Light stand, umbrella, and umbrella swivel recommendations?

I never bought any of the stuff you guys suggested. I never bought anything. After all this time, I'm finally breaking down and buying something. I've got some money for it.

I'm thinking:
Neewer 110CM 43" 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector - $17 + tax
Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand Replaces Manfrotto 001B - Black - $57.68 (No tax, get it from Adorama)
Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter - $34.06 + $2 shipping (Better than $3.40 in tax from Amazon) (I knew this went up in price. It used to be $28 a year ago! Wtf?)

So far, ~$110. I'm thinking the nano stand will be fine for a speedlite and whatever else I manage to put on it. (I think even a softbox will be fine?) The reason I'm getting that over another stand is because it's A) Manfrotto (I can actually sell the damn thing as opposed to some cheapo stands that no one will ever buy off craigslist) and B) Travel size. I have no reason for not taking it somewhere now.

What umbrella? I'm willing to part with some money for an umbrella with options.

The Manfrotto swivel brackets are overpriced.

http://www.amazon.com …6&keywords=swiv​el+bracket

As for the umbrella, brand isnt really that important, but look to get something in the 40ish inch range. The convertible models are nice so that you can use it shoot through, or reflective.

TridenTBoy wrote in post #16518978
I never bought any of the stuff you guys suggested. I never bought anything. After all this time, I'm finally breaking down and buying something. I've got some money for it.

I'm thinking:
Neewer 110CM 43" 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector - $17 + tax
Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand Replaces Manfrotto 001B - Black - $57.68 (No tax, get it from Adorama)
Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter - $34.06 + $2 shipping (Better than $3.40 in tax from Amazon) (I knew this went up in price. It used to be $28 a year ago! Wtf?)

So far, ~$110. I'm thinking the nano stand will be fine for a speedlite and whatever else I manage to put on it. (I think even a softbox will be fine?) The reason I'm getting that over another stand is because it's A) Manfrotto (I can actually sell the damn thing as opposed to some cheapo stands that no one will ever buy off craigslist) and B) Travel size. I have no reason for not taking it somewhere now.

What umbrella? I'm willing to part with some money for an umbrella with options.

If you can accommodate a stand that is 22-1/2" long rather than 18" long when folded, I'd *strongly* recommend the Matthews Reverse Stand in place of the Manfrotto. The Matthews stand can support 11 pounds as opposed to 3.3 for the Manfrotto and it's taller than the Manfrotto. Price difference is around $2.50:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …7486_Reverse_St​and_7.html

TridenTBoy wrote in post #16518978
What umbrella? I'm willing to part with some money for an umbrella with options.

I use the Westcott 43" white shoot thru collapsible umbrella. It collapses to about 1'.

Here's the link.

Dear TRIDENTBOY,

One option… (I use this if I want a simple, compact light-weight, travel setup)

Westcott 43” White Satin (w/black removable cover) Collapsible Umbrella [Mfr# 2011]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Umbrella_Collap​sible.html
-quality/durable, versatile, convenient for transport (folded length: 14.5”) & effective.
(& your procrastination won’t cost you much, as the price has gone up by only a little in a long time)

Put everything (say 2-Manfrotto Nano #5001B light stands; 2-Manfrotto #026 adapters(which are build like tanks); 2-Westcott 43 collapsible umbrellas) into something like either one of these nifty bags:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …BM_Medium_Tripo​d_Bag.html
or
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …18_TB_330_Tripo​d_Bag.html
and you are go to go… simple/compact & effective while still being economical.
(depending on your applications, less is sometimes more!)

Good luck.

Mary
P.S. I agree with TETRODE about preferring Matthews stands over Manfrotto, (or for that matter even the small Lowel UN series light stand if you don’t mind its ugly yellowish knobs)
[I have owned all the above described items (including all the light stands Manfrotto/Matthews/Low​el) for many happy years – all are great products & choices]

tetrode wrote in post #16519306
If you can accommodate a stand that is 22-1/2" long rather than 18" long when folded, I'd *strongly* recommend the Matthews Reverse Stand in place of the Manfrotto. The Matthews stand can support 11 pounds as opposed to 3.3 for the Manfrotto and it's taller than the Manfrotto. Price difference is around $2.50:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …7486_Reverse_St​and_7.html

Price difference is actually about $9+$2.50 (Gotta include shipping). So, it's considerably more expensive. However, I have been thinking that I want to get larger light modifiers than an umbrella and eventually an Einstein or an Alien Bee. So, I think those Matthews stands are probably a better investment.