If you’re planning a safari, the probabilities are good that you’re serious about taking a bigger digicam and lens with you. These can produce fantastic wildlife pictures, however additionally they include a draw back, which is that they are often heavy and exhausting to carry for extended intervals of time.
Usually the answer to a heavy lens and digicam is a tripod or monopod. Nevertheless, most safaris have you ever observing wildlife from inside a car, the place it’s usually not attainable to simply arrange and use both a tripod or monopod. That is particularly the case when there are just a few individuals within the car vying for viewing area!
Nevertheless, you don’t need to miss an ideal shot of a lion or an elephant as a result of your arms are drained from holding your gear up. As a substitute, you need to think about investing in a pictures bean bag.
On this article, I’ll let you know how they work, why you may want one, vital options to search for in a pictures bean bag, and provides some suggestions on a few of the finest pictures bean baggage for safari.
I like to recommend studying this put up together with my information to getting nice pictures on safari, in addition to my information to the finest safari digicam and lenses, so that you’re totally ready to your journey.
We even have a complete safari packing checklist for the whole lot else you would possibly want.
Causes to Use a Pictures Bean Bag
A pictures bean bag, because the title suggests, is a bag crammed with beans (or comparable materials) which is used to assist a digicam when taking footage.
These could be positioned both over a window body or on the highest of the car if you’re standing up and looking of a pop-up prime, and can assist you to maintain your digicam pointing in the fitting course with out tiring your arms out.
It should additionally assist you to use slower shutter speeds if required, relying on the accessible gentle and the way a lot your topic is transferring.
Basically a pictures bean bag presents comparable advantages to a tripod or monopod, however in a smaller and extra versatile bundle. Some key advantages of a pictures bean bag embody:
- You don’t have to carry up your lens and digicam
- It gives a spot to relaxation and regular longer lenses or recognizing scope
- They defend your gear from having to relaxation on the customarily soiled and uneven surfaces of the edges of the car
- It may well additionally defend your gear and provides stabilization if taking pictures from the bottom
- It’s extra versatile to be used in lots of conditions in comparison with a tripod or monopod
After all, these pictures bean baggage aren’t simply helpful for safari however for all kinds of nature and outside associated pictures situations. So it’s nice if you will get a bag that additionally, you will be capable to use elsewhere.
Listed here are a few pictures of me on safari with and with out a bean bag to offer you an concept of the distinction. I’ve used a lot of these bean baggage on varied safaris throughout a lot of African international locations.
What to Search for in a Pictures Bean Bag for Safari
Earlier than offering some urged bean baggage, I needed to share my ideas for what to search for in a bean bag for safari pictures. It will aid you to resolve which bean bag goes to be finest for you.
Form
The very first thing it would be best to take into consideration is the form of the bean bag. Pictures bean baggage are usually not simply shapeless spherical blobs, they have an inclination to have a particular kind which permits them to work extra successfully.
There are three foremost shapes of pictures bean baggage. First, there’s a cushion-like flatter form which is the best choice. Then, there’s the double cushion, which is successfully two cushions sewn collectively.
Lastly, there’s a model which appears a bit like a decrease case “n” (or an inverted “u”). This form has two “legs” with a cushion half on the prime. It’s successfully a saddlebag form, and is the preferred choice.
Beneath are some pictures displaying a few of these totally different designs.
Which form will be just right for you will rely a bit on the place you’re more likely to be taking pictures. I discover the saddlebag model presents a superb little bit of versatility as it may be tailored to suit a wide range of places, from taking pictures over a window body to balancing on the sting of a car roof when taking pictures by a pop-up prime.
It additionally has the benefit which you can invert it when taking pictures on a flatter floor to supply a form of cradle to your digicam.
The easy flatter cushion-like form can show to be fairly versatile, particularly when taking pictures on the roof of a car or from the ground. Personally I discover it a bit much less sensible for safari use because it doesn’t mould to a car window or door space in addition to the opposite choices.
Dimension
Pictures bean baggage are available a wide range of sizes. The primary factor is to make sure that the bean bag you select is giant sufficient so your digicam and lens will comfortably match on it, while not being so large that it’s impractical to make use of and carry.
