Good 10' - 11' Light Stands?

Hey all,

I ordered a set of these light stands last year off Amazon: https://www.amazon.com …_detailpage?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

They are fantastic. Super smooth, they disassemble very compact, and are ten feet when fully extended.

However, for the life of me, I cannot find good light stands off Amazon nowadays! I have ordered 3 different brands; anywhere from 9'6" to 10'6", and they are all either very flimsy, manufactured too tight on the tolerances to where I have to TUG to get sections to extend, or the tripod legs do not stay in position once a light is placed on the stand (small speedlight, mind you).

Does anybody have a recommendation for 2-3 high-quality, but affordable, 10' - 11' light stands? Will mostly be used for V860II-N or maybe an AD200 + accessories.

Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure how compact these are, but I have a set for a bg and I know they are sturdy.

Linco Light Stand

Sweet! Amazon has these! You're a fan? Don't find the super wide base too intrusive?

ksbal wrote in post #18774733
I'm not sure how compact these are, but I have a set for a bg and I know they are sturdy.

Linco Light Stand

Hi, If that claimed 132 cm Footprint diameter is genuine (& I've no reason to doubt it), then that is quite generous and appropriate for a ten foot stand. If anyone wanted to retro-fit castors, it looks as though the legs at their widest, don't make 45 degrees with the floor - meaning that they would have to be pinched up slightly to accept standard castors (not necessarily a deal breaker).

I have been considering switching to C stands like this: https://www.amazon.com …fRID=7E236RQF2Y​K9SBM319XH

The PBL stands are still available from stevekaeser.com. http://www.skaeser.com …heavy-duty-air-cushioned/

The Linco stands are very good, particularly as a background support. Just know they are steel, not aluminum. So the tubes are stronger, but skinnier. They are also gunmetal color, not black.

Another brand under $100 for a pair is Lumopro from Midwest Photo. This is a reputable vendor and the stands are reliable and often recommended. https://mpex.com …ushioned-light-stand.html

Sometimes, yes, the super wide base can be an issue, so I try to adjust it.. this would be more of a problem if you are using narrow bg, but I tend to be using from 10 to 20 ft back grounds.. I hang extra pipe on either side of the 12ft bar without issues. Wide foot print sometimes is handy, when I have a bit of a breeze in the barn.

I need a C stand or two, but rather haul these around than a set of those, for sure. The bg set I got folds up nice in a slim profile.

Don't know if the OP had tried this, but after Amazon bombarded my inbox with ads of this stainless steel light stand, I ordered one to see the differences comparing to a aluminum one.

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=1111CQ2CP7​SJVCVJY205

All metal construction. The clamp/brake has good quality parts, combining with the smooth stainless raiser tube, it is the 'loosest' stand I have. I mean with 1/4 turn of the knob, change the raiser from free falling to solid lock up. And it's stronger than the PBL stand that I also own.

@TeamSpeed, the C stand in you link has a different size stud at the bottom the raiser, so it could be a problem if you want to switch the stand base to different brands later, like the Kupo Runway base pictured below.

Great info, thanks!

I was thinking about just getting casters for the stand legs, do they work or should I really consider something else, like a dedicated dolly/caster setup for the stands?

I am getting really tired of moving the stands around as I cycle through couples vs large families and then I have to move lights and then set power on the transmitter for the strobes. Wheels would be much better.

I have been using a aluminum stand with casters for my main light for years, and probably would have not gotten the runner base if I don't own a C stand with the turtle base. Yes, wheels make fine tuning the lights position lot easier, and less of chance got knock over.

Couple things I notice when I made the switch to C stand raiser + runner base beside the pay load..

1) Because of tiny flex on the aluminum stand's legs, there is this slight jerky motion when I first start to
move the stand, till the wheels all align to one direction. The runway base is solid and very smooth.

2) One reason I like about the C stand is the smaller foot print. The Kupo rolling base has the same leg spread as the turtle base. Though not as easy to sand bag, it can take on lot of weight.

If you need to boom something heavy, I would suggest a junior stand on wheels.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18774834
The PBL stands are still available from stevekaeser.com. http://www.skaeser.com …heavy-duty-air-cushioned/

The Linco stands are very good, particularly as a background support. Just know they are steel, not aluminum. So the tubes are stronger, but skinnier. They are also gunmetal color, not black.

Another brand under $100 for a pair is Lumopro from Midwest Photo. This is a reputable vendor and the stands are reliable and often recommended. https://mpex.com …ushioned-light-stand.html

They're out of stock at skaeser.com, unfortunately but I do appreciate the information! I ordered the Lincos to try out, hopefully they work for my wedding photography! Just need to sit pretty in the corner of a reception hall and hold a speedlight.

The Lumopros look like they would also work well! Going to keep that in mind in case I don't like the Lincos.

Adorama has flashpoint stands which are cheaper. There is kupo which is also nice. But after using Avenger, Mathews etc, I just spend a bit more and stick with mathews.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …Maxi_Kit_Steel_​Stand.html

Personally I think spending money on quality grip gear is worth it. Folks have the latest cameras, L lenses and cheap out on lighting gear. Why not make you life easier if you can afford it. And the good stuff lasts forever. My Avenger wheeled stand cost me close to $300 and i have been using it outdoors for 10 yrs.

OP asked for a pair of affordable 10’ stands to hold speedlights like the PBLs. C stands and junior stands are overkill at 4x his budget.

GESWhoPhoto wrote in post #18775468
They're out of stock at skaeser.com, unfortunately but I do appreciate the information! I ordered the Lincos to try out, hopefully they work for my wedding photography! Just need to sit pretty in the corner of a reception hall and hold a speedlight.

The Lumopros look like they would also work well! Going to keep that in mind in case I don't like the Lincos.

Good choice and Linco is good with service if you need it. Note the Lincos are spring cushioned while the PBLs are air-cushioned. They also pack tighter which is nice for transport.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18775958
OP asked for a pair of affordable 10’ stands to hold speedlights like the PBLs. C stands and junior stands are overkill at 4x his budget.

How do we know the budget? I didn't see any budget listed. Having many cheap and good more expensive options are always good for consideration IMO.