If you’re planning a safari, the possibilities are good that you’re fascinated with taking a bigger digital camera 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 laborious to carry for extended durations of time.
Usually the answer to a heavy lens and digital camera is a tripod or monopod. Nonetheless, most safaris have you ever observing wildlife from inside a automobile, the place it’s typically not doable to simply arrange and use both a tripod or monopod. That is particularly the case when there are a number of folks within the automobile vying for viewing area!
Nonetheless, you don’t need to miss a terrific shot of a lion or an elephant as a result of your arms are drained from holding your gear up. As a substitute, you must think about investing in a pictures bean bag.
On this article, I’ll inform you how they work, why you may want one, necessary options to search for in a pictures bean bag, and provides some suggestions on a few of the finest pictures bean luggage for safari.
I like to recommend studying this submit together with my information to getting great photos on safari, in addition to my information to the best safari camera and lenses, so that you’re totally ready in your journey.
We even have a complete safari packing list for all the pieces else you would possibly want.
Causes to Use a Images Bean Bag
A pictures bean bag, because the identify suggests, is a bag full of beans (or comparable materials) which is used to help a digital camera when taking footage.
These will be positioned both over a window body or on the highest of the automobile if you’re standing up and looking of a pop-up high, and can permit you to hold your digital camera pointing in the precise path with out tiring your arms out.
It can additionally permit you to use slower shutter speeds if required, relying on the out there gentle and the way a lot your topic is shifting.
Basically a pictures bean bag affords 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 digital camera
- It supplies a spot to relaxation and regular longer lenses or recognizing scope
- They shield your gear from having to relaxation on the customarily soiled and uneven surfaces of the edges of the automobile
- It may well additionally shield your gear and provides stabilization if capturing from the bottom
- It’s extra versatile to be used in lots of conditions in comparison with a tripod or monopod
In fact, these pictures bean luggage will not be simply helpful for safari however for all kinds of nature and outside associated pictures eventualities. So it’s nice if you will get a bag that additionally, you will be capable of use elsewhere.
Listed below are a few pictures of me on safari with and with no bean bag to offer you an thought of the distinction. I’ve used a variety of these bean luggage on varied safaris throughout a variety of African international locations.
What to Search for in a Images Bean Bag for Safari
Earlier than offering some prompt bean luggage, I needed to share my solutions for what to search for in a bean bag for safari pictures. It will enable you to to determine 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. Images bean luggage are typically not simply shapeless spherical blobs, they have an inclination to have a selected kind which permits them to work extra successfully.
There are three major shapes of pictures bean luggage. First, there’s a cushion-like flatter form which is the best possibility. Then, there’s the double cushion, which is successfully two cushions sewn collectively.
Lastly, there’s a model which appears to be like a bit like a decrease case “n” (or an inverted “u”). This form has two “legs” with a cushion half on the high. It’s successfully a saddlebag form, and is the most well-liked possibility.
Under are some pictures displaying a few of these completely different designs.
Which form will give you the results you want will rely a bit on the place you might be prone to be capturing. I discover the saddlebag model affords a superb little bit of versatility as it may be tailored to suit a wide range of places, from capturing over a window body to balancing on the sting of a automobile roof when capturing by a pop-up high.
It additionally has the benefit you could invert it when capturing on a flatter floor to offer a form of cradle in your digital camera.
The easy flatter cushion-like form can show to be fairly versatile, particularly when capturing on the roof of a automobile or from the ground. Personally I discover it a bit much less sensible for safari use because it doesn’t mildew to a automobile window or door space in addition to the opposite choices.
Measurement
Images bean luggage are available in a wide range of sizes. The principle factor is to make sure that the bean bag you select is massive sufficient so your digital camera and lens will comfortably match on it, while not being so huge that it’s impractical to make use of and carry.
Filler Sort
Many bean luggage include the choice to buy them with a filling or with out. We typically discover it’s simpler to journey with an empty bean bag after which fill it with an acceptable filling at your vacation spot, corresponding to buckwheat (hulls), chook seed, or dried beans. This reduces the journey weight and bulk of the bean bag.
Nonetheless, you too can choose to buy a bean bag with a filling, which is usually one thing like polystyrene balls to maintain transport weight down. This could positively work and offers you a light-weight possibility, though it gained’t be as steady as a heavier possibility.
Word that many kinds of uncooked and dried beans will be toxic to wildlife so if you happen to use them to fill your bag you’ll need to take further care to maintain your bag away from animals and hold them secured contained in the automobile whenever you depart it.
We’ve had monkeys, notably baboons, attempt to snatch the baggage from the automobiles, as they’ve learnt that the fillings typically comprise tasty treats!
