What size bean bag

[Dale_tem]

I'm looking at getting one of those bean bags for supporting the camera

There are various sizes and shapes I have seen, so recommendations on which one to go for?

I will be using it with a Nikon D3100, Sigma 70-200mm and Sigma 50-500

Cheers in advance

 

[Nod]

What will the kit be resting on and what length of exposure are you looking to get?

If the area is reasonably level and the exposure isn't too long, I would suggest a "Pod". That's a 5" diameter, 2" deep beanbag with a tripod thread sticking out of the top. Screwed ito the base of the camera or the tripod foot of a lens, it provides plenty of support as long as the exposure isn't too long (actual time is very dependent on operator steadiness, technique etc).

http://www.thepod.ca/

Can't remember where mine came from but I have a feeling it was 7dayshop several years ago. I have seen them on the High Street but at a higher price than I paid.

 

[Bigvin]

The POD sold at Jessops from £7.49

 

[Dale_tem]

I dont know Nod

My missus is after some present ideas and I think a bean bag would be a good purchase.

It will be used with the longer lenses with wildlife, so 500mm and 1/250 shutter speed or faster. OR I may be using my ultra wide angle shooting landscape, so anything from 1/25 and up.

I was looking at the H shaped bean bags as you can also use it on the car door, fences etc.

 

[Nod]

I've used my pod under compacts, DSLRs with short lenses and under longer lenses (Sigma 150-500) at speeds far lower than 1/250th (with the 150-500 racked right out). Never used or seen (in the flesh) the H shaped ones but would think that there's a possibility of the filling dropping to the bottom of the H and therefore maybe offering less cuhioning?

Also not sure if the H shaped ones have easily changeable filling. The Pod (as supplied) is filled with plastic granules (they look very like the raw granules used in the injection moulding process) which can be emptied out then refilled with local beans, pebbles etc, possibly handy if space is at a premium (or weight).

Shame you're so far away, if you were closer, you'd be welcome to have an extended play with my Pod.

 

[Nod]

Just an example shot this morning with a compact (Fuji XF1) mounted on the Pod.

f/5; 10s; ISO 100.

Depending on temperature later, will try to get a couple of shots using a 70-200 at full stretch (Pod under lens foot), a 70-300 (VR off) at long end (Lens on side of Pod) and a UWA (12mm on FF) at shutter speeds comparable to the ones you mention (slower that 1/half focal length).

and a 100% crop - neither pic PPed apart from a resize to suit the gallery.

 

[Nod]

As promised, a selection of slow shots on the Pod.

200mm; 1/80th s; f/11.

200mm; 1/15th s; f/25.

12mm; 1/8th s; f/18.

24mm; 1/4 s; f/16.

 

[Nod]

and a few using the 70-300 VR turned off.

70mm; 1/15th s; f/4.5.

70mm; 1/50th s; f/4.5.

300mm; 1/15th s; f/5.6.

300mm; 1/4s; f/11.

All the above examples SOOC apart from a crop to resize. Varying ISO values to get slow speeds. All using central focus point on a D700. 200mm shots using Sigma 70-200. 12 & 24mm shots using Sigma 12-24. 70 & 300mm shots using Nikkor 70-300 VR with VR switched off.

TBH, I'm surprised at how steady the shots are, especially the 300mm one at 1/4s! Most were shot with the camera in self timer mode apart from the 200mm ones which needed some support since the rig flopped either forwards or backwards depending on which way round the foot was facing! That was supported by a hand on top of the prism housing. The pod was resting on a table and just aimed out of the window.