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Sandbags -- dumb question
I was reading some threads about the best stands to use, and, along with other advice, they all suggested using sandbags. For awhile now, I've been planning to get some sandbags to secure my light stands. I could use them in the studio for those precarious setups and, even more would like to use them outdoors. I don't take the studio lights outdoors yet, but I plan to be doing that soon. So, the big, dumb question: Where do you get sandbags, what types do you use, and what size/weight do you like? I checked on B&H and Calumet, and they both have a nice selection of bags running from around $10 to $30 each. Figuring I need one bag on each leg and might want to secure four or more stands, I'm figuring those bags could cost me a few hundred bucks. There must be a cheaper way! Any advice? Jan 12 08 09:35 pm Link buy some strong bags triple up big thick commercial garbage bags, cut them to size and get some dirt/on location or sand from a beach. Easier is get some large canvas bags at a walmart and fill them with rocks. Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com Jan 12 08 09:37 pm Link Depending on the degree of need you could put one bag on each stand, not each leg. Sometimes you don't need that many Jan 12 08 09:38 pm Link you can also check with your local theatrical supply house. I believe Current Events is located in PA somewhere. or you can go online to Mutual Hardware in long island city, NY Jan 12 08 09:38 pm Link dms graphix wrote: Play sand from homey depot and surplus sand bags. Do not complain when they leak sand on the floor. Jan 12 08 09:39 pm Link If you dont care about looks, use pillow cases filled with smallish gravel. Tie them closed with a bungie cord and use the hooks to attach them to your stands. JMO. Jan 12 08 09:43 pm Link The ones I prefer are the ones shipped empty as i also use them down the shore and hate to drag 100+ lbs of sand across the beach when they have perfectly good sand right there Jan 12 08 09:47 pm Link Try using some 25 lb. weights (from a weight set, you know? Barbells and such). Use two if you need to. These can can be acquired cheaply at a few different places. Try your local thrift stores first. You can set then under the stands and tie them around the center upright or the legs. Depending upon your strength, you may go lighter if you have to walk far for the set. There are always alternatives to everything. Jan 12 08 09:47 pm Link digital Artform wrote: Agree. You don't really need three bags on each stand. If you are going to use something heavy off a boom than you should get a medium roller to handle that. You can, as suggested, make your own. You can fill old paint cans with cement and Voilà ! (You could call local painters to see if you could get empty cans). B&H also sells sandbags without the sand but that is more about traveling with bags than with saving money. In the end if you are at all concerned about professional appearances you might want to just spend a little cash and buy some new sandbags. But if you need to watch your dollars than you can easily create some things in your garage. Jan 12 08 09:55 pm Link Phone books are free and they work. Jan 12 08 09:59 pm Link Robert Helm wrote: When you are at the beach why don't you use a "deadman", lighter to carry and hold the stands better. Cheap to build half a dozen too. Jan 12 08 09:59 pm Link Thanks for all the good advice. Yes, I planned to use sand on location when at the beach, but I wanted sturdy bags. Don't want a mess in the stuido! Thanks again. Jan 12 08 10:15 pm Link if you want cheap, beg someone with sewing machine to put their talents to work, buy freezer ziplock bags, put sand in them, close ziplock bag, some duct tape will also help, put ziplocks in the creations made by someone with sewing machine, total cost including sand should be about $10 to $15. Mine get tossed around quite a bit and I am quite happy with this solution, all my lights have some extra weight on them, learnt the hard way;-) However if you want to look more professional...... Jan 12 08 10:23 pm Link Garbage bags inside the sandbags will mitigate leakage pretty effectively. They are not strong enough to hold sand on their own but they hold up pretty well inside a canvas bag. Jan 12 08 10:26 pm Link Am sure there are cheap methods to doing this , but I purchased two 10# Boa Bags and they do fine for me in studio for the background stands and outdoors for the lighter stands. Know they are pricey, but worth it if it keeps equipment where it belongs. - http://www.matthewsgrip.com/mse.php?sho … ry=boa+bag -  Jan 12 08 10:32 pm Link C and J Photography wrote: I agree you can buy contractor garbage bags. They are about ten times as thick as normal bags. Also, if you aren't near a beach you can get sand from Agway $7 for a 60 pound bag. Jan 13 08 12:03 am Link dms graphix wrote: I have Matthews bags in my studio. They may be older than you are. They are most certainly much older than any of the models in your sensational portfolio. You're a terrific photographer and after only a few uses of real studio bags with the center seams and long plus short straps you'll see why they are built the way they are. Jan 13 08 12:51 am Link Len Cook wrote: This sounds like the voice of experience talking Jan 13 08 01:03 am Link dms graphix wrote: A local awning shop sometimes makes custom canvas items. They can create a sandbag to your specs and are often cheaper than anything from a photo or video supplier. Jan 13 08 01:08 am Link In addition to the price of the bags, don't forget shipping. Shipping sand isn't cheap. I used to buy sand bags from a grip