If you’re planning a safari, the probabilities are good that you’re enthusiastic about taking a bigger digital camera and lens with you. These can produce fantastic wildlife images, however additionally they include a draw back, which is that they are often heavy and arduous 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 usually not potential to simply arrange and use both a tripod or monopod. That is particularly the case when there are just a few individuals within the automobile vying for viewing house!
Nonetheless, you don’t need to miss an amazing shot of a lion or an elephant as a result of your arms are drained from holding your gear up. As a substitute, it’s best to think about investing in a pictures bean bag.
On this article, I’ll inform you how they work, why you may want one, essential 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 publish together with my information to getting nice images on safari, in addition to my information to the finest safari digital camera and lenses, so that you’re absolutely ready in your journey.
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 photos.
These will be positioned both over a window body or on the highest of the automobile in case you are standing up and looking of a pop-up prime, and can help you hold your digital camera pointing in the correct path with out tiring your arms out.
It can additionally help you use slower shutter speeds if required, relying on the out there mild and the way a lot your topic is shifting.
Primarily a pictures bean bag presents comparable advantages to a tripod or monopod, however in a smaller and extra versatile package deal. 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 usually soiled and uneven surfaces of the perimeters of the automobile
- It might 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 usually are not simply helpful for safari however for all kinds of nature and out of doors associated pictures situations. So it’s nice if you will get a bag that additionally, you will be capable to use elsewhere.
Listed below are a few images of me on safari with and with out a bean bag to offer you an thought of the distinction. I’ve used a lot of these bean luggage on numerous safaris throughout a lot of African nations.
What to Search for in a Images Bean Bag for Safari
Earlier than offering some recommended bean luggage, I needed to share my solutions for what to search for in a bean bag for safari pictures. This can provide help to 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. Images bean luggage are usually not simply shapeless spherical blobs, they have an inclination to have a selected type which permits them to work extra successfully.
There are three essential shapes of pictures bean luggage. First, there’s a cushion-like flatter form which is the only possibility. Then, there’s the double cushion, which is successfully two cushions sewn collectively.
Lastly, there’s a model which seems 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 possibility.
Under are some pictures displaying a few of these totally 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 presents a superb little bit of versatility as it may be tailored to suit quite a lot of places, from capturing over a window body to balancing on the sting of a automobile roof when capturing by way of a pop-up prime.
It additionally has the benefit that you could invert it when capturing on a flatter floor to supply a kind of cradle in your digital camera.
The straightforward 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 mould to a automobile window or door space in addition to the opposite choices.
Measurement
Images bean luggage are available quite a lot of sizes. The primary 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 usually discover it’s simpler to journey with an empty bean bag after which fill it with an acceptable filling at your vacation spot, reminiscent of buckwheat (hulls), chook seed, or dried beans. This reduces the journey weight and bulk of the bean bag.
Nonetheless, you too can decide to buy a bean bag with a filling, which is usually one thing like polystyrene balls to maintain delivery weight down. This may undoubtedly work and provides you with a light-weight possibility, though it received’t be as steady as a heavier possibility.
Be aware that many forms of uncooked and dried beans will be toxic to wildlife so in case you 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 go away it.
We have now had monkeys, notably baboons, attempt to snatch the baggage from the autos, as they’ve learnt that the fillings generally include tasty treats!
Weight
While the fabric the pictures bean bag is product of can have some affect on its weight, the primary 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 will likely be very mild. If it’s full of dried beans or seeds, then it is going to naturally be heavier. The bigger the bean bag, the heavier it will likely be.
We’d usually suggest 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 now have 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 surroundings, with a whole lot of bumpy roads in addition to autos containing arduous edges.
It’s essential that you simply 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 scenario the place the bean bag develops a gap and bursts open half means by way of your journey!
A well-made bean bag that has good stitching and which is constructed from a sturdy materials reminiscent of canvas or one other thick hard-wearing materials could be finest. Evaluating the 2 pictures under, the bean bag on the correct is created from a more durable canvas like materials which is able to probably 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 appeal to tsetse flies.
Most pictures bean luggage we’re conscious of are available shades of inexperienced or beige, or are in a kind of camouflage sample of greens and beige colours, which works properly.
Refillable?
One of many extra essential 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 essential.
That is so you possibly can change the contents to fit your wants. For instance, in case you are travelling mild or need to scale back bulk, you may need to empty out your bean bag and fold it up. Then, whenever you arrive in your vacation spot you possibly can 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 suggest 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 worth when buying a pictures bean bag. The excellent news is that almost all bean luggage are properly priced, usually coming in at round $25 – $85 USD.
In fact, you possibly can pay extra (and fewer!), however in comparison with the worth of many pictures equipment available on the market at the moment we predict that is undoubtedly one of many extra inexpensive choices you should purchase to enhance your images 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 may discover helpful. These embody straps or pockets, or issues like being waterproof.
