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Archive 2009 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

mrhoni
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p.1 #1 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I was practicing outside with a diffuser on stand as well as large umbrella. It didn't take much of a breeze to tip them over.

The diffuser attaches to a telescopic lite-disc holder and at the end there is a hole where I can add a hook and attach something for weight. This attached to a medium quality light stand.

The other stand is just a cheap stand.

I am asking what people have found that is inexpensive but works well to weigh down the stands. I found some comments where people used ankle weights.

I also wonder how much weight is needed for a light breeze. 10lbs?

Jul 17, 2009 at 04:34 PM

316shooter
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p.1 #2 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Quality sandbags are really quite inexpensive, and are available in several weights. 10 pounds is a good one to start with, but I would consider investing in some heavier versions as well. There are even many that you fill yourself on location with sand, some that take water, etc. They are easy to hang from the knobs on a stand, or drape over the base of a c-stand. And a decent brand won't leak sand, which could be messy and embarrassing. Check out Matthews, avenger, Calumet, etc.

Jul 17, 2009 at 04:56 PM

K_Strecker
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p.1 #3 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I've got literal 10lb weights that I bought at Wal-Mart for something like 3 dollars each. Loop clotheshangers like you would a rubberband (through a hole and through it's self) so they hold the weights and then hook onto the stand near the bottom.

They stay in my trunk till they're needed.

It depends on how you want to look in front of your clients

most of my location clients are musicians, so they know what pinching pennies is all about.

10lbs has been enough to keep a stand with a speedlight and Ezybox or umbrella in normal levels of wind. Double them up if you need 2x the weight.

Jul 17, 2009 at 05:10 PM

Pat Flanakin
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p.1 #4 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I use some ankle weight purchased from Target which are all black, the weights of course are covered completely by fabric and they attach via very long Velcro straps.

They are about 8 lbs each and provide very good counterbalancing as needed.

When I need two, I loop the Velcro of one through the other then hang one where I need it. Just hard to beat. I cannot remember what I paid, but it was cheap enough to forget obviously.

Additionally, since they are black and fabric covered, your clients won't notice them.

Jul 17, 2009 at 05:25 PM

Headshotz
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p.1 #5 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Pat Flanakin wrote:
I use some ankle weight purchased from Target which are all black, the weights of course are covered completely by fabric and they attach via very long Velcro straps.

They are about 8 lbs each and provide very good counterbalancing as needed.

When I need two, I loop the Velcro of one through the other then hang one where I need it. Just hard to beat. I cannot remember what I paid, but it was cheap enough to forget obviously.

Additionally, since they are black and fabric covered, your clients won't notice them.

Same here except did the Walmart route and the ankle weights are 20 lbs each. There are removable weight bars that fit in pockets to make it lighter if you want. $20 for a box of two 20 lbs ankle weights. Work just like sandbags...more convenient.

Jul 17, 2009 at 05:39 PM

Pat Flanakin
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p.1 #6 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Ok, sounds like you got what I got, but 20 lbs? Those are some serious weights. that means they provide ability to put the equivalent of a 40lbs pack on your back on your legs and run/walk around.

One think I like about them as well is they are small enough to fit in a dufflebag and don't leak anything.

Headshotz wrote:
Pat Flanakin wrote:
I use some ankle weight purchased from Target which are all black, the weights of course are covered completely by fabric and they attach via very long Velcro straps.

They are about 8 lbs each and provide very good counterbalancing as needed.

When I need two, I loop the Velcro of one through the other then hang one where I need it. Just hard to beat. I cannot remember what I paid, but it was cheap enough to forget obviously.

Additionally, since they are black and fabric covered, your clients won't notice them.

Same here except did the Walmart route and the ankle weights are 20 lbs each. There are removable weight bars that fit in pockets to make it lighter if you want. $20 for a box of two 20 lbs ankle weights. Work just like sandbags...more convenient.

