Joby Gorillapod Focus

Photo answers review

Photo answers rating

The Joby Gorillapod Focus tripod is a handy little gadget. If smaller Gorillapods have left you feeling nervous about relying on one to support a big pro-sumer DSLR, this latest incarnation should allay those fears. With its solid-yet-flexible legs we're happy at last that our precious DSLRs are safely supported, in style. With those trademark prehensile legs, you can manoeuvre the Gorillapod into almost any position, or wrap it round a post or fence for elevation. Once in position it really does hold on with the ferocity of a limpet. In tests, it took all our strength to gradually pull it away.
The Focus model doesn’t have a quick release plate – Joby expects us to attach our own tripod heads via the supplied 3/8in adapter screw. This is fine and very workable and you can attach your camera direct to the legs via the 1/4in screw mount, but it's a shame there's no separate head supplied. 
While the Gorillapod Focus lacks the elevation of a normal tripod, it's small, lightweight, adaptable and extremely convenient. We carried ours in a rucksack-style camera bag as hand luggage on a recent trip, whipping it out whenever the need arose. For a travel photographer who wants to go for a few creative long-exposures, it’s just the ticket. We're definitely going to keep one in our bag. It’s never going to replace a big tripod but it is going to come in very, very useful. The only real niggle is the price.

Product details
Weight/size (wxhxd) 500g/290 x 92 x 92mm
Build Aluminum pockets, rubber rings and foot grips
Capacity 5kg