Stands

Lubinski

I'm looking to buy stands. I only have 1 lumopro stand for my umbrella at the moment but I am getting a new light or two and am looking at stand options. What do you guys recommend?

perroneford

I buy stands from one manufacturer. Matthews. There are any number of good stands out there. But there is a reason why you see Matthews stands all over Hollywood, and in some of the best studios around. No one does it better. Now if you are looking for lightweight, or easy to carry stands look elsewhere. If you want something that will last you, take any beating you could dish out, etc., check them out.

<cite>www.msegrip.com/</cite>

ziggy53

It would be helpful to know how you intend to use the light stands. Stand recommendations for heavy monolights and heavy modifiers would be different from stands used for speedlights/speedlites. Also light stands for a wedding application would be different from stands for a typical garage or basement application.

Lubinski

Well see that's the problem, as I try to turn my hobby into a business I'm not sure what will be shot only that damn near everything is being shot at the moment. I can answer that it will be for speedlights and a softbox of some type.

perroneford

Ziggy53 makes a good point. However, most manufacturers of quality gear offer more than one level of stand. Some are very good, and frankly others are crap. I have Manfrotto stands, Lowel stands, Matthews stands, and have used a few other brands. Heavy stands kinda suck to carry. But they are bulletproof and can be relied on. I am scared to use the Manfrotto stands for anything because they feel like they would blow over in a light breeze. And yes, I know you are supposed to use sand bags on them. Some stands (like the Manfrotto, Lowel, and others) make that an absolute NECESSITY because the stands are paper thin. Others like the Matthews or Avenger stands are heavy enough to make that optional depending on what's on them. My Matthews Beefy Baby stands are heavier than my Manfrottos WITH the instrument and the sandbags. Really just depends on what you are doing.

ziggy53

Lubinski wrote: »

Well see that's the problem, as I try to turn my hobby into a business I'm not sure what will be shot only that damn near everything is being shot at the moment. I can answer that it will be for speedlights and a softbox of some type.

I am using Adorama 10 foot air-cushioned light stands for both speedlights/speedlites and FlashPoint II 1800A monolights, both with modifiers. 12 foot stands would have been better for my needs, but the 10 foot stands are OK. Air-cushioned is an absolute must.

"Perroneford" has a point about durability and the Adorama stands are just OK. They are by no means "heavy duty", but they have been heavy enough for my use. I generally have to use assistants for any outdoor shoots, even in light winds. Indoors they are fine.

The taller stands tend to have wider bases, making them more stable when not fully extended. If you plan on any weddings, taller stands are important to properly lift the light to gain the proper lighting angles for people standing at the alter in many churches.

Short stands may be required for background illumination, although I often use a short tripod with an umbrella bracket and a speedlight/speedlite for a remote shoot.

The stands that I use were fine for these shots:

Lubinski

A softbox needs a speedring to mount the flash into the softbox, what part is required for mounting a speedring on the end of a cstand.

ziggy53

Lubinski wrote: »

A softbox needs a speedring to mount the flash into the softbox, what part is required for mounting a speedring on the end of a cstand.

If you use either a monolight or a pack head, they mount onto the light stand, and then the softbox mounts to the flash (or head) directly. In the case of an umbrella or other stem mounted modifier, those too (generally) mount to the flash or head.

If you use a speedlight/speedlite then you will need an umbrella bracket to mate the flash and umbrella to the light stand. There is at least one softbox for speedlights/speedlites which mounts to a light stand and then the softbox holds the flash, but I forget who's softbox that is.

Lubinski

Seems CL makes a bracket for speedlights; http://www.creativelight.com/content/speedrings-1 Thanks for your help.

Lubinski

So I got myself a new stand and an octabox. What connects the octabox (round hole) to the stand (more holes and a screw adapter for like umbrella adapters).

ziggy53

Lubinski wrote: »

So I got myself a new stand and an octabox. What connects the octabox (round hole) to the stand (more holes and a screw adapter for like umbrella adapters).

Each octabox is a different construction. You should probably contact the manufacturer for recommendations.