cayenne said:
awinphoto said:
Pookie said:
awinphoto said:
I got mine from adorama... cheaper yet... https://www.adorama.com/fplsc.html. They are solid stands, have the arm in case that's important to you.... and a nice grip so they're easy to grab... and best yet, it's free shipping... For that price get a few, we use them on location and off location for our strobes
C-stands are def cheaper but if you're packing them, the roller stand fold up super small without the casters. Much easier to move and carry around in general, if not a concern the c-stands work just as well. On casters they are hands down better than C-stands in the studio though as you can change positions easily. Especially if you're solo...
I'm not a real big fan of rollers unless i'm in a studio... they CAN make your system a little unstable depending on what and where it is and they are only as good as the locking mechanism that's in it. I prefer my stands for that reason... They are solid and heavier, but that's how a c-stand is supposed to be built. Also, if needed, I can throw on a sand bag or two and know that stand is going no-where. Plus, these stands are taller, have a boom arm, knuckles, and are, to me, more of a complete and solid package, especially for the price... but to each their own.
Interesting.
I wonder, on the Kubo unit, are the casters/wheels easily changeable? How difficult is it to take them off/put them on when moving between studio and outdoors for use?
C
You can take them off and find replacements if you want too. The caster removal/installation is very easy. I use them without casters often and they are every bit as stable as a C-stand. The roller stands foot print is the same as a C-stand. So the stability is equal. Awinphoto's point about stability is nothing I've encountered unless you have a really bad floor. Rollers are just as heavy and gripped as C-stands. The kit Awin mentions is actually lighter than a boomed stand, even flimsier. The boom you were looking at is a much better choice. I have also problems with C-stands in the studio, when an assistant has tried to adjust a c-stands position and the whole package takes a dump because you can't just move the position, the entire unit has to be lifted or dragged into a new position unlike a roller where you unlock and slide it. When fully loaded and you need to move positions it's no small task and can be problematic. Two spills of B1's has made for expensive repairs. Again, with the fold up roller you can use them without casters and then you have options, especially if packing them for location. Options are good, probably why they are also more expensive...
About sandbags... Fill them with sand but put it in double Ziploc bags within the actual canvas bag as it will contain the sand. You can then extract the sand easily load them and dump it if needed, which I do all the time on the beach. On location I use water bottles or extra batteries for my lights as extra weight also. Although water is not as heavy as sand it's nice to be able to offer water to models and VALs onsite.
Also a word of warning... as Awin mentions even sandbagged liberally there is always a chance of wind or other "things" causing a spill, like trying to adjust lights in the studio. When you buy any of these heavier stands, they are HEAVIER. They can cause significant injury if you, an assitant or a client is under them and the fall. Learn how to set you grips correctly (and there is a wrong and right way) and how to sandbag properly.
AR-15, Caldwell Lead-Sled, and Shooting Table © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal, on Flickr
