I think either would be sufficient for my speedlight and/or Alienbees usage but I'd like to get the best quality for my ~$40. I just had an Interfit stand crap out on me. I have a Lumopro compact stand that is clearly better quality than the equivalent stand from Creative Light.
I haven't used either, so I cannot give feedback on either model. But keep in mind that you will be holding expensive lights and softboxes with these stands. Is it really worth trying to go cheap on a stand when it might be easily holding $500-1000 or more of equipment? Your gear is at the mercy of the weakest link!
If it was me, I'd feel a lot more comfortable using something like the PCB 13' heavy duty stand which is only $30 more. Any repair is certainly going to cost more than $30 should the stand fall or fail.
I can tell you the 10ft would be appropriate for Alien Bees or Speedlights. Also keep in mind our stands hold a 5 year warranty against any factory defect. We want to make sure our customers are 100% satisfied. Let me know if you have any other questions- you can contact us at support [at] lumopro [dot] com.
@Wobble: "watching the forum"? I watch the world ... Seriously we have satellites...stop doing that.
@Brad: We joke around a lot here, but there's one thing we're VERY serious about: we stand behind our product like a mama bear. You contact me if personally if you have any issues kevin [at] lumopro [dot] com
Thanks, Kevin! There is a reason I turned to Lumopro for my compact stand after my Creative Light compact stand crapped out and I experienced their horrible support. I guess that's the reason they just went out of business.
We issue our releases from various locations now. Our first was to reveal our offices in the Batoka Crater, you'll have to wait around to see what offices we announce from on the next new product
Photoflex sells a nice economical stand also. But just because you're only putting a Speedlight on it doesn't mean you don't want a stand that won't tip over easily, adjust easily, pinch your fingers, or corrode.
Cheetah sells a pretty decent C12 stand. It has auto-legs, which is a nice feature for moving it around with one hand. Low ceilings could be problematic because the legs will drag unless the stand is lifted high enough (11") to get them completely collapsed. The stand is spec'd for up to 15 lbs, and weighs a fairly hefty 7 lbs. They also have a C12 version that's air cushioned.
I find it hard to measure stands without handling them. If at all possible, try to get to somewhere that you can handle various types of tightening mechanisms and feel how compactness (more sections) makes a difference compared to fewer sections at the same height or how the rigidity of a 10-foot stand extended to six feet compares to that of an 8-foot stand extended to six feet.
I've owned and used nine or ten different kinds of light stands, and by a significant margin, the best stand I've used for all-around use (i.e., not limited to in-studio) is the Giottos LC325. It's air-cushioned, has outlasted every other stand I've had, and is generally easier to handle. Fantastic stand.
RDKirk wrote:
I find it hard to measure stands without handling them.
Agree. If I can pick up a stand with one hand, I don't buy it. Okay, I do have a few alu stands but, when the rivets start falling off, the humor value is seriously diminished.
