Wildlife Photography Tips: How to Use a Beanbag for Wildlife Photography

5 Tips when using a Beanbag for Wildlife Photography. Use these 5 tips to improves your photos when using a beanbag as your camera support. Do you use a Beanbag? What do you fill it with? What subjects do you use a Beanbag for? I highly recommend buying a Double Beanbag from www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk They make high quality, durable gear.
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This video was filmed with a Canon M50 and 15-45mm lens.
Equipment: Canon 1DX Mark i; Canon 400mm f5.6 lens; Canon 500mm f/4 Mark i lens; Wildlife Watching Supplies Double Beanbag
Music: Good Morning by Reed Mathis

[@kevins8575]

I use a similar thing; a foam tube with a lengthwise cut that slips over the partially-lowered car window.

[@capturingnaturewithsandip]

Thanks for lovely tips.. Nice Video

[@1Tomrider]

I've used single beanbags for years, and I really like that "saddlebag" beanbag and strap you show - will have to make one!

[@WalkontheWildlifeSide]

Hi Paul. Thanks for all the tips. Definitely going to order the same bean bag. Best get some rice too 😅

[@kilohotel6750]

I started out with rice but switched to chunks of memory foam padding. Mostly use it to shoot birds and Fox from my truck but it’s also nice to shoot snapping turtles this time of year as they come out to lay their eggs. Laying down and getting that eye level shot is so much better when you can get it.

[@user-markparker]

Thanks Paul, great video. There have been times that I’ve used my beanbag with my long lens & thought I’d nailed the shot only to get it into LC & see a soft image. What you said about the focus ring moving as your panning may have answered my query. Many thanks.

[@davidcannon2464]

As a filling I use the material they use for stuffing soft toys. Makes the light and still functional

[@bobbowring1702]

Not used one but after seeing this it will be on the list of presents wanted.

[@kenpowell3558]

have the saddle beanbag filled with polystyrene balls nice and lightweight. Just one other thing for anyone buying a bag make sure the material is waterproof .saves the bag getting any heavier if it rains

[@ramprasadsambara]

Thanka for tips. Your tutorials/videos are always been excellent. I have a beanbag which has a removable metal plate on top, whereby i can attach a ball head or gimbal head to it. This can be useful for panning shots as you mentioned.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Many thanks. I've heard that before - that sounds great.

[@alanryder]

Great video Paul - not the most obvious subject to tackle but definitely something worth covering. I use the Kevin Keatley one - Wildlife Watching Supplies and have it filled with mixed birdseed so that I always have a supply to attract the birds when out in the woods - works for red squirrels too!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Kevin Keatley stuff is very well made. I like the idea of the birdseed! Although maybe it can go mouldy.??

[@alanryder]

@@PaulMiguelPhotography Not so far - and (most of ) it has been in there for a couple of years now!

[@felixifloresrodriquez3306]

Thanks for the great tip. I makes great sense I will give it a try

[@MyWildSide_photography]

I love my beanbag and it gets a lot of use. Mine is filled half n half with rice & polystyrene balls to keep the weight down. It's still very stable. I always try to position my hand over the manual focus ring to prevent movement. Great videos you produce. As a newbie to photography and birding, I've learnt a huge amount from your posts. You have a great sense of humour too and it stops me from taking it all too seriously sometimes and reminds me to enjoy what I'm doing and where instead of being fixated on the end result and the photo. My photos are way better when I'm relaxed. Thank you for an excellent channel.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I actually did exactly the same in the past - I also tried to use some sawdust! Thanks so much for the feedback, I try not to take myself too seriously! Hope you continue to enjoy the channel

[@leewot]

If the bag fouling the focus ring is a problem simply spin the tripod mount back under the lens and rest it on the beanbag, creating space for the lens rings space

[@GBftw]

I use a polystyrene fill on mine and wear it as a bracelet when out walking. Very handy and so much lighter than a tripod.

[@felixifloresrodriquez3306]

Thanks, would you mind share how many liters you use of polystyrene?

[@GBftw]

@@felixifloresrodriquez3306 Between 1 and 2 I guess, probably closer to 1. It's just a small one, but plenty to give it a table platform resting on the ground or a wall etc.

[@jackstutts6439]

Buckwheat hulls are a great filler for bean bags. It's light weight, easily moldable and doesn't absorb moisture the way rice can.

[@kurtkemnitzer]

I agree here, Buckwheat hulls have been my go to for the past few years. I use beanbag from vehicle frequently. They are very lightweight, provide excellent stability and are cheap to buy.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Everyone keeps saying this and I don't know what they are! I will look. Sounds good.

