American Grip Stands

[themagichoof]

Are these pretty much the best that you can get? I'm getting some stands soon and I'm thinking I should probably just get the best there is in the first place and not cry later when something breaks.

Their website isn't too informative and it isn't laid out very well. I'm going to need two stands: one for an Arri 1k w/a medium Chimera softbox, and one for an Arri 150 hair light that I can get a few feet above the subject. Can someone point me to some American Grip stands that will suit me, or should I just call American Grip and let them help me?

 

[RyanT]

I personally love all the American gear and all the pro gaffers and keys that come into the rental house I work at make sure we put American gear on their trucks. Some people may think a little differently, but eh, I can never figure out what they see in the other gear.

You can go two directions though, either get C-stands with head and arms for both lights, as they are much more flexible and allow you to arm out the light if needed. Or alternatively, you can just get baby stands for both, the only thing baby stands buy you is a wider base and more stability.

If you get C-stands, I like the non spring loaded ones, as they give you a rocky mountain leg and you can put them on much more uneven ground than the spring loaded ones.

If you go the baby stand route, I'd go with aluminum 3 rise baby stands. Much lighter than their steel counterpart and the 3 rise will get you a lot more height than the 2 rise ones.

Their website is awful, but if you call them they're extremely friendly and they'll do whatever they can to help you figure out what you need.