Are Lowel light stands good quality ?

Felipe Henao

Felipe Henao

Well-known member
As a owner of a Lowel kit 2 DP and 2 Omnis, I'm more than happy with the quality
durability, accessories and color rendition.
The stands I have been using are Manfrotto, but since I'm planning to buy some more
I wonder if any of the users here could share experiences with this Lowel light stands
 
Between Lowel and Manfrotto light stands (I have some of each), I would pick the Manfrottos every time unless saving every last ounce of weight was the highest priority. The Manfrottos probably weigh twice as much, but they're much sturdier and more precisely made and give me a lot more confidence that a light is not going to crash to the ground during a shoot. Well, I guess one other advantage to the Lowels is that it is easier to get spare parts for them. That's good, because you'll be fixing them more often! I have a couple downstairs right now with stripped screw threads on the locking knobs that need repairs.

I like Lowel stuff in general, but there's nothing very special about their stands.

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
Between Lowel and Manfrotto light stands (I have some of each), I would pick the Manfrottos every time unless saving every last ounce of weight was the highest priority. The Manfrottos probably weigh twice as much, but they're much sturdier and more precisely made and give me a lot more confidence that a light is not going to crash to the ground during a shoot. Well, I guess one other advantage to the Lowels is that it is easier to get spare parts for them. That's good, because you'll be fixing them more often! I have a couple downstairs right now with stripped screw threads on the locking knobs that need repairs.

I like Lowel stuff in general, but there's nothing very special about their stands.

- Greg
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Thank you Greg So I'll stay with Manfrotto for my Lowels
 
I think your Manfrotto stands are probably best for you too, but my Lowel stands have been sturdy, compact and durable. Remember, the Lowel forte is not the studio or the rental operation it is run and gun location shooting. Last night on the news the camera pulled back for a master of an interview scene and there was a Lowel stand holding the key light.
 
slondon said:
I think your Manfrotto stands are probably best for you too, but my Lowel stands have been sturdy, compact and durable. Remember, the Lowel forte is not the studio or the rental operation it is run and gun location shooting. Last night on the news the camera pulled back for a master of an interview scene and there was a Lowel stand holding the key light.
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Thank you for your opinion, I'm not in the rental business, I do mostly location, I'll probably try one, to see how it goes
 
I think Lowell stands are complete garbage. I have a bunch of broken ones, that cant be fixed. (the metal collar that has the tightening screw to extend the legs. I would have to drill out all the rivets, order the parts, and rebuild. And I aint going through all that for a crappy ass stand to begin with. All in all they suck compared to a pro stand. Even the manfrotto are much better. Thats just my opinion though, im sure many here have had good luck, but for working in a pro enviornment, their useless.
 
There are two different series of Lowell stands. The beefier ones have given me good service for decades with no problems. No they aren't built like a Matthews, and won't stand up to ham fisted carelessness and abuse, but they do the job just fine with reasonable care. Never broken or stripped a collar on mine.
 
I use lowell stands as well and while I do not think they are the most robust stands I have seen, by far, they are light and get the job done. I do worry about them getting knocked over because they are so light. I've careful with the knobs and such so I've never had a problem with that.
 
Rick Burnett said:
I use lowell stands as well and while I do not think they are the most robust stands I have seen, by far, they are light and get the job done. I do worry about them getting knocked over because they are so light. I've careful with the knobs and such so I've never had a problem with that.
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Good point
 
Razz16mm said:
There are two different series of Lowell stands. The beefier ones have given me good service for decades with no problems. No they aren't built like a Matthews, and won't stand up to ham fisted carelessness and abuse, but they do the job just fine with reasonable care. Never broken or stripped a collar on mine.
Click to expand...

