Manfrotto Steel Combo Stands?

[Grug]

Hi Guys,

I need to add four combo stands to my kit and weighing up options. I was thinking the Matthews Digital Combo Stands fit the bill pretty well:

11' High
8kg weight
40kg capacity
levelling leg

The downside is I have to ship them from the far side of the planet.

I've come across the Manfrotto Heavy Duty Steel Stands (model 126), I can source them locally and they have pretty much identical specs - I just worry about the quality of construction (because although Manfrotto's 'Avenger' branded stands are indestructible, everything 'Manfrotto' branded that I've ever used hasn't had that same level of quality).

So just wondering if anyone can comment on the build quality of the steel Manfrotto unit?

Cheers,

Mark

 

[T-1000]

You know, I have one of those heavy-ass Avenger combo stands that has the built in boom arm, and I barely even use it because it's not portable, and it's heavy as hell (I bought it for my photography studio, not for motion picture stuff, it's way over kill).

What are you going to use the stand for? If it's just to mount a Junior pin light, I'd buy a turtle base of your favorite brand, and add a Junior riser to connect into the base. It's portable and strong, but won't go to 11 feet (unless you install another extension). You could also get a Rolling base instead.

Base with casters: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/862494-REG/Kupo_ks301012_Runway_Stand_Base.html
Turtle base, or you can get Avenger, Matthews, etc: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/862497-REG/kupo_ks743112_master_c_stand_base.html
Junior steel stand extension: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840718-REG/Kupo_KS100112_Steel_Combo_Stand_Extension.html
Matthews 3' Junior stand extension: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33145-REG/Matthews_426019_Junior_Stand_Extension.html

 

[Moseph]

A runaway base is really more of a specialty item, only used for when a light needs to be low to the ground.
I don't have first hand experience with the Manfrotto stands, but the fact that the only stands I've ever come across on set are Matthews, American Grip, and the occasional Avenger, Norms, or Paladin, may speak to their relative build quality.

 

[JMartin]

I've got a couple of the Manfrotto steel junior stands (008CSU) and the build quality is fine for my uses as general purpose stands. There is a double riser version (007CSU) too if you need that.
Both of the above have a lesser column diameter and max payload than the 126 model though, so it really depends on what you're using them for.

Having said that, I'd love to have direct access to Kupo gear here in the Antipodes as well.

 

[Grug]

A runaway base is really more of a specialty item, only used for when a light needs to be low to the ground.
I don't have first hand experience with the Manfrotto stands, but the fact that the only stands I've ever come across on set are Matthews, American Grip, and the occasional Avenger, Norms, or Paladin, may speak to their relative build quality.

Yeah, that's part of my concern. I think Manfrotto tend to be bough as 'photography' stands - and in my experience 'photo' gear just doesn't have the same ruggedness as 'film' gear.

I'm also torn by the idea of getting caster wheels that will be a bit more universal for my kit. The Manfrottos have circular legs, whereas the Matthews and Avenger stands have 1" square legs - so I think that may actually sway the decision for me. If I can just get a few sets of casters and have them work on everything - that definitely simplifies things.

I've got a couple of the Manfrotto steel junior stands (008CSU) and the build quality is fine for my uses as general purpose stands. There is a double riser version (007CSU) too if you need that.
Both of the above have a lesser column diameter and max payload than the 126 model though, so it really depends on what you're using them for.

Having said that, I'd love to have direct access to Kupo gear here in the Antipodes as well.

I picked up a couple of Kupo Max Arms (magic arms) a little while back, and was very impressed - the rosette arrangement they use seems much more secure than just about anything else I've seen.