Bean bag use question

[Chris Brennan]

I've recently invested in a new Apex bean bag from Essential Photo Gear... and about 20 lbs of beans! In addition to being able to use it just as a regular bean bag, it has an optional aluminum plate with tripod thread which slides in to the top that enables you to mount a ball head or Wimberley. I plan to try it out tomorrow and will, of course, experiment with the best settings but should IS be on or off when on a bean bag?

[Robert Hardy]

some lens know there on a tripod so turn IS off Untill movment is detected , they would work the same on a bean bag.

As a bean bag can be as stable as a tripod then you could turn IS OFF But it really depends on the lens being kept perfectly still.
no what it resting on
Rob

[Roger Clark]

Chris,
For super telephotos in the 300+ mm range, the magnification is so high there are microvibrations any time you are touching the camera. So I leave IS on when on a tripod unless doing static subject with mirror lockup. If you have live view, you can see how bad the vibrations are: simply turn on live view and maximum magnification.

Roger

[Robert Amoruso]

Chris,

For any lenses designed to have IS/VR active when on a tripod, I would do the same for a bean bag.

[Milan V]

Chris,
For super telephotos in the 300+ mm range, the magnification is so high there are microvibrations any time you are touching the camera. So I leave IS on when on a tripod unless doing static subject with mirror lockup. If you have live view, you can see how bad the vibrations are: simply turn on live view and maximum magnification.

Roger

Agree.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

I would have it on using a bean bag and agree with Roger's comments as well.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I hardly switch off the IS in any of my lenses. When I had the 300 f4 L IS lens as my longest tele, even then I used to keep the IS on. There is enough movement in a Safari vehicle, even though you are the only photographer (there would be a driver and a guide as per regulations in most of the places in India). Someone or the other invariably moves his leg or changes his position etc.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Chris Brennan]

Bean bag Update...

It took me only a few minutes with the Apex bean bag to determine it was just too darn big for me in my dinky little Mercury Mariner SUV. So I exchanged it for a Skimmer bag and Skimmer plate which a) will fit better, and b) still give me some stability in making shots from the car.
Thanks again to everyone for their input!

FYI, the Apex is a fine piece of gear but you need something along the lines of a Chevy Tahoe or a big pickup for it to fit properly AND let you access your vehicle controls.

[Jerry Clement]

All this talk about bean-bags had me wondering if any of you who use a bean-bag as regularly as I do, have considered using a filler other than beans. My favorite bean-bag for the last several years, after using a number of shooting-bags from gun-shops, is the Blubb that resides full-time in my truck. Initially upon receiving this bag, I filled it with 16 lbs of beans as suggested in the instructions. About 6 months down the road, I decided to change out the beans for a different filler to cut back on the weight of the bag. This was because, there are times when I do not have my tripod with me, I grab my blubb to trek some distance from my truck and thought maybe there was a lighter and better filler that would allow this. I found out through trial and error that fillers such as plastic beads while light, do not give enough support to my 500 and other fillers had their own issues. Then, I found the ideal solution for my needs in the form of crushed-walnut-shell used for sand-blasting purposes, as well as a polishing media for cartridge cases. (I purchased the filler at a gun-shop) The blubb required 12 lbs of crushed-walnut-shell to fill the bag completely. After much use, I am pleased with the lighter weight and have come to the conclusion that this filler supports my 500 better (slightly) than the beans. My findings anyway.

[Chris Brennan]

Jerry -

Thanks for the info!

I've used bird seed (black sunflower seeds) and beans. I too was thinking about the plastic beads but figured that they'd be too light. I emailed the designer of the Apex bag (never heard back from him...) regarding alternative fillers, and wondered if peanuts in the shell would work... the crushed walnut shells sounds interesting, and I may give it a try when my Skimmer bag comes.

[Jerry Clement]

Jerry -

Thanks for the info!

I've used bird seed (black sunflower seeds) and beans. I too was thinking about the plastic beads but figured that they'd be too light. I emailed the designer of the Apex bag (never heard back from him...) regarding alternative fillers, and wondered if peanuts in the shell would work... the crushed walnut shells sounds interesting, and I may give it a try when my Skimmer bag comes.

I should have mentioned that I was aware of how well crushed-walnut-shell worked before I tried it in my bean-bag, as any shooting bag that you buy in a gun-shop comes filled with crushed-walnut-shell. These bags work very well where accuracy is everything to the target-shooter. Also, I believe that the size of the filler is crucial to how well the bag supports your camera setup. The finer the fill the better, as large fill will allow your camera and lens to shift at the least inopportune moment.