Use of inexpensive tripods for umbrella stands OK?

It may be odd, but I'm wondering if using an inexpensive tripod can be a viable substitute for umbrella stands. Besides the obvious difference in the hardware requirement to hold the umbrella, is there a down side to using a cheap tripod?

For instance, a 62" dolica tripod with head? for $35?

blindshooter wrote in post #13092669
It may be odd, but I'm wondering if using an inexpensive tripod can be a viable substitute for umbrella stands. Besides the obvious difference in the hardware requirement to hold the umbrella, is there a down side to using a cheap tripod?

For instance, a 62" dolica tripod with head? for $35?

are you going to be using it outside or inside? If your going outside, make sure you bring sandbags or another weight source

You can get some stands, umbrellas and a head for about the same price.

http://www.amazon.com …rd_r=04HGTWGYXC​PRBTHKS88C

gjl711 wrote in post #13092744
You can get some stands, umbrellas and a head for about the same price.

http://www.amazon.com …rd_r=04HGTWGYXC​PRBTHKS88C

Understood. What I mean is will lower quality stands such as those that come in the Cowboystudio kits going to last or will buying budget tripods be more sturdy and effective, assuming budget tripods will be inherently heavier builds than umbrella stands.

I guess what I'm getting at is that the "tripod crowd" here almost always recommend a Gitzo or Manfrotto, even for those starting out yet I see really inexpensive umbrella stands (or at least lighting kits) abound. I have a spare Dolica tripod and just wondered if there would be a limitation of using it as an umbrella stand and if not, why not just get another one if this tripod would be sturdier for outside use.

Tripods just don't go high enough to be useful light stands.

Exception: I use a Wal*Mart tripod, with legs regracted at minimum height, to hold a Speedlite that I use behind the subject to light the backdrop when I'm doing portraits. It actually goes lower than my $20 light stands and allows me to tip the Speedlite sideways and aim it easily.

blindshooter wrote in post #13093071
Understood. What I mean is will lower quality stands such as those that come in the Cowboystudio kits going to last or will buying budget tripods be more sturdy and effective, assuming budget tripods will be inherently heavier builds than umbrella stands.

I guess what I'm getting at is that the "tripod crowd" here almost always recommend a Gitzo or Manfrotto, even for those starting out yet I see really inexpensive umbrella stands (or at least lighting kits) abound. I have a spare Dolica tripod and just wondered if there would be a limitation of using it as an umbrella stand and if not, why not just get another one if this tripod would be sturdier for outside use.

I have three of the stands from Cowboy Studio. I originally bougth them as a backup. I'm REALLY anal with my gear, everything I own has a backup, even my light stands. If I cannot afford the equivalent, then I go generic. So that being said, I bought three of their stands (and 6 pairs of their remote triggers). The stands are actually quite solid. The only complaint I have is that occassionally I have to tighten the collars up (otherwise the stand will start to slide down on it's own, and only if I have a monolight on it). For hot shoe flashes and the like it has no problem.

Now on to their remote triggers......I now use Pocket Wizard as a backup to them. I don't know what happened, but my Pocket Wizards just won't work right anymore. Tons of misfires, even on fresh batteries and changed channels.
For the price of one PW, I can buy a couple dozen of their remote triggers/receivers and to date, have yet to have one misfire.