Boom counterweight sandbag (rookie question)

[John]

What do you folks use in them for weight? I will be shooting in a church this Saturday so I figure sand might be out of the question. Thanks.

[stephenpinn]

buckshot is the best, heavy but the bag wraps around. I use ankle weights as a counter weight on mine

[John]

Originally Posted by stephenpinn

buckshot is the best, heavy but the bag wraps around. I use ankle weights as a counter weight on mine

I don’t know where I would find the shotgun shot, so I’ll look at the ankle weights. I wonder if the aquarium gravel would be a good choice. Rice might mold if any moisture gets to it. Thanks for the suggestions.

[pookie]

I just use a dumbbell...

[hhscr]

Look up reloading supplies in lake Dallas on google

[Dobick]

academy sports
Gander Mtn
Bass Pro Shops

might even check your local walmart

[John]

Academy sports are fairly close, but said that they no longer carry the shot. I called a reloading supply place in Plano and was shocked at the price. A twenty-five LB. bag was $60.00. I’ll check out the ankle weights today.

[BenE]

BBs

A lot less expensive than buckshot.

[Daniel W.]

+1 for BB's, or pea gravel. If you're worried about a mess, maybe look into picking up a Bogen counterweight in the future, it's tiny (compared to a sandbag) and is easier to pack.

Whatever you do, make sure its marked with high-viz paint or whatnot, since its a wedding. I generally feel uncomfortable using a boom (or a stand abouve 6') at any non-controlled event, even altar portraits. A 25lbs counterweight dropping from 4' could do a world of hurt (but that's why we have insurance!)

[rab3rd]

I put playsand in a superlarge ziplock, then put that ziplock in another ziplock, them put the whole thing in the bag...

[John]

I found these2 lb. weights at Wal-Mart for $2.37 each. They also have them in 3 lb. and larger sizes, as well. The bag will get a couple and the rest will hold down the base. The shoot isn’t a wedding, I am just using one of the areas in the building to shoot portraits for whoever shows up (practice for me and free portraits for them).

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by pookie

I just use a dumbbell...

+1

I use a 15 pound dumbell with a short rope and spring loaded clip to attach to the end of the boom. I also use a 40 pound dumbell to anchor stands when necessary.

I have a 3 pound bogen boom weight. I find it too light to effectively balance a boom, but works well adding a bit of weight to speed light stand.

[daveb]

I am a cheapskate sometime - a canvas shopping bag (well constructed) from Michaels and 3 5 LB weights from a old weight bench. Easy.

[John]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

+1

I use a 15 pound dumbell with a short rope and spring loaded clip to attach to the end of the boom. I also use a 40 pound dumbell to anchor stands when necessary.

I have a 3 pound bogen boom weight. I find it too light to effectively balance a boom, but works well adding a bit of weight to speed light stand.

Dumb question on my part (I know), but what do you have on the working end of the boom? I’m just using a speedlite and 2 lbs as a counterweight.

[KdLaneJr]

I use a profoto 600R and softbox on the "working end" of the boom.