Let's talk "Stands" :-)

[Bobby2Shots]

I've just seen pictures of the stores.

Yes, the store looks very nice,,,,, parking is hard to find though,,, and a lot of the gear you see on their website, is not necessarily "in-stock". You need to have a good idea of the range of gear you're considering,,, then calling the store to see if it's "in-stock" before going. Their website also shows what's in-stock at the individual stores,,,but it's still best to call.

Four hours of driving is nothing in the world of being a photographer, and seeing the equipment before you buy it is a good, but not absolutely necessary, idea.

I wanted to go to Vistek's big trade-show at the Toronto convention center back in November, but a family medical emergency kinda put that plan to rest.

What is important is making sure that brackets are the right size, flash units fit, umbrella shafts are the right size, and so on. It really helps to check this in person.

I very rarely buy anything without getting my hands on it first.

Do you have a good portrait tripod?

I've got four Gitzo's; a 2-series Traveller, and 3, 4, and 5-series Systematics, with the Gitzo GH-3382QD ball-head. Rock solid and smooth as silk.

Tripods should be purchased when ever possible only after seeing the tripod in person and, even better, putting your camera on it.

Tripods and light stands come in reasonable models and vastly overpriced models with no real extra benefits.

Agreed,,,, that's why a good "hands-on" is so important. I'm not looking to go strictly hi-end with every stand. I'm sure there are many mid-priced alternatives available. The only "expensive" stand I'll be looking at, is the boom-stand. I want to be 101% certain that the boom-arm tilt-lock is fully reliable, with an effective counter-balance capability, both on the arm, and the base itself. I also bought an extension-head for my Godox AD600B, so I can reduce the weight on the boom.

BAK

 

[Bobby2Shots]

Just tried to order Manfrotto 1005BAC 3-stand kit. I got to check-out,,,, and a bright orange banner popped up,,, saying "this product does NOT ship to Canada. sighhhhh!!! The 3-stand kit was $289. U.S.) (if I remember correctly) at Adorama.

Henry's (in Canada) wants $185. per stand.

I'm still in the hunt. Anyone have experience with the FlashPoint stands?,,,, in particular, the C-stands with 40" arm?

https://www.adorama.com/fplsc.html

 

[Bobby2Shots]

The more that I read, the more I realize that I'll probably need a variety of stands for different applications. In the Canadian market place, the premium-brand stands that seem to sell at reasonable prices, are by KUPO. I've tried to find Matthews stands in Canada, but no luck so far. I like the Manfrotto 1005 and 1004 BAC's, but they're simply not competitively priced here in Canada. That said; I've not yet seen either of these stands in-the-flesh,,, so perhaps there's a reason for the price differential.

I'm thinking of getting a couple of the KUPO Click location-stands, or the Kupo 198 and the 198AC Universal stands, for use with speedlights, AD200's, AD360's and small modifiers. These can be had for $109. CDN. and they're light-weight (5-6 lbs),,, so, easily transported in the field when necessary. Payload for the 198AC is roughly 20 lbs.

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Those ought to be fine for starting out, and later on, I'll consider adding a Kupo 320M Baby roller stand.

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and/or a Kupo 40" C-stand w/grip arm and head.

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[tcphoto1]

Light stands are something you should buy once and not offloaded in order to upgrade later. If importing is too expensive buy reputable brands on ebay from Canadian vendors.

 

[ScratchDisk]

Hi, While I like my Kupo gear, I'd have reservations about their 'Click' stands. Several people have reported negatively on the leg deployment lock not being strong enough. Perhaps see them in person before purchase.

OTOH I wholeheartedly recommend their (Kupo's) Baby Roller stand - its a heavy to medium workhorse. (I have a couple of great MSE stands but that Kupo 320M is supreme in its niche.)

For Gripheads, Extension Arms & Booms, all the good manufacturers offer stands topped off with full length welded-in Baby Pins (or even heavier with Junior Receivers). i.e. not just the more common stud/spigot pinned into place. The latter is not strong enough for those attachments medium to long term.

If you favour an Extension arm over a Boom, Kupo do a variant with Hex flats on the terminal neck (their Booms have these by default). These Hex flats are very helpful in resisting torque from medium weight Mod/Light combos.

 

[Bobby2Shots]

Light stands are something you should buy once and not offloaded in order to upgrade later. If importing is too expensive buy reputable brands on ebay from Canadian vendors.

