Bean Bag Support for Cameras and Lenses: I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to...

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

I use one. But it is a Caldwell gun rest filled with sand, got it from Midway USA. The lens fits perfectly in the barrel rest. Very compact and sturdy.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I made my own from a "bean bag" filled with Styrofoam "peanuts". The peanuts eventually break down but are easily replaced. Biggest advantages: weighs next to nothing and cost is minimal.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

We use black oiled sunflower seeds in ours - we have car window bags and table bags (like shooting bags) - easy to make (denim) and a bag of seeds from Wal-Mart...

billbarcus Loc: IPNW

Best window mount for shooting out of the vehicle: Go to the hardware or plumbing store, buy a length of foam, winter pipe insulation - the kind with the slit down the entire length ... this sells for only a couple of bucks and works better and way cheaper than a photo bean bag.

I use this handy little noodle for most wildlife and scenic shots taken from the driver's seat of my vehicle. Simply roll the window down to a comfortable shooting height, cut the thing to the length needed with a pocket knife, slip it down over the window top and shoot! Keep it in place and the window can be rolled up so as to stay nice and warm, or cool with the heater or AC on - even at highway speeds.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

billbarcus wrote:

Best window mount for shooting out of the vehicle:... (show quote)

Swimming pool tubes work, too. Closed cell foam.
Bill

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Sometimes I use a small, tightly rolled up hand towel, which I keep in my camera bag for various purposes. Works just as good as a bean bag.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I use one regularly instead of a tripod, it's actually a spare one from a corn hole kit, although it's very good in use ideally I need to take some of the corn out to make it slightly softer.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Feiertag wrote:

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

Harold, I did not own one but the info given here is fantastic, so thank you for the thread. I have a bunch of pipe insulation that is already slit and will have one in my trucck today. Info on UHH is one of the many items that make this site great.

Greg

daplight Loc: Kansas

I used an old pair of jeans, cutting off the legs and sewing shut the waist band and legs. You can fill up through the zipper fly. Beans made it really heavy and I'd hate to get it wet so I suggest another media, like someone suggested packing peanuts.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Feiertag wrote:

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

Used to, make sure your car is turned off as the engine vibration goes right to your window pane.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Feiertag wrote:

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

I keep an 82¢ bag of rice in my car. Used it a while back while parked on the side of the road. Set it on a guard rail post.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Feiertag wrote:

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

If I were to need a beanbag for shooting, I would buy one. The quality and construction would probably be better than I could do. I would be making my first, while a company that makes them would have experience.

Bill_de Loc: US

I like the LensCoat LensSack as it allows you to let go of the camera while you pour another cup of coffee.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1184451-REG/lenscoat_lclspbk_lenssack_pro_beanbag_support.html

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Feiertag wrote:

I do most of my bird shots from my vehicle. I made my own bean bag to hang out my van window. Today I ordered a Sabi Sack Bean Bag (B&H) to replace my DIY.

I tried to buy one from a couple local camera stores but to no avail. There isn't much interest in them, up here.

Do you use/own one?

NO, and I am not in favor of any foreign material coming in contact with my lens for fear of inadvertently changing the zoom or focus. In fact, I mount a holding bracket under my lens so nothing can touch it ! My only contact is with a properly used tripod collar. I use the pod part of my bodypod for use in a car and use a tilt head with panning at the top - in effect a "carpod". This bodypod/carpod ergonomically adjusts from the TOP. PM me for any questions you may have.

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