Camera Bean Bags

[Luvntravln]

What are you using?

What have you used and discarded?

I need one for at least my 300 f/2.8.

Thanks.

[Saint728]

I use the Novoflex 8" bean bag. It comes empty, so you have to but a couple bags of dried beans to fill it. I used 1 1/2 bags of white beans for mine and it works well. For a really long lens you might have to use two bean bags, one for the camera and one for the lens. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241077-REG/Novoflex_TELESACK_Bean_Bag_8x8_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=241077&is=REG

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[tvphotog]

Now this is interesting.

http://www.beanpods.co.uk/

It's a very compact beanbag, tough outer material, but the inside is cotton batting. The cotton doesn't mold to the camera and lens.

So, I slit the stitching a bit, removed the cotton and filled it with 2mm polystyrene pellets (like those found in some mouse and keyboard wrist supports) and resewed it. It's now the perfect size to stick in a pocket. Will work with even a 100-400 lens, with the camera off the bag on a rock, for example and the bag supporting the lens. With the 24-105, the camera and lens both fit lengthwise.

If you or your significant other is good with a sewing machine, you can craft this same 9" by 5" bag from heavy canvas or heavy Cordura nylon fabric and make one.

[Lowner]

I've read that if flying, it's a good idea to take an empty bag (to save weight)and fill it at the destination. Even beach sand works at a pinch, although dry rice, lentils or beans are probably better. Anyone tried Couscous?

[silvrr]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241077-REG/Novoflex_TELESACK_Bean_Bag_8x8_.html


Wow, I should start a buisness with my mom making bean bags for photographers. Even with heavy material and the gromets the profit margin has to be high at $40+ a pop.

[condyk]

I've always thought that was a dumb idea. Maybe in the old days when people actually used dried beans, but not with modern fillings. I think that's more a 'safari hero' type thing to do: i.e. arrive in Africa, spend ages finding some dried crap, or filling with sand, bag very heavy, cloth gets damp due to sand, stitching rots, few years later the bag splits, camera falls to the ground, you get out to retrieve it, Lion eats you, ants eat the bag ... dumb idea :-)

[NYPhotog]

I have used and owned several beanbags over the years. The old standby is the Kinesis SafariSack http://kgear.com/r/R420.html
A few of the newer designs include the BLUBB (big lens ultimate bean bag) http://www.birdsasart.com/blubb.htm and the Molar http://vertexphotographic.com/BeanBag.aspx However, my current favorite is the Apex http://www.essentialphotogear.com/proddetail.php?prod=ApexBeanBag BTW, I ALWAYS travel with an empty bean bag and fill it when I arrive at my destination.

[tvphotog]

I've always thought that was a dumb idea. Maybe in the old days when people actually used dried beans, but not with modern fillings. I think that's more a 'safari hero' type thing to do: i.e. arrive in Africa, spend ages finding some dried crap, or filling with sand, bag very heavy, cloth gets damp due to sand, stitching rots, few years later the bag splits, camera falls to the ground, you get out to retrieve it, Lion eats you, ants eat the bag ... dumb idea :-)

:D:D:D See, that's why you need the polystyrene bead. Lions don't eat polystyrene beads.

[Luvntravln]

I've always thought that was a dumb idea. Maybe in the old days when people actually used dried beans, but not with modern fillings. I think that's more a 'safari hero' type thing to do: i.e. arrive in Africa, spend ages finding some dried crap, or filling with sand, bag very heavy, cloth gets damp due to sand, stitching rots, few years later the bag splits, camera falls to the ground, you get out to retrieve it, Lion eats you, ants eat the bag ... dumb idea :-)


Condyk, as senior a person on the photo scene as you are I am amazed at your statement!

[NYPhotog]

:D:D:D See, that's why you need the polystyrene bead. Lions don't eat polystyrene beads.

They don't eat rice or beans either. And, rice or beans don't pollute, as do plastic beads.

[Traumuh]

I'm looking at buying a tripod or some means of support soon, so naturally this thread is of interest. :) Does a bean bag replace a tripod when traveling and/or hiking? I guess I'm looking for an opinion on the usability of the bean bags?

[Todd Lambert]

I actually use a wrist support bean bag I got from Office Depot for like $4

I looked and couldn't find it, but this is close (mine actually has beans in it rather than the memory foam like this one) http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/659380/Office-Depot-Brand-Memory-Foam-Kidney/

It's grey, curved (which fits lens just perfectly) and pretty light.

[Luvntravln]

I'm looking at buying a tripod or some means of support soon, so naturally this thread is of interest. :) Does a bean bag replace a tripod when traveling and/or hiking? I guess I'm looking for an opinion on the usability of the bean bags?

