It's the ultimate "why didn't I think of that?" concept, but kudos to
Joby for doing more than just keeping a bar story to itself. Following in the footsteps of the magnified
Gorillatorch, Joby decided to add a few magnets to the feet of its tried-and-true Gorillapod flexible tripod. The result? The Gorillapod Magnetic, of course! Reportedly, this little bugger supports digital cameras and camcorders weighing up to 11.5 ounces, and it should go on sale worldwide this April for an undisclosed amount. We know you've been dreaming of a way to snap group photos while inside those steel prison bars, and at long last, those dreams can be become reality. In related news, the company is also showing its professional side with the April-bound Ballhead X, which is described as a "portable yet sturdy" head that can pan, tilt, and rotate cameras up to 11.1 pounds, and while it's designed to play nice with the Gorillapod Focus, it should work fine with 3/8- and 1/4-inch threads on other tripods. Full release is after the break.
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Joby to Unveil Two New Photography Products at PMA
Joby highlights commitment to the photo market; announces Gorillapod Magnetic and Ballhead X
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – February 18, 2010 – Joby, Inc., the world renowned designer of the Gorillapod™ flexible camera tripod, is pleased to introduce two new additions to the Gorillapod family of products at this year's Photo Marketing Association International tradeshow, February 21-23 in Anaheim, CA. Joby will showcase its entire suite of products from the Gorillapod, Gorillamobile™ , and Gorillatorch™ lines at the Joby booth (#1436, Anaheim Convention Center), demonstrating its commitment to making thoughtfully-designed, revolutionary products that meet the creative and active needs of the photography community.
Inspired by the overwhelmingly positive reception of the Gorillatorch hands-free flashlight, which features powerful magnetic feet in addition to flexible, wrappable legs, Joby is thrilled to introduce the Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod. The world's most versatile tripod is now even more adaptable! With the addition of powerful magnets in the feet, the Gorillapod Magnetic can now be anchored to any magnetic surface, in addition to being secured with its fully-articulating legs. Stick it to a pole, wrap it around a tree-branch, or perch it on a jagged rock – the positioning possibilities are truly endless.
The Gorillapod Magnetic supports compact digital cameras and mini video cameras weighing up to 11.5oz, weighs just 2.5 ounces, is 6-inches tall, and will be available globally in April.
Joby is also excited to announce the Ballhead X for Gorillapod Focus, the latest addition to its Professional Line of photographic equipment. The portable yet sturdy Ballhead X supports 11.1lbs (5kg) and allows the user to easily and fluidly pan, tilt, and rotate his camera while still enjoying the versatility and reliable support of a Gorillapod on virtually any surface. Built with the serious photographer in mind, the Ballhead X is lightweight and compact, yet still robust enough to support professional SLR cameras with substantial zoom lenses and sizable camera rigs. It further extends the functionality of the Gorillapod Focus by allowing even more creative camera positioning, enabling the user to capture great shots anywhere his travels take him! While it is optimized for use with the Gorillapod Focus, the Ballhead X can accommodate both 3/8" and ¼" threads, allowing convenient compatibility with any tripod. The Ballhead X will be available both separately and bundled together with the Gorillapod Focus.
The Ballhead X for Gorillapod Focus is constructed from precision-machined anodized aluminum, weighs just over 9 ounces, is 3.3-inches tall, and will be available globally in April.
All of Joby's products will be on display at the Joby booth, #1436, Anaheim Convention Center.
that main pic makes me cringe. I foresee disaster..
@rekit I wouldn't trust my dSLR on that thing.
@rekit I wouldn't trust my dSLR on that thing.
Quagmire is definitely getting one of these to spy on Lois.
@StewieGriffin
"giggity"
@Glen Quagmire
You sirs are made of win!
Is that really strong enough to hold the camera? It's a disaster waiting to happen IMO
@BubblegumBalloon
We've had a sample stand identical to this at my work for several months now (don't know if it has the same branding, but the manufacturing looks identical) and I have to say that the magnets are pretty damn strong. I'd wager that it could easily hold 600 grams (possibly even 800) onto a vertical steel surface without any issues.
The only problem I have with the sample we've got is that the feet are hard plastic and not rubberised - this would mean that only a very smooth surface a heavier camera would lead to the magnets slipping.
p.s. Don't ask me anything more about the sample we have, I work for a bicycle company and I haven't got a clue why the hell we would have one kicking around, but we do.
uhh.. wouldn't the magnet destroy the camera?
@onlyk No. Nothing in the camera depends on magnetic storage. Unless you've got a ferrous-body camera (doubtful), magnets aren't going to do anything.
@Derek Kessler
Well there are those little micro drive jobs (that are excessively slow) but I doubt this would actually affect data on a magnetic storage medium. People tend to grossly over dramatize the effects of [small] magnets on a hard drive.
Scary!
Never in a million years would I put my 7D on a magnetic tripod.
@steakman Only 11.5 ounces man.
@steakman
I guess you wouldn't dare attempt at mounting your 7D on your car hood, would you? Sounds like an interesting experiment to me :D
Just don't make the mistake of thinking you can charge a whole lot more for it. All anyone has to do is glue a little magnet to the bottoms of their mini-tripods feet and get the same effect.
@KupoCheer
Good point. Simply glue on some neodymium magnets. Depending on the size the tripod will hold several kg, if necessary.
oooh me wants a new gpod
+1 for the Canon SD630 camera used in the picture.
This must be what Peter Parker uses when he's out of webbing
WTB??? where to buy?!!
@Somber it's available today at http://joby.com/store/gorillapod/magnetic
This is great. I have one of their older tripods and it works really well. When taking night photos, I've often wished I had some way of sticking the tripod to something to get an eye-level shot. Can't wait to try this out.
@Paul Ryan
Not as a fight but it just seemed the right thread for personal experiences with their devices.
I bought a dslr gorrila pod, it was hopeless, I don't have any big ass lenses but it just sagged all the time and gripped nothing. Ended up in the drawer, friend has it now for his remote flash and it's working fine cause it just has to hang there and point in the general direction.
Perfect for taking pictures of naughty bits from a stripper pole :-D
Watch out for SPIDERCAM.
About freaking time
they should do suction cups too
Now I see someone carrying the HEAVY metal plate (sewage lid?) along with his camera to make decent SETUP. LOL
I'm Scottish. In Scotland, a joby is a well know phrase used by children in the place of 'poo'.
As in, 'Mummy, mummy, I did a great big smelly joby' *delight*
I will be amazed if the magnets are so strong in the configuration of this foto, that the camera does not slide down the pole, due to the weight.
I'm not planning put my memory cards near magnetic things.
magnets and memory cards, is that a good combination?
@eriksmith200 oops violator already commented on this
http://kotaku.com/5466126/kotaku-shop-contest-proto+natal-edition
:P
f/ that!
I'm not putting my D90 on a vertical pole.