How to stop a lightstand falling?

[gaz_r33]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips for stopping a lightstand falling over outside?

I've got a Lastolite softbox kit which came with stand, softbox, tilt head bracket - using this kit outdoors means it's at risk of getting blown over (which has happened a couple of times - luckily with no damage), so I was wondering what the best course of action is to prevent this?

I've had a couple of ideas and wondering if anyone's tried them?
1) Sandbags laying over the legs
2) A gazebo weight on the lightstand (something like http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200789&pf_id=LT1277D&co=fr&gclid=COrM_pb68rgCFcLHtAodbR8AbA) - has anyone tried this?

 

[Cagey75]

The obvious best way is to have someone hold onto it. If you don't have a volunteer for this, you can get hooks, a bit like the ones you'd use to pin a tent down. You could make your own, cut up some coat-hangers or indeed use the ground pins from a tent and tailor them to your needs.

 

[specialman]

I use tent pegs, ones with hooks built into the handle so they lock around the legs.

Otherwise, a counterweight like a sandbag works.

Large rocks over the ends of each leg to pin it in position works

 

[gaz_r33]

The obvious best way is to have someone hold onto it. If you don't have a volunteer for this, you can get hooks, a bit like the ones you'd use to pin a tent down. You could make your own, cut up some coat-hangers or indeed use the ground pins from a tent and tailor them to your needs.

Yeah, I did think of getting someone to hold on to it, but there have been a couple of times i've not had anyone around to help out.

Just tried sandbags and they seem to work really well

 

[PistolPeteUK]

I use tent pegs. Push them into the ground perpendicular to the legs and they really stay down quite well.

 

[_Jim_]

Tent pegs and camera bags are what I use if I don't have someone to hold it. If on solid ground then whatever I can find lying around.

 

[lawrie29]

If you are carrying kit any distance then have an empty sack with you. That way you can fill it with rocks/gravel/unused kit when you need to without carrying the weight to and fro.