No Trauma, Mate.

A bean bag definitely does NOT replace a tripod. It is for those times when you might be shooting out of your vehicle window and you need padding under the lens etc.

Take a look at the links in NYPhotog post; lots of photos with various uses.

Some of those bags come prefilled and you would have to slit and seam and add a zipper; some are huge!

I am seriously looking at the Kenesis.

NYP, any additonal comments about the Kenesis? Thanks,

[badams]

I use the Molar Bean Bag (http://vertexphotographic.com/BeanBag.aspx). It is my first bean bag and I can't see a reason as to buy any different one. $46, can't beat that, plus the cost of beans (i used pinto).

[scot079]

I use the WI beanbag, great for shooting out of the car

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=233&cat=0&page=1

[Traumuh]

I use the WI beanbag, great for shooting out of the car

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=233&cat=0&page=1

Nice finish and nice price. :)

[NYPhotog]

I am seriously looking at the Kenesis.

NYP, any additonal comments about the Kenesis? Thanks,

I like the Kinesis and it is the one I used for years. It is very versatile, easy to fill and carry. It will definitely get the job done and the price is right.

[condyk]

Condyk, as senior a person on the photo scene as you are I am amazed at your statement!

Well, when I land last thing I wanna go do is hunt down a bag (or will I need two?) of beans ... come on, there are way more interesting things to do! Plus the weight. Ridiculous.

[Bodryn]

I have often used a tripod that clamps to my car window. Small, light, solid, and works for a lot of long focus bird photos.

[Saint728]

I have often used a tripod that clamps to my car window. Small, light, solid, and works for a lot of long focus bird photos.

The only problem with that is if you are using a Canon 500mm/600mm lens and a 1D/1Ds Mark III those window tripods won't work too well and it might also break your car window. This is where the car door bean bag is better.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[MSIGuy]

This is what I use. Just the leg off a pair of old jeans with some washed pea gravel from the yard. It also has a little loop built in to caribean it to the tripod for some extra weight if I want.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/MSIGuy/lensbag.jpg?t=1248222321

Works great, I take it to the zoo with me every chance I can because it's so much easier to find something to prop up against than use a tripod there. If it gets dirty it's a snap to clean, just rinse it off with the garden hose and hang to dry, it's nothing but denim and gavel so there's no place for the moisture to get trapped.

[condyk]

I have often used a tripod that clamps to my car window. Small, light, solid, and works for a lot of long focus bird photos.

These can work fine in some situations, but no good off road or on safari. First because of the vehicle bouncing around, second because you need to be constantly putting the gear on and taking it off, third because in very dusty conditions you really want your windows closed (same when you have AC in hot climate. They can still work. and it's what film camera-people use, but for photography a beanbag works better much of the time. I use The Pod Red as it's small, light, screws into the tripod food and so super fast to get in position. I do have another larger bag but have never used it as the Pod is optimum for my needs.

[ELT_Photo]

I've been using the Kinesis for several years now,works well as a window support and as a ground level support for macro and woodchuck-eye level
perspectives.

[djmorgan]

As your in Australia you should have a look at these, I have two and find them great

http://www.cam-pod.com/

David

[NYPhotog]

As your in Australia you should have a look at these, I have two and find them great

http://www.cam-pod.com/

David

It looks fine for light gear, but really would not cut it for long lenses.

[djmorgan]

It looks fine for light gear, but really would not cut it for long lenses.

Is excellent with my lenses 70 - 200 and 100 - 400 forms up well and stays put, if you can afford longer lenses buy sand bags! :rolleyes:

[NYPhotog]

Is excellent with my lenses 70 - 200 and 100 - 400 forms up well and stays put, if you can afford longer lenses buy sand bags! :rolleyes:

Yes, I shoot with longer lenses and any of the beanbags that I referenced in my earlier post work just fine, right up to the 500/4.

[scorpio_e]

I heard one photographer uses his sock !!!!
He fills it with rice or beans. Hey it works *LOL*

[advaitin]

Expediency requires experimentation. Pistol and rifle shooters have the same needs as the camera shooters, so bags for either can serve all three in a pinch. So will a large rolled up towel, an arm draped over the window sill (burny-burny in hot climates), a thick jacket, a pair of jeans, a sock filled with most anything.

Things to remember. Turn off the engine if you are shooting from your car. If you don't have a long enough lens, it ain't going to matter much. These two images, one full frame, the other a crop from a window with beanbag, OS, but not checking focal length or ISO before shooting (sometimes as you move the camera, the beanbag will drag your zoom ring and change your setting. The ISO was 3200 and it was a Bigmos lens.