Manfrotto 085BS is it enough?

windpig wrote in post #11810171
Loosening one of the stand joints is what I've been doing, it's just that with the weight of everything above the joint, it takes an effort to keep it from collapsing down.

Loosening the connection of the clamp to stand was what I was going to try, but it wasn't a route I've gone with in the past.

I usually have one of the stand joints all the way down and that's the one I loosen to pivot things.

Of course, you can also rotate the entire stand on its wheels for minor adjustments.

SkipD wrote in post #11810226
I usually have one of the stand joints all the way down and that's the one I loosen to pivot things.

Of course, you can also rotate the entire stand on its wheels for minor adjustments.

gotcha.

Thanks

SkipD wrote in post #11807125
That had to be fun, but I'm glad you found the part.

What you'll have to learn now is how to set up and balance the boom. I always get mine set up so that the boom - with the load and counterbalance weight all installed - is nearly perfectly balanced. When you have that set up, making adjustments to the position of the boom is extremely easy and you have no sideways force on the stand that would tend to tip it. Make all the balancing adjustments with the stand as low as it goes (so you and possibly a helper can easily control it) and only raise the stand's height when the boom is balanced.

A last thought - make sure that ALL of the setscrews on the boom connectors are tight before you start applying weight to the boom. It is possible that the setscrews that hold the boom connectors to the tubes as shipped may not be tight. You need to ensure that all are properly tightened.

Thanks Skip, for all the tips and I was also told to put the boom aligned with one leg and to set up on the right. Is this right?

Thank you pacace as well, I think I will go buy a sandbag and its always nice that member can recommend to me to spend some more money. Now, I can tell my wife maybe I can buy a new octa as well.

I love air cushioned stands as well.

squaresnappr wrote in post #11810399
...I was also told to put the boom aligned with one leg and to set up on the right. Is this right?

I'm not quite sure what you're describing, but I usually align the working end of the boom with one of the legs but it isn't really important with this boom rig IF the user balances the boom as well as I do.

If the boom is out of balance, there should be one leg under the heavier of the two boom ends.

squaresnappr wrote in post #11810399
Thank you pacace as well, I think I will go buy a sandbag and its always nice that member can recommend to me to spend some more money. Now, I can tell my wife maybe I can buy a new octa as well.

I have quite a few 10-lb and 20-lb ankle weights that I use for my light stands. I usually put at least 20 to 30 pounds on the stand for my boom just to keep the center of gravity a bit lower.

SkipD wrote in post #11810520
I'm not quite sure what you're describing, but I usually align the working end of the boom with one of the legs but it isn't really important with this boom rig IF the user balances the boom as well as I do.

If the boom is out of balance, there should be one leg under the heavier of the two boom ends.

I have quite a few 10-lb and 20-lb ankle weights that I use for my light stands. I usually put at least 20 to 30 pounds on the stand for my boom just to keep the center of gravity a bit lower.

That is what I was reffering to exactly how you explained , thanks. I was also told to set the cranks all on the right so if something slips, it will fall to the right and tighten. Or maybe I misunderstood.

I think I will buy 2 20llb sandbags then.

squaresnappr wrote in post #11811507
That is what I was reffering to exactly how you explained , thanks. I was also told to set the cranks all on the right so if something slips, it will fall to the right and tighten. Or maybe I misunderstood.

I think I will buy 2 20llb sandbags then.

With a balanced boom arm, there should be no right or left to where anything will fall, unless either the light fall off or the counter weight falls off, giving you a 50/50 chance that the boom will fall in the direction it's "supposed" to. Actually, if the boom arm clamp is tight enough, it'll be the whole stand that's probably going to fall over if there's not enough weight at the bottom of the stand.

PacAce wrote in post #11811586
With a balanced boom arm, there should be no right or left to where anything will fall, unless either the light fall off or the counter weight falls off, giving you a 50/50 chance that the boom will fall in the direction it's "supposed" to. Actually, if the boom arm clamp is tight enough, it'll be the whole stand that's probably going to fall over if there's not enough weight at the bottom of the stand.

Okay thanks Leo, when I was playing around I was experimenting with the boom arm with a friend and I had the pivot so tight that I was bragging I didn't need the counterweight even with the 600RX and DO. The clamp was tight enough and I had it at an angle. It almost tipped over and that is when I realized to spread the base wider.

So when you recommended the sand bags, I actually visually understood if that makes any sense. I am working so much at my full time job that I don't even have the time to go and get sand bags.

squaresnappr wrote in post #11812330
...that is when I realized to spread the base wider.

The stand should ALWAYS be set up with the base as wide as it can be. Even then, add 20 to 40 pounds of weight on the supports for the three legs for additional stability in the event that something unexpected happens.