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.

Even if you subscribe to Ken Rockwell’s mantra that “tripods are for wimps“, you need stabilization for your iPhone when shooting video, esp. since the iPhone does not have image stabilization built in. So far, we have mainly seen do-it-yourself solutions, from outrageous rigs to quick and dirty hacks (see here, here and here). Fortunately, times are changing.

Thought Out announced three new products to be available by the end of July – the PED3-TriPhone ($28, for a regular iPhone 3GS), the PED3-TriPhone-FORM ($32, for cased or skinned iPhones – see picture), both of which can be mounted on a tripod. Also announced was the $12 TriPhone mount only, in case you want to use your existing tripod head. As soon as they become available, we will get one to mount on our Gorillapod.

This is only the first of many tripod solutions we will see. Similar to cases, tripod mounts will develop into an important subset of the iPhone accessory market. They will come with and without tripods as well as being integrated into gorillapods. The smaller, more versatile, while still stable, the better. We can’t wait for these to finally show up in an Apple store near us!

Vanguard’s Alta Pro tripod just received the ALTA (Technical Image Press Association) award for Best Accessory 2009!

Vanguard, maker of the popular Alta+ series of tripods, is about to release the new Vanguard Alta Pro tripod, which makes photography possible at virtually any angle. Unlike traditional tripods, the Multi-Angle Central Column allows users to move the central column as needed from zero to 130-degree angles in variable vertical and horizontal positions and at any angle a 360° scope is available, while its Instant Swivel Stop-n-Lock System feature allows photographers to securely reposition the central column in one simple movement.

The Alta Pro will be available in three models:
- Alta Pro 283CT: carbon fiber, extends 66 inches, holds up to 17.6 lbs.
- Alta Pro 263AT: aluminium, holds up to 15.4 lbs.
- Alta Pro 264AT: aluminium, extends 61 inches, holds up to 15.4 lbs.

In stores around the end of April 2009

Price: in the $400 range

Too shy to ask a stranger to take a picture of you in San Francisco? Afraid to give to someone your camera because they might take off with it?

Quikpod to the Rescue! Simply mount your camera on the Quikpod, set the timer on your camera to 3 or 10 seconds, extend the Quikpod, look into its small mirror below (so the camera will actually capture you and not someone else) and wait for the timer to go off. It is that easy. Sure, it looks dorky, but if it works for you, why not?

Quikpod also released a bigger, sturdier version for a DSLR. The new Quickpod DSLR can do double-duty as a monopod.

Quickpod: $29.95, Amazon: $17.37
Quickpod DSLR: $49.95, Amazon: $43.95

Delkin’s new Fat Gecko camera mount won one of the DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards at the PMA this year.

The Fat Gecko Camera Mount is a revolutionary new camera mounting kit designed for use in motorsports of all categories. It’s strong enough to remain securely in place, rugged enough to hold an expensive camera, and light enough to go un-noticed while in use. With its universal tripod mount, suction cup and handlebar attachments, the Delkin Camera Mount can be used with any camera and on any surface. In fact, it can not only be used on cars or trucks but also motorcycles, airplanes, or any other smooth surface.

Fat Gecko’s suction cups can hold a three pound camera and the double knuckle design and 2″ extension tube allow for 360° tilt, 360° turn & 360° rotation for all the best filming angles in any activity.

The 1/4 x 20 tripod mounting screw means users can use virtually any digital still or video camera on the market. With the handlebar mount, users can attach the Fat Gecko to standard 1 1/4 inch handlebars on motorcycles, ATVs, go-carts and more. The innovative bicycle mount utilizes a unique attachment location on the handlebars to reduce vibration, providing the smoothest video or photo possible. Fat Gecko’s quick release feature lets users quickly and easily move the mount from car to car, bicycle to motorcycle, ATV to airplane.

This is one that we definitely plan to field-test!

Available by the end of March 2009.

Price: tbd

Joby, maker of the Gorillapod line, announced at PMA today that they lowered the price on their top of the line Gorillapod GP8 (Gorillapod Focus) today. While as goofy-looking as the other Gorillapods and only weighting a bit more than 1 pound, this gadget can hold up to 11 pounds of gear, which means you can mount a DSLR with a heavy telephoto attached to it. Machined aluminum sockets offer flexibility while ensuring a rock-solid hold in almost any environment. Wrap it around a railing, hang it from a tree, or stand it on a table in the studio… the Gorillapod makes an excellent travel companion, so you can leave your tripod at home. We can’t wait to get ours!

Price now $109.95, Amazon: under $100

Here’s one that you should always have in your Bag! The Bottle-top Pod, made by Adorama, is a simple holder screw that’s attached to a bottle top. Simply take a soda bottle, water bottle or any other bottle, screw the bottle top pod on and you have an instant tripod. For added stability, fill the bottle with water or, better yet, wet sand.

Price: $9.95, Amazon: $7.99

Really Right Stuff has a long history of making some of the best ball heads and plates for attaching your camera (or lens) to a tripod. To further enhance their support for Sony cameras, they just released a version of their L-plates for the popular A900.

Price: $140 direct

In addition to its good “Swivel Toe Stabilizer”, the latest version of Monestat’s RS16K ART monopod features their Anti-Rotation Tubing, which allows you to open and close the monopod without turning or twisting the tubes. Solidly built, with rubber locks and a foam handle, it allows for fast set-up and shots at 60 degree angles. At 1.4 lbs, it can carry up to 30 pounds of gear which means you can put on the heaviest lens you own.

Price: $175.00, Amazon: $175.00

Manfrotto’s 561B uses fluid cartridges in the head and the base of its new 561 monopod to steady all movements, panning and tracking of either a camera or a camcorder that is mounted on this monopod. With its small legs (they are retractable and pivoting) and the fluid support, it should allow for some smooth action. Only potential downside: The monopod only supports 8.8 pounds, thus not being suitable for use with heavy telephoto equipment. Still, we are intrigued by the concept and hope to get our hands on one soon to test it.

Price: $221.95