Ed Hurst
Well-known member
Hello all,
I have a rather 'Heath Robinson' question for you all! (Is that a phrase that makes sense across the world, or only to Brits like me?)
I have a Pentax 645D together with a range of lenses, including many from the Pentax 67 system; some of these are large (up to and including the wonderful 300mm f4 EDIF 67 lens).
I have a reasonable tripod and a pretty good head, but sadly it does not always remain totally steady in windy conditions when using the longest lenses. I realise that I could solve this by getting a better tripod and head, and perhaps using two tripods when using the longest lenses. However, practical and monetary constraints prevent this solution for now.
In the past, I have had some success by mounting the camera and lens combination on the tripod then applying a reasonably weighty object to the top of the camera to damp the vibrations and hold things steady in a high wind (it just can't wobble so easily in the breeze due to the object weighing it down). A 'bean bag' is quite good because it moulds itself to the contours of the camera.
Someone very dear to me has generously offered to make me a 'proper' bean bag by hand and I am trying to give her the specifications I require for optimal use! Clearly good, robust fabric is required. But I am not sure what is the best size and weight combination. I want the smallest, lightest item that will guarantee holding a 645D and 300mm f4 EDIF 67 lens rock solid in a strong wind!
This is a silly question, because the chances of anyone having definitive advice are very slim, but can anyone advise on the sort of size and weight I should ask for? I realise I have not told you what the tripod and head are, or how strong the wind would be, but I guess I am looking for reasonable 'rule of thumb' advice.
Anyone feel like answering this stupid question?
Best wishes,
Ed
I have a rather 'Heath Robinson' question for you all! (Is that a phrase that makes sense across the world, or only to Brits like me?)
I have a Pentax 645D together with a range of lenses, including many from the Pentax 67 system; some of these are large (up to and including the wonderful 300mm f4 EDIF 67 lens).
I have a reasonable tripod and a pretty good head, but sadly it does not always remain totally steady in windy conditions when using the longest lenses. I realise that I could solve this by getting a better tripod and head, and perhaps using two tripods when using the longest lenses. However, practical and monetary constraints prevent this solution for now.
In the past, I have had some success by mounting the camera and lens combination on the tripod then applying a reasonably weighty object to the top of the camera to damp the vibrations and hold things steady in a high wind (it just can't wobble so easily in the breeze due to the object weighing it down). A 'bean bag' is quite good because it moulds itself to the contours of the camera.
Someone very dear to me has generously offered to make me a 'proper' bean bag by hand and I am trying to give her the specifications I require for optimal use! Clearly good, robust fabric is required. But I am not sure what is the best size and weight combination. I want the smallest, lightest item that will guarantee holding a 645D and 300mm f4 EDIF 67 lens rock solid in a strong wind!
This is a silly question, because the chances of anyone having definitive advice are very slim, but can anyone advise on the sort of size and weight I should ask for? I realise I have not told you what the tripod and head are, or how strong the wind would be, but I guess I am looking for reasonable 'rule of thumb' advice.
Anyone feel like answering this stupid question?
Best wishes,
Ed