So I've been doing some studio shoots. Currently I'm using 2 Impact Branded 13' Stand from Amazon and they've done pretty well. Placing a 48' NiceFoto softbox paired with my AD200 Pro.
The 13' stand is doing ok, but honestly I think the softbox may be a bit on the heavier side for such a stand. I'm thinking a c-stand would balance the weight better, allow me greater flexibility, etc. Is this correct?
I'm thinking I'd spend about $100-$150 on the stand. I currently have the Godox S-Type brackets, surely it would work with a C-Stand as well?
If your 13' light stand is feeling unstable then you need a better 13' light stand. In general, this means a larger budget and steel construction. Take note that a C-stand is designed for modifiers like scrims and flags, not lights. The footprint is small, so the load should be centered over the riser and sandbags are recommended. This is my 14' junior roller stand, all steel, rated for 90 lbs"
$424 at B&H. You will pay at least %50 of this price for a quality baby stand—whether light stand or C-stand—and it will be worth every penny. This category of photo gear never breaks and never becomes obsolete. Scan products from Matthews and Avenger.
Always buy the higher spec item than you actually need, don't buy the item that's "good enough" or you'll buy it twice. There are plenty of grip items that you can buy cheap but light stands are not one of them. After twenty-seven years, you can look at my grip kit and find two Bogen light stands of the 8' variety and the rest are Matthews C stands. Yes, they are heavier than normal light stands but they are rock solid and versatile when used correctly.
Invest in good light stands for two reasons. First is safety on the set. Using the wrong stands can injure the talent, assistants or others. You'll be liable. Second is equipment and set damage. What will it cost to replace a single strobe or something that the lighting setup damages when it falls?
I've got some juniors and find they're pretty flexible for different lighting situations. Rarely, I'll put a single strobe with a reflector on a C-stand, but the light is directly over the center column and limited to no more than 6-7ft in height. The stand will have a 20-lbs sandbag over the main leg for added stability.
I use what you do and I think if you need to move a stand more than a few yards, cstands are pretty darn heavy. They're versatile, they stack well, they have a relatively small footprint...they are many things, but I'm not sure they are any more stable than a 13' light stand with what is maybe a 50' footprint? I still think C stands are better, but not because they are more stable.
As for budget flashpoints when they go on sale are around 110 and I think impact is 150. The turtle base is better than the sliding leg if you want it to break down smaller, but whichever you choose, make sure you get the one you want.
The Matthews C Stands are a bit lighter than the cheaper ones, but those go for around $250; not 150. You'll have no trouble selling any of these things on craigslist if you decide not to keep them.
The c-stand is ok but I agree with Rico. A rolling stand from matthews or avenger would probably be better. C-stands get a little dicey the higher up you need to get the light. Plus having wheels will make moving the larger weight of your setup easier
