Flexible mini-tripods

[vawitt]

Anyone have any suggestions for these? I have an Olympus UZ500 (I think it's classified as a "prosumer" point & shoot) with 10x optical zoom (which means the lens hangs out a good way). Whole camera weighs < 1 lb w/batteries. I want a little bendy-legged tripod to prop on a rock, a bench, etc while out hiking. Do I really need to spend $40-$50 on a "gorillapod" or are there other options?

[Berengaria]

I bought a Gorillapod and had to send it back. My camera does not have a remote shutter release and pressing the shutter release button set it vibrating like crazy. I could have used the timer but I wanted quick shots of a cat in action and it just wasn't the right kind of tripod for my situation. If you have a remote shutter release, it might work well.

[PaulH]

Anyone have any suggestions for these? I have an Olympus UZ500 (I think it's classified as a "prosumer" point & shoot) with 10x optical zoom (which means the lens hangs out a good way). Whole camera weighs < 1 lb w/batteries. I want a little bendy-legged tripod to prop on a rock, a bench, etc while out hiking. Do I really need to spend $40-$50 on a "gorillapod" or are there other options?

There are 3 versions, if I remember right, the largest and strongest was about 50. It would hold a slr, the smallest was much less and should hold yours.

Some them in a store a few weeks ago - gorilla brand - might be some cheaper ones in the small size.

As stated - don't bother unless you have a remote ot timer release.

[NMarti]

Val
I bought a Case Logic version of it at Office Max for $20 for the SLR size and $9 for the small P&S size. Looks the same to me at half (or less) the price.

[lexcell]

I like the Gorilla Pods for small point and shoot cameras. I have checked out the SLR version and personally would not trust it to hold my valuable D-SLR's weight.
Point and shoots weigh alot less and would work fine. With any really small tripod, you should use a remote or the self timer to minimize movement at the time of capture.

[Ellen]

I like mine for my p&s, it's not stable as a tripod but wrapped around something like a branch or a chair rail it works great, no need for the self timer. (there must be some text shortcut thingy for just my 2 cents but I don't know it)

[robpendragon]

You might want to investigate those "bean-bag" pods, it's just what it sounds like...it's a bean bag with the connector mount on it for your camera, I know a lot of wildlife & macro photographers use them. Here are a few on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/103-2011232-3970254?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bean+bag+tripod&x=0&y=0

[Bayla]

The gorillapod comes in three sizes - one for P&S cameras, one for SLRs (but not once you've mounted a zoom lens on!) and one that is aimed at heavier equipment. I bought the latter and it's great for taking on hikes and walks - I thoroughly tested it in the summer and it coped fine with holding my SLR + zoom lens and being wrapped around gates, branches or propped up on rocks and picnic tables. Only downside was that the screw kept loosening and I kept having to check it and tighten it (the gorillapod actually fell off at one point early on!)

Bayla