Weight
While the fabric the pictures bean bag is manufactured from can have some affect on its weight, the principle factor that impacts its weight is what it’s full of.
If it’s full of a light-weight materials like polystyrene balls for instance, then it is going to be very gentle. If it’s full of dried beans or seeds, then it would naturally be heavier. The bigger the bean bag, the heavier it is going to be.
We’d typically advocate utilizing a heavier filling like beans or seeds because the bag will hold its form higher when arrange and supply a extra steady base. Nonetheless, we’ve additionally used a pictures bean bag full of polystyrene balls with good outcomes.
On our final journey, we stuffed our bag with a mixture of dried beans and a few pillow stuffing which was a superb combine .
Sturdiness
A safari will be fairly a difficult setting, with a variety of bumpy roads in addition to automobiles containing laborious edges.
It’s necessary that you just use a pictures bean bag which goes to face up to the rigours of this setting. You positively don’t need to be in a state of affairs the place the bean bag develops a gap and bursts open half method by your journey!
A well-made bean bag that has good stitching and which is constructed from a sturdy materials corresponding to canvas or one other thick hard-wearing materials could be finest. Evaluating the 2 pictures under, the bean bag on the precise is made out of a more durable canvas like materials which can probably last more.
Coloration
On safari you typically need pretty impartial colours that don’t stand out. You additionally need to keep away from blues and blacks which may entice tsetse flies.
Most pictures bean luggage we’re conscious of are available in shades of inexperienced or beige, or are in a form of camouflage sample of greens and beige colours, which works effectively.
Refillable?
One of many extra necessary options of a pictures bean bag is whether or not or not it may be refilled. I’d argue that having the ability to empty and fill your bean bag is admittedly necessary.
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 luggage are refillable. Some open with a zipper while others open with velcro. I’d personally advocate a system that closes with a zipper as it’s far safer and there’s much less danger of it coming open by mistake.
Value
You’ll after all need to take into consideration value when buying a pictures bean bag. The excellent news is that almost all bean luggage are effectively priced, typically coming in at round $25 – $85 USD.
In fact, you may pay extra (and fewer!), however in comparison with the value of many pictures equipment available on the market right this moment we predict that is positively one of many extra reasonably priced 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 luggage produce other options you would possibly discover helpful. These embody straps or pockets, or issues like being water-proof.
A strap or wire can positively be helpful as you need to use it to safe the bean bag when in use. Water proofing may also be useful if you happen to assume you may be capturing in moist environments.
Some have shoulder straps to make them simpler to hold if capturing on foot – these straps may also be used to safe to the automotive. As well as, a few of the flat luggage may also be used as ballasts in your tripod.
Talking of tripods, some pictures bean luggage even have the choice to connect a ball or pan head to the bean bag, supplying you with a better of each worlds possibility.
The Greatest Images Bean Baggage for Safari
I’m now going to undergo what I feel are a few of the finest choices for pictures bean luggage for safari. These are ordered by value, though pricing can differ so do verify.
You’ll discover this isn’t an enormous listing. That’s as a result of there are just a few manufacturers who deal with this form of product. Nonetheless, these manufacturers do know what they’re doing and the result’s a strong product.
Moreover, with Kinesis and LensCoat, they provide a spread of choices at completely different sizes and value factors to swimsuit most digital camera setups.
Personally, from the listing under I’d advocate both the Kinesis SafariSack 4.2 or the LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr as my favorite choices to be used on safari.
Kinesis SafariSack 1.4
Kinesis have been making pictures bean luggage 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 necessary for this form of product.
They’ve a spread of safari bean luggage, however we propose trying out the SafariSack 1.4 as a superb possibility if you happen to would like a flatter bean bag possibility.
This bag is made out 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 automobile.
It will work for smaller and bigger cameras alike. When you’ve got a smaller setup particularly then this generally is a nice possibility.
Verify value on Amazon here and on B&H Photo here.
Kinesis SafariSack 4.2
My favorite possibility 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 powerful 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 very best characteristic although is the 2 built-in quick-release straps. These enable the SafariSack for use in two major modes when on safari. With the straps undone, you need to use it as a flat sack, which is extra suited to use when capturing on the highest of a automobile or different flatter floor.
You possibly can alternatively join the straps to create the traditional saddlebag form, permitting it for use over a window. Basically you get the very best of each worlds, making this a contender for the very best pictures bean bag available on the market.
The bag is accessible with or with no fill, and there’s even a alternative of filler materials.