 

[Jacques Cornell]

Manfrotto Nano - for speedlights at events or for kickers

Cheetah C8 - for portraits with a small octa, softbox, or umbrella as key or fill

Cheetah Boom - for portraits when I need a boom as key

 

[Bobby2Shots]

Hi, While I like my Kupo gear, I'd have reservations about their 'Click' stands. Several people have reported negatively on the leg deployment lock not being strong enough. Perhaps see them in person before purchase.

OTOH I wholeheartedly recommend their (Kupo's) Baby Roller stand - its a heavy to medium workhorse. (I have a couple of great MSE stands but that Kupo 320M is supreme in its niche.)

For Gripheads, Extension Arms & Booms, all the good manufacturers offer stands topped off with full length welded-in Baby Pins (or even heavier with Junior Receivers). i.e. not just the more common stud/spigot pinned into place. The latter is not strong enough for those attachments medium to long term.

If you favour an Extension arm over a Boom, Kupo do a variant with Hex flats on the terminal neck (their Booms have these by default). These Hex flats are very helpful in resisting torque from medium weight Mod/Light combos.

OK, thanks ScratchDisk. I'll hold off on the "Click" stands for now.

At this moment, I have zero stands, and I need at least two just to get started. My modifiers and AD600B's just arrived an hour ago, and I have nothing to mount them on. I think I'm going to order a pair of the Kupo 098 AC air-cushioned 12' stands, mainly because they appear to offer me the most flexibility, plus very light weight (just over 5 lbs) and they fold to 42". I already have 45" stand bags for my PA speaker stands. Vistek will give me free shipping on two of those stands,,,but,,, if I add anything else to the shipment,,,, shipment costs go up because of weight. With that in mind, I'll split my orders, and add the roller-stand and back-light stand in another order at a later date.

Back to the 098 AC,,,,,The top stud is not "welded in" but, it is held in place by two cross-pins, at right angles to each other. The double leg-braces are held in place with stainless steel nuts and bolts (no rivets), and the locking collars are metal. Here's a link from Kupo.

https://www.kupogrip.com/universal-stand-air-cushion/

Now, I could change my mind and go with the "Kupo Baby Kit stands" which have the welded-in top stud,,, but Vistek does not carry an air-cushioned version of that stand, and I find the air-cushion feature appealing,,, not only for gear safety,,, but also for avoiding pinched hands.

So what do you think? Given the choice between a double cross-pinned air-cushioned stand, and a welded pin non-air-cushioned stand,,, which do you think is best? Both go to 12' and weigh the same (5.06 lbs). Payload is also the same (20 lbs.) I should also point out that I need stands for my speed-lights, as well as my AD200's and AD360II's.

https://www.kupogrip.com/baby-kit-stand/

P.S. These will probably see very light duty occasional use , since I'm basically a beginner/hobbyist. Also, I may be putting too much emphasis on my perception about Kupo being a premium brand,,, relative to the cheaper stands I'm seeing in the Canadian market-place. Brands such as Mantis, or Cameron for example.

--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro;
I came,,,, I saw,,,, I stuck around.

 

[Bobby2Shots]

Manfrotto Nano - for speedlights at events or for kickers

Cheetah C8 - for portraits with a small octa, softbox, or umbrella as key or fill

Cheetah Boom - for portraits when I need a boom as key

 

[FD]

I have several stands.
Manfrotto/Chinese stuff etc.
All black (of course), no C stands.



Never had issues with them.
The stands are from 1985-2002 and 2 new from dec 2017
The latest 2 are Linkstar Light Stands L-26M 92-266 cm Compressed Air Cushion.
https://www.cameranu.nl/en/p165204/linkstar-lampstatief-l-26m-92-266-cm-luchtgeveerd
€ 28, each (42,4892 CAD) incl. VAT + Shipping in NL
These are great stands for Elinchrom Flash Heads with softboxes 70x70cm for example.
The Rotalux 135 and 185cm I have on heavier stands with wheels.







I do like the looks&feel of these stands and they are cheap IMHO

--
FD

 

[ScratchDisk]

Hi, I have a couple of 'no name' 9 ft stands and basically they are fine for Speedlites or up to Godox 360s or even a Monolight with a small modifier.

Some modifiers are 'front heavy' and in the larger sizes, that starts to become an issue.

Regarding Alu versus Steel, very roughly, if the scantlings are comparable, Steel will have a capacity c X2.5 greater than Aluminum - rough guide.

