Impact C-Stands?

Macville

Macville

Well-known member
So I was looking at B&H today for C-Stands and I noticed that they carry Impact C-Stands for alot less than either Matthews, Avenger, or American. $119 gets you a 40" C-Stand with an arm and 2.5" grip head. That's better than getting one from ebay!

However, I am wondering about the quality of them? I am not super hard on them, but I want to make sure it's not just worth spending an extra $50-$75 per stand.

Thanks,

Matthew
 
All I can tell is that you get what you pay for with C-stands.

Low end = Amvona and impact

The best = American, Norms

I have had most of mine (Norms, I have a dozen) for twelve years already and all are still going strong. Best $200.00 per C-stand I ever invested. Just picked up three new Norms detachable base ones for about $180.00 ea., great for traveling or putting in the trunk of a small car. I think the American are slightly better than the Norms but since I already had nine of the Norms, I wanted them all to look and stack the same, the Americans have chunkier handles, etc.

If you are pro, buy the good stuff, it's worth it. If you are a hobbiest, buy whatever works.

Dan
 
Actually since the connection between the legs and the stand (of any manufaturer's variant on the detachable base design, I think) is a standard "Junior" pin and receptacle, there's a lot more the design is good for than portability. I've heard the legs by themselves called a Turtle Stand, since it works great as a low mount for a big light. The stand proper works great as a lamp jib or an extension for a Junior stand. You can use 'em as pipe clamp extensions too for gridwork.

In other trivia, I may have figured out what the "C" in C-stand means.
 
HappyGobo said:
In other trivia, I may have figured out what the "C" in C-stand means.
Click to expand...

I believe the "c" stands for "century" (maybe they were invented in century city? that's where CBS and a few other studios are located...)

I'm thinking now that I found out Matthews stands are actually only $20 more per stand, that is the way to go. They weight about half the weight of the Impact stands, and I know the build quality of them.

Thanks,

Matthew
 
CBS is located near West Hollywood while most other studios are spread throughout the city and the valley. Century Stands offer the gaffer the ability to nest the stands because of the way they are made. Ideal if you are using lights, toppers, and screens in a close proximity. In addition it is easier to put on sandbags on the legs vs impacts are made for quick and easy lighting. I have them for use on my Arri 600 pars but I would be wary on putting on anything else heavier since they tend to be too lightweight in construction to hold the light without tipping over the stand.
 
Have you used the Matthews? One of my biggest clients has several of them. They are okay but not in the same league as the American or Norms. Most of the Matthews have the spring-loaded legs, I hate those, they are highly inconvenient when you are in a hurry, you have to rotate the base upside-down to close them. The good, old-fashioned loosen and rotate the legs approach is still the best for me.

Also, some of their knuckles have a detachable rubber coating that does fray and get torn up. Nothing wrong with the Matthews, they are industry standard, but sometimes you can do better than industry standard. They are definitely better than the Impact or Amvonas.

If I were you, i would put my hands on the C-stands before you buy them. Go to a rental company and just try a few brands, you'll see what's up.

Best,

Dan
 
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I was originally contemplating the Impact C-Stands because of their inexpensive price tag, but after hearing a couple complaints about their construction I opted for these. Only $20 more and I've had good luck with them.

-Jon
 
puredrifting said:
Have you used the Matthews? One of my biggest clients has several of them. They are okay but not in the same league as the American or Norms. Most of the Matthews have the spring-loaded legs, I hate those, they are highly inconvenient when you are in a hurry, you have to rotate the base upside-down to close them. The good, old-fashioned loosen and rotate the legs approach is still the best for me.

Also, some of their knuckles have a detachable rubber coating that does fray and get torn up. Nothing wrong with the Matthews, they are industry standard, but sometimes you can do better than industry standard. They are definitely better than the Impact or Amvonas.

If I were you, i would put my hands on the C-stands before you buy them. Go to a rental company and just try a few brands, you'll see what's up.
Click to expand...

I actually like the spring loaded legs better. It's quick and easy for me to deploy them and a fairly easy tear down. I've tried Norms, and I like them, but I don't feel it worth an extra $60 per stand (over 6 stands, that's alot!) Considering my use (maybe 20-30 videos a year MAX) I feel like Matthews will do me well (especially if I can find some used ones which are in good condition.)

What are you talking about with the rubber coating on the knuckles? I don't ever remember seeing anything like that on the Matthews (and don't see anything like it on the matthews website.)

My bad about Century City. One of CBS's is located in West Hollywood (next to the farmer's market) and the other is in Studio City. Century City is where I went through to get to my boss's house when I worked at Paramount. According to Matthews, Century Stand was named because in the early days, the most popular stand was a 100" stand (century.) Interesting....

Matthew
 
Macville said:
I actually like the spring loaded legs better. It's quick and easy for me to deploy them and a fairly easy tear down. I've tried Norms, and I like them, but I don't feel it worth an extra $60 per stand (over 6 stands, that's alot!) Considering my use (maybe 20-30 videos a year MAX) I feel like Matthews will do me well (especially if I can find some used ones which are in good condition.)
Click to expand...

Different strokes...It saves me :10 to :15 per stand and when I have ten or twenty setup and have to break them down, I find the spring loaded legs a nuisance that slows me down, you either have to brace them against the floor at an angle to shut them or turn the entire stand upside down, feh.

I think the rubber coated knuckles may have been something they tried a few years back, my client's stands were definitely not new. Grey rubber molded in the shape of the knuckle, must have had too many grips saying that the edges were too sharp when cranking down on them perhaps?

