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I feel a little guilty about this post because Cinesaddle is a good company that has created a product many camera operators adore. If you don’t know what a Cinesaddle is, it’s essentially a custom-shaped bean bag for your camera. It can be used on the ground or a table; but it’s best use is as a support strapped around your shoulder. In this configuration, it provides jiggle-free, hand-held shooting with a maximum of flexibility. The bags come in different sizes, and with excellent IBIS it’s very nearly a tripod… and most certainly a much more pleasing hand-held approach.

I am not a huge fan of the Cinesaddle, however, for two reasons. And this is true of their competitors– Sakk, Focus Bag, and DecOcean– as well. First, the most versatile version of the bag is big. Really big. It has to be able to support your camera safely on the ground (or strapped to the hood of a car), and for that it needs to be much larger than your rig. Though lightweight, it’s a lot to carry around. And I think a pregnancy-sized bulge on your stomach looks a bit unprofessional. For a stationary shot, a travel tripod is much safer, smaller, and more versatile. Second, the Cinesaddle, and other saddle brands like Rat Bag, are also very expensive. The big bag costs $400, which is more than many gimbals and most tripods. They do have smaller versions that are less pricey, with the tinsiest— the TinySaddle— coming in at $95. That’s still a meaningful amount of cash for what is a conveniently shaped beanbag.

In the past, I’ve used my small shoulder/waist camera bag as a saddle. It’s helpful for steadying a handheld shot, but the camera doesn’t sit neatly or safely on top, even with the foam cushion I’ve added to the setup. It won’t rest on the ground safely, and it’s not at all hands-free. I’ve seen other DIY solutions that also have some of the virtues of the original… along with their own set of drawbacks. So I’ve kept my eye out for something with fewer compromises. And the closest I’ve found is this:

It’s actually a “gun support bag,” (it’s sometimes called a “gun resting bag”). This one cost $18, pre-filled, on Temu. The dimensions (8”x7”x7”) are almost identical to the TinySaddle. While the TinySaddle is more of a “U” shape, the gun bag has a sharper “V.” This, however, can be softened by removing some of the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam pellets. EPP is extremely lightweight (it floats, which might make your bag float as well), moisture resistant, and recyclable. I’m not sure that last claim makes it eco-friendly, exactly, but it’s better than bean-bag filler. The outer material is made with 600DPU nylon fabric, which is durable stuff– you find it on a lot of high-quality outdoor bags; and the stitching is neat and tidy all around. This bag is designed for use in all kinds of weather and should easily last for a decade. It does not have a strap, but there are loops on both sides where you can attach your own. I purchased mine on Temu. Search “rifle support bag.” But be careful to read the dimensions. There are smaller versions (7”x7”x3”) that come unfilled. These are cheaper, but the bag is too small for adequate support and the material flimsier. Pay the extra 10 bucks for the larger size. The EPP more than covers the cost difference. Overall, the similarity between this gun bag and the Tiny Saddle is so minimal that you’ll be hard pressed to find a practical difference. Or a reason to spend $70 more.

A few notes: the silly flag is velcro so it comes off; the two bottom loops are designed for wrapping around your thigh when seated; they won’t be of much use for a camera setup. The bag doesn’t come with a strap; you’ll have to supply your own. I chose one that had a loop ring partway up the strap. This lets me quick adjust the height from stomach level to upper chest. I find buying through Temu to be generally safe and reliable, but you do need patience. Mine took 10 days to arrive from a local warehouse. At 8”x7”, the bag can offer hands-free support for a small mirrorless setup, but requires a safety hand for rigs that grow larger. Its best use is for going handheld on longer shoots.

I recently used it to film a 40 minute focus group. I needed to be able to both record the entire session, and move about for better angles. The saddle was incredibly helpful in reducing the fatigue and steadying my shot. The footage looks more professionally hand-held, as if shot on a bigger rig. It’s slightly bigger than the Tiny Saddle and those extra inches add a lot in terms of easy balancing and confidence.

A $20 CineSaddle? It’s sounds too good to be true, I know. But the only lie I can find is the missing strap. That will set you back ten dollars if you don’t have an old one lying around.