Bean bag or not on safari in East Africa

Hello again,

for those of you who have been on a safari in East Africa, would you recommend a bean bag for a MFT camera (and PL 100-400)?  If so, which one would you recommend (with weight being an issue, even if it would be empty on the way to)?

Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

Chizuka wrote:

Hello again,

for those of you who have been on a safari in East Africa, would you recommend a bean bag for a MFT camera (and PL 100-400)? If so, which one would you recommend (with weight being an issue, even if it would be empty on the way to)?

Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

I only shoot UK wildlife - and the light is normally quite poor - but having used the PL100-400 for 2 years now, no longer even use a monopod, but a cheap lightweight monopod can be of benefit if you can't rest or brace yourself against something. I am not sure how a bean bag would be of help.

How do you anticipate using the bean bag?

Adrian Harris wrote:

Chizuka wrote:

Hello again,

for those of you who have been on a safari in East Africa, would you recommend a bean bag for a MFT camera (and PL 100-400)? If so, which one would you recommend (with weight being an issue, even if it would be empty on the way to)?

Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

I only shoot UK wildlife - and the light is normally quite poor - but having used the PL100-400 for 2 years now, no longer even use a monopod, but a cheap lightweight monopod can be of benefit if you can't rest or brace yourself against something. I am not sure how a bean bag would be of help.

How do you anticipate using the bean bag?

It would be used against the window of the jeep or other post or support on the jeep.

Hi, I used one on my last trip to the Krüger park, and found it quite benificial. The beanbag had a tripod screw, so there was no risk of losing it.

I've been to Kruger and Sri Lanka safari's with lens, if you are lucky you won't have a full jeep, allowing space to move about and get a decent resting place. If normal/unlucky the jeep will be full, everyone will be moving about ,the resting positions in jeep will be limited.

I found with G9 and 100-400mm the IS is suitable and as its a lighter long lens it'll be fine handholding.

You can use rucksack/spare fleece to rest on rather than a specific bean bag.

Good luck

Chizuka wrote:

Adrian Harris wrote:

Chizuka wrote:

Hello again,

for those of you who have been on a safari in East Africa, would you recommend a bean bag for a MFT camera (and PL 100-400)? If so, which one would you recommend (with weight being an issue, even if it would be empty on the way to)?

Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

I only shoot UK wildlife - and the light is normally quite poor - but having used the PL100-400 for 2 years now, no longer even use a monopod, but a cheap lightweight monopod can be of benefit if you can't rest or brace yourself against something. I am not sure how a bean bag would be of help.

How do you anticipate using the bean bag?

It would be used against the window of the jeep or other post or support on the jeep.

You can always use a jacket or a towel in a pinch. Even some laundry in a pillow case will do. My point is there is little need to pack something extra

Dave Bennett wrote:

Have you been on safari before?

No I habpve not. But, I think that the jeeps used in Tanzania are different than those used in S.A. A bean bag could be used against the side of the jeep when standing for example. See picture.

I was in South Africa on safari in July and can't say I ever felt the need for a bean bag (I was using my 40-150 plus MC14 and 75-300 (both Oly)). If it would be to steady the combo on one of the side rails on the 4x4 then you would most likely find that the rails are too low and you would have to sit lower in your seat. Not easy or comfortable. I would be worried that the bean bag would simply slip off the rail and fall into the bush where you wouldn't be permitted to retrieve it.

Far better to rely on IBIS for flexibility rather than the restrictions that trying to use a bean bag would bring.

Albert Valentino wrote:

Chizuka wrote:

Adrian Harris wrote:

Chizuka wrote:

Hello again,

for those of you who have been on a safari in East Africa, would you recommend a bean bag for a MFT camera (and PL 100-400)? If so, which one would you recommend (with weight being an issue, even if it would be empty on the way to)?

Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

I only shoot UK wildlife - and the light is normally quite poor - but having used the PL100-400 for 2 years now, no longer even use a monopod, but a cheap lightweight monopod can be of benefit if you can't rest or brace yourself against something. I am not sure how a bean bag would be of help.

How do you anticipate using the bean bag?

It would be used against the window of the jeep or other post or support on the jeep.

You can always use a jacket or a towel in a pinch. Even some laundry in a pillow case will do. My point is there is little need to pack something extra

thanks Albert for your advice.

DarrenChef wrote:

I've been to Kruger and Sri Lanka safari's with lens, if you are lucky you won't have a full jeep, allowing space to move about and get a decent resting place. If normal/unlucky the jeep will be full, everyone will be moving about ,the resting positions in jeep will be limited.

we will be the lucky ones!!!