store just down the street from where I lived. Gotta love Burbank. They were probably cheaper on the other side of the mountain, but I always like to buy local. Awning places, or anyone who can sew canvas, can make them, but you should probably buy a real one as a sample. There's a reason they're built the way they are. The good thing about sandbags is they're a once-in-a-lifetime investment. Unlike DSLRs, there won't be a newer, better, faster, higher-resolution sandbag introduced in February. Also, cheap is relative. If you have good stands, and good lights, get a good bag to protect your investment. Also consider the liability of a light falling on a model. A $30 bag starts to look pretty cheap. Jan 13 08 01:19 am Link Get some ballistic nylon and make your own. It didn't take me long at all, and I am not a skilled textile manufacturer. You can make a whole slew of them foe a fraction of the price. yup... Jan 13 08 01:23 am Link I went to the good will and bought some leg weights. Problem solved under $5.00 Jan 13 08 01:50 am Link dms graphix wrote: I have 15 stands and 15 sand bags..and mine were more like $20-30 each for the bags..Another "hidden' cost in the photo/filmmaking business...and yes it hurt to lay out that $$..but have a single light come crashing down, especially if it's near your talent, and that sand bag money is so justified. PPS I use all "C" stands which are already beefy/heavy..not enough out in the elements or in the studio around clumsy people..like ME! Jan 13 08 01:55 am Link StephenEastwood wrote: Bingo. Why cart around filled sandbags [heavy] if you can get bags that you can fill on location... and empty out again when you depart. Jan 13 08 01:58 am Link Buy Calumet bags. One 15ib for each stand. You wont be using ALL the stands usually then you can double up bags if needed. Why look stupid and be open to spilling sand everywhere to save $60?? Jan 13 08 02:02 am Link studio36uk wrote: I mentioned them too BUT..most clients areas won't take kindly to you digging up their yard. Parks will definitely fine you if you do it..Now if you shoot on the beach a lot it would be cool i suppose. The water ones are great but again expensive BECAUSE f the convince. Jan 13 08 02:02 am Link Lorin Edmonds wrote: LOL Not ours. The one for the upper county area is half the size of a regular phone book and only has about 150 pages Jan 13 08 02:09 am Link When I was in high school we used 10 and 20 pound bags of "quickrete" (fast-solidifying cheap concrete for small jobs like holding your mailbox in place) to hold down set braces. They were pretty effective and not too messy unless you punctured the bag. In the long run it's just so much more cost effective to get a nice set of Matthews or Avenger cordura sandbags. You just need one per light unless you're using an umbrella or softbox. Jan 13 08 02:19 am Link I use 20# bags of lead shot from the local outdoor store. They come in heavy double sewn canvas bags and are flexible to "drape" over the support of the lightstand. For specialty bags the Giottos ones are very nice and fairly cheap. Jan 13 08 02:22 am Link http://home.att.net/~jpfotog/sandbag.jpg I've bought about six or seven of these recently on EBay. They are very solid, and with shipping about $15, or even less. One thing I love is they have double zippers, so the chance of having a spill is small. There are also two pockets and two VERY sturdy nylon handles. Jan 13 08 03:03 am Link boa bags will save your life Jan 13 08 03:04 am Link I have more sand bags and lead shot bags than I know what to do with. The lead shot bags are much nicer to use because they're so much smaller at the same weight than sand. Just buy a couple now and every once in a while get another or two. It's really much better in the long run to buy real bags that are made for the job. Jan 13 08 03:45 am Link I think I have decided I am going to make mine. That way I can make them with the colors I want to match the rest of the studio gear. (I am crazy like that). I found this link, seems like it wouldn't be too hard. Plus, I think I could do them for under 10 bucks a bag! http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/610500/0 Also, I made some "sand cans", you can buy empty paint cans with lids at home depot for under 2 bucks (or use old paint cans, won't look as nice). Fill them with sand then use silicone around the rim and tap on the lid with a mallet to seal it. Then they hang nicely on a j-hook. By my scale, a gallon sand can weighs almost exactly 15 lbs! -ldc Feb 17 09 11:56 pm Link before i could afford real sandbags i used to use plastic milk bottles (gallon size) filled with water and a short bungee to hook the two handles together and drape over the legs of my c stands. the nice thing about these is that you can take them on location and they are real light without the water until you fill em up. Feb 18 09 12:04 am Link fill douchebags with sand..or whatever Feb 18 09 12:07 am Link rickspix wrote: I do this with dumbells too Feb 18 09 12:08 am Link Joe Alcantar wrote: Much cleaner than using sandbags too. Feb 18 09 12:10 am Link dms graphix wrote: i dont even use sandbags, we had some old diving weights lying around i tiestrapped through the bolt holes to the center of the tripod...works wonderfully Feb 18 09 12:12 am Link For big location projects... you can fill bags on location. You can find bag sizes you want, and fill them with dried beans or just about anything that will give you a sturdy, but plyable surface. Feb 18 09 12:17 am Link i only bring sandbag when out doors, around children, and pets Feb 18 09 12:17 am Link |
and the one for my town is published once a year on a letter size sheet of paper.
