Which C-stand brand to buy? Does it even matter?

Many people recommend buying used studio c-stands, often Mathews etc.. For new, I personally like the B&H inhouse brand Impact, but you should take a look at Kupo stands, those are very innovative and a good value. The other two issues are color - usually you pay like a tiny amount more for black (which I prefer), just makes it easier not to have reflective metal around lights, and then the biggie, the base. Turtle base that's detachable can be a bit asset in transportation, and you should also probably have a couple of c-stands with a sliding leg so you can place it in uneven terrain, on steps and so on. Prices are all usually under $150, and Matthews is cheap right now you can get one for $130 with a grip arm kit thrown in, that's a great deal from B&H with free shipping. It's good to have several c-stands, that way you can select for weight and height, but if you stick to the brands I mentioned above, you'll be fine.
 
Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, at this moment I cannot find those brands to be available in my country :/ (I will look further) How about Avenger brand?
 
cant go wrong with avenger. i would stay away from anything thats priced way lower than the "mainstream" brands as build quality is probably not as good. there used to be an ebay seller/brand called amvona or dynatran or something that someone recommended as a good one to buy. well, i got one. the metal parts for the knobs and that held the legs together was some kind of weird cheap metal (graphite?), some parts were missing (couldnt assemble it), and the arm/knuckle simply wouldnt hold any real weight no matter how much you tightened...overall just not well made. so avenger, matthews, american, norms. yes, it matters.

removable base good cause you can put the column in a side/handle bag on your cart (if you have such a thing) upright and also there are different pins/mounts that fit in those c stand bases so you can set up a light super low to the ground.
 
I have several large Avenger light stands (21') and a bunch of grip arm sets and other stuff like booms etc., and have been very happy with them (Avenger is just a Manfrotto brand). But I have personally not used Avenger c-stands, however if you look at user reviews on B&H, they generally get very good marks. The only thing I'll say, is that compared to other brands, their c-stands are slightly overpriced, at least in the U.S..
 
I'd have to disagree that the Avengers are overpriced. Yes, they are generally the most expensive you can buy - but that's because they're the best you can buy. The build quality is IMO the finest available. I have a fair few Matthews stands, and they pale in comparison to the Avenger gear. The Avengers really are as good as it gets.

My second choice recently moved to Kupo. Their build-quality is superb, certainly better than my Matthews gear, and impressively close to my Avenger gear (given the price difference).
 
have not heard of kupo...they new?

i thought avengers were like half the price of mathhews...last i priced avengers (granted was a LONG time ago) they were like $175 for stand and arm, mathews $300 for same. also i think matthews are lighter and stands made of fewer pieces. avengers heavier with more fasteners holding legs etc. together. this maybe really old/out of date knowledge as i havent looked at any of that in, again, a long long time.
 
Thanks guys! All the range of Avenger is available in my country so I will go with them. Would you recommend any model? Some of them have that one leg adjustable but then the whole base is not detachable... Or I am missing something? Unfortunately only silver ones are available :/
 
alohype said:
Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, at this moment I cannot find those brands to be available in my country :/ (I will look further) How about Avenger brand?
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I own 3 chrome Avengers and am pretty happy with them. Things to consider is how you will use them.... the chrome stands will handle the outdoors better. The matte black ones might be better in studio surroundings because they won't reflect light around.
Also consider the build in the feet area. I can see how some might like swivel legs, but I have never had a use for them. Basically the swivel will allow you to place the stand in odd positions, fx tightly against a wall, or with two feet on the ground and the third on the step of a stair or box or whatever.
I have had though a use for my detachable turtle bases which makes it easier to pack up the stands in tight quarters.
 
I use Avengers (also branded Arri and Manfrotto I think!) - I think they are great.

The ones with the removable foot section are better for transportation - Id only buy them from now on.

S
 
morgan_moore said:
I use Avengers (also branded Arri and Manfrotto I think!) - I think they are great.

The ones with the removable foot section are better for transportation - Id only buy them from now on.

S
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Shame you cannot have both: detachable foot section and one leg adjustable at the same time :/
 
alohype said:
Thanks guys! All the range of Avenger is available in my country so I will go with them. Would you recommend any model? Some of them have that one leg adjustable but then the whole base is not detachable... Or I am missing something? Unfortunately only silver ones are available :/
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If you can only get one, definitely get the sliding leg versions - they're a godsend on uneven terrain outdoors, and when you need to squeeze them on to stairs or other funny places. The 'turtle-base' version (which are the detachable base ones) are great when you need to pack things tightly. I carry a mix of both because it allows me to fit more of them in the ute.
 
If you're tight on funds, go for all turtle base stands - the fold-flats are a ***** to pack & transport;

Kupo **seems** to be a great alternative, we'll know in 20 years - but their C-stands are almost the same $ as comparable Avengers last I checked. However, they have a combo for $150 with free shipping in the US and some other good looking stands for great prices. Their grip heads are the SH*T, that big-ass knob rocks.

And that said - why is everyone so knee-jerk "must-have-c-stands"? If you have a ton of stands, yeah. But they are far less versatile than comparably-priced steel Beefy Babies. C-stands were designed for flags, cards, and SMALL lights, yet I see kids putting 2ks on 'em since that's their only good stand.

I'd start out with Beefies, which can be had new for $180 or so - if you can get a deal on used stands grab some combos, even if you don't have junior fixtures yet.

And I almost always prefer roller babies where a C could be used... way easier to pack and just as sturdy, and able to go under/between tripod legs like c-stands do with their low profiles. Easy setup, too.

Check pyramid-films often, too - they were doing pairs of aluminum beefies for $150 shipped. Not as strong as steel, but having a 13' pair that can handle backdrops & flags/etc was a great find, and they're lightweight for travel. I use them for boom mics on windy days, can't knock 'em over.
 
having used avenger, matthews and kupo versions. avenger are by far the best build quality. they cost more. but its one of those things you'll buy once and use forever.
 
wgzn said:
having used avenger, matthews and kupo versions. avenger are by far the best build quality. they cost more. but its one of those things you'll buy once and use forever.
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The only Kupo I own so far are their grip heads. Got any specific scoop on various Kupo models? They've got some great-specs-on-paper stuff that's significantly cheaper for **some** of their stands. Their bigger stuff like hi rollers, etc - now much price difference, though their prices fluctuate.

I'll probably pull the plug on the Junior that Adorama sells for $150 shipped int he next 60 days or so, specs are nice on that one.
 
Got any specific scoop on various Kupo models?
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not specifically. as its been a few years since i used it. it came with a large flo from a local rental shop. it was their basic c-stand and arm / avenger copy.

this may sound silly. but it just had a very "engrish" feel to it. like it SHOULD work fine as it met all the specs. but the overall fit, finish and materials just felt a little sub-par.
 
By far the best C-Stands are manufactured by American Grip. While not available in most stores they may be sourced internationally at some Grip Houses. I've rented them in London, Brussels, Paris, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Kiev, Johannesburg, & all over North America.

They're products are so good that's there's hardly a Grip Truck in LA that isn't filled almost exclusively with American Grip.

http://www.americangrip.com
 
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