I found with G9 and 100-400mm the IS is suitable and as its a lighter long lens it'll be fine handholding.

I too hand hold the G9 and 100-400mm for a while but I thought that a bean bag would allow me to rest my arm and probably add stability.

You can use rucksack/spare fleece to rest on rather than a specific bean bag.

Good luck

Just bring a sock and fill it with beans or something when you arrive. Then you can wash it and wear it. Beanbags are not very helpful in most situations.

Rather then using sunscreen get a good sunshirt and wide brimmed hat. That will mean fewer chemicals on your skin and less chance of getting lotion on your gear.

I'd recommend a natural bug repellent, too.  Something like Herbal Armor.

C Sean wrote:

Can I ask you how many safaris you been on?

The reason why I'm asking you this because I do believe you're over complicating what could be a once in a life time trip. All you need for your trip is a few camera bodies, binoculars, a hat and sun glasses. Then there's the factor 50 suncream, bug spray etc.

To answer your question, you don't need sand bags and most people can get along without them. You can rest your elbows on your thighs and there's your tripod. You don't need all this support unless you're shooting with something like the 600mm 4.0 and my advice for you is good luck. Luckily most safari vehicles in East Africa often supply sand bags if anyone need them so you don't need to bring your own.

BTW sands bags don't effect your sightings and it doesn't effect how many people in your vehicle. Your main goal on day one is to find the right people to share the vehicle with or there will be tensions like in your typical Big Brother house. Here is an example, my last safari, the sightings of big cats were low and we had a lot of birders in our group. The birders stuck together in one vehicle and I made sure I stayed in the other.

A friend knows some people who went to Kruger for four days and they didn't see a single lion. It does happen and nothing is guaranteed except for your common herbivores. You might have some exciting sightings and you might have some animals eating grass.

Thank you for your comment C. This will be my first safari. I probably would not have any questions if it was my 2nd or 3rd, but I doubt that will happen.

C Sean wrote:

Can I ask you how many safaris you been on?

The reason why I'm asking you this because I do believe you're over complicating what could be a once in a life time trip. All you need for your trip is a few camera bodies, binoculars, a hat and sun glasses. Then there's the factor 50 suncream, bug spray etc.

To answer your question, you don't need sand bags and most people can get along without them. You can rest your elbows on your thighs and there's your tripod. You don't need all this support unless you're shooting with something like the 600mm 4.0 and my advice for you is good luck. Luckily most safari vehicles in East Africa often supply sand bags if anyone need them so you don't need to bring your own.

BTW sands bags don't effect your sightings and it doesn't effect how many people in your vehicle. Your main goal on day one is to find the right people to share the vehicle with or there will be tensions like in your typical Big Brother house. Here is an example, my last safari, the sightings of big cats were low and we had a lot of birders in our group. The birders stuck together in one vehicle and I made sure I stayed in the other.

A friend knows some people who went to Kruger for four days and they didn't see a single lion. It does happen and nothing is guaranteed except for your common herbivores. You might have some exciting sightings and you might have some animals eating grass.

Chizuka wrote:

Dave Bennett wrote:

Have you been on safari before?

No I habpve not. But, I think that the jeeps used in Tanzania are different than those used in S.A. A bean bag could be used against the side of the jeep when standing for example. See picture.

I was in South Africa on safari in July and can't say I ever felt the need for a bean bag (I was using my 40-150 plus MC14 and 75-300 (both Oly)). If it would be to steady the combo on one of the side rails on the 4x4 then you would most likely find that the rails are too low and you would have to sit lower in your seat. Not easy or comfortable. I would be worried that the bean bag would simply slip off the rail and fall into the bush where you wouldn't be permitted to retrieve it.

Far better to rely on IBIS for flexibility rather than the restrictions that trying to use a bean bag would bring.

I've also been on several safaris which have either been self drive or open jeep. I really do hope this isn't the kind of vehicle you'll be in as they're very restrictive in terms of moving around (I've observed plenty of them in national parks.. private reserves don't use them where I've been). Bean bags are not going to help anyway  even if you could elbow everyone out of the way 😊

absoluutbeginner wrote:

I use the blanket that you get during the flight instead of a bean bag .

You roll it up ..and it works fine and is soo much lighter in weight .

And on the flight back you leave it again in the aircraft ..... eco friendly too

👍