I've been reading all the past forum debates about location light stands and thanks to Carmen and a few other's recommendations, I'm stuck between a Avenger/Matthews C-stand and a wheeled heavy duty stand like the Avenger 420. I really like the fact that the 420-type stands can roll about, but they don't help you on the beach and I haven't seen anyone describe their experience with them in sand.
On the other hand, the C-stands are great, sturdy stands that you can put anywhere, but why in the world do they not make casters for them?? I've been contemplating creating a custom rolling mechanism for Matthews c-stands (have the smallest footprint at 27.5") with some drum dollies, but the size is .25" off.
Has anyone found a way to attach some wheels to a c-stand? Thanks.
That looks almost perfect Peter. Have you had any experience with these? It says the diameter is 36". The Avenger C-stands are 37"...so I wonder if it will fit.
Haven't used such a combo...but when I read your post a dolly came to my mind immediately. I suppose that it's the least expensive and hassle free, yet reversable way to make a c-stand roll.
As for the different footprints...I'm not sure if Avenger and Matthews use the same way to meter the distances. At least I never noticed that Matthews' is that smaller. When you look at the dolly there's still space left...
Cheers, Peter
I strongly caution against the use of the Ebay C-stand base previously mentioned or any other type of base where the standard C-stand base sits on top of rollers. C-stand legs are not only low, they have a small footprint. Raising the stand and putting it on wheels not only makes it inherently less stable, but it defeats the design features of the C-stand that allows the stand to be sandbagged for greater stability. Note that the replacement brake base is very low and allows the use of sandbags to anchor the stand.
Tripod stands like the 420 have a much wider base than a C-stand and will accept rollers without becoming unstable.
A tippy stand on rollers is a disaster waiting to happen. Even something as small in diameter as an AC cord can topple a tippy stand.
dasmodul wrote:
Carmen,
Can you attached one of the C-stand bases they sell seperately to the riser that comes with the A660?
The riser on the 660 (flip up base) can be removed from the base by removing a couple of bolts I believe. But it wasn't really intended for that, it's really more of a dedicated collapsible wheel stand.
The C-stand bases have a Junior receiver for quick and easy riser removal and can handle the full range of risers, which is also why they are much more expensive. I'm sure the A660 riser would fit (they're all the same 1 1/8 dia), but it may not have the safety knurl that typical removable risers have.
Here's a Matthew's version of the stand that Carmen listed. I've used this particular stand and it's awesome. Haven't used the Avenger, but it looks like the same type of stand. I highly recommend them.
Does anybody know what Scott Kelby is talking about in the below article (Day 5 section when he mentions the A420 light stand)?
"I would also recommend buying an Avenger A420 rolling lightstand (I hang my Ranger RX Battery Back off the stand, as seen in the photo above), so the whole thing rolls around as one unit, without having to pick anything up off the floor. If this “hanging off the stand” thing makes you a bit queezy, you can buy a little shelf that will attach to the stand so it sits flat."you can buy a little shelf"
Personally I can't recommend, as you can see I use a board wedged between struts instead. The reason being is it is much more stable with a lot of weight. And it is cheaper too.
The projector platforms do work great with laptops on turtle base C-stands and rolling camera stands too.
