My new favorite light stand

NextWaveG

NextWaveG

Well-known member
I just picked up a Matthews Mini Max menace arm and it is a beast. Combined with my Lanternlock and I've got a great setup for overhead lighting, backlighting and reverse keying a wide.

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That's a really AWESOME light stand. I would kill for one of those in my kit...I love to top/backlight and always struggle with using normal long arms on c-stands.
 
It isn't a direct replacement, and more hassle, but a backdrop pole between two light stand can do much the same work. Once erected, use super clamps to attach what you like. The biggest challenge is keeping the stands out of the frame.

Grant
 
nope - take a look at the foot print. This stand beats any c-stand combo.

The arm does not point backwards for a counterbalance either. This stand is an excellent excellent design giving maximum reach with
minimum intrusion.

If you ever decide to sell it please PM me before you post in the marketplace
 
ggrantly said:
It isn't a direct replacement, and more hassle, but a backdrop pole between two light stand can do much the same work. Once erected, use super clamps to attach what you like. The biggest challenge is keeping the stands out of the frame.
Grant
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This is referred to as a goalpost. It can be done with a number of things including speedrail, wood, a polecat, I've even seen box truss used on two crank stands for a very large-scale version of this.
 
I ordered one a couple of weeks ago. Had it on my wishlist for a couple of years. These things can take up to 20 pounds. Can be used in super tight places including stair shots and below grade lighting. The equivalent of a boom with stand and more. It folds up into a nice tight package.
 
c-stands as goal posts are great if you got the room for it, they take up at about 2 feet footprint at each end

unfortunately I'm often shooting in NY sized apartments
 
Spartacus said:
But this is also one of those items you buy once and use forever ;)
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Exactly. When I first saw the price tag I was a little hesitant, but when you factor in an equivalent menace arm rig it's pretty close in cost. The big difference is in footprint, speed and safety. The Mini Max is rather small when collapsed, goes up really quick and won't go flying backwards into a camera when someone takes the light off the end.

There have been several occasions where I couldn't fly a light overhead with my current gear. Whether it was a large room, outdoors or a room with a delicate ceiling, it's happened far too many times for me to not make the investment into the Mini Max.
 
I guess paired with a Diva, you can pull off a lot of outdoor scenes, that would normally call for the longer throw of a HMI. Since I own Divas and rent HMI, I bet the Mini Max pays itself pretty fast. My wife still won´t be happy about another item on my wishlist...
 
Great addition to your kit!

I also have a long collapsable fiberglass pole which I use for lightweight lights like that Chinese lantern, which is perfect for follow alongs.
 
if you don't have the budget for one of these, a menace arm (as mentioned) is handy. The good thing about 'em is that they're made of components that can be used for all sorts of things - two stands, speedrail, etc. So when you don't need it, the pieces are useful for other stuff.

But everyone automatically says "c-stands" around here. Where's the love for beefy babies? I'd rather have 6 beefies and 2 c-stands for most small gigs. They pack easier (even easier than turtle-base which require a crate for the bases). They're stronger, sturdier, they can go higher, take more weight, have a super-useful rocky mt. leg, and generally cost the same as a turtle-base avenger. I even have some aluminum versions - not quite as tough but great for getting things like flags or frames way up there. Freakin' love the beefies!!!
 
I've seen the more heavy duty version of this stand and its pretty amazing. You can do some great things that you wouldn't be able to do with a normal menace arm.

At the same time, can't discount your standard pipe boom kit. Being able to build a bridge with ratchet straps across your pipe significantly changes what kind of payload you can put at the end with pretty little gear. Almost all the gear used to build a menace arm (combo stand, speedrail, ratchet straps) are things you'll use elsewhere for other rigs. The pipe boom kit itself takes up a pretty small amount of space. It definitely does take up a much larger footprint, but its usually stuff thats in the truck already.

Either way, cool purchase. Can't wait till I can justify the purchase.
 
These work real well with a stand extension or just another stand as a boom with either some sash cord to hold the end, or a shot bag as a counterweight. It's called a Lowel KG "grip."

Fifty bucks:

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