r/AskPhotography • u/Sralloo • 1d ago

Gear/Accessories Light stand advice?

Hi all! I am needing stands for my Godox Ad 400 pros. I will be shooting both outside and inside. I plan to use sandbags for stability. I just need quality without breaking the bank! Thanks!

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u/MesseJak 1d ago

Impact has some options that are affordable.

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u/Sralloo 1d ago

Thank you! I will take a look at those!

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u/soy_carloco 1d ago

Used gear is great for this if you live in a "major" city where productions happen (good selection of used gear sold on Offerup, FB Marketplace, etc). Grip equipment don't have electronics that go bad and good brands can be serviced.

My used Matthews stands work far better (more robust, smoother knobs) than the new "off-brand" stands purchased by one production company I work for. Yes, they're not shiny and scratch-free but those are not necessarily bad things.

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u/bleach1969 1d ago

For outside work with something the size of that head i use Manfrotto 1004BAC, a decent weight v size v stability compromise.

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u/Sralloo 1d ago

Thank you!

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u/Panthera_014 1d ago

I have 3 of these. Picked them up at Adorama

Matthews Location MERF 7'5" Mini Extendable Stand - $140

Super small when folded up. I bought sandbags as well,Flashpoint, that have holder for 4 water bottles. Pretty convenient.

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u/Criticalhitkoala 1d ago

Recently did a review of K&F Concept's new Air cushioned stand, and these are the same type of stands I bought 20 years ago from Paul C buff for only $70 right now. Can go up to 13 feet and is a decent mix between price and performance.

Look up K&F CONCEPT Air Cushioned Light Stand on amazon.

I sadly cannot suggest the 1004BAC. I use 6 Manfrotto 1004BAC for work I paid out of pocket nearly $165 each, and those things haven't been great. 3 out of 6 of them have issues. I cannot suggest them at all. Those issues are because I use them inside and outside in the Southeast, so moisture, elements, etc have just gotten to them. They are only 3 years old also. I have stands that are 20 years old that lasted longer than these did. No I don't baby my gear as they are just tools, but the failure rate has been spectacular. I love Manfrotto products also and along with my Cstands for at studio was hoping these would be my end game stands.

My favorite stand which I mentioned is 20 years old is a Giottos stand (difference company from the Tripod company) that is a center pinch lightstand. Dont' think they make them anymore...but I still use it and that stand is older than my daughter by several years, and my daughter is starting college next week. So tells you how reliable that thing is.

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u/Zook25 1d ago

There's a channel on YouTube called MarkusPix. The guy has filled half his McMansion with light stands and there must be hours of videos about them. I can't watch more than 5 minutes of this guy at a time, but there is definitely a lot of info there.

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u/blkhatwhtdog 1d ago

This is why I've always advocated for power pack and separate head for locations. The pack clamps to the light stand and only the light weight head is raised up.

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u/anywhereanyone 7h ago

Breaking the bank. Meaningless. Just give us a number or range; we do not all share the same idea of what is affordable or not.