Okay, I feel dumb even typing this, but I want to be sure how other people do it. I already know that if you are using a C-stand it should go over the higher leg. But what about other stands, like say this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5342&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Does the sandbag go over one of the legs (doesn't seem very secure) or inside the one of the triangles (over the struts that attach to the legs). Also, how often do people use them? Every time, every light, or just with particularly heavy lights and tall stands?

Hmmmm, that's a spindly stand, so be gentle and put the bag on the inside struts. On beefer stands, like Juniors stands, they can be layed on the legs and hang on the legs.

Scott

i've never had a tip over with these little ones.....in my opinion a sandbag might be a little to heavy.

So far I haven't used sandbags, but we have an outdoor shoot this weekend and its been pretty windy so I thought it would be a good idea.

For me it depends on what's on the stand and whether someone's likely to walk by and accidently bump it. With a larger light like a 1K on a smaller stand -- besides not doing it unless it's absolutely necessary -- I use two. One sandbag on each side over the "struts", to prevent either side from becoming too heavy.

Tim

put the bag on the outside of the leg close to the center post. If you put the bag inside the legs, they are harder move quickly.

Another option is to rig a few bags with a length of sash cord tied to the sandbag and ending in an adjustable hitch (like a tautline hitch). Then you can drop the hitch over the lowest knuckle and pull tight to apply as much (up to the size of the sandbag) or as little weight as needed. Plus the weight is straight down on the stand.

Frankly, most of the time, I just drap a bag over a leg. It's quick and provides enough extra weight to keep the stand stable.

As for when to use them, I think Tim's got it right. If it's likely to get bumped, it gets a bag regardless. Otherwise, once I go above something small like a 750w fresnel, it gets a bag. If the stand is going up high, it gets extra bags. If it's going really high and there is wind, then it gets guy lines as well.