Weighting or Counter-balancing a Boom on Matthews C-Stand

I have the Mattews 40" C-Stand with boom This One. Until yesterday I really hadn't much opportunity to use it boomed out holding my 48" Octobox with FP Rovelight. It was a little un-nerving. I had sandbagged all the legs, but it still seemed a little tippy.
The opposite end of the boom there's no hook or anyway to place a sandbag to counter-balance. I've tried finding an attachment accessory so that I can, but haven't. Is there such a thing, or how would someone go about counter-balancing it?

the grip arm is not a "real" boom, but it will work.

i use one of these on the opposite end of the grip arm http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …REG&ap=y&m=Y&Q=​&A=details

you can get cheaper ones (store brand) that do the same thing. I put a 3/8 eye hook into one of the threaded holes with a nut to keep it tight. I can then hang anything from the end of the grip arm.

the other trick for stability is to make sure the longest leg is under the light. If I had people walking around my light set up, i would probably get a stand with a wider base and true boom.

frozenframe wrote in post #17917462
I have the Mattews 40" C-Stand with boom This One. Until yesterday I really hadn't much opportunity to use it boomed out holding my 48" Octobox with FP Rovelight. It was a little un-nerving. I had sandbagged all the legs, but it still seemed a little tippy.
The opposite end of the boom there's no hook or anyway to place a sandbag to counter-balance. I've tried finding an attachment accessory so that I can, but haven't. Is there such a thing, or how would someone go about counter-balancing it?

Hi, That's an Extension arm and for lightweight lights you may not need to counterbalance them. But for the Rovelight, I agree, a counter-weight gives peace of mind. For a fitting, anything that grips the 5/8 in (16 mm) rod can be used - I use an Ebay Mini Jaws clamp and hang a shot-bag with its strap on the arm, just above the clamp.
http://www.ebay.co.uk …47d7eb:g:obgAAM​XQydtTKrib

Edit, Oops: as per LHBs ideas.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17917497
the grip arm is not a "real" boom, but it will work.

i use one of these on the opposite end of the grip arm http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …REG&ap=y&m=Y&Q=​&A=details

you can get cheaper ones (store brand) that do the same thing. I put a 3/8 eye hook into one of the threaded holes with a nut to keep it tight. I can then hang anything from the end of the grip arm.

the other trick for stability is to make sure the longest leg is under the light. If I had people walking around my light set up, i would probably get a stand with a wider base and true boom.

Looks like that or Impact's model would be the way to go. When purchasing the Matthews C stand I thought the arm was a boom arm. I mean the whole thing is solid as heck, and heavy.
I looked at the possibility of just getting another actual boom-stand setup, however not in my current budget. I was also thinking about just getting another grip head to put on the end, but the cost would be more than what you suggested.

I think I'll get THIS

Thanks.

Why can't you use a counterbalance weight like this one, clamped on at the opposite end of the boom from the light?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …unter_Balance_W​eight.html

If 10 lbs is too much (which is not likely since you use a 5.5 lbs. monolight), they have a 3 lb. version which is similar, but suited for a lighter head-only powerpack+heads setup.

The nano clamp, eyelet and a cheap sandbag would be the way I'd go. In fact I think I'll try this, thanks!

Hi, Genuine Nano clamps are fine for gripping 16 mm arms - as are some of the Ebay equivalents.

But the Impact item that frozenframe linked to is not quite the same. Some varieties have two angles in each jaw piece - IMO you're much better off with the variety whose jaws closely resemble those of a Nano clamp ie single angle per jaw piece. The grip is much more reliable.

i.e not this type:
http://www.ebay.co.uk …4d207b:g:~9QAAO​SwPe1UI-FF
for instance.

99.9% sure i bought the Impact model and it works fine.

I looked at the Impact model, it appeared identical to the Manfrotto, so I ordered it.

Thanks everyone for your kind assistance.

The general-purpose item for gripping an arm is a gag, seen at left in Matthews form:

So how is the Matthews C stand not considered a large stand? This thing is built like a tank, and heavy. I can see that it could use a wider base. Plus when the arm is setup correctly in the knuckles, or gags, it will not loosen. I think the arm would bend before they'd loosen.

The T-handles are made so it's near impossible to strip them. I've put some serious torque to them.

When I was shopping for another light stand, I was looking for something heavy duty to support my octobox and monolight, that was also had a boom arm. I do have a couple of other light stands that are what I call medium duty. I have placed my monolight and softbox on one without too much concern. However I don't think I would want to use them for booming.

frozenframe wrote in post #17918525
So how is the Matthews C stand not considered a large stand? This thing is built like a tank, and heavy. I can see that it could use a wider base.

I don't have any large stands but C-stands, being designed for modifiers, are far from large. Between the baby pin, limited loading and footprint, I would classify C-stands as small (even if well built). At the very least, I expect a medium stand to offer a junior fitting. Here is the Matthews Medium Overhead supporting a few 2x3 panels:

well, i've seen some folks who don't really even consider c-stands real light stands. Which makes sense considering older large monolights and hot lights for video etc. With today's light weight, high power lights, it's a little different story.

For me, it was an inexpensive option that was of course very sturdy, but had a small footprint for my small home studio. I don't take many portraits so having people bouncing around an potentially knocking over a stand is not really an issue.

a true boom stand has a much larger foot print, this one is about 44 inches.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Heavy_Duty_Boo​m_and.html

edit: rico right on time

RicoTudor wrote in post #17918599
I don't have any large stands but C-stands, being designed for modifiers, are far from large. Between the baby pin, limited loading and footprint, I would classify C-stands as small (even if well built). At the very least, I expect a medium stand to offer a junior fitting. Here is the Matthews Medium Overhead supporting a few 2x3 panels:

My fully-loaded junior boom adds 60 lbs, which is just 2/3 the limit for this stand. I don't even own sandbags.

looks like a "christmas tree of flags"

frozenframe wrote in post #17917462
I have the Mattews 40" C-Stand with boom This One. Until yesterday I really hadn't much opportunity to use it boomed out holding my 48" Octobox with FP Rovelight. It was a little un-nerving. I had sandbagged all the legs, but it still seemed a little tippy.
The opposite end of the boom there's no hook or anyway to place a sandbag to counter-balance. I've tried finding an attachment accessory so that I can, but haven't. Is there such a thing, or how would someone go about counter-balancing it?

your link doesn't say boom...it says c stand with grip and arm.
Get a real boom arm...not a regular arm. Use the right tool to avoid equipment damages.