MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM

MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM, low-angle photography redefined

With the MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM you get a beanbag tripod that may look a bit unusual at first glance, but in practice is all the more practical because of that. The drum shape is not just a gimmick; it provides a large, stable support surface on which your camera or telephoto lens rests securely and solidly. Especially when you work close to the ground, sit in a hide, or want to be at eye level with your subjects at the water’s edge, this round beanbag really plays to its strengths.

Instead of tapering corners, you get an evenly rounded support surface with a diameter of about 30 cm and a filled height of roughly 7 to 8 cm, depending on the amount of filling. This results in a pleasantly low but very stable position, ideal for low-angle photography, wildlife shots at the waterline, or steady perspectives from a car when the BIG DRUM is placed on the window frame or the hood.

Simple and good!, well thought out down to the last detail

The name BIG DRUM says it all: big, round, uncomplicated. No complicated mechanism, no delicate parts that could fail in the field. Essentially, you have a robust, lightweight beanbag tripod that does exactly what it’s supposed to do: carry your gear stably. Simple and good!, as the saying goes.

Unfilled, the beanbag weighs only about 125 g including the inlet. On trips, in your backpack, or in your carry-on luggage this is almost negligible. On location you fill it as needed, for example with plastic granulate. Filled with about 2.5 kg of plastic granulate, you get a solid yet still easily portable base that doesn’t immediately slip when you move the camera. In practice, you’ll need roughly 2–3 kg of filling material for this beanbag, depending on how soft or firm you like it.

Important to know: the MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM is delivered unfilled. This way you can decide for yourself whether you want to use plastic granulate, rice, lentils, or other material. Plastic granulate has proven particularly durable and resistant for many outdoor photographers, especially when the beanbag frequently gets damp or dirty.

Beanbag with inlet, flexible filling and easy cleaning

A real plus is the separate mesh-liner inlet that comes included with the BIG DRUM. This inner compartment makes filling much easier: you first fill the granulate or other material into the inlet, close it, and then place it inside the actual beanbag. This keeps everything where it belongs.

If you want to change or clean the filling, you don’t have to empty the entire beanbag and laboriously shake it out. You simply remove the inlet, empty or clean it, and put it back in. Especially with frequent use in the field, in mud, on dusty paths, or in a hide, this is a clear gain in convenience. It may sound unspectacular, but in everyday use it’s exactly such details that make the difference.

Made in Europe, robust quality from Slovakia

The MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM is manufactured in Slovakia and is therefore deliberately Made in Europe. You can tell by the choice of materials and the workmanship. The beanbag is made from a water-repellent material mix with about 65 % Polyester und 35 % cotton. This combination combines durability with a pleasant feel and ensures that moisture does not immediately penetrate to the inside.

The neutral camouflage print is discreet. It doesn’t look overly “military,” but blends unobtrusively into natural environments. Whether you’re working in the forest, by reed beds, in meadows, or at the edge of a field, the beanbag is barely noticeable and does not reflect any disturbing light. This is an advantage not to be underestimated, especially with shy wildlife or birds.

Flexible mounting, secure on branches, posts, and in a floating hide

On the underside of the BIG DRUM there is a hook-and-loop strap with which you can fix or additionally secure the beanbag in various places. This may sound simple at first, but in practice it opens up many possibilities: for example, you can attach the beanbag to branches, stabilize it on fence posts, or secure it in a floating hide so that it doesn’t slip when you move.

This kind of fixation really pays off when using longer focal lengths. The camera remains steadier, small vibrations are better absorbed, and you have to readjust less. In situations where a classic tripod would be too bulky or conspicuous, the BIG DRUM is a very unobtrusive yet surprisingly stable alternative.

For low-angle photography when you really want to get down low

Anyone who is serious about low-angle photography knows: a normal tripod is often too high, too bulky, or simply in the way. The MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM places your camera almost directly on the ground, but with a controlled, padded support. You can fine-tune the height via the amount of filling: a bit more filling for a slightly higher position, a bit less for extremely low perspectives.

Whether you’re photographing toads at a pond, waders in shallow water, reptiles on warm rocks, or macro subjects in the grass, you get a stable, flat base that molds itself to the ground. On uneven terrain, on rocks, on the forest floor, or in a meadow, the BIG DRUM adapts instead of remaining rigid. This gives you more freedom in choosing your position without having to fiddle with a tripod every time.

And if you want to change perspective quickly, you simply lift the beanbag, put it down a bit further on, and you’re immediately ready to shoot again. No retracting legs, no loosening clamps, no loud clattering—an obvious advantage, especially with shy subjects.

Technical data at a glance, compact yet capable

To help you better assess the dimensions, here are the key specs of the MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM in one go:

• Tripod type: drum-shaped beanbag tripod
• Diameter: approx. 30 cm for a large, stable support surface
• Height when filled: approx. 7–8 cm depending on fill level
• Weight unfilled (including inlet): approx. 125 g
• Weight filled with plastic granulate: about 2.5 kg (depending on amount of filling)
• Scope of delivery: beanbag with separate mesh-liner inlet, easy to fill and clean
• Material: water-repellent material mix of approx. 65 % Polyester und 35 % cotton
• Design: neutral camouflage print for unobtrusive outdoor use
• Production: manufactured in Slovakia, Made in Europe
• Delivery condition: the beanbag is delivered unfilled

This combination of low transport weight, variable filling, and robust outer shell makes the BIG DRUM a versatile companion—from sitting in a hide, to trips with light luggage, to use in or at the water, where a classic tripod often reaches its limits.

Fields of use, from car window to floating hide

In practice, the MR JAN GEAR Beanbag BIG DRUM shows just how flexible it really is. You can use it on the car window frame to shoot from inside the vehicle without having to set up a bulky tripod. On fence posts, walls, or railings, the round shape provides a stable support that does not easily tilt.

In a floating hide, the BIG DRUM ensures a steady camera position even when the water is gently lapping or you move slightly. On the forest floor or in a meadow, it settles into small irregularities and gives you a reliable base without having to spend a long time searching for the “perfect” surface. Essentially, it is a very adaptable, silent helper that makes your work easier without drawing attention to itself.

And if you’re not resting a camera on it, you can also use it as an improvised pillow, shelf, or support in a pinch. Not its main purpose, of course, but in the field you’re sometimes glad for any comfortable, reasonably soft surface.