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2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

LeeSimms
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

What lightstands are you using?

How long have you been using them?

Would you buy them again?

Do you use any grip devices (swivel head, etc) on top?

Share your war stories — go

Oct 30, 2023 at 11:24 AM

ronchau
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

I have many roller stands in my home studio. For studio work, wheels rule.

I just started shooting weddings this year. I use these Kupo stands, plus 10lb weight bags to hold Godox AD200's.
https://kupogrip.com/medium-baby-kit-stand/

Key features I wanted:
- 36" closed length to fit in a stand roller bag, which also holds the weights
- 20lb or more rating for sturdiness
- 30"-36" footprint. Not too small, not too big
- 9ft or more height
- ability to add wheels for use in studio

Have plenty clamps, magic finger swivels, etc. for studio use, but have not needed them on weddings yet.

Oct 30, 2023 at 11:40 AM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

cheetah stands, the c10's

8-10 years.
I would purchase again.

Only down side is outside shooting on un-even surface. This does not happen much.

Oct 30, 2023 at 07:26 PM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

ronchau wrote:
I have many roller stands in my home studio. For studio work, wheels rule.

I just started shooting weddings this year. I use these Kupo stands, plus 10lb weight bags to hold Godox AD200's.
https://kupogrip.com/medium-baby-kit-stand/

Key features I wanted:
- 36" closed length to fit in a stand roller bag, which also holds the weights
- 20lb or more rating for sturdiness
- 30"-36" footprint. Not too small, not too big
- 9ft or more height
- ability to add wheels for use in studio

Have plenty clamps, magic finger swivels, etc. for studio use, but have not needed them on weddings yet.

FYI... if you need sandbags/weight for stands then you have the wrong stands. they need to be bigger.
I run with AD200's and have no problems.

Oct 30, 2023 at 07:30 PM

ronchau
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Ziffl3 wrote:
FYI... if you need sandbags/weight for stands then you have the wrong stands. they need to be bigger.
I run with AD200's and have no problems.

I am new to weddings, but I have some studio experience. Enough to know people bump into light stands. I have bigger stands in my studio.

You wrote you use Cheetah C10's. The Kupo stands I use for weddings are heavier. I choose to use sand bags so they are less likely to get knocked over.

Oct 30, 2023 at 08:06 PM

t4haughton
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

This is the stand. Had them close to a decade now. Manfrotto 1004BAC

We use four every wedding (one on each corner of the dance floor) and can't disagree more with Ziffl3 above. We absolutely need sandbags on them. Part of that is because we put them ON the corner of the dance floor rather than against a wall in the corner of the room. The goal is to light the subject, not the whole room. So we use grids and have them as close as possible to the action. 18lb shot bags are about perfect, but would not go any lighter. Dual flash brackets with two AD100Pros on each stand (one for each shooter) so we have A, B, C, D groups and toggle from transmitter as needed.

I've got four more in the gear closet as backups and check regularly that they aren't discontinued because I'd buy another 8 if I couldn't get them easily again.

Oct 31, 2023 at 02:30 AM

DannyBostwick
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Still rocking the 13' manfrottos that lock together (that no longer lock together) I bought in 2011. That being said, they're on their last leg and I imagine that next year I'll put them out to pasture and look to something new. I've got 2 more weddings on the years not sure I'll buy them right now.

Oct 31, 2023 at 09:20 AM

John Straus
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

My small bag has a Calumet 9ft & a similar Cheetah stand. Have a couple of hotshoe mounts for the stands , a magnetic mount, and a clamp mount. I've had this setup for many years. I just made a 2nd kit with 2 12" Manfrotto Air stands and the extra stuff. Feels so much heavier to deal with I can't imaging hauling sandbags as well even though I know I should be using them in certain situations. Now if I had an assistant...

Oct 31, 2023 at 09:50 AM

ronchau
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Those Manfrottos that lock together looks like a nice feature for packing/travel. If I decide I need a 12' or higher stand, I will definitely consider them.

Oct 31, 2023 at 11:26 AM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Does anyone find that the Manfrotto stackables fall apart if you don't stay on top of that allen key just below the tighten knobs?

Also, if you're putting speedlights on a stand, what do you use for a swivel/tilt mount + cold shoe ?

Oct 31, 2023 at 02:53 PM

Nathan Padgett
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

I've got the Manfrotto stackables too. Out of 5 of them 2 no longer snap in. Really nice to travel with. The smaller ones only have a 1/4" thread that isn't removable. The bigger ones are nicer in that regard.