Verify value on Amazon here and on B&H Photo 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 a beautiful product that’s excellent for safari pictures.
The SkimmerSack II is made out of powerful 500 dernier nylon cordura, with a non-slip rubbererized coating beneath to assist stop it from shifting round when in place.
The inside is constructed from a rubber-like materials, giving it some water-resistance. It’s double-stitched for power and has a zipper opening for including your personal 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 permit you to safe it to a door deal with or roof rack for security.
Verify value on Amazon here and on B&H Photo here.
LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr
One other well-known model within the pictures bean bag world is LensCoat, who make a spread of bean luggage that may accommodate a variety of lenses. They’re additionally out there in a number of colours.
We’d advocate having a look on the LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr. This saddlebag formed bag can deal with lenses as much as 500mm in size (variations are additionally out there with help as much as 800mm).
There’s a non-slip coating and it’s made out of sturdy waterproof Cordura with strengthened seams. It additionally has two storage pockets, MOLLE webbing straps, and two locking YKK zips that make it simple to fill and empty.
Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing characteristic 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, which means you may probably use it along with your present tripod head. This provides you the very best of each worlds – the compact and transportable advantages of a bean bag, with the pliability of a head, making it simpler to trace shifting topics with out having to regulate the bean bag.
Verify value on Amazon here, on B&H Photo here and direct from LensCoat here.
Make Your Personal Images Bean Bag
Resulting from a last-minute baggage mix-up previous to a latest 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 stuffed it with dried beans and a few pillow stuffing.
It labored nice, and goes to indicate that if you’re a bit inventive, you may positively make your personal bean bag answer. Nonetheless, this selection might be finest for these with a stitching machine and a few fundamental stitching expertise!
Suggestions for Utilizing a Images Bean Bag
Now that you’ve got chosen your pictures bean bag, I needed to share a number of tricks to get probably the most out of it, based mostly on my experiences.
- Invert your tripod collar. When you’ve got a digital camera with a tripod collar, rotate this so it’s on the high of the digital camera moderately than the underside, as in any other case it’s going to get in the way in which of the digital camera resting totally on the bean bag
- Fill it in vacation spot. If you’re touring, as you probably might be for safari, it can save you your baggage area by filling the bag in vacation spot moderately than travelling with an already full bag
- Select your filling properly. There are a number of choices for a filling. I discover buckwheat, sunflower seeds, or bigger dried beans works effectively. 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 should be changed occasionally.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my information to the very best bean bag for safari pictures. If you happen to discovered this handy, you would possibly take pleasure in a few of my different pictures content material. Listed below are some articles to get you began.
- I’ve an in depth information filled with safari photography tips that can assist you get nice pictures no matter your digital camera is
- We even have a information to the best cameras and lenses for safari, that can assist you determine what digital camera 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 photo editing applications, in addition to the very best alternatives to Lightroom
- When you’ve taken all of your pictures you don’t need to lose them! Learn our information to backing up your photos for an thought of the way to hold all of them protected.
- Wildlife pictures can usually end in noisy pictures. See my information to the best noise reduction software for some concepts on the way to get the very best out of your pictures even after they is perhaps a bit noisy
- We’ve a information to how to use a compact camera, how to use a DSLR camera, and how to use a mirrorless camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing the way to compose a terrific photograph is a key pictures ability. See our information to composition in photography for many tips about this topic
- We’ve a information to what depth of field is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re huge followers of getting probably the most out of your digital photograph information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in photography to grasp what RAW is, and why you must change to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digital camera helps it.
- You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph modifying software program on. See our information to the very best laptops for photo editing for some tips about what to search for.
- If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lights photography, long exposure photography, fireworks photography, tips for taking photos of stars, and cold weather photography.
- Coloration accuracy is necessary for pictures – see our information to monitor calibration to make sure your display screen is about up appropriately.
- If you happen to’re on the lookout for a terrific present for a pictures loving pal or member of the family (or your self!), check out our photography gift guide,
- If you happen to’re out there for a brand new digital camera, we’ve an in depth information to the best travel cameras, in addition to particular guides for the best cameras for hiking and backpacking, the best compact camera, best bridge camera, best mirrorless camera and best DSLR camera. We even have a information to the best camera lenses.
- If you would like a digital camera or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to where to buy used cameras and camera gear for some funds financial savings choices.
- We’ve a information to why you need a tripod, a information to choosing a travel tripod, and a round-up of our favourite travel tripods
Seeking to Enhance Your Images?
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And that’s it! I’d love to listen to about your ideas on wildlife pictures on safari, and am blissful to reply any questions you may have. Simply pop them within the feedback under and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can.
