Light stand for studio/location

[digitaljoe]

Can anyone recommend a really solid light stand for location and studio use which will take a large/medium softbox.

[Longwatcher]

I use both the Alien Bees heavy duty stand and an impact brand stand.
In both case the stand can take the weight easy, but when extended high-enough I really feel the need to use counter weights (like sandbags/saddlebags) to keep the center of gravity low enough it is not likely to fall over.

generally anything that will support over 10lbs should be good, 20-25lbs better. but if going to be using the light higher then about 8 feet (then add softbox) I highly recommend getting a sand or saddle bag for weight at the bottom, no matter which stand you get.

Both of mine that I primarily use for giant softbox support at least 20lbs according to their specs, but I have also used my smaller one that says it only supports 10lbs. I never use the lighter one with a boom, but only with the light directly attached to the stand.

Hope that helps a bit.

[TMR Design]

Not sure of your budget but these are excellent stands.

This is a 13' Impact Air Cushioned Heavy Duty Stand:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5800&A=details&Q=&sku=253065&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

or

I own a set of these. They are 9.5' Impact Air Cushioned Heavy Duty Stands.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5800&A=details&Q=&sku=253069&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Both are on special at BH now.

[digitaljoe]

Thanks for the tip Robert. I will order today.

[stanc30]

Joe, If you have not yet ordered...check out Amvona auctions on Ebay. I have purchased an entire studio setup from here over the last month and I am really impressed with their products.

This stand is awsome! I have it with removable casters for around the studio as well as location.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAVY-DUTY-PHOTO-PHOTOGRAPHY-VIDEO-LIGHT-STAND-AS-806_W0QQitemZ170061276999QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30080Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[TMR Design]

Joe, If you have not yet ordered...check out Amvona auctions on Ebay. I have purchased an entire studio setup from here over the last month and I am really impressed with their products.

This stand is awsome! I have it with removable casters for around the studio as well as location.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAVY-DUTY-PHOTO-PHOTOGRAPHY-VIDEO-LIGHT-STAND-AS-806_W0QQitemZ170061276999QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30080Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What did those bid up to and how much did you pay? I know there are other stands available, some priced better. I like BH and I'm impressed with the Impact stands. These days I don't go nuts over saving $5 or $10 on an item if I feel I am buying the best product for my needs and it's affordable. Yes, I am a consumer that likes to save when I can but I get satisfaction from buying at BH and I do take into consideration what seems to be popular opinion in these and other forums. The Impact stands are highly recommended so I saw the BH specials and liked what I saw. Lightstands are like so many other things that we can internalize over but I think that if you're buying a good brand or one that is getting good reviews on Amazon or other sites, and you'ver considered the height and strength needed, then you can probably by any one of many out there. I like the Air Cushioned stands, especially when I have a strobe and a 60" SoftLighter II on it. If you're planning on large modifiers or softboxes then consider the largest footprint and diameter of tubing. These factors will all contribute to overall strength and determine your exact needs in a lightstand.

[TMR Design]

Thanks for the tip Robert. I will order today.

Joe,

Unless you want to shop, shop, shop to save a few bucks then you will be very happy with the Impact stands. As I said in my previous post, we all know you can go to any photo retailer or etailer and find good quality lightstands to suit your needs for roughly the same price, give or take. I own the Impacts so of course I can recommend them and speak highly of the product.

[cdifoto]

I have an NRG 8' stand that I can put my 6 foot by 4 foot softbox and AB B1600 on (although adding sandbags would be smarter due to being side-heavy). It easily accommodates "normal" sized softboxes and umbrellas as well.

It was about $40 from Adorama.

[TMR Design]

I have an NRG 8' stand that I can put my 6 foot by 4 foot softbox and AB B1600 on (although adding sandbags would be smarter due to being side-heavy). It easily accommodates "normal" sized softboxes and umbrellas as well.

It was about $40 from Adorama.

As I said, I think that many are comparable. The Impace is 9.5' and probably everything else about them is the same. I think the BH special on them is just under $40.
It's six of one........

[cdifoto]

As I said, I think that many are comparable. The Impace is 9.5' and probably everything else about them is the same. I think the BH special on them is just under $40.
It's six of one........

Yeah pretty much. Just look for the max load rating and yer good to go. A stand is a stand as long as the rating isn't false.

[TMR Design]

Yeah pretty much. Just look for the max load rating and yer good to go. A stand is a stand as long as the rating isn't false.

Yes absolutely. The Impact stands I have have a rating of 22lbs. Assuming that is accurate, the weight of a B800 and SoftlighterII isn't even half of that.

[Longwatcher]

A stand is a stand as long as the rating isn't false.

I have to somewhat disagree.

I prefer my AB stands to my other stands (I thought they were Impact, but might not be or at least not anymore) usually because they are lighter weight to carry around. Also my other stands are quick stands which are kind of handy for moving around solid floors, but not for carpet. I do prefer the quickstand's air cushion main poles as I don't have to watch my hands as much when bringing down, but prefer the AB stands.

[cdifoto]

Yes absolutely. The Impact stands I have have a rating of 22lbs. Assuming that is accurate, the weight of a B800 and SoftlighterII isn't even half of that.

The NRG has a capacity of 15lbs so your Impacts are a better buy, especially since they're lighter than these NRGs (4.6lbs) and they're also 1.5 feet taller and air cushioned too.

[TMR Design]

I have to somewhat disagree.

I prefer my AB stands to my other stands (I thought they were Impact, but might not be or at least not anymore) usually because they are lighter weight to carry around. Also my other stands are quick stands which are kind of handy for moving around solid floors, but not for carpet. I do prefer the quickstand's air cushion main poles as I don't have to watch my hands as much when bringing down, but prefer the AB stands.

Yes.... the buyer has to consider his needs and certainly knowing whether the lighting setup needs to be light and portable would come into play. I think the weight would be more of an issue for me than size. If a stand folds up and is 36" or 40" (or whatever) wouldn't make a difference, but the overall weight of the stand would be a consideration if I had to be mobile.

[hawk911]

I'll do a search also, but can I use these impact stands and a 550ex? Is there a good option for this with room to grow?

[TMR Design]

I'll do a search also, but can I use these impact stands and a 550ex? Is there a good option for this with room to grow?


You can use any lightstand with your Speedlite. Depending on whether you are wired or wireless, and depending on whether you are using an ST-E2, another Speedlite or other trigger will determine which hardware you need.

If you just want a bracket that can hold the Speedlite and have the ability to mount an umbrella or other light modifiers then you need something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=298709&is=REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detail&addedTroughValue=253074_REG

If you need the flash to be on a hot shoe for triggering then you also need something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=89982&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

You need to figure out what you want to do and how the flash is integrated into your setup, and don't forget about cables and proper connectors.