Filler Kind
Many bean baggage include the choice to buy them with a filling or with out. We usually discover it’s simpler to journey with an empty bean bag after which fill it with an acceptable filling at your vacation spot, resembling buckwheat (hulls), chicken seed, or dried beans. This reduces the journey weight and bulk of the bean bag.
Nevertheless, it’s also possible to choose to buy a bean bag with a filling, which is commonly one thing like polystyrene balls to maintain transport weight down. This may undoubtedly work and provides you with a light-weight choice, though it gained’t be as secure as a heavier choice.
Notice that many kinds of uncooked and dried beans could be toxic to wildlife so in the event you use them to fill your bag you’ll need to take further care to maintain your bag away from animals and maintain them secured contained in the car whenever you depart it.
Now we have had monkeys, significantly baboons, attempt to snatch the baggage from the autos, as they’ve learnt that the fillings typically comprise tasty treats!
Weight
While the fabric the pictures bean bag is fabricated from can have some affect on its weight, the primary factor that impacts its weight is what it’s crammed with.
If it’s crammed with a lightweight materials like polystyrene balls for instance, then it is going to be very gentle. If it’s crammed with dried beans or seeds, then it should naturally be heavier. The bigger the bean bag, the heavier it is going to be.
We’d usually suggest utilizing a heavier filling like beans or seeds because the bag will maintain its form higher when arrange and supply a extra secure base. Nevertheless, now we have additionally used a pictures bean bag crammed with polystyrene balls with good outcomes.
On our final journey, we crammed our bag with a mixture of dried beans and a few pillow stuffing which was a superb combine .
Sturdiness
A safari could be fairly a difficult surroundings, with quite a lot of bumpy roads in addition to autos containing exhausting edges.
It’s vital that you just use a pictures bean bag which goes to face up to the rigours of this surroundings. You undoubtedly don’t need to be in a state of affairs the place the bean bag develops a gap and bursts open half means by your journey!
A well-made bean bag that has good stitching and which is constructed from a sturdy materials resembling canvas or one other thick hard-wearing materials can be finest. Evaluating the 2 pictures beneath, the bean bag on the fitting is comprised of a harder canvas like materials which is able to doubtless last more.
Shade
On safari you usually need pretty impartial colours that don’t stand out. You additionally need to keep away from blues and blacks which might entice tsetse flies.
Most pictures bean baggage we’re conscious of are available shades of inexperienced or beige, or are in a form of camouflage sample of greens and beige colours, which works nicely.
Refillable?
One of many extra vital options of a pictures bean bag is whether or not or not it may be refilled. I might argue that having the ability to empty and fill your bean bag is actually vital.
That is so you may change the contents to fit your wants. For instance, if you’re travelling gentle or need to scale back bulk, you would possibly need to empty out your bean bag and fold it up. Then, whenever you arrive in your vacation spot you may pop to a market and purchase some dried beans, rice, or buckwheat to fill it with.
Most pictures bean baggage are refillable. Some open with a zipper while others open with velcro. I might personally suggest a system that closes with a zipper as it’s far safer and there may be much less threat of it coming open by mistake.
Worth
You’ll after all need to take into consideration value when buying a pictures bean bag. The excellent news is that almost all bean baggage are nicely priced, usually coming in at round $25 – $85 USD.
After all, you may pay extra (and fewer!), however in comparison with the value of many pictures equipment available on the market at the moment we expect that is undoubtedly one of many extra inexpensive choices you should purchase to enhance your pictures and make your pictures expertise simpler whereas on safari.
Different Options
In addition to the above options, some pictures bean baggage produce other options you would possibly discover helpful. These embody straps or pockets, or issues like being water-resistant.
A strap or twine can undoubtedly be helpful as you should utilize it to safe the bean bag when in use. Water proofing will also be useful in the event you assume you may be taking pictures in moist environments.
Some have shoulder straps to make them simpler to hold if taking pictures on foot – these straps will also be used to safe to the automobile. As well as, a few of the flat baggage will also be used as ballasts to your tripod.
Talking of tripods, some pictures bean baggage even have the choice to connect a ball or pan head to the bean bag, supplying you with a better of each worlds choice.
