Manfrotto Counterweight Review // WAY better than sandbags for photography light stands

[@thomaspayne6449]

Here are two things that I've found useful. First, I use lead shot bags from my diving weight belt. They are self contained, won't leak and are available in various sizes/weights. These shot bags can be placed in smaller canvas or nylon bags. Second, I use a Super Clamp with a J hook to suspend the weight bags. This can easily be clamped to the base, main riser or boom at any location.

[@mikecollins5261]

Years ago I bought about 5 canvas sandbags. I went to the big box hardware store and bought 5 of their plastic sandbags. Usually used to build water retention dams. They are very rugged. Not sure what mill they are but it has to be pretty thick. Bought small gravel and filled the plastic sandbags, sealed them, then put those in the canvas sandbags. To this day, at least 10 years, no problems.

[@deheiligebron]

Just canceled my order for the bags-decided to follow your tip instead! It totally aligns with my initial instinct to go for the Manfrotto counterweight. Thanks for confirming!

[@peterevans8194]

For indoor use on hard smooth floors, you can use the double suction cup glass carriers that are cheap as chips. Fix a short length of bunggie elastic ( with hook) to the handle of the carrier and use that to attach it to the light stand. Adjust things so that there is minimal tension pulling down on the light stand when the carrier is centred below it....

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

Water bottles or your favorite drink and a t-shirt is my best choice, when done with the shoot you can hydrate . Thanks for taking the time to educate us ALl..

[@stevenally8015]

I've got a small double-pouch Phottix bag that I weight down with water bottles. :)

[@dreadnoughtphotowerkz]

I bought the orange 10lb counterweights made by Impact. The Manfrotto counterweights are extremely expensive. The ones made by impact are definitely less expensive but only come and one weight size which is 10 lb. I have found that they are very useful and I have mounted them on the base of my C stands in my studio also I have mounted them onto the rear cross arm of my heavy duty boom arm. (NOTE) all of my C-stands are now extremely heavier than they were originally due to the fact I have mounted the counterweights on the legs of each c-stand but my c-stands are still easy to move because they are all on wheels.

[@davidheller25]

Diving weights seem perfect, compact, come in many sizes.

[@lebavu8260]

Love that double light c stand idea, 2 birds one stone. Thanks for sharing 🙌

[@rickjbradbury]

You can also use ankle weights and para cord for some situations. Thank you for the tips Robert.

[@fjhphoto]

Those look way more convenient. About to order a few. Thanks, man!😁

[@robhallphoto]

better hurry, I already seen 2 sizes are on backorder. 10's are the perfect medium though.

[@bobmusikk]

Cool stuff but expensive. I use Kettlebells that I slide thru the center pole of a tripod. Its like 5x less expensive for the same weight.

[@petegerardini2455]

In order to keep potential mess down, I use small river rock (1/4") in freezer Ziploc bag. The small river rock is smooth, so it's less likely to rub through the Ziploc bag. Also, it's a lot less messy and esier to clean up if the Ziploc bag and photo 'sand bag' spills out. I get rock bags at my local home improvement store.

[@kilbuda]

Washed pea gravel inside ziplock bags, inside sandbag covers works great!

[@EvanWasHere]

Yup. i did the same. gravel inside of ziplocks inside of zippered sandbags. But honestly, those manfroto weights are so tiny and the clamp is a bonus. Ordered 2 ten pounders and will throw out the sandbags.

[@ray313ray]

Yeah I've been using that setup for a few years with no issue.

[@markkempton4579]

I was taught to use gravel as well. Looking into these weights now though.

[@RM.TokyoPhotographer]

came back a couple of years later...I realized that in Japan we have these water bags (for disaster relief) almost industructable...they are lightweight like 200g? roughly on location most places have a faucet/water where we can fill up 6L of water becomes 6kg of weight when done empty the water outside/in a sink and it rolls up to like 20cmx1cm use a super clampto hold it on a light stand and it just works instead of carrying weight on locations.

