Good support on the cheap!

I recently came across a thread over on dvinfo where two guys mentioned that they had used a Gorillapod (which is marketed as a kind of flexible mini tripod that can grab things)as a kind of shoulder brace. I had been interested for a while in getting something to stabilise handheld shots to avoid jello and jitter. No way was I going to spend one or two grand on a Cinevate or Zacuto rig or any of those mad looking things. So I went and spent around €120 on getting the largest and most stable Gorillapod and....... it works a treat! Pic below with a 50mm lens mounted and a Manfrotto quick release plate

IMG_5679.jpg (352.72 KiB) Viewed 9189 times

So now I can use the camera as if I had a good old video camera with optical image stabilisation. I even put a tripod head on it and a Sigma 70-200 2.8. With this weight the flexible legs would begin to buckle but it was still entirely usable. The good thing is you can use it in a number of different configurations. In the pic I have two legs resting on my shoulders and one leg out front as a handle, leaving a hand free for zoom, focus, etc. You could also have one leg on your shoulder and two legs out front as handles. You can also tuck a leg or two under your armpit or brace against your chest. You could probably attach it to your nether regions if you wished.

I'm delighted with it. No more shaky shots - and it's only a little bit weird looking!

love it. got to try that!

Now that is a bloody good idea old chap! I am so going to try that. The Gorilla would be useful for using off-camera flashes anyway so I can justify it to myself if it turns-out to be a bit dodgy...it would also be excellent to get some really low angle, stable shots...think 'amongst the grass'

I tried this on the weekend. might work for some but not for me. Did not give me a lot of advantage vs. just handholding it. I guess if you use a big lens like a 70-200 - then yes, probably it helps. but still - nice thinking outside the box!!

Yeah, don't show up to shoot a wedding with that thing on.

thats how i do it since day one
but I only have the smaller gorilla which is ok for that use but too small for 70-200 2,8 if u want to use it standing

I confirm that the largest Gorillapod is, for many run and gun situations, way better than my 5-tons Cavision rig with shoulder pad. The Gorillapod is indeed incredible. It is so versatile, so polyvalent, and so easy to reconfigure. I just wish there was at least 2 large models to choose among, and that he stiffness of the articulation could be adjusted for diverse uses. Indeed, last time I filmed in Brussels Matangais quarter, I was stopped by the police who thought my rig was suspicious. They were more interested in the Gorillapod than in my 5D Mk II !

+1 Brilliant idea Jim almost picked up one the other day, what's the bet Gorillapod take your idea and expand on it.

They most certainly should, as Iimagine there would be a much bigger market for a cheap and re-configurable support for video rather than for a grabby little tripod thing as it's supposed to be now.

I do find that it's a bit too easy to knock the legs out of the configuration I've set, so you have to be fairly gentle with it when picking it up and using. Sometimes I find myself yanking too hard on the front leg, but that's another story.....

Great idea, can someone please post an example clip ?