Filling Sandbags

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jamesev

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What weights do people use to fill sand bags these days as sand is messy
 
Gravel? (pea grit might be better and can be bought washed.)
 
Wild bird seed. Assuming weighting for tripod outside. Above answers for studio.
 
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What do you need the sandbags for, and what size sandbags will you be using, as this will probably have a bearing on which type of filling might be best?
 
Lastolite LB1592, counter balance for everthing from 40" Octa to stabilising a tripod
 
I see, how about filling some small, heavy-duty plastic bags with coarse sand, these can then be sealed and added to the big sandbag (double bagging for extra protection against anything escaping, if required ) to give the right weight as needed? Don't overfill the bags though, that way they might be less likely to split if you accidentally drop them! If you're concerned about sand escaping and getting into the moving parts of the tripod/stand/camera, etc. then you could perhaps use some of that rounded ornamental stone (about the size and shape of a kidney bean) they sell at garden centres, and wash it first to remove gritty dust, before drying it and packing it in the plastic bags? Using inert building materials is probably better than using feedstuffs, as over time food could attract vermin (rodents, larder beetles, flour moths, etc.) and/or swell up if the bags get wet or damp? Hope this gives you some ideas to consider and is useful.
 
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I put very damp sand (double the weight of dry sand) inside three freezer bags, inside the ballast bag. 1 litre weighs 2kg. A splash of bleach in the water stops it going black and manky.
 
Mr Badger said:
I see, how about filling some small, heavy-duty plastic bags with coarse sand, these can then be sealed and added to the big sandbag (double bagging for extra protection against anything escaping, if required ) to give the right weight as needed? Don't overfill the bags though, that way they might be less likely to split if you accidentally drop them! If you're concerned about sand escaping and getting into the moving parts of the tripod/stand/camera, etc. then you could perhaps use some of that rounded ornamental stone (about the size and shape of a kidney bean) they sell at garden centres, and wash it first to remove gritty dust, before drying it and packing it in the plastic bags? Using inert building materials is probably better than using feedstuffs, as over time food could attract vermin (rodents, larder beetles, flour moths, etc.) and/or swell up if the bags get wet or damp? Hope this gives you some ideas to consider and is useful.
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It does, thanks. I'm torn between
1) going to get some stones and leave them in a sieve to wash any residual dust off then heat seal them into plastic laminate
2) using water bottles as they would also serve another purpose as ummm water bottles on day long shoots.
 
jamesev said:
2) using water bottles as they would also serve another purpose as ummm water bottles on day long shoots.
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Take a funnel and re-recycle them on LONG outdoor shoots!!!
 
In the next week or so I plan to make a concrete counterweight with a hook cast in it
 
redsnappa said:
In the next week or so I plan to make a concrete counterweight with a hook cast in it
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I guess in theory that's good apart from not that variable and portable. The water bottle method is good because you don't have to carry the weight with you but can get it when you arrive at your destination, provided there are water sources
 
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