Minature supports - How good are they for Canon 5D3?

I did a search on the forum and found pieces of information, but want to combine all together - How goods are the miniature supports - Beanbag*, Gorilla pod, mini-tripod (Leica, etc), Clamps (Manfrotto, RRS) to bring on a travel trip? When tripod is not available or not feasible?

Thanks to Thinktank holster system - I am able to bring heavy chunks of 7D/5D3 on almost any situations, even in extreme sports. There are times when tripod was just not there, or are force to leave behind due to environment constraint, what will you have in your pocket?

*I consider beanbag too universally practical in almost all situations; however it is most useful in long lens and does not solidly holds the camera system enough for long exposure (over 2 sec).

I have the Joby Gorillapod and works very good with my 7D and 5DM3... In the ground (with the Spike Feet) is very stable. I'm still afraid to attached it by itself to a branch or something, so I usually add Velcro straps at the end of the legs.

The 5D3 is a heavy body. I would only use a beanbag for it, as that will make it literally rock solid, if it's sitting on a rock or immovable object. With minipods, just the mirror slap will be enough to shake that much weight and give you pictures that are not as sharp as you would like.

I would only use the Goriilapod and other mini's with a P&S. If anyone says those sticks are OK for a 5D3, I'd like to see the 100% crops of that shot and one taken with a real tripod or beanbag.

I use the below beanbag with long lenses with great results.

Photo courtesy Amazon

I like "the pod", as it actually attaches to the bottom of the camera or the tripod ring so there is no set up time.
The block support can be separated from the main pod, and is only used when you might have a battery grip on, the rest of the time just use the pod by itself

the mini manfrotto tripod (Mtt2-P02) http://www.manfrotto.c​om/table-tripod-with-photo-head is capable of supporting a 1series body, and 70-200 2.8 (from the lens bracket) and a pocket wizard.
i have used them a bit for ground level remotes.

THat POD and Pocket Pod (Below Beanbag) looks cool and functional.
Never thought of going that route for a small tripod.
I was looking at the mini Manfrotto tripod that Echo63 mentioned or the Pedco UltraPod II.
http://www.amazon.com …e=UTF8&smid=ATV​PDKIKX0DER

Depends how 'solid' you want the support which in turn depends on what you are shooting. A good, heavy and well made bean bag is the only real option if a very good tripod and head is absolutely not possible. Miniature or 'travel' tripods might be OK for some applications but mirror slap is the real enemy which only an absolutely solid and vibration absorbing support will defeat. My personal belief is that solidity and integrity of the support is the key to maximum sharpness.

Thanks everyone! Glad I ask question here

Chris I'm looking for a pod that is solid enough for landscape photography and macro photography, when I absolutely cannot have a tripod with me.

Landscape will be a bigger problem since I often need more than 1 sec exposure. Is there a technique using beanbag that allows me to solidly hold the 5D3 (24-70 lens) for few second?

Still looking for some great miniature support experiences and advises~!

ChrisSearle wrote in post #14967381
Depends how 'solid' you want the support which in turn depends on what you are shooting. A good, heavy and well made bean bag is the only real option if a very good tripod and head is absolutely not possible. Miniature or 'travel' tripods might be OK for some applications but mirror slap is the real enemy which only an absolutely solid and vibration absorbing support will defeat. My personal belief is that solidity and integrity of the support is the key to maximum sharpness.

Using mirror lockup eliminates that problem. In fact for maximum sharpness one should always use mirror lockup when on any tripod if possible.

Personally I use this.
http://www.amazon.com …r=8-1&keywords=ultrapod+2

My set up when I use this is usually a gripped t2i with a tamron 17-50 attached. Its pretty stable, of course, I don't have a lens much heavier than the 100mm macro. The gripped t2i does have some weight on it. Says it can hold up to 6 pounds, and I'm pretty sure that I'm pretty close to that, if not over.

roger1234 wrote in post #14969481
Thanks everyone! Glad I ask question here

Chris I'm looking for a pod that is solid enough for landscape photography and macro photography, when I absolutely cannot have a tripod with me.

Landscape will be a bigger problem since I often need more than 1 sec exposure. Is there a technique using beanbag that allows me to solidly hold the 5D3 (24-70 lens) for few second?

Still looking for some great miniature support experiences and advises~!

Beanbags can be used easily for long exposure landscapes, just use mirror lockup and the timer delay.

You're not going to find "great experiences" with miniature supports and the 5D3. The mini's are not appropriate for that big camera. If you want to use a tripod, you'll need a stable travel one.

I have a red pod in my car. It has come in handy a few times.

http://www.mec.ca …ultrapod-small-tripod.jsp

I got myself this one, it's solid enough for sigma DP. The larger version might be sturdy enough for DSLR, but I never tried.

My main consideration was weight and ounces matter. I've had a very positive experience with manfrotto AS A BRAND, and have seriously considered picking this up:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ripod_Legs.html​#specMA492

But it's all metal and is too heavy to carry around all day.

Very informative! Looks like the contender is the beanbag (the pod, red pod, pocket pod and variants) and metal frame folding table top (ultrapod)

I think I'm leaning towards one of the beanbag variants - like tvphotog said, 5D3's size and weight is the key. Would anyone recommend a pre-filled type beanbag that has the most stable fillings?

PS: I have a compact (fotopro C5i) and when people saw me using it, many of them told me that I am risking my camera gears...... ><

I've used homemade [real beans] bean bags which have so far lasted me over 25 years. Good with long lenses. For a short setup and really very compact look at

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