[@Monique.1709]

Hello Paul, nice video like always :-) I use my beanbag in my car like you showed us to keep my camera in his place when driving and to photograph out of my car window, I find the bag to heavy to carry along with me on hikes. I have a saddle model filled with rice.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Excellent.

[@mikebrownhill4662]

I love beanbags - they're the Swiss Army Knife of camera support. I have a LensCoat Pro filled with buckwheat husks (it takes a lot of filling!). It's great and supports my 600mm f4L lens very well. I do get the problem you mention with the manual focus ring sometimes catching on the bag and it drove me nuts for ages. My solution was to utilise the lens foot - if I'm going to be tracking, I put the foot on the beanbag and that lifts the lens clear of the bag. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I can make it work. I'll try your tape suggestion too, that might be better.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Great stuff. I've never tried that with the lens foot. I might try this for tracking.

[@dust1415]

I have two Beanbags a XL one what i use for my big 600 F4 with Buckwheat Hulls and a double beanbag always in car also filled with Buckwheat Hulls very good to take to a hide you not used before

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

No, never used. Where do I get buckwheat hulls?

[@paulbaldwin2290]

Great advice as usual Paul, I use mine for my bedroom window to photograph Jay's and woodpeckers 👌where did you get your bean bag?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Cool! Beanbag from www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk Quality gear, made to be very durable.

[@CamillaI]

I fill mine with polystyrene beads light weight not as stable though !

[@sofievanherle4570]

I have a "Caruba double pro large" bean bag. It's bright orange though, thought that might scare the birds away... so I made a dark cover for it. I (thought I) had the brilliant of putting perlite in it, which I use in the garden and is super light, but due to it's texture, irregular shaped small and bigger bits, it holds the shape quite well. (my camera is an MFT so not big, and my biggest lens is 100-400 which is really tiny and light compared to yours!) BUT... I hadn't realized that the perlite would start breaking up after a while and start to give off clouds of dust whenever I move the bag, so out with the light perlite. I will use rice in stead. I havn't changed it yet, need to wash the bag first as well.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Thank you. I have not heard of perlite. Lots of people are saying use Buckwheat hulls. I don't know what that is...

[@sofievanherle4570]

@@PaulMiguelPhotography Perlite is a volcanic glass that is used in gardening once processed. It is very light, absorbs moisture well and it adds drainage to the soil. Best to google it for more details as I don't really know much about it, I just use it. The seeds of buckwheat (not a cereal!) can be ground into a flour. Buckwheat flour can be used for pancakes, and other things. When I buy chrysopa (larvae of lacewings, for getting rid of pests like aphids and white fly in the greenhouse) they always come in buckwheat hulls. The husks are used for pillows as well. That's a good idea in fact, it's a very light material.

[@clivewelch1025]

Hi Paul to be honest I've never used one and up to now I've never been in a situation where I feel I've needed one but that's not to say I wouldn't try one in the future.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I love them when the situation allows for it.

[@razvandanulescu9462]

I also use buckwheat husks and I am convinced it is the best solution for beanbags. 1 kg has 6-7 cubic decimeters, so even a very big 15 cubic decimeters beanbag (made by me for a 600 mm f/4 lens) weighs only 2 kg. I use this big beanbag on the door of the car and it is really very useful for a very big lens.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I will check these buckwheat husks everyone keeps telling me about!!

[@johncarrette5811]

Buckwheat hulls are definitely the way to go for filling. Tried rice but left the beanbag in a cupboard for a while and beasties started to eat the rice and the powder was everywhere, same potential problem with anything else that's edible if you're leaving the bag filled long term. The bugs don't find any nutrition in buckwheat hulls so don't eat them and as a bonus they're not too heavy to carry.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I will definitely check this! Cheers John.

[@karenallen6879]

Hi Paul, great video as always. Do you have a link for the beanbag you use please ?

[@kenpowell3558]

www.camerabeanbags.co.uk

[@kevins8575]

Simon Eardley makes and sells them. He has a video for DIY. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZLQgoVvlMhrmJo

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

www.wildlifephotographysupplies.co.uk

[@tomadunia8883]

Hi Paul great video again. What tripod would you recommend for 600mm lens? Thanks

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

There's so many. You really need something very stable. It will likely be heavier.

[@tomadunia8883]

@@PaulMiguelPhotography what do you use?

