Flash Stands

Zanotti

I am looking for some stands to hold my off camera flash (Canon 580EX) while shooting. What I am looking for is a tripod type extented height to allow me to use the STE2 and perhaps hold an umbrella.

Any ideas for an inexpensive option?



Z

Photoskipper

the old 550, 580EX and new 580EXII comes with the flash stand which has female thread at the bottom. We can mount it on any of tripod. Just take an old plastic lightweight tripod for that purpose.

I also got the hotshoe with tripod mount. the Flash gun and be secure on the hotshoe and in turn on the tripod.

ziggy53

Zanotti wrote:

I am looking for some stands to hold my off camera flash (Canon 580EX) while shooting. What I am looking for is a tripod type extented height to allow me to use the STE2 and perhaps hold an umbrella.

Any ideas for an inexpensive option?



Z

The best method I have found is to use an "Umbrella Bracket":

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html

I have 3 of these and they are amazingly versatile. They can be used to attach both a speedlight and an umbrella to either a light stand or a tripod.

Very nice for traveling light or for specialized applications.

pathfinder

I use a tripod and the OEM plastic mount frequently also, because I have several old tripods hanging around. But they do not get nearly as high as a dedicated light stand.

One alternative is 'Justin' clamp ( Bogen-Manfrotto 175F Spring Clamp with Flash Shoe - aka Justin Clamp ) - google it George - and it is a spring loaded clamp that you can mount on a door or a shelf and has a hot shoe mount to accept a speedlite. I think I learned the term from Joe McNally's blog, but it is universally known in the industry.


Amazon has a whole list of items discussed on the Strobist, altho www.MPEX.com ( Midwest Photo Exchange ) was the original Strobist Kit vendor, and has a long list of the various kits, including light stands and umbrellas. I have ordered from MPEX.com and they were very nice and helpful. An 8ft air cushioned light stand is included in their kits.

Zanotti

Jim:

Yes, I have been looking at the Strobist kits for the last couple of days. Like always in this hobby, when you think you need a $30 stand, it morphs into a $300 kit pretty quickly.

I will look into the Justin clamp, I had read of that but forgot.

Thanks,

Z/G

MrBook2

I recently picked up the Impact light stand kit from B&H. It was about $100 and included 2 eight foot air cushioned stands, 2 umbrellas, and 2 umbrella clamps. I have been very happy with them. The stand alone is about $35. They are decently solid and a great starting point for off camera lighting.

--Aaron

pathfinder

I agree.

Impact makes a nice 42 inch 5in1 reflector kit with a light stand that I own, and use frequently. Good stuff!

It's only$115 George, not $300.

$300 comes next week when you want a studio strobe to go with it

Get at least one or two Justin clamps also - for speedlites they are invaluable. But don't forget ball bungees - they can mount a speedlite in all kinds of places also. I keep two ball bungees lassoed to my backpack

Mr. 2H2O

I picked up two stands from Steve Kaeser Backgrounds off Ebay for a total cost of about $40. The stands are very solid construction, 7 1/2 ft tall fully extended, includes a carrying bag for both and a bag for each. I use them extensively for flash, umbrella, etc. I've taken them on location shoots and use them in my home studio. They have a 1/4"-20 post on top to screw on any photo accessory. I am very happy with them.

- Mike

Nikolai

If my experience is any indication, any light stand lower than 10' is a real entry-level and will be replaced with a ten-footer (or higher) once you realize you made a mistake.
(I'm not talking about back-light stands, obviously)
I have two 8-footers, came as a kit with profotos - tells you how all the kits are compiled . I replaced them with nice solid spring-loaded 13-footers from Amvona the moment I unpacked the lights. I only use them for an auxiliary work, if at all, otherwise they are total waste of money. I would sell them like that, but I don't have a stomach to put them on andybay, since shipping alone will probably cost more than they are worth...

pathfinder

Nik, I am certain that you are correct that higher is better, but we don't all have 14 foot ceilings in our studios like you do:D Indoors, anyway.

I think David Hobbe uses the Manfrotto 3373 for his 'on location' light stand, and it is only 6.5 feet tall.

But it folds down to 19 inches and is easy to pack along.

Nikolai

pathfinder wrote:

Nik, I am certain that you are correct that higher is better, but we don't all have 14 foot ceilings in our studios like you do:D Indoors, anyway.

I think David Hobbe uses the Manfrotto 3373 for his 'on location' light stand, and it is only 6.5 feet tall.

But it folds down to 19 inches and is easy to pack along.

Jim,
it's 22', actually:-)

While height is important, my primary concern is that it's usually associated with the rigidness and stability. 8-footers are plain flimsy no matter how you look at them. And outdoors... well, that's a whole different story...