friendship Fountain
\nin St. Johns River Park is a great place
\nto get up close to the action.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Here it’s attached to the guardrail
\nto get a view through the trusses of the Main Street Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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250 year old “Treaty Oak”
\nJesse Ball duPont ParkJacksonville, Florida<\/p>\n

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Wrap those legs around a lifeguard
\nchair and make images at sunset.
\nJacksonville Beach, Jacksonville Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nWith its light weight and ball feet, it
\nbarely sinks into the sand, so you can get
\nup close and intimate with your subject.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every photographer, whether professional or amateur, wants and needs a tripod and ball head that has both versatility and stability and this is one mini tripod set that stands out in front of, or should I say wraps around, all the others. Why? Because it is flexible and sturdy, easily portable and can hold the weight of a professional camera! It may have a couple of quirks, but your creative mind can take it to places where no other tripod can go.<\/p>\n

Be sure to add the GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead X to your wish list for Santa and be sure to put it at the top of the list.
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