Sand bags and tripod hook
/forum/topic/1170532/0

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tanglefoot47
Registered: Oct 12, 2004
Total Posts: 14720
Country: United States

I am not a big user of tripods but now I have a nice tripod I am looking to use it. I am wonder how many people use a sand bag or other weight on the tripod hook? Makes a ton of sense to me, I guess one could use the camera bag. I also wonder the people who use how much weight to use?

Thanks
Mike

sjms
Registered: Mar 21, 2003
Total Posts: 16262
Country: United States

you want the "bag" to remain on the ground and then use a strap to create the bond between the 2 and load it but not till its in the air.
reason is if your bag is hanging in mid air and can move it changes the loading and moves things ever so slightly. I use my camera bag quite often as the dead weight.

tanglefoot47
Registered: Oct 12, 2004
Total Posts: 14720
Country: United States

sjms wrote:
you want the "bag" to remain on the ground and then use a strap to create the bond between the 2 and load it but not till its in the air.
reason is if your bag is hanging in mid air and can move it changes the loading and moves things ever so slightly. I use my camera bag quite often as the dead weight.

Great point never thought of that

godfather
Registered: Aug 13, 2004
Total Posts: 1919
Country: United States

I never use bags to weigh down my tripod. I always travel light...one camera, one or two lenses, and the lightest bag I can find. Does not leave a lot of weight for stability. In high winds I think it would be a great idea and would defiantly agree with sums that leaving it on the ground would be best. Not sure what the best attachment system would be

A wide strap might start to vibrate in the wind...

tanglefoot47
Registered: Oct 12, 2004
Total Posts: 14720
Country: United States

EB-1
Registered: Jan 09, 2003
Total Posts: 20205
Country: United States

I've used my backpack a few times for that with an adjustable strap to control the distance. As mentioned above, you don't want a freely hanging weight that will sway in the wind.

EBH

sjms
Registered: Mar 21, 2003
Total Posts: 16262
Country: United States

godfather wrote:
I never use bags to weigh down my tripod. I always travel light...one camera, one or two lenses, and the lightest bag I can find. Does not leave a lot of weight for stability. In high winds I think it would be a great idea and would defiantly agree with sums that leaving it on the ground would be best. Not sure what the best attachment system would be

A wide strap might start to vibrate in the wind...

if that were only true for the entire photographic population. fortunately and unfortunately its not. if you truly wish to increase the aero dynamics of the material 3mm cord will do. as to it singing in the wind you also need to take a more holistic view. yes CF has some dampening qualities but it doesn't dampen the entire assy. there are many other factors on a tripod that are less tolerant of the wind. and that would be like everything else one top. that being the camera and lens that hood (scoop).

if you want a "sandbag" to carry around that is of course your option. a tricorner bag such as this:

are options but for me I already have enough in my pack to give it enough heft.

just another thing to carry.

sjms
Registered: Mar 21, 2003
Total Posts: 16262
Country: United States

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