Which model do you call the The beefier ones,
Thank you for your answer
 
I would never even consider using these unless their sand bagged. But that goes without saying. Im extremely anal about safety on set, and especially when it comes to stands. We bag EVERY STAND, whether the grips think it needs it or not. Even a little tota light could scar somone for life with severe burns, if it fell over unexpectedly. So if you do decide to go with these, make sure their sandbagged. As rick said they tip over very easy. There are two models, this is true, I have both, and actually the bigger beefier stands broke before the little ones. Go figure. If want to see the weak points in these I will post pics of the broken stands for you to see.
 
maranfilms said:
I would never even consider using these unless their sand bagged. But that goes without saying. Im extremely anal about safety on set, and especially when it comes to stands. We bag EVERY STAND, whether the grips think it needs it or not. Even a little tota light could scar somone for life with severe burns, if it fell over unexpectedly. So if you do decide to go with these, make sure their sandbagged. As rick said they tip over very easy. There are two models, this is true, I have both, and actually the bigger beefier stands broke before the little ones. Go figure. If want to see the weak points in these I will post pics of the broken stands for you to see.
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Thank you, I'll like to see the pictures
 
I believe mine are the little stands. I got the DV Creator 1 kit, as I'm just not sure where I want to invest in lights yet and I agree that Tota gets HOT! My cat loves to sit under it when it's on. :) As a side question, because I agree, where is a good place to get sock weights online? I've got sandbags, but I'd like to add sock weights as well as I was on a shoot and found them REALLY useful.
 
Rick Burnett said:
I believe mine are the little stands. I got the DV Creator 1 kit, as I'm just not sure where I want to invest in lights yet and I agree that Tota gets HOT! My cat loves to sit under it when it's on. :) As a side question, because I agree, where is a good place to get sock weights online? I've got sandbags, but I'd like to add sock weights as well as I was on a shoot and found them REALLY useful.
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I really like the DP and OMNI models, they are hot but have a nice handle, last a lot, plenty of accessories, more than happy with this models
I personally never liked TOTAS, what I'm planning to buy now are PROLIGHTS.
As far as weights, I like those made by Calumet, really tough, I've travel a lot with them
 
Felipe Henao said:
Which model do you call the The beefier ones,
Thank you for your answer
Click to expand...

Had to look online to see, couldn't remember the model. The KS stands, 7/8" tubes, are the only ones I have ever used. Those are reasonably stout.

+1 on sandbagging them for safety. Used to use Mini-brute par fixtures on these at full extension, sometimes with a pole added for extra height, for lighting factory interiors.
 
No problem, I will snap some pics in a bit. Just finishing up on an edit as I write this. It's only like the tenth revision, but it's a very good client. lol

Anyways, Rick You can find some good deals on ebay for the empty bags. Sometimes you can get the 20lbs bags for like five bucks (empty) You can fill them with sand or shot. Clean sand is fine. I have a mix. To be honest, my favorite bags that I tend to grab most are actually 5lb ankle weights, that have a strap held by velco. So for a tota stand, One five lb bag is fine. But for cstands, I use like twenty lbs or so. It all depends on the situation. This was the first rule I taught my students where I teach. Safety before anything else, As I find it to be the number 1 most important issue when dealing with lights that can mame or even kill. (5k if it falls over on someone could do some serious damage)
 
maranfilms said:
No problem, I will snap some pics in a bit. Just finishing up on an edit as I write this. It's only like the tenth revision, but it's a very good client. lol

Anyways, Rick You can find some good deals on ebay for the empty bags. Sometimes you can get the 20lbs bags for like five bucks (empty) You can fill them with sand or shot. Clean sand is fine. I have a mix. To be honest, my favorite bags that I tend to grab most are actually 5lb ankle weights, that have a strap held by velco. So for a tota stand, One five lb bag is fine. But for cstands, I use like twenty lbs or so. It all depends on the situation. This was the first rule I taught my students where I teach. Safety before anything else, As I find it to be the number 1 most important issue when dealing with lights that can mame or even kill. (5k if it falls over on someone could do some serious damage)
Click to expand...

I agree with you about safety and since electricity can kill you I also watch all the electrical stuff on set like a hawk and ***** out people who treat it with indifference. I'm sure you do too.

For grins somebody ought to do another repeat of how to properly bag a C-stand. It's always amusing to me that there is a little disagreement among experienced people on exactly what should be done.
 
Razz16mm said:
Had to look online to see, couldn't remember the model. The KS stands, 7/8" tubes, are the only ones I have ever used. Those are reasonably stout.

+1 on sandbagging them for safety. Used to use Mini-brute par fixtures on these at full extension, sometimes with a pole added for extra height, for lighting factory interiors.
Click to expand...

I bought 10 minutes ago this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31879-REG/Lowel_DT_33_DT_33_KS_Jr_Light.html
is light, short when folded .
Something tells me is gonna work.
Thanks
 
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