is the gorillapod allowed in areas where "tripods are not allowed"?

i'll be bringing my SLR-Zoom for travel soon and just want to confirm - is it perfectly legal to use the gorillapod in places where they explicitly put signs stating that tripods are not allowed? I'll be touring Japan, France, and UK in the coming months..

From what I have observed, there are 2 main reasons why a venue might not allow tripods:

1) Setting up tripod may block other people from walking around, tripping hazard, safety, etc...
In this case the SLR-Zoom probably isn't that much better, as you still need time to set it up and may still potentially be blocking people. Security personnel likely won't like it.

2) Preventing you from getting professional level photos/videos
The venue may have exclusive contracts or charge money for photographers to get a license, and therefore anyone looking professional may be asked to stop. Not sure if the gorillapod makes it more obvious that you are a tourist only.

It's really a case-by-case basis, but while the SLR-zoom is smaller than a full size tripod, it's still pretty large and obvious.

Answer: it depends.

Legal? I'm not aware of any legal descriptions of tripods.

Sirrith wrote in post #15850117
Answer: it depends.

This. If they see it, and object, you're SOL. If they see it and allow it, you're still SOL. If they don't see it until you start to use it, same thing. If they see it and you ask if it's OK, you might have a chance. Personally, I'd go with a bean bag if you're really worried; the Gorillapods aren't a whole lot sturdier.

I wonder how much you could get away with a monopod in those places.

I wonder if there's a monopod that looks like a walking stick! Hmm... I need to look into this. Maybe I sense a business opportunity here. Surely it would be most churlish of the security guys to take away a guy's walking stick!.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #15850357
I wonder if there's a monopod that looks like a walking stick! Hmm... I need to look into this. Maybe I sense a business opportunity here. Surely it would be most churlish of the security guys to take away a guy's walking stick!.

Most of the quality trekking poles (carbon fiber walking sticks) have a threaded 1/4-20 stud on the top. I suspect you'd get away QR on one just fine.

vengence wrote in post #15850409
Most of the quality trekking poles (carbon fiber walking sticks) have a threaded 1/4-20 stud on the top. I suspect you'd get away QR on one just fine.

The singles do; the pairs less so in my experience. I have used one at the Smithsonian where tripods aren't allowed.

Jon wrote in post #15851482
The singles do; the pairs less so in my experience. I have used one at the Smithsonian where tripods aren't allowed.

Did you use a ballhead or straight QR mount?

I actually don't use a QR or ballhead on trekking poles because of the weight. I was just commenting that if you get a pair of trekking poles, you probably won't get a 1/4"-20 threaded stud while with a single pole you will.

I've actually spent the last two days with a new Benro A2970F playing around w/o any head. It's been surprisingly nice for a bunch of shots where I want parallel sensor and subject planes.

vengence wrote in post #15850349
I wonder how much you could get away with a monopod in those places.

If the sign says no tripod ... why couldn't you use a monopod?? if its an issue with picture taking the the sign would say no pictures ... right?? I think they say no tripods because of the footprint and liability of a tripping hazard?

steve_douglass wrote in post #15852371
If the sign says no tripod ... why couldn't you use a monopod?? if its an issue with picture taking the the sign would say no pictures ... right?? I think they say no tripods because of the footprint and liability of a tripping hazard?

I suspect it has much more to do with someone taking up about 10 times as much space and taking 10 times as long as a normal person viewing something when they use a tripod.

I am not sure where you are planning to visit in Japan, however, if tripods are not allowed you will not be able to use the gorillapod as a stand alone.
The only way would be to use it as a support against your chest.
Otherwise, I would highly recommend that you bring a monopod along for shooting.
In Kyoto, depending on the places you visit, there are so many visitors it will be difficult to use even a gorillapod.
Many of the temples in Kyoto do not allow tripods because of photographers blocking a spot for an extended time preventing others from enjoying the view.
In fact, it seems that the number of temples that allow people to take pictures are decreasing...

Scrumhalf wrote in post #15850357
I wonder if there's a monopod that looks like a walking stick! Hmm... I need to look into this. Maybe I sense a business opportunity here. Surely it would be most churlish of the security guys to take away a guy's walking stick!.

Yes, there is a monopod which looks like a walking stick. I went specifically looking for just such a thing two years ago - and found it. Absolutely USELESS as a walking stick, very flimsy, and probably likewise as a monopod - especially as it only extended high enough to make the user need to kneel down. If you can kneel down and get back up again, you most probably don't actually need a walking stick all that much. I certainly need far more support than that thing offered. No sale.

steve_douglass wrote in post #15852371
If the sign says no tripod ... why couldn't you use a monopod?? if its an issue with picture taking the the sign would say no pictures ... right?? I think they say no tripods because of the footprint and liability of a tripping hazard?

I have been prevented from:

• Using a monopod in Trier (Germany) Cathedral, despite being in a pew and creating NO obstruction at all.
  
• I have been stopped from using a monopod in Sacre Coeur (Paris, France) even though it was rigged as a walking stick with screw-off handle.
  
• I have been extremely politely asked not to use my camera bag as a beanbag support on a pew back in Mosteiro da Santa Maria de Belém (aka Saint Jerome's Monastery) in Lisbon, Portugal.