[@kirkdarling4120]

Important point made about balancing the boom. Booms should always be balanced. Those Manfrotto weights are the exact design that Larson Enterprises used back in the 70s. Just orange instead of black. It's a shame that they cost so much; it's somehow wrong that they do. Once upon a time any significant community in the US would have machine shops that could ground those out without much effort.

[@bregodk]

I’m using these on windy outdoor shoots. I’ve had 46 inch umbrellas in high winds stay rock solid, and the portability is unbeatable compared to sandbags.

[@delrcr05]

A good zip lock (double locks are best) or even double bagged helps. But the good thing about sand is it's cheap and if someone drops it or it falls it's not going to damage almost any surface where as the steel weight could leave a very expensive marble floor etc replacement. And you can throw them in the back of the car and not have to worry about them moving and damaging things

[@phphoto]

Thanks again Robert! I have the same problem - mine isn't leaking (yet) but they are too cumbersome to transport. I will go with the Manfrotto obtion - even buy som to store permanently in the back of my Land Rover 110 so they always will be available. Where would I be without your channel? Oh wait! I know! I'd be hawling too much gear around and always complain about flashes, strobes and triggeres that didn't go off! and constantly dusting for sand in my studio and my vehicle! That's what I woul do 😂

[@bobmusikk]

Cool stuff but expensive. I use Kettlebells that I slide thru the center pole of a tripod. Its like 5x less expensive for the same weight.

[@reallynousername]

I use a polymailer plastic bag (those that you get from e-commerce packaging) to keep all the sand inside the sandbag. The plastic is quite hard to tear so it keeps the sand in the bag. so far the past 3 years, no leakage yet. The good side about sand bag is that is is malleable, so it wont hurt as much when you hit your toes with it or when it drops on the floor...

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

The solid weights are made by so many companies. I use them all the time. Search B&H, ebay or amazon or so; they are 21€ / 21$.

[@rovenordiales]

There is a mini now called "172 1.3 kg counterweight" I will use this in desktop mic stands that are light weight and needs a bit more stable base to accommodate my shure mv7s.

[@HDEFMAN1]

I am about to purchase my first C-stand and was looking into shot bags. Having just watched your video, using sand bags to secure light stands doesn't seem that great an idea anymore. Using something like weight plates seems a much better idea.

[@rickvestuto]

I've got one and use it all the time (No leaks) Nice meeting you last week at the camera store Best regards, Rick

[@garrymcleod3334]

MSE Boa bags are small still have the weight to hold down a lamp head. I use the manfrotto counterweight for cleanrooms and other areas that don't allow sandbags. What are some other options areas that don't allow wood, cardboard, and sand?

[@mverick160]

Great Idea. I cheaped out and bought the 10lb Impact versions as they were cheaper. Just bought more.

[@BrianHalePhoto]

Year later: How are they holding up?

[@marcomark8]

So what you're saying is don't get the sandbags? LOL. I always new to put the weight on the correct leg. I didn't know why I was putting the weight on that leg but the top grips in their field said that it's the proper way and they do it for a living so I followed their lead. I just didn't know exactly why until you just explained it with the pumpkin weight, which I also own and love.

[@rsmolkin]

Any idea what clamp I could use if I wanted to clamp that light body to either the bottom of the light stand or a leg of a C-stand?

[@vikmanphotography7984]

I've had those manfroto weight clamps fall on my foot and let me tell you- I'd much rather have a sand bag fall. That said, for a boom arm, I'd take the manfroto clamp any day. Like others have said in the comments though, for weighting the base of stands, I'll stick to the ziplock+ pea gravel+ sandbag combo. Cheaper, quicker to set, preferable for carrying imo

[@tempest63132]

this is really handy to know about. They literally make everything

[@wimjaapmodderman407]

The counterweights are great, only downfall is when you have it on a boom arm or something and you walk into it with your head. It hurts way more than a sandbag...lol

[@vikmanphotography7984]

Or drop ones on your foot while taking it off the stand

[@michaelscoots]

You both speaking from personal experience ?ouch!

