The Pod (Bean Bag)

I've had one of these for several years. iirc, I picked it up in Canada.

It comes in handy, sort of like a mini-tripod; but I use it more than my mini-tripod. It provides a very stable platform on all sorts of uneven surfaces, without having to faff with legs and it's easily shoved into a small space in a camera bag.

If you have a longer/heavier lens though, it can topple forward if you're not careful.

It's a worthwhile addition to your kit bag, especially at that price.
 
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I had one of these a few years back - was pretty useful and doesn't take up much space in a bag. I used to attack it to the tripod collar of my 100-400L
 
Can you not just make one ?
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Can you not just make one ?
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Probably.

But is the hassle of making a beanbag and then getting a tripod screw that works through the top worth fussing over when you can buy one for £8?
 
I think i'll take a punt! For £8 i would rather buy than make. Never was that keen on Art Attack:lol:
Thanks, Phil
 
RichardtheSane said:
Probably.

But is the hassle of making a beanbag and then getting a tripod screw that works through the top worth fussing over when you can buy one for £8?
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Do you need a tripod mount, can the camera not just rest on top. I reckon it would be quite firm depending on material and filling used
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Do you need a tripod mount, can the camera not just rest on top. I reckon it would be quite firm depending on material and filling used
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As mentioned this is just a new spin on what some have used for yonks, the bean bag. I havnt seen any of those that said.
Phil
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Do you need a tripod mount, can the camera not just rest on top. I reckon it would be quite firm depending on material and filling used
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Need, well that depends.

I use a beanbag with a tripod mount on my long lenses. It means I can pick up and reposition/put down again in one swift movement, single handed. I also have one without, which is used when I know I will be in one place pointing the lens in one general direction - that one is much larger as the beanbag needs a bigger surface area if there is no mount.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Need, well that depends.

I use a beanbag with a tripod mount on my long lenses. It means I can pick up and reposition/put down again in one swift movement, single handed. I also have one without, which is used when I know I will be in one place pointing the lens in one general direction - that one is much larger as the beanbag needs a bigger surface area if there is no mount.
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Ahh right.... well in that case £8 is not a bad price, the mount alone would be worth that :thumbs:

Here is a Review
 
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I've had one for a while but not used it yet, TBH I'm struggling to think of a situation where I will?
 
Got one, tried it, didn't really get on with it. I ended up using a jacket rolled up instead.
 
I use one of Dean Lewis' standard sized bean bags. His seem a bit bigger than this pod thingy and are very stable. His cost £10.49 incl postage.

A better alternative I think.
 
Ive selected to collect instore but couldnt get down today so will get it 2mrw. My main use for it is to sit the camera on the dash in the car and get a long exposure of the cars/street lights (which looks like hyperspeed).
Phil
 
GIZTO29 said:
Ive selected to collect instore but couldnt get down today so will get it 2mrw. My main use for it is to sit the camera on the dash in the car and get a long exposure of the cars/street lights (which looks like hyperspeed).
Phil
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I ordered mine for delivery online yesterday, as no Jessops within 60 miles. It arrived this morning - very impressed with delivery time.

I have tried it on the camera and does seem to give stability when propped up on uneven surface, though I certainly wouldn't leave it unheld as they show you in the picture. In the picture they have the pod and camera standing on uneven tree branches. It must have been a very very fast action shot before they caught the falling camera.

The other thing which concerns me about it is the screw which attaches the camera to it. I thought that it would have some sort of rubber or plastic screw which screwed onto it when not in use. The screw sticking out proud looks quite a worry to me when shoved in a camera bag next to my camera.

I expect I will find a use for it as a stabiliser but certainly wont be leaving it unattended.
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
I ordered mine for delivery online yesterday, as no Jessops within 60 miles. It arrived this morning - very impressed with delivery time.

I have tried it on the camera and does seem to give stability when propped up on uneven surface, though I certainly wouldn't leave it unheld as they show you in the picture. In the picture they have the pod and camera standing on uneven tree branches. It must have been a very very fast action shot before they caught the falling camera.

The other thing which concerns me about it is the screw which attaches the camera to it. I thought that it would have some sort of rubber or plastic screw which screwed onto it when not in use. The screw sticking out proud looks quite a worry to me when shoved in a camera bag next to my camera.

I expect I will find a use for it as a stabiliser but certainly wont be leaving it unattended.
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Maybe something like a pen top or even a cork which you could screw on and then use it whenever you needed
 
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