Bean Bags or SOmething Else
Dec 2, 2015 19:53:27 #
I would like to do more shooting from my car this winter. My AF-s 500 is to heavy to clamp to the window. I have tried resting it on a pillow on the window which works, but is a bit awkward.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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Dec 2, 2015 20:09:27 #
Bill_de wrote:
I would like to do more shooting from my car this winter. My AF-s 500 is to heavy to clamp to the window. I have tried resting it on a pillow on the window which works, but is a bit awkward.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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I live way out, and haven't been to "the city" lately, but here is what I have been thinking. This is not original, except specific design ideas. Look up a store that specializes in foam products. Buy a cube of fairly rigid foam -- size your choice. Cut a pair of slits at right angles in the bottom, corresponding 1/3 cylindrical cuts in the top, of sizes to match your lenses. Bottom slit slips onto the window, bottom of the block rests on the auto body. You may be able to have the cutting done at the foam shop, failing that find an electric carving knife at a charity shop and do the cutting yourself.
Dec 2, 2015 20:13:13 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Bill_de wrote:
I would like to do more shooting from my car this winter. My AF-s 500 is to heavy to clamp to the window. I have tried resting it on a pillow on the window which works, but is a bit awkward.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
Thick foam pipe insulation is another option. It's already slit, just cut to length.
Dec 2, 2015 20:34:15 #
This might work for you
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/930198/protektor-owl-ear-front-blind-and-window-shooting-rest-bag-leather-tan-filled
Ron
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/930198/protektor-owl-ear-front-blind-and-window-shooting-rest-bag-leather-tan-filled
Ron
Dec 2, 2015 20:52:09 #
Thanks guys for the suggestions.
Quixdraw - that's the shape I want but bare foam, even high quality, won't hold up well under the weight of a big lens. I think for me it would be easier to make the money to buy one than for me to build one that works.
That's the same with the pipe insulation. It works, but with any amount of panning the window starts to come through the foam in short order. It is cheap, so keeping a few pieces on hand might work.
Ron, that piece you linked to is beautiful, but only 5 1/2 inches wide. The scooped out area is wide enough for a rifle, but the lens is at least twice that width. They don't appear to make them wider.
Quixdraw - that's the shape I want but bare foam, even high quality, won't hold up well under the weight of a big lens. I think for me it would be easier to make the money to buy one than for me to build one that works.
That's the same with the pipe insulation. It works, but with any amount of panning the window starts to come through the foam in short order. It is cheap, so keeping a few pieces on hand might work.
Ron, that piece you linked to is beautiful, but only 5 1/2 inches wide. The scooped out area is wide enough for a rifle, but the lens is at least twice that width. They don't appear to make them wider.
Dec 2, 2015 21:33:17 #
Bill_de wrote:
I would like to do more shooting from my car this winter. My AF-s 500 is to heavy to clamp to the window. I have tried resting it on a pillow on the window which works, but is a bit awkward.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
---
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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Honestly, I usually don't use anything. I just get the window to the right height, shut off the motor (that's the critical part) and shoot. Been doing it that way for years. However, if you want to put something there, I'd try a short piece of pipe insulation. Cheap, quick, and easy.
Here's a few shot with the lens right on the window glass - the geese were actually published in Outdoor Photographer Magazine (Nov 2011, Last Frame).
Download for the better versions.
Dec 2, 2015 21:34:29 #
Dec 2, 2015 21:41:40 #
Steve Perry wrote:
Oops, sorry, the geese didn't make it on the last post!
Thanks Steve,
What lens are you shooting with?
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Dec 2, 2015 21:49:49 #
Bill_de wrote:
Thanks Steve,
What lens are you shooting with?
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What lens are you shooting with?
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I think the coyote and bison were the 300mm VR 2.8 and the geese are the 500 AF-S VR. I don't have either lens now, but I have used my 600mm VR the same way, no problem.
Here's one from the 600mm. Not one of my best shots, but it's pin sharp:
Dec 2, 2015 22:09:01 #
Steve Perry wrote:
I think the coyote and bison were the 300mm VR 2.8 and the geese are the 500 AF-S VR. I don't have either lens now, but I have used my 600mm VR the same way, no problem.
Here's one from the 600mm. Not one of my best shots, but it's pin sharp:
Here's one from the 600mm. Not one of my best shots, but it's pin sharp:
I love it when someone says something works, then backs it up with images that prove it. Your images do that!
Thank you very much.
Dec 2, 2015 22:59:41 #
Thanks and I'm happy to help :)
Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a beanbag is useless or anything, just that I've really never had any need for 'em for the kind of shots I take.
Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a beanbag is useless or anything, just that I've really never had any need for 'em for the kind of shots I take.
Dec 3, 2015 00:19:11 #
RWR wrote:
Thick foam pipe insulation is another option. It's already slit, just cut to length.
Insert a piece of PVC pipe of the right size to fit the foam and make a slit in it to go over the window and your problem of cutting thru the foam is solved.
Another option is a piece of rubber hose slit to fit over the window same way you use the pipe foam.
Pete
Dec 3, 2015 05:43:20 #
Dec 3, 2015 06:00:35 #
Get in touch with MTShooter, he was selling an attachment that fit over the car window. Gary
Bill_de wrote:
I would like to do more shooting from my car this winter. My AF-s 500 is to heavy to clamp to the window. I have tried resting it on a pillow on the window which works, but is a bit awkward.
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
---
Online I have seen an assortment of bean bags with studs to mount heads and some contraptions that seem to clamp to the inner and outer door panels.
Any suggestions? I'm in a Ford Escape, so not the kind of height to the window opening like a big pick up or suv.
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Dec 3, 2015 06:08:59 #
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