KaBudokan Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Questions and thoughts on light/background stand options | |
I'm in the market for: a background stand (mainly for seamless paper, maybe some cloth) and a boom stand.
My current lighting uses are strictly speedlights along with some small modifiers - umbrellas, 28" softbox, 22" beauty dish, etc. No immediate plans to move to bigger lights, but it could eventually happen.
I don't expect to use the background stands all that much, but that could always change. I see mainly doing indoors, though I could see using it for some other stuff outside.
Here are the couple of options I've been considering:
1) Get a cheap background stand setup - usually around $100 for a kit with two stands, a sectioned crossbar, and a bag. Then for a boom, get something along the lines of the Manfrotto 420 for $140 right now: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546705-REG/Manfrotto_420B_420B_Combi_Boom_Stand.html Total: ~$250
2) Get a 3-pack of the Manfrotto 1004BAC stands for $270: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/636420-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_3_1004BAC_3_QSS_Air_Cushioned.html and then get the Manfrotto heavy duty boom arm for $150: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325362-REG/Manfrotto_085BSL_Heavy_Duty_Boom_Arm.html Get 2 clamps (Matthews or Manfrotto for around $55 for the pair) and a pole (pvc, metal, or maybe even an adjustable painter's pole that could double as a light holder with a kacey pole adapter?) to complete the background kit. Total: ~$500
3) Do a generic version of option 2 with Impact stands or something similar. Total: ~$400?
My current light stands are pretty sad - some cheap, generic 7' stands and a decent (but light) Lumopro (whichever one David Hobby recommended for the traveling strobist).
I'm kind of leaning toward option #2. My reasoning is that it will be a more sturdy support system in general compared to a generic $100 option. It's conceivable that I could outgrow a kit setup (meaning I may want/need something sturdier down the line), and then I'd be left selling a crappy system, though I suppose with only $100 into it, I couldn't lost that much anyway. If I get option #2, I can use the Manfrotto stands with confidence, and they're something that I can utilize in the future no matter how I progress. I may need different stands, but they are sturdy enough that they'll always be something I can use without reservation. They're also 12' height compared to the typical 8-10' of height in the kit setups. I don't think I'd necessarily use the kit stands the same way I may use the Manfrotto stands when not using the background.
Would one of the Manfrotto stands with the Super boom be a good boom stand option in the $240-250 range? I'd like something that is at least somewhat portable for location shoots, so a C-stand or something like that seem like too much. The three stands together have the "quick stack system," which seems to make carrying/storage a little nicer.
I think the Manfrotto boom combo from option one would work fine for now, but may not be enough if I get anything bigger.
With the rebates currently running on the Manfrotto stuff, I'd save $110 total in rebates, which is significant. The stands come out to $90 each. At that price, there's not too much difference between them and some of the similar generic styles.
Just looking to get some feedback, since I don't have too much experience in this area. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!
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