1x2 Light Stands

R

robotfist

Active member
Just curious, what stands are people using for their 1x2 panels? I realize there are a variety of panels out there with different weights/sizes, and a variety of shooting scenarios. What stand do you use the most for your 1x2 (Gemini, Skypanel, Lupo, Luxli)? Juniors, Baby Jrs, Hollywood, C-Stands, etc?
 
You can use any of the stands you mention if it's just sitting there at a low height. However, depending on the 2x1 and softbox, if a greater tilt range is important then jr receivers with adapters might be the only way to go, which eliminates baby stands.

An example can be seen in Season 1, Episode 93 of 'Meet the Gaffer', where Luke and Alan add a 45 degree adapter in between a combo stand and SkyPanel S60-C - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMgw9nbDTo&t=9m30s.

I'd also think about which stand is the best fit for your overall tranpsortation method. Although considerably longer, combo stands don't have the awkward footprint of a c-stand so while usually heavier, they still may be the better option for fitting in a vehicle or upright on a cart/trolley.

Avenger Alu 45 combo stand - I've got two of these, they're great. Similar footprint and capacity to heavier steel combo stands but super light - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600652-REG/Avenger_A1045B_A1045B_Aluminum_Combo_Stand.html

Avenger also make a smaller but more expensive (?) version, the Alu 35 - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600615-REG/Avenger_A1035B_A1035B_Combo_Alu_Stand.html. I don't have any experience with it but wouldn't hesitate to pick one up if the Alu 45 is too long.

Kupo Master Cine stand - a nice sweet spot for a sturdy, steel combo stand but having only two risers means shorter overall, pretty easy to transport - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840739-REG/Kupo_KS500112_Master_High_Cine_Stand.html

If not going on a combo stand, I'd use c-stands or beefy babies.
 
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Thanks, that is all very helpful. Those Avengers look great. Do you know if they sell casters for them? I did a broad search but I didn't see them on BH for those models.

I was looking at this stand because I like that the casters are easy to slide in and out.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33090-REG/Matthews_H386025_Baby_Jr_Steel_Wheeled.html

But I wasn't sure of the 30 pound weight limit once I've got the panel in the air with a 5' octobox on it. Though the stand's overall weight is about 4 pounds heavier than the Avenger one you listed, I'm wondering if the diameter of the pole and the thickness of the metal would introduce a lot of sway once the light is rigged in the air with attachments.
 
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robotfist said:
Thanks, that is all very helpful. Those Avengers look great. Do you know if they sell casters for them? I did a broad search but I didn't see them on BH for those models.

I was looking at this light because I like that the casters are easy to slide in and out.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33090-REG/Matthews_H386025_Baby_Jr_Steel_Wheeled.html

But I wasn't sure of the 30 pound weight limit once I've got the light in the air with a 5' octobox on it. Though the stand's overall weight is about 4 pounds heavier than the Avenger one you listed, I'm wonderig if the diameter of the pole and the thickness of the metal would introduce a lot of sway once the light is rigged in the air with attachments.
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You probably saw these too - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/67137-REG/Avenger_A9000N_Wheel_Set_with_Brakes.html. I'm not sure if they're compatible, I'd check with avenger.

Re wheels, Matthews recently released the rock n' roller wheel set - https://www.msegrip.com/products/rock-n-roller-trade-combo-wheel-set-of-3?_pos=1&_sid=09ce8b9d5&_ss=r. They'd be complete overkill for a lot of situations but then again hard casters sometimes aren't enough!

The stand you linked to looks solid. I don't know how much total capacity you lose with wheels/casters, I think it becomes the capacity of the wheels combined, but still best not to reach the limit.

As a very rough yet slightly related example, the kessler k-pod is rated to hold 500lbs. With the all terrain wheels, each wheel has a capacity of 150lbs, so 450lbs total but they "recommend not exceeding 300lbs, just to be on the safe side". Don't use my example as a formula for your situation though, I think it's definitely a question for matthews.

If you're going really high then you want a larger stand that can go higher more comfortably than a shorter stand where each riser is maxxed out, plus you can go even higher if needed.

Do you have any stands you can test with?
 
The first b and h link has wheels as an extra at the bottom of the page.

I like my combos for anything much bigger than a 1x1 panel
 
rob norton said:
Sam, I'm assuming you make your own stands!? Or at least looked into it?
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While I make many things I only make items that I cant buy.

I think the stands on the market are most excellent and not worth trying to improve upon :)

Well if I had a critiqe it would be the outer diameter of the tubes which dont really interace well with standard clamps like this
http://griptech.net.au/product/scaff-half-clamp/

I like putting a 3X3 diff onto a 20in arm onto the same stand as the fixture which requires a second baby pin.
 