I've had cheetah stands in the past too, but the rattling when traveling and trying to use on grass where the downfalls. If I know I'm working indoors only, they are awesome.

Oct 31, 2023 at 03:20 PM

genjy
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Basic Manfrottos in silver and Calumets in black... the most generic, prototypical looking light stands.

Got them used for almost nothing, just had to pay for shipping, pretty much. Serve me great. No problem with non-fancy stuff.

Oct 31, 2023 at 05:21 PM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

> The smaller ones only have a 1/4" thread that isn't removable. The bigger ones are nicer in that regard.

I sought out the 12-foot stackables that include the fixed 1/4" thread (1004BAC) so they work with either the B10+'s (drop on and screw on) or screw on a Manfrotto 234 tilt head for cold shoe / speedlight mounting (A10's in my case, but sometimes Canon EL-1)

When I had the 12-footers with the removable top post, I got annoyed that it was one more thing to keep tightened up.

Currently ...

Manfrotto 1004BAC 12foot stackables x2
Manfrotto 1051BAC 7foot stackable x1
Manfrotto 234 tilt head x2
Manfrotto small monopod (for mountain shoots with a lighting assistant)

Carrying in this (highly recommended) ....

https://strobepro.com/collections/bags-cases/products/strobepro-ultimate-stand-bag-4-piece

That Strobepro bag is big enough also to tuck a Westcott Octabox and OCF speedring inside - great for night portraits / group shots

Those KUPO stands with the leveling leg look interesting!

Oct 31, 2023 at 05:25 PM

MazeRunner
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

I have the following light stands:
Manfrotto 1004BAC (x4)
Manfrotto 1052BAC (x3)
Manfrotto 1051BAC (x2)

Been using the 1052 + 1051s for probably close to 8-9 years, the 1004s for the last 2-3 years. I always bring the 1004s now.

Love the 1004s. They're a bit longer than the 1052s but the Manfrotto bag fits three of them for checked bags. I don't use swivel head adapters because I use Profoto B10Xs as OCFs.

Edited on Oct 31, 2023 at 10:39 PM · View previous versions

Oct 31, 2023 at 05:59 PM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

ronchau wrote:
I am new to weddings, but I have some studio experience. Enough to know people bump into light stands. I have bigger stands in my studio.

You wrote you use Cheetah C10's. The Kupo stands I use for weddings are heavier. I choose to use sand bags so they are less likely to get knocked over.

cool on the stands.... ditch the sand bags unless in Colorado mountains on a really windy day ... or something like that.

The thinking is move and grove.
You are shooting formals inside a church... need a stand. then off to reception. light the dance floor. but use OCF for details.
Then move a stand for the cake cutting.

You can be moving stands and the sand bags are a pain. more than they are worth.
Sometimes you have to place stand back by a wall.

I am concerned about people tripping... so don't put stands where people walk. simple.
I shoot large-large (1000+ guest) wedding to small weddings.

Granted stand placement not alway the best position. But that is why you still have on camera flash for the immediate fill.
And still can get creative images.

Camera setting: this means ride the iso on the camera.... 3200, 4000, 5000 ... all are good to go. even a little higher if you need it for a shot.

I laugh at shooter who shoot reception at iso 200 or 800 BECUASE of the noise. really?!?!?.
and lets not forget F8 on a wide angle lens.
Then complain the flash is not strong enough or they have to change batteries.

This is just my 2 cents.
You will do fine. have fun.

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:13 PM

johnld
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

We use Manfotto Avenger stands for years. They hold up nicely and have a nice wide, adjustable stance when needed. If windy, we simply hang our camera bags on a knob for more weight. Almost always use an A1 on camera for reception and cake as many times the couple repositions behind the table anyway. No need to light the whole room with stands as we just adjust ISO and prefer the look of 'on camera' flash blending the dance club/reception vibe's ambient.

Nov 01, 2023 at 11:00 AM

MRomine
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 2023 | what lightstands are you rocking?

Although my wedding career is over I still have 5 - 17' black Bogen light stands that I have now had for 40 years. I don't think they make them any more. They were very popular at the time when I bought them, roughly $99 each. Great for receptions with just about any ceiling height. Would occasionally use them for formals inside the church when the weather outside was not cooperating. These were made before the days of the popular air-cushioned stands. If I was buying stands today I would love to have a set of air-cushioned stands.

Nov 18, 2023 at 06:36 PM


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