Noisy Beanbags?

John Gilmore · August 5th, 2008, 09:13 AM

I'll be doing an African safari soon where we'll be restricted to the inside of a vehicle for most of the time.

I'm considering the use of a beanbag to support my EX1 on the window ledge. My only concern is that I might pick up some noise as the camera moves on the beanbag.

Has anyone tried anything similar?

Tom Hardwick · August 5th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Interesting thought John. I use a U shaped 'neck-rest' from Boots as my bean bag. Cheap, light, silent.

Annie Haycock · August 5th, 2008, 11:26 AM

I've tried using a bean bag a couple of times, and got frustrated at not being able to keep the camera level. Perhaps a small tripod, a suction pod, or even a high hat might work, but you may not have much choice in a safari vehicle.

In Sri Lanka, we had one vehicle for the two of us plus the guide (and driver) and I was able to use a Manfrotto tripod on the land-rover floor. But then, we were allowed to have the sides of the vehicle open, but not the top.

It you are shooting from a window ledge with a wind-down window, the Ergorest is a useful bit of equipment - doubles as a small tripod for using on the top of the vehicle.

John Gilmore · August 8th, 2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annie Haycock

the Ergorest is a useful bit of equipment

Thanks Annie, the Ergorest looks interesting. Do you think it would support the weight of a Sony EX1 which is around 4kg including the head?

Annie Haycock · August 9th, 2008, 03:27 AM

My Nikon D200 plus 300mm f4 lens weighs in at around 3kg, plus a 1kg beanbag (for stills, I find it easier to put the bean bag on the ergorest instead of straight on the car window), so yes, it can support around 4kg.

For video, I've used it with the Canon A1 and a Manfrotto 701 head without any problems.

August 5th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#1
John Gilmore Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 68	Noisy Beanbags? I'll be doing an African safari soon where we'll be restricted to the inside of a vehicle for most of the time. I'm considering the use of a beanbag to support my EX1 on the window ledge. My only concern is that I might pick up some noise as the camera moves on the beanbag. Has anyone tried anything similar?

August 5th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#3
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 333	I've tried using a bean bag a couple of times, and got frustrated at not being able to keep the camera level. Perhaps a small tripod, a suction pod, or even a high hat might work, but you may not have much choice in a safari vehicle. In Sri Lanka, we had one vehicle for the two of us plus the guide (and driver) and I was able to use a Manfrotto tripod on the land-rover floor. But then, we were allowed to have the sides of the vehicle open, but not the top. It you are shooting from a window ledge with a wind-down window, the Ergorest is a useful bit of equipment - doubles as a small tripod for using on the top of the vehicle. __________________ Canon XH A1; Sony HVR A1e; Premiere Elements 4

August 9th, 2008, 03:27 AM	#5
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 333	My Nikon D200 plus 300mm f4 lens weighs in at around 3kg, plus a 1kg beanbag (for stills, I find it easier to put the bean bag on the ergorest instead of straight on the car window), so yes, it can support around 4kg. For video, I've used it with the Canon A1 and a Manfrotto 701 head without any problems. __________________ Canon XH A1; Sony HVR A1e; Premiere Elements 4

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August 5th, 2008, 10:49 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 2,921	Interesting thought John. I use a U shaped 'neck-rest' from Boots as my bean bag. Cheap, light, silent.