I have been using the Amerstep Chair blind for a little over a year now and i have gotten some very fine images while using it. I have however been disappointed with the camera viewing area and the weight of it. I have found that that it is too heavy to carry very far. The camera port has been a problem since day one. It is too far out away from the seat and it opens up from the top rather than the bottom.
With those problems in mind i set out to make a prototype that was more photographer friendly as the Ameristep is really designed with a hunter in mind. Using a folding camping chair with a sun canopy as a base I think I'm headed in the right direction.
You raise good points. I do not use this brand, but a less expensive one I got at a local sporting goods store. The same issues of access apply. The opening is large enough for a lens, but not to use a flash with a better beamer. So, my advice would be to keep this in mind with your design.
Thank you for the good advice. I hadn't thought of the Better Beamer as I don't have one. What size opening would you suggest for use with the Better Beamer? I am thinking of possibly using some type of zippered opening that would allow the photographer to open it up more when they are using one. Any thoughts.
Chris, I am using a Wimberly flash bracket for a sidekick. My flash is Canon 580 EX II and from the bottom of my 500 mm lens hood to the top of the BB is 16 inches. Yes, a variable opening would be useful. I assume you are setting the opening height so that a photographer can be seated with the tripod set so the view finder is about at eye height?
Thank you for that measurement! Yes, it is at eye level. I always sit in the blind with my tripod and camera for awhile before I mark where the lens port should be. The other thing I try to take into account is shorter or taller people.
Chris have you ever tried a Ghillies Suit "Snipers Camo"
I use it, it is light vented and add some scrim to your camera and monopod and it is bloody near invisible.
Leave it out in your garden over night, don't wear aftershave don't smoke and the birds won't know you are there.
I have been using these for years when deer hunting and recently for bird stalking, my backpack is covered with camo scrim I carry a shooting stick to sit on and I have had orther photographers walk past me from about 10 feet and not see me, as you can see it is very effective in diferent types of foliage.
Last edited by Christopher C.M. Cooke; 06-21-2009 at 12:39 AM.
Christopher,
Are you able to wear the ghillie suit when the sun is shining bright and it is over 95 degrees F with high humidity? It looks like it would be too hot for higher temperatures. I have a blind, but that is not always convenient to carry everywhere. I may have to look in to getting a ghillie suit some time in the future.
New Chair Blind
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