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Where can i buy The black lens foot ?

[@100mikeshark]

I use sunflower hearts so I can feed the birds. Trouble is it’s v heavy.

[@gordontickle1673]

Hi Paul fab points once again, I am wondering buddy if you would consider a vlog about how to capture the small birds, IE. As you know I live in Northern Thailand, the garden birds are not over difficult they are the size of Black Birds to finches and some doves, Now then we have an amount of tiny birds brightly coloured one of them being a green tailed Sun Bird, mate they flit about in the trees so fast it is almost impossible to photograph them. I am lucky just outside my studio window I have a Jamaican cherry tree that the birds and chipmunks love to eat early in the morning, the centre of this tree is 15ft from the window. Just hoping you have some of the answers and can show us in a vlog. GT

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Hi Gordon. I've made quite a few videos on small bird photography but it is something I will always do more on.

[@paulb1915]

unloosen = tighten

[@kathrynhall9920]

How does the camouflage sleeve fit onto your lens, is it elasticated or perhaps does the material have to be stuck to it? Would something fit my Canon 70-300mm lens?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Great question. You can buy these for most size of lens. You can buy cheaper options that fit snugly but not super tight. These are not as good. The best ones are neoprene - they are slightly elasticated and stay fitting tightly.

[@mjdrareg]

I’ve tried putting rice in mine, but I’m struggling to get it to cook fully. Every time I add my boiling water it seeps out the sides. Any tips?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Put it in a Frypod..

[@johnreynolds3348]

You need a ricebag, these are for beans only.

[@ashsimpson]

Hi Paul, which size bean bag do you use or recommend for use with a 500mm lens? Double bean bag small, standard or large? Thank you

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I'm not sure but I think it is a standard one.?

[@ashsimpson]

Thank you

[@garyhunt8455]

Paul - do you have any idea where I can purchase this bean bag in the U.S.? Also, do you have a model number for it. Thanks.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I'm not sure about U.S. Here it is www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk

[@gelderman1]

I bought one but found it way to heavy to carry around. Never used it again... I put my lens on a branch when i'm in the woods and need that extra support.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

if you can find natural supports like that it's great. Also, if you are lower down try resting lens on your knee.

[@garymann499]

Hi. What is you ground pod called? Do you rate them? Thanks.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I call mine a 'Frypod' because it's a frying pan. With a screw fit in the middle..

[@talbotsk]

Hi Paul, do you turn off lens image stabilization when you use bean bag?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

With me lens I do.

[@peterdyer2706]

I bought that bean bag it came with two liners do you fill both or just one or not use them at all I don’t see how it fits with the liners

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

To be honest Peter, I've always just filled it as it is. No, I've never quite understood the liners! I just fill it as full as i can.

[@peterdyer2706]

Thanks I like your channel

[@peterdyer2706]

@@PaulMiguelPhotographyhow often do you throw out the rice I use lentils

[@messylaura]

don't use baked beans, they run out down the back of your skirt and down you legs. i now use the polyballys they come with well i used to i actually forgot i had the bean bag, i got one when i was first getting used to a big lens, now i just HH it, now i have the 150-600mm lens it makes my 100-400mm look like a kit lens in size, crazy what we get used to the polyballys allowed me to just clip the bean bag to my bag with a carabeana, might have to think about using it again for the 105mm ƒ1.4 at the zoo

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Cool. Yeah baked beans not good. I've ruined many a dress too...

[@treelee8485]

😅

[@newtuber4freedom43]

Are you using the senior or junior?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I don't know what they are..

[@deb8183]

I’m close to throwing my tripod in a lake. This bag may be helpful.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Lol!

[@ianpawson1356]

If its rice it's got to be brown rice surely, who in their right mind eats that anyway 😅

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Indeed..

[@Goat.Herder]

Ah man. More crap I've got a carry like a donkey now 😂

[@andyblessett1282]

Wouldn't recommend carrying a donkey mate!

[@willparsons32]

Beanbags are outrageously expensive - paying in access of $30.00 for a piece of cloth is outrageous! My point here is that spending a lot of money for something simple as a beanbag really diminishes the joy of photography. There's got to be a cheaper option than what's found on Amazon.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I understand. I have made my own in the past.

[@treelee8485]

buying from amazon costs more than the price you pay 😖

I got a bean bag in 1975 but it didn’t come with instructions and there was no KZbin. I used it anyway just by putting on something. Seriously, people today.

[@dougcampbell6509]

He is simply offering tips to help utilize equipment more effectively.