6 unique camera tripods
— -- Tripods can be super-useful tools when it comes to taking photos or shooting video, especially if you're trying to act as both photographer and subject in a group photo or video clip. Traditionally, a tripod has three legs that can be extended to varying heights, with a mount of some sort on top where you can attach your favorite camera or camcorder. While great to have around, a traditional tripod is often bulky, making it less than ideal to carry with you in many situations.
In recent years, quite a few unique tripods have hit the market that can do just as good a job as their larger counterparts (and sometimes better) without weighing you down. Here's a look at six tripod solutions that will stabilize your outlook on photography.
1. Joby GorillaPod
Joby's GorillaPod is probably the most recognizable unique tripod out there. Designed in many ways like your traditional tripod, the GorillaPod departs from the norm with sturdy bendable legs that can be wrapped around tree limbs, light fixtures, or anywhere else you need to attach your camera in order to snap a few shots. The GorillaPod Original can hold most standard point-and-shoot cameras; Joby offers sturdier options for larger DSLRs and video cameras, as well as a magnetic version with feet that can be attached to any metal surface.
2. Bottle Cap Tripod
The Bottle Cap Tripod lets you turn virtually any bottle into a tripod. The tripod's stretchy rubber socket on one end wraps tightly around your bottle of choice, and a standard-issue tripod screw on the other end attaches to your camera. While you're not going to be able to get super creative with where you place the Bottle Cap Tripod, it can be great to have on hand for moments when you need a tripod in a snap. Throw this in your bag, and you'll never be caught without a tripod option … as long as you keep yourself hydrated.
3. The Monsterpod
The Monsterpod allows you to turn pretty much anything into a tripod. Made specifically for use with lightweight cameras, the base of the tripod is made of viscoelastic morphing polymer similar to the Silly Putty you may have played with as a child. This base can be stuck to anything, from your ceiling to a pole or a fence.
Just like Silly Putty, however, the Monsterpod can occasionally leave a residue on surfaces (or take things like paint with it), so while it's a great solution in a few situations, it can be an inappropriate tripod choice in others.
4. Gerber Steady
Not only is it a tripod, the Gerber Steady is also a multi-tool that comes sporting a fine-edged blade, a serrated blade, three screwdrivers, a bottle opener, pliers and wire cutters. This ultra-compact tripod is perfect for campers and outdoor enthusiasts who want a tripod for some shooting situations but don't want to be weighed down by some of the heavier or bulkier options out there. As the MacGyver of tripod tools, the Gerber Steady easily slips into your pocket; be sure to remove it before heading through airport security.
5. Pedco UltraClamp
If you're trying to take photos while biking around the city, trying to hold your camera can be not only difficult but dangerous. The Pedco UltraClamp is a tripod that can be mounted on things like a car window, your bicycle's handlebars, or a picnic table for snapping shots. It attaches via an adjustable clamp that can adapt to fit almost anywhere you may want to use it.
Both sturdy and small, the UltraClamp's maker claims it's strong enough to support any camera or camcorder, so you can use it with not only your pocket-sized point-and-shoot but also your favorite DSLR.
6. The Twig Pod
Is it a tent stake, or is it a tripod? The Twig Pod is an ultra-light monopod designed to be used by backpackers and out in the wilderness. The svelte aluminum monopod has a pointy foot for staking in the ground (much like you might stick in a golf tee), and a ball head mount on top allows you to shoot vertically, horizontally, or from any other angle you might like. Once you're done, the Twig Pod collapses into four 8-inch parts, allowing it to be easily stowed away while you continue your journey.
A stand-up kind of product
These tripods are fun to look at but may not be suited for every shooting situation or every camera out there.
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