bean bags and cable release

bovril

Hi,

Silly questions I know but I was in jessops yesterday and was looking at the bean bags for cameras. Do they come in different sizes, the ones they had looked like they'd only be suitable for non SLR digitals. I can't imagine how a DSLR with lens would be stable on one the size they had. It was about 23.50.

Also they had a generic jessops cable release for 13.50, with a small screw in part for the camera. Would this do the job on a 350D?

Many thanks
B

joolsveer

I don't know the beanbags in Jessops but for a remote release on a 350D you need either an electric plug in type or an infra red remote. I went for the infra red type and it works well enough. I bought it on ebay from a guy in Bremen and it was much cheaper than the Camera Centre in Blanchardstown.

rymus

You can get those beanbags in different sizes.. I'd imagine any bean bag that would support a 35mm SLR would be fine for a 350D, given that the 350D is probably a good deal smaller than alot of the 35mm SLR's out there.

bovril

Hi
Thanks for the replies, the size of the one they had in stock was more for a point and shoot camera. They had one of those small sony digital ones on the picture of the box as an example. I suppose it around the size of a CD or maybe slightly smaller. It would support the body of the 350D but I didn't think it would support the body + lens from the look of it. These bean bags are new to me so I thought I'd ask advice here.

Roen

You normally only stick the lens on the beanbag while handholding it lying down so you don't need a huge bag for it to be effective.

Fajitas!

The smaller one won't support an SLR as well. For the sake of 4 quid, get the bigger one, their handy enough. They're really handy.

Alun

Rather than paying through the nose in camera shops for beanbags, they're pretty easy to make as long as you have access to (someone with) a sewing machine. Make cloth bag, fill with 'beans' (I used split peas), close bag ... total cost not much more than a €uro or so.

bovril

the ould home economics class might come in handy after all if I can borrow the mammy's machine..

Where can you get the little beans from?

B0rG

they sell them in shops... you know food shops... tesco, dunnes etc..

Alun

bovril wrote:

the ould home economics class might come in handy after all if I can borrow the mammy's machine..

Where can you get the little beans from?

Well, as I said, I used plain old split peas from the supermarket, or alternatively you could use lentils, or rice or something like that. I don't know what the commercially available ones use, but if you're looking for something lighter, you could try and source the little polystyrene beads they use to fill the big bean-bags you can sit on .. maybe a craft shop? BTW, it takes a bit of experimentation to get the fill just right ... too tightly packed and the camera just sits on the top and wobbles about, too loose and it doesn't hold it properly.

bovril

I was talking about the Polystyrene ones alright.. good idea with the lentils etc. Thanks for the advice.

Now for making the cable release..

Covey

bovril wrote:

I was talking about the Polystyrene ones alright.. good idea with the lentils etc. Thanks for the advice.

Now for making the cable release..

here

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/CanonRelease.html

T.

Fajitas!

One thing going for the ones in Jessops is that they're made with REALLY durable (waterproof too) material, and have a leather like gripped bottom...pretty handy