The Finest Pictures Bean Baggage for Safari
I’m now going to undergo what I believe are a few of the finest choices for pictures bean baggage for safari. These are ordered by value, though pricing can range so do test.
You’ll discover this isn’t an enormous checklist. That’s as a result of there are only some manufacturers who concentrate on this form of product. Nevertheless, these manufacturers do know what they’re doing and the result’s a stable product.
Moreover, with Kinesis and LensCoat, they provide a spread of choices at totally different sizes and value factors to swimsuit most digicam setups.
Personally, from the checklist beneath I might suggest both the Kinesis SafariSack 4.2 or the LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr as my favorite choices to be used on safari.
Kinesis SafariSack 1.4
Kinesis have been making pictures bean baggage for safari for a few years, designing their bean bag merchandise particularly for photographers heading on safari in Africa. What we like about them is that clearly Kinesis have put some thought into what’s vital for this form of product.
They’ve a spread of safari bean baggage, however we advise trying out the SafariSack 1.4 as a superb choice in the event you would like a flatter bean bag choice.
This bag is comprised of rip-stop 400-dernier nylon. It has a zippered compartment so you may simply fill and empty it. It has D-rings on the ends so you may match a strap, and there’s additionally a small sewn-in strap which can be utilized to safe it to a car.
It will work for smaller and bigger cameras alike. If in case you have a smaller setup particularly then this could be a nice choice.
Examine value on Amazon right here and on B&H Picture right here.
Kinesis SafariSack 4.2
My favorite choice from Kinesis is the SafariSack 4.2, which is designed for these of you with bigger lenses and cameras.
The SafariSack 4.2 is double-stitched for sturdiness and constructed from robust rip-stop Nylon. You get a rubberized backside to stop it from slipping, and there’s an optionally available shoulder strap in addition to a hand strap.
Maybe the perfect function although is the 2 built-in quick-release straps. These enable the SafariSack for use in two foremost modes when on safari. With the straps undone, you should utilize it as a flat sack, which is extra fitted to use when taking pictures on the highest of a car or different flatter floor.
You’ll be able to alternatively join the straps to create the traditional saddlebag form, permitting it for use over a window. Basically you get the perfect of each worlds, making this a contender for the perfect pictures bean bag available on the market.
The bag is accessible with or with out a fill, and there’s even a alternative of filler materials.
Examine value on Amazon right here and on B&H Picture right here.
NatureScapes SkimmerSack II Mini Beanbag
The NatureScapes SkimmerSack II beanbag was developed by a full-time nature photographer who needed a bean bag that might meet his wants. The excellent news is that this has resulted in an exquisite product that’s ultimate for safari pictures.
The SkimmerSack II is comprised of robust 500 dernier nylon cordura, with a non-slip rubbererized coating beneath to assist stop it from transferring round when in place.
The inside is constructed from a rubber-like materials, giving it some water-resistance. It’s double-stitched for energy and has a zipper opening for including your individual fill. There’s additionally a hand-grab loop strap on every finish of the bag, and there are a pair of straps on the base to assist you to safe it to a door deal with or roof rack for security.
Examine value on Amazon right here and on B&H Picture right here.
LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr
One other well-known model within the pictures bean bag world is LensCoat, who make a spread of bean baggage that may accommodate a variety of lenses. They’re additionally accessible in a number of colours.
We’d suggest having a look on the LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr. This saddlebag formed bag can deal with lenses as much as 500mm in size (variations are additionally accessible with assist as much as 800mm).
There’s a non-slip coating and it’s comprised of sturdy water resistant Cordura with bolstered seams. It additionally has two storage pockets, MOLLE webbing straps, and two locking YKK zips that make it straightforward to fill and empty.
Maybe probably the most fascinating function of this bean bag although is the truth that it comes with a detachable mounting plate with a 3/8″-16 thread. This can be utilized to connect a gimbal or ball head, that means you may doubtless use it together with your present tripod head. This provides you the perfect of each worlds – the compact and transportable advantages of a bean bag, with the pliability of a head, making it simpler to trace transferring topics with out having to regulate the bean bag.
