Tripod for filming yourself

Hi everyone,

I’m curious if people have any tripod recommendations for filming yourself? I’m looking for a handheld one that you can put a phone into.

I currently have some cheap one from Target, but it’s not very stable. I’ve been trying to film myself at the gym more to analyze my technique, and my current tripod isn’t cutting it. My gym has old mats that have a ton of give and transfer force really easily, so the tripod gets knocked over if anyone steps near it. Anyone have a recommendation for a stable, handheld tripod? Thanks a lot!

Joel May wrote:

Hi everyone,

I’m curious if people have any tripod recommendations for filming yourself? I’m looking for a handheld one that you can put a phone into.

I currently have some cheap one from Target, but it’s not very stable. I’ve been trying to film myself at the gym more to analyze my technique, and my current tripod isn’t cutting it. My gym has old mats that have a ton of give and transfer force really easily, so the tripod gets knocked over if anyone steps near it. Anyone have a recommendation for a stable, handheld tripod? Thanks a lot!

Um, that's a bit of an oxymoron.

I like the joby gorilla pod.

Marc801 C wrote:

Um, that's a bit of an oxymoron.

I have faith. 

X C wrote:

I like the joby gorilla pod.

Thank you!

The most stable tripod is always going to be a big, heavy tripod.  Folks that shoot large format film still use wooden tripods for good reason.  That said, the gorilla pod is a nice option--it can go completely flat (low perspective, but would work for your purposes) or it can wrap around a larger object, which will definitely make it more stable.  Is it possible to set this up somewhere NOT on the gym mats?  Because that's going to cause issues with almost any setup.  

Joel May wrote:

I have faith. 

Have faith in what, exactly? "Handheld tripod" simply makes no sense.

Marc801 C wrote:

"Handheld tripod" simply makes no sense.

Okay boomer

Joel May wrote:

Okay boomer

Slogans, even short ones, are great; they save so much time.

Joel May wrote:

Okay boomer

Okay, wise-ass gen-Zer. Exactly what is a "handheld tripod"?

Marc801 C wrote:

Okay, wise-ass gen-Zer. Exactly what is a "handheld tripod"?

https://www.amazon.com/GorillaPod-Original-Tripod-Point-Cameras/dp/B0087FFTT2

What has already been mentioned in this thread. Tiny tripod, can be set up as a tripod or held in the hands. 

Ricky Harline wrote:

https://www.amazon.com/GorillaPod-Original-Tripod-Point-Cameras/dp/B0087FFTT2

What has already been mentioned in this thread. Tiny tripod, can be set up as a tripod or held in the hands. 

*Any*, seriously, any tripod can be "held in the hands". But the entire point of a tripod is to provide a stable, non-moving base. Holding it in the hands defeats it's primary reason for existence. Holding a tripod in the hands converts it to a selfie stick like handle without the functionality. The OP could have avoided all this by just 

• saying he was looking for a small/tiny tripod at most X" in height
• not posting the snarky replies

BTW, I own 5 tripods, which includes a GorillaPod and a tiny 8" high Slik

Marc801 C wrote:

*Any*, seriously, any tripod can be "held in the hands". But the entire point of a tripod is to provide a stable, non-moving base. Holding it in the hands defeats it's primary reason for existence. Holding a tripod in the hands converts it to a selfie stick like handle without the functionality. The OP could have avoided all this by just 

• saying he was looking for a small/tiny tripod at most X" in height
• not posting the snarky replies

BTW, I own 5 tripods, which includes a GorillaPod and a tiny 8" high Slik

Or you could have avoided all this by just posting a helpful message about your experience with your 5 tripods instead of calling out OP for an oxymoron when you know what he meant.

Marc801 C wrote:

*Any*, seriously, any tripod can be "held in the hands". But the entire point of a tripod is to provide a stable, non-moving base. Holding it in the hands defeats it's primary reason for existence. Holding a tripod in the hands converts it to a selfie stick like handle without the functionality. The OP could have avoided all this by just 

• saying he was looking for a small/tiny tripod at most X" in height
• not posting the snarky replies

BTW, I own 5 tripods, which includes a GorillaPod and a tiny 8" high Slik

Then you know that most tripods are pretty miserable to try and hold with a camera on the end. You're being obnoxiously difficult. 

The Joby GorillaPod is great. Lightweight, flexible / versatile, and also bulletproof. Highly recommended.