About light stands...

J

jamani

Active member
Searching this forum I realize that C-Stands have been covered extensively but I cannot find anything on regular light stands. All I know is I need good ones to hold those 2ks. Any recommendations? C-stands are not primarily intended for holding lights are they?
 
To cover the majority of my shooting situations I also keep a few different style stands on the truck. Most of my light stands are full size Beefy Baby stands and shorter Pony stands, along with junior and combo stands for heavier items. I also have a few medium duty stands for situations where the location will not accommodate a larger footprint stand.
 
As far as my productions are concerned there are 5 types of stands:

light light stands
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/72136-REG/Arri_570052_AS_1_Lightweight_Light_Stand.html

medium light stands
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32097-REG/Lowel_GS_GS_Grand_Stand_Air.html

c-stand
(no link needed)

beffy stand
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600598-REG/Avenger_A0040B_A0040B_Baby_Alu_Stand.html

combo stand
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/187164-REG/Matthews_366165_Hollywood_Combo_Steel_Stand.html

Each gets progressively larger, heavier and thus can safely support larger and larger light.

The first 2 travel inside Arri cases so they are always avail. When i get a chance to bring more than the Arri case i also bring c-stands and 1 or 2 beffy stand. And only on productions with real crew i bring out combo stands.
 
David W. Jones said:
Buying used can help save a boatload of money.
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People are trying to get stands more than they're trying to get rid of them in my experience. You can save a boatload of money on tungsten lights by buying used, but cheap stands are rather hard to come by from my experience. They don't depreciate in value very much as long as they can still hold up a light.
 
Great insights so far. Thank you all.

Moseph said:
People are trying to get stands more than they're trying to get rid of them in my experience. You can save a boatload of money on tungsten lights by buying used, but cheap stands are rather hard to come by from my experience. They don't depreciate in value very much as long as they can still hold up a light.
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I have to agree with Moseph. I'm finding it extremely difficult getting good deals on used stands. And even when you DO get a good deal, shipping charges will usually defeat the purpose of buying used.

Any good brands in the under $70 category (brand new)? All the ones Patryk Rebisz has listed are over $100 a piece. I can see myself spending that much on c-stands but regular stands? But again, what do I know?
 
Almost all of my stands, beefy baby, pony, junior, combo, rollers, c-stands, we're all purchased used for substantial savings. You just have to keep an eye out. Yes shipping can be high, but you are going to pay for shipping on new stands as well. As far as good stands under $70 that will safely support a 2K junior? I'm at a loss.
 
Keep a look out for rental shops and studios that might be having sale, could save some money there on stands but you have to search for them as they aren't super common where I live.
 
I'd rather have more beefy babies then c-stands. Easier to pack, way sturdier, rocky mt. leg. Same price as a turtle base stand.

Try not to buy the non-turtle c-stands unless everything stays in a studio. They're a pain to transport without a grip truck. Turtle stands are great when you need something low but sturdy - just stick a butt-plug in the socket... and you can get several bases in a wide dairy crate.

I haven't tried one of these yet, but for $80 ish it looks like a great value. Bonus - I don't think it has that silly joe-consumer "air cushioned" nonsense (that just makes stuff harder to pack).

If you live near LA you can find stands on craigs list - but eBay? Everything interesting I've found is overpriced. A few years back you could find good deals, but the DSLR craze seems to have made it a seller's market. I love those older matthews folding stands with the close-to-the-floor legs, but I'm not paying 200 bucks for one!

Adorama sells a Kupo Combo stand for about $150 with free shipping. I haven't tried the kupo stands, but man, I do love their grip heads.
 
Moseph said:
People are trying to get stands more than they're trying to get rid of them in my experience. You can save a boatload of money on tungsten lights by buying used, but cheap stands are rather hard to come by from my experience. They don't depreciate in value very much as long as they can still hold up a light.
Click to expand...
I found the same thing. After watching CL for probably a year in a major metro city there have been zero stands listed. I just went ahead and grabbed from B&H (not really that bad of price).
 
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