If it’s filled with a light material like polystyrene balls for example, then it will be very light. If it’s filled with dried beans or seeds, then it will naturally be heavier. The larger the bean bag, the heavier it will be.

Wildlife photography can often result in noisy images. See my guide to the best noise reduction softwarefor some ideas on how to get the best out of your photos even when they might be a bit noisyThe filler in the bags helps to dampen the vibrations to steady the lens and camera from shake. If you have doubts, rest a lens on the window of the car and take a shot, then use a towel or some other cushion and take another shot, compare the two and you will see a difference. Bean bags are great for shooting from car windows, but also are handy for making a rest on the hood of a car, a fence or a pole. They are also good for shooting from the ground to get a low perspective. Red Pod from Pod is an ottoman that serves as a camera platform for DSLR cameras with zoom lenses up to 200mm long. The red pod is made of strong nylon and filled with plastic bullets, removed and added to adapt the capsule to your camera/lens and a particular shot’s requirements. This is a story I could repeat multiple times across many wildlife encounters, but the overall message should be clear. Try to remember that a safari game drive is not an exercise in getting somewhere. Other special features might include special camera mounts, tripod mounts, the ability to fully open or remove windows, and even the ability to remove a door or two. I wouldn’t expect most of these features unless you are paying extra for a special photography trip.

Additionally, with Kinesis and LensCoat, they offer a range of options at different sizes and price points to suit most camera setups. Between us we came up with a design for a u-shaped bean bag with a zipper. My mum made it with a heavy calico fabric and a zipper. We then dyed it green. Once in Uganda, we filled it with dried beans and some pillow stuffing.

Grippa Bean Bag Summary

It has the same purpose as a tripod and ensures the camera and lens system’s stability. In this way, you can get better image sharpness compared to manual shooting. You can shoot blur-free images in low light. In addition, the lower angle of the sun in the morning and evening produces shadows, resulting in images that have better contrast and depth compared to images shot in the overhead midday sun which can produce more flat images. If you are traveling with a longer lens, I’d consider getting a photography bean bag or two for your safari trip. They protect your gear from having to rest on the often dirty and uneven surfaces of the sides of the vehicle Judicious cropping, adjustment of shadows and highlights, tweaks to saturation—these can all add up to really improve an image.