Tripod or Beanbag for wildlife?

gramps

gramps

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With much talk about sharp focus elsewhere, I was wondering what others feel provides a more suitable platform for moving wildlife or similar photography ... tripod and gimbal, or beanbag ... which do you use?
 
I use both, as they both have different purposes.. ! Beanbag for auto hide and very low level work, Then tripod / gimbal for birds in flight etc
 
I use bean bags a lot these days if I'm out and about shooting wildlife.

To be honest I rarely use my tripod apart from locked down for Landscapes where I want to keep ISO low.
 
Use them both. Prefer a bean bag in a hide if possible unless the hide is well designed with a sloping front to let the front leg of tripod sit forward of the aperture.

Have a home made G clamp for clamping onto shelves in hides but doesn't work on all of them.

Also use a monopod in a waist belt for stuff like jets. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages.
 
gramps said:
Been thinking it's something I should get, especially for hide use.
Click to expand...

They've very liberating.

Try a home made one and see how you get on.

3 or 4 bags of rice in a waterproof bag taped and tied to shape. Allow enough space for it to be 'mouldable'

Put into the leg of a pair of tights then twist and double back, twist and double back, twist and double back then tied off at the end.

I made one ages ago and it's still going strong.
 
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Did I really just say I found a pair of tights liberating. :exit:
 
gramps said:
Been thinking it's something I should get, especially for hide use.
Click to expand...
I use a beanbag a lot when doing hide or low level stuff Roger, buy one, very handy. Can double as a cushion or pillow if you need a rest.
 
Bean bag for hides in the field hand held with high shutter speed. In my experience you need to get out and about for wildlife sitting in a hide has it's uses but in the field no place for a tripod too much messing and things to cart about
 
I use a tripod set up for when I'am tracking stuff in flight and moving subjects etc. When shooting a low POV I just rest the tripod foot on the floor, and for hides just rest it on the window ledge and if something comes flying across then handhold it
 
Both have their uses, I do like bean bags when trying to get low or from a car. In a hide either a tripod or bean bag. A bean bag is much easier if the hide is busy, at least everyone doesnt watch you trying to setup a tripod in a crowded hide.

A couple of weeks ago I was using a frying pan with a gimbal head mounted to it on the beach, a friend was using a bean bag in a roasting tray... it may have looked strange but it was easy to slide the camera/lens in front of us as we crawled in the sand. Use whatever gets you the images.
 
rob-nikon said:
Both have their uses, I do like bean bags when trying to get low or from a car. In a hide either a tripod or bean bag. A bean bag is much easier if the hide is busy, at least everyone doesnt watch you trying to setup a tripod in a crowded hide.

A couple of weeks ago I was using a frying pan with a gimbal head mounted to it on the beach, a friend was using a bean bag in a roasting tray... it may have looked strange but it was easy to slide the camera/lens in front of us as we crawled in the sand. Use whatever gets you the images.
Click to expand...

lol I love the idea of the roasting tray! :D
 
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