Bean Bags and monopod feet

[Gaina]

I am looking for a bean bag to take in the car with me and I've got my eye on the C14 double bag. Has anyone got one and what are you're opinions on it?

I also remember someone telling me you could get a 'foot' for the benbo monopod - anyone know where I'm likely to get one?

Thanks

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Gaina

I also remember someone telling me you could get a 'foot' for the benbo monopod - anyone know where I'm likely to get one?

Thanks

Assuming you have tried eBay, then phone warehouse express
and ask a human being - they've been helpful to me over manfrotoo
bits and pieces.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Assuming you have tried eBay, then phone warehouse express
and ask a human being - they've been helpful to me over manfrotoo
bits and pieces.

Thanks .

[Interpreter]

From what I have been told, the secret with beanbags when used overseas, is to take them empty and fill them with rice or something at your destination. I assume that you would need a bag with a zip fastener or similar to contain the material.
If you have a large and heavy camera, I think that a beanbag wouldn't be up to it. Have you considered that sticky one which looks like a beanbag, but has a screw thread on top of it to attach the camera? It then sticks to any surface for at least 10 minutes. I saw it advertised in the EOS magazine which I assume means that Canon OK it's use.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by Interpreter

From what I have been told, the secret with beanbags when used overseas, is to take them empty and fill them with rice or something at your destination. I assume that you would need a bag with a zip fastener or similar to contain the material.
If you have a large and heavy camera, I think that a beanbag wouldn't be up to it. Have you considered that sticky one which looks like a beanbag, but has a screw thread on top of it to attach the camera? It then sticks to any surface for at least 10 minutes. I saw it advertised in the EOS magazine which I assume means that Canon OK it's use.

Is that the POD you're talking about? I saw one in town yesterday but it was quite expensive and a little too small for my 350D.

Whichever one I get, I'm buying it empty so I can take a tip from one of the websites I visited and fill it with bird seed .

Thanks for the reply

[Tormentil]

Would n't this be better than a bean bag.... Ergorest. A bit dearer I admit, but perhaps more stable.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Would n't this be better than a bean bag.... Ergorest. A bit dearer I admit, but perhaps more stable.

Hmm....that's interesting, thanks! . I'll chat with my Piggy Bank.

[David Hyde]

Hi, I am a little late picking up this thread but I would like to add a word in favour of the double beanbag. I use one quite often. You must have a stable 'natural’ support for it, i.e. a rock or stout fence post, or even the ground. Mine is filled with 1.5kg of rice in EACH bag which, although heavy, makes it perfectly able to hold my 500mm f4 lens with 1.4x with ease. O.K. your lens/camera may not be as heavy as mine so you could get a smaller beanbag. Don’t get a large one and under-fill it to save weight. Although you could fill it with polystyrene balls but you will loose some stability.
David

[Gaina]

Hello David . I use a wheelchair so carrying it won't be so much of an issue for me (if I run out of hands, I can always sit on it, haha ).

Thanks for your input

[ceb83]

Hi,

I carry, albeit in the boot of my car(!), a filled Kevin Keatley C14 double bean bag and I wouldn't be without it.

It's so much easier to use than a conventional tripod or monopod especially when using your car as a 'hide'. It'll easily support a 400mm lens when placed over the car's window ledge. Velcro a sheet of scrim above the window = perfect and comfortable hide.

Came in very handy just recently.
Had my camera and bean bag in the front of the car, just driving along, when I noticed 'something' to my left. Luckily I was alone on the road running through the New Forest, so I stopped, backed up and to my surprise saw three deer 'mooching' around a deserted car-park.
I was able to slowly and very carefully get out the car, popped the bean bag on the roof and fire off a few shots (of film......yes, I know!! ) before we were interrupted by the arrival of two cars whose occupants immediately spilled out and headed off in the direction of the deer with the intention of trying to stroke them!!!
I kid you not!!

My bag is filled with some dried beans from the Co-op. Can't remember what they are; just that they were the cheapest.
I initially tried filling it with the tiny polystyrene balls. However, it didn't support the lens too well, a bit too light.

Hope that may have helped (?) a bit.
Good luck with your photography.

Cheers,

Carol