Too shy to ask a stranger to take a picture of you in San Francisco? Afraid to give your camera to someone because they might take off with it?
xShot 2.0 to the Rescue! Simply mount your camera on the xShot, set the timer on your camera to 3 or 10 seconds, extend the xShot and wait for the timer to go off. It is that easy. Sure, it looks dorky, but if it works for you, why not?
Of course, this product can also be used to extend the reach, if you want to take pictures from above and over all the other people standing in front of you. Or mount the xShot iPhone Case on it, so you can take your shots not with a camera, but an iPhone.
Price: $29.95, Amazon: $19.75
The list of “iTripods” (see our reviews of the Blur Tripod, the Zgrip and the PED) is growing and that’s a good thing. A relatively new entry is the xShot Phone Case.
Similar to the other iTripods, the xShot consists of an iPhone case for the 3G and 3GS, which has an integrated 1/4 inch thread to mount a tripod or monopod. A small tripod is included, but the case can be mounted on any tripod that has a 1/4 inch screw. Simply slip your iPhone into the chrome-colored plastic case, set it up in landscape mode and you are ready to go.
It is noteworthy that the case does not allow you to rotate to portrait mode. While that should not be a problem when taking video, it might be one when snapping photos. Also noteworthy is the fact that the case does not come with a time-delayed photo app, but you can easily use any of the free or paid-for timer iPhone apps to time-delay your photos so you yourself can be in the picture as well.
Price: $29.95, from xShot.
You just climbed up on a pole and mounted your Gorillamobile to take some iPhone video, when you realize that it’s already too dark outside. What can you do to illuminate the object of your video desire?
If you brought along your GorillaTorch
, you can simply mount it next to your Gorillamobile, aim the light and adjust the light intensity anywhere between 0 and 65 lumens to get the best illumination of the scene.
The Joby Gorillatorch also features the same flexible, wrappable legs that all Gorillapods and the Gorillamobile do. It comes with magnetic feet, an integrated dimmer and a water-resistant casing. It weighs 1.6-ounces, so it is easy to carry with you into the field.
The Joby Gorillatorch is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.
Needless to say, but you can also use the Gorillatorch for iPhone photography.
Price: $34.95, Amazon: $29.95.
If you have been following our blog for a while, you know we are big fans of the Gorillapod
line of flexible, bendable mini-tripods that can be attached to almost anything. So the news brought smiles to our faces that Joby is now shipping a version of its Gorillamobile for the iPhone.
With four interchangeable quick-release adapters, including the addition of a custom engineered, slim line iPhone case, the Gorillamobile for 3G/3GS supports a lot of different mobile devices. The Gorillamobile itself weighs 4.5 ounces, is 8-inches tall and comes with a one year limited warranty. To use it with the iPhone, simply slip your iPhone 3G or 3GS into the iPhone case, mount it to the suction cup on the Gorillamobile and start shooting!
As with all Gorillapod products, its flexible legs enable the user to secure the Gorillamobile to virtually any surface.
Verdict: Highly recommended and an Editor’s Pick!
Price: $39.95 from Joby.
