Buying Einsteins today BUT...

To save just a bit of cash, does should I purchase stands other than PCB's 13' Heavy Duty stands for $139.90 a piece?

Also, I like the PCB 47' Octo but was wondering if their was a cheaper equivilant that could be used without sacrificing quality?

Other than that, I am finally ready to go. Thanks EVERYONE for your help.

I haven't used the PCB stands but I recently bought a set of Manfrotto 1004 BACs and they are very nice.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_3_QSS_Air_Cush​ioned.html

Manfrotto makes a nice case for the set that holds 3 stands and 2 60 inch PLMS.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …BAG110_4_Quick_​Stack.html

Mikona,

In another thread, I mentioned the 13' impacts. I don't know if the PCB's are best/worse than these. The impact brand has worked well as a main stand for me. I think you mentioned 2 Einsteins being purchased in another thread. If you're planning to use an Einstein as a boomed hairlight, I'd strongly suggest putting your money towards only 1-13' Main stand, 1 small dedicated background stand, if needed, and then put the savings of the other 13' light stand into an Avenger or other highly recommended heavy-duty boom stand. I have a popular low-cost Impact Boom stand and I'm nervous with it holding a speedlight and 24" Softbox. I would never mount an Einstein on a cheap boom stand. Look through the recent threads, there is plenty of advice on some heavy duty Avengers...which will be my next purchase.

I have impacts, and a Manfrotto, I will never buy anything other than Manfrotto again. Impacts serve the purpose but are too hard to open and close, you can tell build quality is not up to par.

If it were for a studio, I would say impacts are fine, for location work, go with something like a Matthew's reversible for speedlights, or a Manfrotto for Einstein.

I agree. But the OP state that he was trying to curb costs. I think an Impact 13 would be fine. In a small area with a low ceiling height (assumed), a 13' wouldn't need to be opened up fully which is where you get the major flex from. I'm assuming it would be fine for an Einstein as a main. I'm in total agreement with you. I've found that stand purchases are extremely important, and while I've never used a Manfrotto, I've heard great things about some of the Avengers Boom/combo units...more expensive than impacts, but not quite as expensive as other brands. You do get what you pay for in most cases. When the Avenger arrives, I'll be relegating the Impact Boom to light reflector holder duty.

$140 a piece I would look at some nice c-stands. Cheetah has c-stand and grip arm for $100. For typical non boom use, Impact 9.5 heavy duty ones for $40 a piece are fine. Now I am using $200 Avenger wheeled stands.

Just curious where you got that price from?

The 13' heavy duty stands are $70/per
The 13' heavy duty air cushioned stands are $100/per

http://paulcbuff.com/l​ightstands.php

http://www.adorama.com​/SALSB13AC.html

I have one of these and I am very pleased with it...

this is one of the best buys out there for the price, i believe it to be an avenger stand made with the impact name, you cannot go wrong with at least one of these stands, buy once

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ster_Century_C_​Stand.html

FJ LOVE wrote in post #14552989
this is one of the best buys out there for the price, i believe it to be an avenger stand made with the impact name, you cannot go wrong with at least one of these stands, buy once

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ster_Century_C_​Stand.html

This for $100 with 50" grip arm.

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …ry-Stand-with-Grip/Detail

I think dave reviewed it and some folks here on POTN seem very happy with it.

bobbyz wrote in post #14554322
This for $100 with 50" grip arm.

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …ry-Stand-with-Grip/Detail

I think dave reviewed it and some folks here on POTN seem very happy with it.

i have it on good authority that the cheetah stand is not as good (people who have switched )

Can we know good/bad points then between cheetah and impact?

I've switched to the manfrotto 1004BAC ($90) and couldn't be happier. They work great with the PCB 64" PLM.

http://www.adorama.com​/BG1004BAC.html

I got the Buffs and they're big and heavy duty, love 'em

I think an important feature to be careful of is, don't get lightstands on which the part that the tops of the legs connect to (whatever it's called) is made of plastic. These break from being leaned on and banged around, and I have seen many stands where this piece has failed.