Examine value on Amazon right here, on B&H Picture right here and direct from LensCoat right here.
Make Your Personal Pictures Bean Bag
Resulting from a last-minute baggage mix-up previous to a current African safari, I used to be left with out my pictures bean bag simply earlier than the journey began. Fortunately, my mum is an skilled with a stitching machine and she or he occurred to have some good high quality thick materials available.
Between us we got here up with a design for a u-shaped bean bag with a zipper. My mum made it with a heavy calico material and a zipper. We then dyed it inexperienced. As soon as in Uganda, we crammed it with dried beans and a few pillow stuffing.
It labored nice, and goes to indicate that if you’re a bit artistic, you may undoubtedly make your individual bean bag resolution. Nevertheless, this selection might be finest for these with a stitching machine and a few fundamental stitching expertise!
Suggestions for Utilizing a Pictures Bean Bag
Now that you’ve got chosen your pictures bean bag, I needed to share just a few tricks to get probably the most out of it, primarily based on my experiences.
- Invert your tripod collar. If in case you have a digicam with a tripod collar, rotate this so it’s on the prime of the digicam quite than the underside, as in any other case it’s going to get in the best way of the digicam resting totally on the bean bag
- Fill it in vacation spot. If you’re touring, as you doubtless can be for safari, it can save you your baggage area by filling the bag in vacation spot quite than travelling with an already full bag
- Select your filling correctly. There are a number of choices for a filling. I discover buckwheat, sunflower seeds, or bigger dried beans works nicely. The form of rice means that’s can compact a bit an excessive amount of and means you may lose a few of the versatile form advantages of a bean bag. Polystyrene balls can work however I discover them to be a bit too gentle and noisy, to not point out environmentally unfriendly.
- If you’re utilizing an natural product to fill your bean bag it would be best to take care that it doesn’t get moist, and bear in mind that it’d must be changed now and again.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my information to the perfect bean bag for safari pictures. Should you discovered this handy, you would possibly take pleasure in a few of my different pictures content material. Listed here are some articles to get you began.
- I’ve an in depth information filled with safari pictures suggestions that can assist you get nice pictures no matter your digicam is
- We even have a information to the finest cameras and lenses for safari, that can assist you resolve what digicam gear to take in your journey of a lifetime. We even have an in depth information to what to pack for safari.
- I’ve a information to my favorite photograph modifying purposes, in addition to the perfect alternate options to Lightroom
- When you’ve taken all of your pictures you don’t need to lose them! Learn our information to backing up your pictures for an concept of easy methods to maintain all of them secure.
- Wildlife pictures can typically lead to noisy pictures. See my information to the finest noise discount software program for some concepts on easy methods to get the perfect out of your pictures even after they could be a bit noisy
- Now we have a information to easy methods to use a compact digicam, easy methods to use a DSLR digicam, and easy methods to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing easy methods to compose an ideal photograph is a key pictures ability. See our information to composition in pictures for many recommendations on this topic
- Now we have a information to what depth of discipline is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re large followers of getting probably the most out of your digital photograph recordsdata, and do to that you will want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to know what RAW is, and why you need to swap to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digicam helps it.
- You’re going to want one thing to run your photograph modifying software program on. See our information to the perfect laptops for photograph modifying for some recommendations on what to search for.
- Should you’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, suggestions for taking pictures of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- Shade accuracy is vital for pictures – see our information to monitor calibration to make sure your display screen is ready up accurately.
- Should you’re on the lookout for an ideal reward for a pictures loving good friend or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures reward information,
- Should you’re available in the market for a brand new digicam, now we have an in depth information to the finest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the finest cameras for mountaineering and backpacking, the finest compact digicam, finest bridge digicam, finest mirrorless digicam and finest DSLR digicam. We even have a information to the finest digicam lenses.
- If you need a digicam or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digicam gear for some funds financial savings choices.
- Now we have a information to why you want a tripod, a information to selecting a journey tripod, and a round-up of our favorite journey tripods
Trying to Enhance Your Pictures?
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And that’s it! I’d love to listen to about your ideas on wildlife pictures on safari, and am completely happy to reply any questions you’ve got. Simply pop them within the feedback beneath and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can.