Jul 17, 2009 at 05:41 PM

cineski
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p.1 #7 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Two of the most serious mistakes anyone can make in lighting: Using an umbrella outside (NEVER do this) and using cheap stands. It's just plain dangerous. I say this because I've made these mistakes. A 20 lbs weight is not really much. I'd really dedicate a few extra bucks for some avenger stands and dedicated sand bags. Safety on set is priceless.

Jul 17, 2009 at 06:16 PM

oobie
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p.1 #8 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Use an assistant to weigh your stands down.

Jul 17, 2009 at 08:47 PM

mrhoni
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p.1 #9 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I ended up buying 2 sets of 10lb ankle weights from Target. Wal-Mart had only 5lbs. This feels heavy enough as long as the breeze is light.

Jul 17, 2009 at 11:46 PM

Mark Booth
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p.1 #10 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I use two 10lb Reebok ankle weights I purchased at Target. That puts 20lbs. on one stand and I use my Buff Vagabond II as the weight for the other stand.

Mark

Jul 18, 2009 at 05:18 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #11 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

cineski wrote:
A 20 lbs weight is not really much. I'd really dedicate a few extra bucks for some avenger stands and dedicated sand bags. Safety on set is priceless.

+100.

Good stands. Real sandbags. Plus an assistant depending on what's on the stand, how high, and how much of a breeze.

Jul 18, 2009 at 05:28 AM

dazey
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p.1 #12 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I use an ortlieb water sack for small modifiers. Has the advantage that its easier to fill and empty for transportation than a sandbag.

Jul 19, 2009 at 01:32 PM

Littlebike
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p.1 #13 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

http://dale-murray.com/DIY/sandbags/

Jul 19, 2009 at 02:28 PM

Deezie
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p.1 #14 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Boa bags are more suitable and functional than leg weights, but that's a clever idea.

Jul 19, 2009 at 03:24 PM

Micky Bill
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p.1 #15 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

dazey wrote:
I use an ortlieb water sack for small modifiers. Has the advantage that its easier to fill and empty for transportation than a sandbag.

I'm too chicken to use water filled anything on a set.

Jul 20, 2009 at 04:13 AM

cathpah
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p.1 #16 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Micky Bill wrote:
I'm too chicken to use water filled anything on a set.

Not quite sure "chicken" is the right for it. I'd say "prudent" might be a bit more accurate.

Jul 20, 2009 at 05:04 AM

Mark Booth
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p.1 #17 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Deezie wrote:
Boa bags are more suitable and functional than leg weights, but that's a clever idea.

10 lb Boa Bag from B&H: $42.50
10 lb Ankle Weight from Target: $10.75 (two-pack is $21.49).

But, admittedly, I have considered sewing together my own Boa Bag type of design and moving the weights from the Target Reebok weights to the homemade Boa Bag.

Mark

Jul 20, 2009 at 05:26 AM

jamiya3000
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p.1 #18 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Sand bags! Cost about $30 at most camera stores. Get the oranges since they're waterproof. Hope this helps!

Jamiya Wilson
www.jamiyawilson.com
blog.jamiyawilson.com

Aug 03, 2009 at 12:18 AM

sherijohnson
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p.1 #19 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

I haven't tried this yet, but I have also heard some people using tent stakes to anchor the stands into the ground.

Aug 03, 2009 at 04:14 PM

mccaf
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p.1 #20 · What to use to weigh down lightstand?

Mark Booth wrote:
Deezie wrote:
Boa bags are more suitable and functional than leg weights, but that's a clever idea.

10 lb Boa Bag from B&H: $42.50
10 lb Ankle Weight from Target: $10.75 (two-pack is $21.49).

But, admittedly, I have considered sewing together my own Boa Bag type of design and moving the weights from the Target Reebok weights to the homemade Boa Bag.

Mark

Is this the mark from San Diego?
Anyway, we just picked up 50lbs of recycled shot for $40 from an ammo place in Mission Valley.
Made the patterns for weights off current boa bags. Now just have to sew the leather. Leather from a supplier in Santee or there about. I am not paying $52 for a 15 lb bag at George's again!

Aug 05, 2009 at 07:27 AM

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