C-stands or Light Stands for lights?

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davidnssbm

Active member
Do you prefer using C stands for lights, or light stands (such as a matthews hollywood beefy baby)?

Is it just a preference or is there some logic behind it? Because C-stands with an arm and head are like $130 on B&H while beefy babies are about $200.... But it was my understanding that C-stands are for grip things and lightstands are for lights, but does it matter?

Thanks,

David
 
It's generally preferred to have a stand with a wider base to put lights on. C-stands tend to get used often for Kino-Flo fixtures or smaller heads.

Look for used stands whenever possible. Buying new stands is insane in my opinion since they either work or they don't. There's not much technology in stands that you have to worry about.

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C-stand is more for special rigging, like if you want to hang a light off the grip arm and have it be out of the shot. They also have a smaller footprint so you can set them up in smaller spaces. Not as stable as the larger stand, but more versatile.
 
hahaha I misread the first post and I though we were talking about combo stands.......
 
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I will take a beefy baby stand over a c-stand every time unless there is a foot print problem. It is more stable and faster to set up.
 
Yes, beefy baby for sure. I also like the rocky mountain leg on the beefy baby much more than on a c-stand.
 
Beefy babies are great for bigger rooms where space isn't a problem. Outdoors go for a beefy baby over a Cstand, it's way more stable (ohh that rocky mountain leg is awesome). Inside I usually decide which one to use depending on the space I have to set stuff up. Beefy babies are a great asset on your kit.

In another note, the decision on which one to use also depends on the background of the one setting up. I know some grips that are working as electricians that will tell you to use a C-stand with a light head, and they'll use 1001 reasons to convince you hahaha... they tried with me...hahaha
 
I use the nice big light stands over C-stands, but C-stands over those dinky little black light stands that come in Arri head kits and etc. Those are weak and useless for everything but low lighting off the floor.
 
Having just used a light stand that I got from Cool Lights and had the knob break off on it, it's something reassuring to have a beefy piece of equipment like a C stand. And a C stand on set is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment too, can never have enough of them ( and beach )
 
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