Posted by Bill Leggett on August 26, 2009 at 6:58 PM
On several occasions when I've met up with Ronnie Gaubert at Lake Martin, he used a home-grown window rig for some pretty amazing images from his truck. I'm headed to Bosque in November, and considering getting a bean bag, but haven't had any experience with them. I'll use it primarily in appropriate birding locations, mounted on the driver's side window, to support the E-3, ZD 300 with EC20 or EC14, or without TC's. All input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance - Bill
Posted by Mia McPherson on August 26, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Bill,
I have an excellent idea for you, I'll give you a call or call me.
My advice is to make one, rather than spending $50-100 or more.
You can make any size you need, (or several) fill it to your specs, and try it out - then fill or unfill as needed.
Any sewing shop like Joanne's can help you find a good canvas material, then use small beans like white beans from a bulk bin at a warehouse store.
I used a velcro closure rather than sewing it closed, so you can remove the beans and wash it when needed.
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/easysewin1/ss/beanbags.htm
I am producing bean bags for nature photographers and they are a real hit here in Europe. They are specially made for using them on the car window. With a standard beanbag you don't have stability enough. Maybe this is what you are looking for. Have a look at this link:
http://www.hanbouwmeester.nl/cms/front_content.php?idcat=58
Check out the Molar beanbag from Vertex at http://www.vertexphoto.com/BeanBag.aspx
For $39, you're not going to beat the price, and the design, quality, and service are all top-notch. When I ordered mine, John Stanford had it in the mail the same day, and I received it two days later.
I used to use a home made window mount with tripod head, but gave it up completely. An unqualified 5-star rating for the Molar.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on August 27, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Make your own bag or buy pre-made bags at Michaels for $0.99. Use rice instead of beans. The ones at Michaels have the velcro closure (a nifty little flip over) that Sandy describes.
Don't get the window clamp; the combination of lens and camera is too heavy for the side window. A buddy of mine broke his window with it. In addition to driving home in the rain with a busted window, his camera and lens fell five feet into a puddle.
Posted by Bill Leggett on August 27, 2009 at 5:37 PM
All good advice so far, and thanks to everyone.
Lia, I'll give you a holler this afternoon about the rig you've come up with.
Peter, that Molar looks promising. I'll contact you by email, but just so others might benefit, was curious to know what intermediate support "plate" you prefer between the lens foot and beanbag, if any. I see that Sanford's website recommends a few, but just wanted to get your input. Seems to me that making use of a lens foot attachment would be a benefit, since it raises the rig up a couple of inches to allow a bit more vertical freedom. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Jim, are you referringto Michael's the craft store? And no, I've never considered a widow clamp at all, as first it would be counterproductive for sharp images, not to mention the unbearable damage to camera and car window - yikes!
I made my own bean bag using detailed plans provided by Fred Hurteau at http://naturephotography.fredhurteau.com/bbagballhead.htm
I made mine a little larger than Fred's (to support my Sigma 300-800 Lens)--I lengthened the pattern by 2.5 inches and widened it by 3 inches. The plans were easy to follow.
Another plug for the Molar bean bag Peter May mentioned. I'm hard on this thing, and it's been holding up very well. Like Peter said, I had mine just a few days after I ordered it.
Nancy
www.NancyWagnerPhotography.com
Posted by Douglas Graham on September 2, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I'm all for the arts and craft store rig. I have a bean bag that came from a 5 & dime and its been in use since 1980
Posted by Vicki Kadow on September 6, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I use a bag of beans from the grocery store. Cheap and it works. I prefer lentils but other beans or rice would work too.
Discussion
12 repliesThanks in advance - Bill
I have an excellent idea for you, I'll give you a call or call me.
You can make any size you need, (or several) fill it to your specs, and try it out - then fill or unfill as needed.
Any sewing shop like Joanne's can help you find a good canvas material, then use small beans like white beans from a bulk bin at a warehouse store.
I used a velcro closure rather than sewing it closed, so you can remove the beans and wash it when needed.
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/easysewin1/ss/beanbags.htm
Sandy r
I am producing bean bags for nature photographers and they are a real hit here in Europe. They are specially made for using them on the car window. With a standard beanbag you don't have stability enough. Maybe this is what you are looking for. Have a look at this link:
http://www.hanbouwmeester.nl/cms/front_content.php?idcat=58
For $39, you're not going to beat the price, and the design, quality, and service are all top-notch. When I ordered mine, John Stanford had it in the mail the same day, and I received it two days later.
I used to use a home made window mount with tripod head, but gave it up completely. An unqualified 5-star rating for the Molar.
Don't get the window clamp; the combination of lens and camera is too heavy for the side window. A buddy of mine broke his window with it. In addition to driving home in the rain with a busted window, his camera and lens fell five feet into a puddle.
Lia, I'll give you a holler this afternoon about the rig you've come up with.
Peter, that Molar looks promising. I'll contact you by email, but just so others might benefit, was curious to know what intermediate support "plate" you prefer between the lens foot and beanbag, if any. I see that Sanford's website recommends a few, but just wanted to get your input. Seems to me that making use of a lens foot attachment would be a benefit, since it raises the rig up a couple of inches to allow a bit more vertical freedom. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Jim, are you referringto Michael's the craft store? And no, I've never considered a widow clamp at all, as first it would be counterproductive for sharp images, not to mention the unbearable damage to camera and car window - yikes!
Thanks again, and any more advice is appreciated.
Rgds - Bill
I made mine a little larger than Fred's (to support my Sigma 300-800 Lens)--I lengthened the pattern by 2.5 inches and widened it by 3 inches. The plans were easy to follow.
Nancy
www.NancyWagnerPhotography.com