Completely depends on your intended use......tripod is more versatile as you don't need something to rest it on to gain height (other than the ground...lol). G-pod is more versatile if you don't want to lug around equipment but you limit yourself to where you can gain a viewpoint based on how you can attach it to your surroundings.
Also consider camera/lens weight.....g-pod had limits, tripods less so, depending on the quality of the tripod
They have much different uses and the Gorillapod is useful only for a small camera: non dslr. I use my Vanguard graphite monopod 10 times for every time I use my Vanguard graphite tripod. The monopod can be used as a light walking stick as well. I used a gorillapod a lot for a small camera with 10x optical tele posted on a window shelf in front of me at the viewing windows on a Norwegian Hurtigruten cruise ship: if you use that much tele, you must use a pod of some sort to get decent results. If I were to choose, I would get both a good graphite monopod and a gorillapod.
Hmm I just want to be able to take a steady shot out the bedroom window of the moon for example. Your answers are helpful. Thanks... maybe I should get both? And I have never heard of a monopod!
Again I have both. The Gorillapod SLR Zoom (which can take heavier lens than the SLR version) lives permanently in my camera bag, so I am never without a tripod. It's great for 'quick' or unexpected oportunities for long exposures - though the length of exposure depends on how windy a day it is (or how exposed your shooting position is). It's very convenient & can be taken into places where tripods are normally not permitted.
If you get a GPod, I'd recommend the ball head. I think it makes the world of difference in ease-of-use. You can get the tripod firmly positioned and then use the ball head to align your camera.
I use the 'proper' tripod for longer exposures, or where the location isn't suitable for a GPod, eg a beach.
When going away, the GPod always comes with us. The manfrotto is dependent on available luggage space/weight.
You need to consider what scenarios you're most likely to want a tripod & see which is best. The best thing about a GPod is you can take it everywhere and there is almost always something to stand it on or attach it to. To paraphrase the camera saying, the best tripod is the one you have with you.
TRIPOD. I cannot stress how firmly I feel about how much I loathe the stupid GPod and how I would not give mine to anybody. I use a stack of books, a street post, a mail box, or a railing before I would use it. I have one for the dslr and I can never get it in the right position, it slides while trying to take a photo and really hard to get straight. They sell table top tripods and that has worked out mush better for me.
@calx I got one from here: http://www.camerabeanbags.co.uk/
I've read about wildlife photographers especially like them to support huge lenses, and some people just take the empty bag in their luggage and then buy dry beans to fill it at their destination to save on space & weight.
I have a GPod and it gets used more by my son who likes to bend it into different shapes. I think it’s a pain in the a$$ to use and difficult to maneuver. Mine doesn’t have the ball head, but I bet that would make it much easier to use.
I like my Gorillapod, though I wish I had get the ballhead for it, will remedy that soon. I like my monopod. I love my tripods. I am considering a beanbag.
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Also consider camera/lens weight.....g-pod had limits, tripods less so, depending on the quality of the tripod
gorillapod experience...wanted to capture the atmosphere on a rainy/foggy night, yet didnt want to get out of the car and stand in the rain...
gorillapod with ballhead
canon dslr with shutter release cable
mounted on drivers side window
long 9 second exposure
If you get a GPod, I'd recommend the ball head. I think it makes the world of difference in ease-of-use. You can get the tripod firmly positioned and then use the ball head to align your camera.
I use the 'proper' tripod for longer exposures, or where the location isn't suitable for a GPod, eg a beach.
When going away, the GPod always comes with us. The manfrotto is dependent on available luggage space/weight.
You need to consider what scenarios you're most likely to want a tripod & see which is best. The best thing about a GPod is you can take it everywhere and there is almost always something to stand it on or attach it to. To paraphrase the camera saying, the best tripod is the one you have with you.
Sorry for throwing another option into the ring.
Rest it on walls in hides, tree stumps, the floor. Easy peasy
I've read about wildlife photographers especially like them to support huge lenses, and some people just take the empty bag in their luggage and then buy dry beans to fill it at their destination to save on space & weight.
Save yourself some money and just keep two bags of lentils in the house. Works real well, and is much easier to cook than a tripod.
Seriously though, I've used kidney beans, rice and lentils.