A strap or wire can undoubtedly be useful as you need to use it to safe the bean bag when in use. Water proofing may also be useful in case you assume you can 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 automobile. 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 Finest Images Bean Luggage for Safari
I’m now going to undergo what I believe are a few of the finest choices for pictures bean luggage for safari. These are ordered by worth, though pricing can differ so do examine.
You’ll discover this isn’t an enormous checklist. That’s as a result of there are only some manufacturers who give attention to this kind 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 variety of choices at totally different sizes and worth factors to go well with most digital camera setups.
Personally, from the checklist under I’d 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 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 essential for this kind of product.
They’ve a variety of safari bean luggage, however we advise trying out the SafariSack 1.4 as a superb possibility in case you would favor a flatter bean bag possibility.
This bag is created from rip-stop 400-dernier nylon. It has a zippered compartment so you possibly can simply fill and empty it. It has D-rings on the ends so you possibly can match a strap, and there’s additionally a small sewn-in strap which can be utilized to safe it to a automobile.
This can work for smaller and bigger cameras alike. When you’ve got a smaller setup particularly then this could be a nice possibility.
Verify worth on Amazon right here and on B&H Photograph right 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 one of the best function although is the 2 built-in quick-release straps. These permit the SafariSack for use in two essential modes when on safari. With the straps undone, you need to use it as a flat sack, which is extra fitted to use when capturing on the highest of a automobile or different flatter floor.
You may alternatively join the straps to create the basic saddlebag form, permitting it for use over a window. Primarily you get one of the best of each worlds, making this a contender for one of the best pictures bean bag available on the market.
The bag is obtainable with or with out a fill, and there’s even a selection of filler materials.
Verify worth on Amazon right here and on B&H Photograph 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 ideally suited for safari pictures.
The SkimmerSack II is created from 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 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 help you safe it to a door deal with or roof rack for security.
Verify worth on Amazon right here and on B&H Photograph right here.
LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr
One other well-known model within the pictures bean bag world is LensCoat, who make a variety of bean luggage that may accommodate a variety of lenses. They’re additionally out there 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 out there with help as much as 800mm).
There’s a non-slip coating and it’s created from 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 attention-grabbing 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, which means you possibly can probably use it along with your present tripod head. This offers you one of the best of each worlds – the compact and transportable advantages of a bean bag, with the flexibleness of a head, making it simpler to trace shifting topics with out having to regulate the bean bag.
Verify worth on Amazon right here and on B&H Photograph right here.
Make Your Personal Images Bean Bag
As a result of 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 professional with a stitching machine, and occurred to have some good high quality thick linen materials at hand.
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 cloth 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 point out that in case you are a bit artistic, you possibly can undoubtedly make your individual bean bag resolution. Nonetheless, this feature might be finest for these with a stitching machine and a few primary stitching expertise!
Ideas for Utilizing a Images 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, 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 prime of the digital camera somewhat than the underside, as in any other case it’s going to get in the way in which of the digital camera resting absolutely on the bean bag
- Fill it in vacation spot. If you’re touring, as you probably will probably be for safari, it can save you your baggage house by filling the bag in vacation spot somewhat 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 properly. The form of rice means that’s can compact a bit an excessive amount of and means you possibly can 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 mild 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 one of the best bean bag for safari pictures. Should you discovered this convenient, you may 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 stuffed with safari pictures suggestions that will help you get nice images no matter your digital camera is
- A even have a information to the finest cameras and lenses for safari, that will help you resolve what to take in your journey of a lifetime
- I’ve a information to my favorite picture enhancing purposes, in addition to one of the best alternate options to Lightroom
- When you’ve taken all of your images you don’t need to lose them! Learn our information to backing up your images for an thought of find out how to hold all of them secure.
- Wildlife pictures can usually lead to noisy pictures. See my information to the finest noise discount software program for some concepts on find out how to get one of the best out of your images even once they could be a bit noisy
- We have now a information to find out how to use a compact digital camera, find out how to use a DSLR digital camera, and find out how to use a mirrorless digital camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Understanding find out how to compose an amazing picture is a key pictures talent. See our information to composition in pictures for many tips about this topic
- We have now a information to what depth of subject is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re huge followers of getting probably the most out of your digital picture information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to know what RAW is, and why it’s best to change to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digital camera helps it.
- You’re going to want one thing to run your picture enhancing software program on. See our information to one of the best laptops for picture enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
- Should you’re searching for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various situations, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, suggestions for taking images of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- Shade accuracy is essential for pictures – see our information to monitor calibration to make sure your display is about up appropriately.
- Should you’re searching for an amazing 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 digital camera, we now have an in depth information to the finest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the finest cameras for mountain climbing and backpacking, the finest compact digital camera, finest bridge digital camera, finest mirrorless digital camera and finest DSLR digital camera. We even have a information to the finest digital camera lenses.
- If you would like a digital camera or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digital camera gear for some funds financial savings choices.
- We have now a information to why you want a tripod, a information to selecting a journey tripod, and a round-up of our favorite journey 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 glad to reply any questions you might have. Simply pop them within the feedback under and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can.
