Ready to buy light stands

[reader0428]

Santa brought me some remote triggers and an umbrella for Christmas, so I'm ready to tackle learning off-camera flash. Looking for some inexpensive light stands to get me started. I'd like two light stands with a crossbar to hold backgrounds, but also would like the lightstands to be used alone to hold a flash or umbrella. (As I'm writing this I'm realizing that I will also need two MORE lightstands for umbrella and flash WHILE using backdrops...all new to me...)

These are the two I'm looking at:
SP2000
Heavy Duty Combo

Anyone have any experience with either of these, or other options I should consider?

[danchez]

I don't have experience with either of those 2 you listed, but I splurged a little on my light stands and upgraded to the air cushioned version. The last thing I want is to loosen one of the stands and have it drop so fast that it actually damages one of my lights. Of course, if you are less clumsy than me, it might not be an issue for you....

[Bill M]

You might look at cowboystudio.com. I have bought light stands from them that are very reasonable and very sturdy.

CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

[MagicMike]

Just because something on Amazon says "heavy duty" it doesn't mean it is. I bought something very similar to the ones you linked to and they didn't last a month. The locks for extending the stand failed miserably. I was only using the lightweight muslin that was included with the stands. It would be impossible for mine to hold vinyl or seamless paper .
Another option if you are trying to save money is to think about buying quality used equipment from someone like HCE who is right there in Houston. Houston Camera Exchange

[ronocnikral]

we use the lumopro 8ft AC stand.

no complaints. they are sturdy and we are comfortable with our AB1600 on them. i have no experience with backgrounds...but work well for OCF. don't forget your swivels. i recommend this one. it's a little bigger, but i prefer it to the smaller one b/c of its build and how it adjusts (no teeth).

[MT Stringer]

I have been using a pair of Impact 13 foot air cushioned light stands to hold my Alien Bee strobes. I have used them exclusively in high school gyms and arenas. They do a good job of holding the strobes. We have also used them to support a banner in between the two. They are a little heavy so I carry them in a tote bag. Closed up they are about 48 inches long.

This is my second basketball season to use them and no problems encountered with mechanical or product defects.

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

I have been using a pair of Impact 13 foot air cushioned light stands to hold my Alien Bee strobes. I have used them exclusively in high school gyms and arenas. They do a good job of holding the strobes. We have also used them to support a banner in between the two. They are a little heavy so I carry them in a tote bag. Closed up they are about 48 inches long.

This is my second basketball season to use them and no problems encountered with mechanical or product defects.

I have the same ones and I like them.

[ArenaCreative]

I've got a set of these from Steve Kaiser backgrounds on ebay with my Alien Bees B800s and I love them, you can't beat the price either. They're easy to adjust and spring cushioned as well. The carrying cases the come with are an added bonus.

LIGHTING STANDS STUDIO PHOTO 7'6" SET OF 2 NEW by PBL - eBay (item 200558722839 end time Jan-02-11 16:15:29 PST)

[PWhite214]

The PBL and the Cowboy light stands both look good on the computer. I think I will probably buy the Lumopro stands from Midwest Photo Exchange to supplement the gear from LS PhotoStudioIi have now.

You will need holders for your flash and umbrella, mine are similar to these on EBAY D2B Flash Shoe Holder Swivel Bracket Umbrella Mount B - eBay (item 280439455057 end time Jan-10-11 00:30:17 PST)

https://www.ls-photostudio.com/Item.asp?ItemNo=LT29

BTW, the background stand is much larger and heaver than the light stands. The set from LS Photostudio is very sturdy. Make sure you get a good one, mine is supporting a heavy canvas drop cloth.

Have fun,

Phil