My Norms stands have been in a lot of abusive situations that would have destroyed cheaper stands like holding flags in the ocean (shooting CU's of waves crashing over the camera in a housing - five years later and no rust), buried in mud for days (shooting a promo video with the theme of erosion - took them apart, cleaned them out and good as new), plus I have had numerous LA grips abusing them for 10 years. Like most guys in the business, if something works for me and works well under punishment, I think it's the best.

Nothing wrong with the Matthews but IMHO, they will not last as long as the Norms or Americans will. I like to look at grip and lighting as an actual investment that will make me money over the years, unlike cameras and computers so for me, a few bucks more is not a big deal. I usually charge four dollars a day per C-stand so these stands paid for themselves after the first year I had them. Same reason I hate Lowels, even though I own a pile of them. They work fine but are junky and break under professional conditions, as a matter of fact, I have a dead ProLight downstairs that I have to go re-wire. Arris and Moles are built so much better.

Whatever works for you, I just offer my opinions ;-)

All the best,

Dan
 
Norms and American contacts

Norms and American contacts

Macville said:
Here's the cheapest place I know to get Norms stands: http://www.cinemagadgets.com/index.php

Matthew
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Hi Matthew:

Those prices are higher than you will pay going directly to Norms. Problem is, for some reason, Norms is one of those businesses that doesn't sell on-line, if you want their prices, you have to go visit them in North Hollywood in person or get their catalog and order over the phone. If you are in SoCal, it's worth the drive to just pickup your stuff. If not, then you gotta do it over the phone.

I bought mine from a production company that was a dealer for Norms, but I looked on their website and it looks like they may not be selling gear anymore. I sent them an e-mail, will let you know what they say.

American Grip equipment is bought factory direct, they are in Sun Valley, Ca. Here is a link to their catalog http://www.americangrip.com/catalog.asp Not sure if they have dealers or distributors.

I know, it seems weird these days, but both of these companies seem to not have on-line stores.

All the best,

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
Hi Matthew:

Those prices are higher than you will pay going directly to Norms. Problem is, for some reason, Norms is one of those businesses that doesn't sell on-line, if you want their prices, you have to go visit them in North Hollywood in person or get their catalog and order over the phone. If you are in SoCal, it's worth the drive to just pickup your stuff. If not, then you gotta do it over the phone.
Click to expand...

May I ask what you paid for a full C-Stand? (Stand, plus 2 grip heads and arm.) If I can get them quite a few $$$'s cheaper I may spring for the extra dough.

Matthew
 
Matthew:

The big questions are:

1. How many will you buy at once?

2. Will you buy other Norms gear at the same time like light stands, sand bags, etc. ?

Obviously the more $$ you will spend with them, the better deal you will get. The last time I bought three 40" stands with detachable turtle bases for $184.00 ea. But keep in mind these are the detachable base ones (which you may or may not need) and that I bought them from a dealer, not direct from Norms. I did get an e-mail back from the dealer, they have stopped selling any gear and are concentrating strictly on marketing their own productions. So I guess you have to call Norms and deal with them directly.

If you want the non-detachable base ones, you can probably get them for a few bucks cheaper.

Best of luck,

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
Matthew:

The big questions are:

1. How many will you buy at once?

2. Will you buy other Norms gear at the same time like light stands, sand bags, etc. ?

Obviously the more $$ you will spend with them, the better deal you will get. The last time I bought three 40" stands with detachable turtle bases for $184.00 ea. But keep in mind these are the detachable base ones (which you may or may not need) and that I bought them from a dealer, not direct from Norms. I did get an e-mail back from the dealer, they have stopped selling any gear and are concentrating strictly on marketing their own productions. So I guess you have to call Norms and deal with them directly.

If you want the non-detachable base ones, you can probably get them for a few bucks cheaper.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm buying a whole grip package, so I need a bunch of gear (probably around $6-$7k worth.) I still hoping to get used stands that are in a good condition (many places I've found were at around $85 a stand, can't beat that.)

Matthew
 
If

If

Hi Matthew:

If you are buying that much, get their catalog and get a quote from them. For that kind of package, I am sure that they can make you a great deal. Nothing wrong with used either but the only downside is that you will probably end up with a mish-mosh of brands and conditions unless you are lucky enough to find a pile of them from one source, all the same brand and condition. My client has a mish-mosh of them, it's horrible when you are busy lighting. None of them match and some have the spring loaded legs, some don't and some look like they do but don't. I really like having all of my C-staqnds be the same manufacturer, regardless of which one. You want them all to stack identically, function identically, etc. Makes for a better time on set.

I also own a couple of Norms steel three riser combos, a few American and Norms Beefy Baby equivalent light stands. You should also get at least one Gary Coleman, that's a short 20" C-stand, very useful for some situations. You should also consider some Matthews ground stands. These are little folding light stands that allow you to place instruments on the ground without any height added. I find myself uplighting a lot on curtains, walls, backgrounds and the ground stands are very handy.

Good luck. I would get quotes from Norms, American and Matthews for your whole package, then go with what seems like the best deal for your particular needs.

Best,

Dan

Macville said:
Actually, I'm buying a whole grip package, so I need a bunch of gear (probably around $6-$7k worth.) I still hoping to get used stands that are in a good condition (many places I've found were at around $85 a stand, can't beat that.)

Matthew
Click to expand...
 
I used the Amvona stands from dynatran or a couple shoots. They are not bad at all. I don't think they will last for twenty years, but it was a decent stand for the price.
 
I just picked up 2 Impact C-Stands form B&H $122.00 ea, let me tell these stands are super strong, solid I'm very impressed. I will order 2 more of them.
 
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