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rob norton said:
Do you have any stands you can test with?
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I've got a ton of c-stands and some beefy babies in my garage but that's it. Usually I'd just run into FilmTools in Burbank and try out all the stands, but that ain't happening right now. I've got a small shoot out of state that I'm gonna drive to and I'm gonna use a 1x2 panel that weighs around 18-20 pounds. I may also throw a couple large v-mounts on the back of the panel and I will definitely be using a 5' DoP Octabox. The yoke on the 2x1 mounts to a babypin. I'd like to get a stand with casters as an option, just for future use.

After thinking about the softbox and the v-mounts, I think the stand I originally linked to doesn't have enough capacity. Its load limit is 30 pounds.
 
I dont know if you have bought your lights yet but it is worth considering different deigns.

For example skypanels and thier sisters are heavy whereas an open face and 3.3 diff can be softer and lighter. (as where kinos heavhy too)

Vlocks on the bottom of the stand can stand in for a sand bag if clamped onto the stand not on the floor

Lite cloth things are of course the lightest

A big surface area will catch wind.

My next purchases will not by 2.2panels or suchlike but aptures or similar with power sorted at the bottom to be used with a 4.4 diff or bounced off a poly.

Ive even used my 1.1 panels on the floor pointing up towards poly.
 
I use a Norms steel three riser for 1x2 lights, especially if you are going to affix a softbox or something big.
I've been using the Lite Panels Gemini which is a pretty hefty light, but if you were using something smaller and lighter
like the Luxli Taiko, you wouldn't need such a heavy stand.

I like Matthews and Norms gear but my favorite stand I own is an American Grip. Their stuff is, without a doubt, the best built
grip gear on the market, the tie downs just function and feel so nice and the lack of flex and build quality is superb.
Ask any pro grip what they like and at least in the U.S., the answer will be American Grip. Wheels are handy but when
you start talking combo stands with wheels, you are getting into grip truck territory, they are too
long, bulky and heavy to easily transport in a normal car and even a challenge in SUVs and Mini Vans.
 
puredrifting said:
I like Matthews and Norms gear but my favorite stand I own is an American Grip. Their stuff is, without a doubt, the best built
grip gear on the market, the tie downs just function and feel so nice and the lack of flex and build quality is superb.
Ask any pro grip what they like and at least in the U.S., the answer will be American Grip. Wheels are handy but when
you start talking combo stands with wheels, you are getting into grip truck territory, they are too
long, bulky and heavy to easily transport in a normal car and even a challenge in SUVs and Mini Vans.
Click to expand...

You guys are lucky to be so close to American Grip. Here it's only avenger, matthews and kupo.

I think the matthews RNR wheels look pretty good, I'd keep them off the stands for most things and only attach as needed.
 
rob norton said:
You guys are lucky to be so close to American Grip. Here it's only avenger, matthews and kupo.

I think the matthews RNR wheels look pretty good, I'd keep them off the stands for most things and only attach as needed.
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That's always an issue with buying new or used grip gear, it's freaking heavy and bulky and usually not worth shipping unless it's just a single stand or something.
I've seen so many great deals on grip gear but it's located back east and would cost a fortune to ship or freight.
 
puredrifting said:
Wheels are handy but when
you start talking combo stands with wheels, you are getting into grip truck territory, they are too
long, bulky and heavy to easily transport in a normal car and even a challenge in SUVs and Mini Vans.
Click to expand...


Yeah, they are, but I've got an old GMC 1500 AWD cargo van which I use for my equipment. So that's never been an issue really. I like the new Mathews style where the casters slide up on the inside of the legs so the legs can fold down. I know I want wheels since I'll have a big ass 5' octa box hanging off the panel. Picking the stand up and moving it into position every time I want to make a little adjustment can be annoying with that big of an attachment on it. It's so nice to be able to just roll it over a bit. Everytime I've shot with an ARRI S60 with a big ass chimera on it, I've wanted wheels. It's a little more gruntwork on the set up carrying the stand from the truck to the location, but I've found it makes shooting so much easier once we're up and going. I was thinking I'd just get a stand and then some removable casters and use them when I need them.
 
robotfist said:
Yeah, they are, but I've got an old GMC 1500 AWD cargo van which I use for my equipment. So that's never been an issue really. I like the new Mathews style where the casters slide up on the inside of the legs so the legs can fold down. I know I want wheels since I'll have a big ass 5' octa box hanging off the panel. Picking the stand up and moving it into position every time I want to make a little adjustment can be annoying with that big of an attachment on it. It's so nice to be able to just roll it over a bit. Everytime I've shot with an ARRI S60 with a big ass chimera on it, I've wanted wheels. It's a little more gruntwork on the set up carrying the stand from the truck to the location, but I've found it makes shooting so much easier once we're up and going. I was thinking I'd just get a stand and then some removable casters and use them when I need them.
Click to expand...

My friend has a pair of low boy combos for his Dana Dolly and they are really handy and make life easier.
 
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