Any experience with eBay light stands?

[gnnbtrn]

These are cheap light stands $35 for two.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-2-LS-Studio-Photo-Video-Light-Stands-Stand-803_W0QQitemZ160350147780QQcategoryZ30080QQcmdZVie wItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSICDD% 26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DMRU-625%252BUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3 D15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

Did anyone has used them and has anything against it?

Thanks!

[Tawcan]

Thinking of getting those, subscribed.

[dpds68]

The main problem that I see is "Maximum Height: 5 ft"

[gnnbtrn]

You are right. they are TOO short. But I have found another pair for $49.50:

Click Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-HEAVY-DUTY-76-LIGHT-STANDS-SET-OF-2-BAG-NEW_W0QQitemZ190305992713QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item2c4f1f0009&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

[Scooter650]

I have also seen these, they are 7' tall: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170329824691&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Opinions?

[Vovka]

I'm using the 7' stand. It's too short for me... But it's ok for now.

[SkipD]

I would never buy light stands (or most anything else, for that matter) that I could not get repair parts for. My suggestion - stay off ebay when looking for new photo equipment. Buy a known brand of equipment for which parts are available when you may need them. Go through a reliable dealer to buy equipment and you'll be able to return it if you don't like it.

Short light stands have a use - for a background light mounted low and behind a portrait subject. Other than that, light stands shorter than 8 feet are generally not very useful or sturdy enough.

[mufutau55]

This is my recomendation to you. Impact Heavy Duty Air-cushioned 9.5ft Light stand, one of the best for it's price. $38.95 per one.
See link below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.htm l

Mufutau

[Azzure_7]

Wonder if the impact heavy duty light stand has metal connector/ joint and swivel.

[SkipD]

Wonder if the impact heavy duty light stand has metal connector/ joint and swivel.No light stand that I know of (at least the ones that use 5/8" spigots for connecting equipment) have any sort of swivel.

Are you possibly referring to something like this adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546375-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_026_026_Swivel_Umbrella _Adapter.html)?

[mufutau55]

What connector are you reffering to? I use the Impact lightstand recommended above, so I can check for you; if I know what you meant.

But if I get what I think you are thinking about.. I will say you need stands like Avenger to get all metal or aluminium joints or connectors
and you have to pay dearly for it too..

Mufutau

Wonder if the impact heavy duty light stand has metal connector/ joint and swivel.

[HeadShotz]

Even if you are just mounting speedlights on them, I don't think you'll be happy with the Ebay stands. I bought some very similar a few years back (thinking I could save money) and I ended up throwing them in the trash within a year. They were very flimsy and badly built. I think one fell apart on me. I hated those stands.

The Impact Heavy Duty 9.5' stand is hard to beat for $39. I own two of those and two of the Impact 13' versions. The knobs to adjust the height are plastic but very solid. The entire light stand is very solid. I hang a strobe and a 5' octa off it with no problem, though I do sand bag them anyway for safety. These stands are going to last a good long while. Certainly not Avenger quality but far superior to the ebay stands.

I own a standard Impact 10' air-cushioned stand also, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253067-REG/Impact_LS10AB_Air_Cushioned_Light_Stand_.html which costs more than the heavy duty 9.5' one and the 9.5' one is twice as sturdy. I'd buy the 9.5' one every time now for studio work. But...be aware the 9.5' stand isn't a dainty compact stand when folded up. It folds up to 3.75' so it is a bit bulky if you are thinking about dragging it around on location.

[gnnbtrn]

I would never buy light stands (or most anything else, for that matter) that I could not get repair parts for.

What parts would you need for a light stand? I am sure if something is broken, it can be fixed with nuts/bolts from any hardware store...

But this is the point to buy cheap, if it's broken, then it can be thrown away

[SkipD]

What parts would you need for a light stand? I am sure if something is broken, it can be fixed with nuts/bolts from any hardware store...Cheaper (and some not-so-cheap) stands have plastic connectors between the various diameter tubes. You cannot easily replace the connectors with "hardware store" parts unless you just want to use hose clamps and saw slots in the larger diameter tubes.

There are other parts that you won't find in hardware stores as well which could be needed from time to time.

When I'm using my stands (and other equipment) for a location shoot, I cannot afford having my equipment fail and put an end to the shoot. Thus, I have spare equipment and/or some parts with me on the job. I start by not buying junk.

[Azzure_7]

No light stand that I know of (at least the ones that use 5/8" spigots for connecting equipment) have any sort of swivel.

Are you possibly referring to something like this adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546375-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_026_026_Swivel_Umbrella _Adapter.html)?

NO.

What connector are you reffering to? I use the Impact lightstand recommended above, so I can check for you; if I know what you meant.

But if I get what I think you are thinking about.. I will say you need stands like Avenger to get all metal or aluminium joints or connectors
and you have to pay dearly for it too..

Mufutau

Ya. I meant the joints and the knob in which you adjust height.
haha Not too sure what they are called. But I think Headshotz just answered my question.

I had the impact(not the heavy duty). And broke those part.

And yeah I ended up with avenger.

Another question. How about manfrotto? Do they have all metals joints and connectors?

[vadim_c]

I would never buy light stands (or most anything else, for that matter) that I could not get repair parts for. My suggestion - stay off ebay when looking for new photo equipment. Buy a known brand of equipment for which parts are available when you may need them. Go through a reliable dealer to buy equipment and you'll be able to return it if you don't like it.

Short light stands have a use - for a background light mounted low and behind a portrait subject. Other than that, light stands shorter than 8 feet are generally not very useful or sturdy enough.
What repair parts do you want for a lightstand ? If it brakes it would be cheaper to get a new stand than to repair the old one. I have a few couples of lightstands that I bought from a powr e-bay seller and have zero problem with them. In fact I trust them more than the ones that came with my Genesis from Calumet.
I do have some expensive stands that cost as much as 10 regular lightstands but that is for special occasions - too heavy for everyday use.

[GwagDesigns]

I have three of the Ebay stands, and for 15 bucks a pop, they work just fine. Ive abused them quite a bit and they still hold up. Only thing I see failing is if you to over tighten the leg screw you might strip the threading, but I've had no issues with that so far.

[Jim M]

I bought some eBay stands that came six to a box from a seller that apparently no longer exists. I consider it one of the true bargains of my life, which is getting pretty long now. These are big stands - 13' maybe - I can't remember. I use them outdoors and in reasonably rough conditions. In over two years of use, I haven't had any problems. They have plastic latches. I expected trouble from the latches, but so far, so good. They build airplanes out of plastic these days, so I guess they can make some good ones. For what I paid, I certainly can't complain.