With Extension arms and Booms it's the leverage that poses the risk. I counterbalance both (clamped weights) - (many people don't balance Extension Arms) - but even if that is your intention, there are usually moments during the setup/placement process, when potentially 'unfair' loads get applied to the top of the stand in particular. The 5/8th in receiver of a Grip-Head typically doesn't sit well on a stud/spigot. Of course with a little care you can manage with stands of marginal capacity - but - putting safety first, please plan on not cutting too many corners.

With Arms & Booms always use a safety cable. Trad approach is Wire Strops - I happen to prefer Dyneema strops (at least away from cutting edges .. )

 

[Jacques Cornell]

Manfrotto Nano - for speedlights at events or for kickers

Cheetah C8 - for portraits with a small octa, softbox, or umbrella as key or fill

Cheetah Boom - for portraits when I need a boom as key

 

[Bobby2Shots]

Frankly, I'd prefer an air-cushioned stand over a non-AC stand,,,,, not only for the equipment safety aspect,, but also to protect my hands. That said, I tried to buy a pair of Kupo 12' Universal Air-Cushioned stands today,,,, and to my dismay at check-out, I found out my dealer considers these stands as "Special Order/ No Return",,, plus, a 2-4 week wait for delivery. That's a deal-breaker for me. That dealer however, stocks the non air-cushioned version,

So what say you? Save $30./per stand and go non-AC? or,,, look elsewhere/ other product.

 

[richiebee]

I have a Kupo C stand with boom... it’s heavy, smells a bit, but it’s very solid and the knobs are oversized and fantastic. Love it.

I have a heavy duty 10’ (I think) Westcott lightstand which is light weight, very sturdy but not very portable. I feel it wouldn’t blow over in light/medium wind as long as I wssn’t Using wind sail type modifiers.

I have two Elinchrom 8’ stands that came with my RX2’s. Decent work horses that are portable, fairly light and stable.

I have one lightweight Westcott stand - I think it’s 6’ or 7’. It has a shorter base height than the others so useful for being closer to the ground. Not particularly stable at full height. Usable down low and higher in a pinch. Don’t even remember how I acquired it - I wouldn’t have bought it, so I guess it came with something.

 

[richiebee]

...a pair of Polaroid heavy air cushioned stands that are part of a background frame. These are very sturdy, large (11’ high?) and air cushioned. The air cushion is a pain when you’re in a hurry to break down.

 

[BAK]

Don't have any. Never wanted any.

If I had huge lights (like four foot wide continuous movie lights weighing more than a turkey) I might think differently,

Buy the "regular" stands and go take pictures.

BAK

 

[Bobby2Shots]

I just ordered a Kupo 320 Baby Roller stand from Vistek,,, and looking to buy two more stands for location shooting. I'm stuck on deciding between the Manfrotto 1004BAC 11' AC click-stands,,,, and the Kupo 098 Universal,,,.. I still can't find the smaller 1005BAC's at a decent price, but I'm working on it. ;-).

 

[Bobby2Shots]

I just ordered a Kupo 320 Baby Roller stand from Vistek,,, and looking to buy two more stands for location shooting. I'm stuck on deciding between the Manfrotto 1004BAC 11' AC click-stands,,,, and the Kupo 098 Universal,,,.. I still can't find the smaller 1005BAC's at a decent price, but I'm working on it. ;-).

--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro;
I came,,,, I saw,,,, I stuck around.

Finally,,,,,,,,, got the rest of my stands ordered (for now). A pair of Kupo Universal 098 12' stands. Waiting for a shipping quote from Vistek.

https://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoLightingStands/224063/kupo-198-universal-stand/Specs.aspx

Update; shipping quote accepted,,, my stands are on the way.

--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro;
I came,,,, I saw,,,, I stuck around.

 

[jazja]

Stand for my living room?

Small, multifunctional with a good price (Europe).

An of course boom stand for my living room. It must carry at least 5-6 kg.

A cheaper alternative to Manfrotto.

 

[ScratchDisk]

Hi, 5-6Kg on a Boom, assuming you mean the Light/modifier combo, is not trivial.

See:

.. note that this boom is rated at 5 Kg (Payload). You'll have at least another 5 Kg as a counterweight - and then - the stand needs to carry all that plus the weight of the Boom itself too.

Both weight and achieved offset from the stand incur significant costs. So either reduce the Boomed weight or buy strong kit.