[@vikmanphotography7984]

@@michaelscoots yeah. I'm not denying that these weights are the best option for boom arms (❤️ manfroto super boom) but they definitely have draw backs, too. I use two 10lb clamps for booms but sandbag everything else- pea gravel inside ziplock bags inside canvas sand bags.

[@LaFilleDeLaRue]

Thank you for this informative video.

[@chrisogrady28]

Why would you use sand? I've always filled my bags with corse gravel

[@purnellknight5368]

haha in my driveway there is like small rock things and i filll mine with that theres too much that can go wrong with sand....but if u do use actual sand it should be in a bag inside of the bag

[@curtisclement]

I have a few already and love them.

[@shawnebailey5225]

Karl Taylor uses these on all of the stands in his tutorials as well. Pricey but definitely worth it.

[@JohnStoneman100]

Thanks a lot Rob! ;)

[@HDEFMAN1]

Interesting and informative.

[@GregWallis]

In many ways a small and convenient choice. However there is far greater risk of injury, from a head knock or it falling on a client's foot, than a soft option. If you're a professional then it's so important to ensure that you have adequate third party liability insurance, particularly in this age of zealous litigation. Nice review, though.

[@stevesmith581]

Replace your sand with 5mm pea shingle or it’s USA equivalent, way better and no spillage 👍

[@pablovi77]

I really don’t liked them, I got one with a Manfrotto boom arm in the 90’s. And never really used it, because of that counter weight, I needed yo losing the clamp and screw, so can’t even use it now. Didn’t know they still sold those. I’m a cinematographer now, so I’m very used to sand bags and that’s why I use.

[@SwoonandSwagger]

I put sand inside ziplock bags before I place them inside the sandbags. It has worked out great for many years. No leaks 👍🏻👍🏻

[@tonygorham]

I did that too and then used a tape gun to wrap them a bunch of times. Looked like I was running a major drug operation on the day

[@robhallphoto]

Lol, well literally the same concept is leaking in this video. It's just too easy to be punctured.

[@digitalvizun5678]

I use the same process, but with small river rocks at $6 for 50lb bag. But this product does provide a ton of convenience.

[@fjhphoto]

He literally mentions you should do that at 1:48.

[@ConsumerFanatics]

I’m guessing this works fine with c-stand legs?

[@robhallphoto]

Yup

[@MusicFed]

@@robhallphoto what about when traveling to a location? would you still prefer this manfrotto to, say, a boa bag? transporting these blocks of weights could be quite tricky and hazardous

[@RayValdezPhotography]

i have like 6 of those things. I wish they were cheaper

[@juanquispe3494]

1:21 This is the closest image we will ever get of him holding his own balls!

[@purnellknight5368]

haha was looking for this comment

[@AiramDatoon]

If you're a photographer with a newborn, just use your baby as a counterweight.

[@depellerinluc]

That price though.

[@vladislavboutorine6502]

You misses the most important part of the test, since sand bags always gets in your way ; accidentally smashing your toes against the sand bag and then the manfrotto counterweight :p Bad joke aside, as always, thanks for your videos !

[@robhallphoto]

I was trying to make a thumbnail where I was dropping the sandbag, and I came really close to dropping it right on my foot. I'd definitely take the sandbag over the manfrotto in that scenario.

[@dh1163]

Use steel or lead shot. Sand is still cheap AF so there's that. And because of it's cheap you'll always find sandbags on set.

[@unclejezza]

Until it drops on someone’s foot or head

[@geomantilla]

these comments are hilarious

[@JoATTech]

LOL at the price of the manfrotto ones ...

[@billmastorakis2137]

$50 For a weight.

[@robhallphoto]

I mean, a 10 lb weight is usually already in the 30's. Add the clamp and the fact that it's "for photography" which typically adds a 100% markup, it's not really surprising.

[@raynaudier8622]

@@robhallphoto , no shade to you, I love & use the content you provide, but Walmart has 10-lb plates for $7.78, 5-lb plates for $3.76 (and that's high; weight plates used to be 50cents per lb😁). A few of those, & some long zip-ties, and I'm set.