Heavy Duty Light Stand

windrunner

windrunner

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Michael
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Can anyone recommend a decent flash stand for use outdoors?

Quite often Im shooting solo and when I have my flash and softbox up in that air it can act like a boat sail. Ive found a bigger footprint helps (as does weighing it down). Ive been using two decent ones but have since upgraded my flash from speed lights to a larger unit.

Is there anything out there with a robust design specifically for outdoor use? Im out in exposed conditions up here in the highlands quite a bit so looking for something that will help stop my flash from toppling.

Cheers.
 
Would something like a Manfrotto 004 and a sandbag do the job? The nice thing about using a sandbag (or similar) is you can fill it at the location and save yourself the extra weight the rest of the time, if weight isn't a concern there's also the 008 but I've carried a couple of the steel versions before and I don't recommend it.
 
With anything larger than a naked speedlite, even heavy weighting a big stand is unreliable in a breeze. You need guy ropes, but that's such a PITA an assistant is a better plan.
 
I bought 3 of these recently, they are really sturdy and air cushioned. I've used it a few times with a strobe with soft box attached, a 5kg counterweight on the other end of the boom and 3kg on the light stand as ballast and it worked excellently with no problems. The main tube is 29mm in diameter so it's no lightweight. The only negative for me is it is 1.2m when fully collapsed down but that is to be expected I suppose from a light stand that is 4m fully expanded.

Bresser BR-TP400R Light stand 400CM
 
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juggler said:
Tent pegs & bungy cords can be helpful, though not a complete solution.
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Yes, far from it - and tent pegs only work on grass. Even the most simple-minded VALS wins every time :D

Frankly, for working on location with lights and reflectors, a couple of assistants are as essential as the camera.
 
mike weeks said:
this sort of thing http://shop.photomart.co.uk/lightin...ional-light-c-stand-328cm-and-120cm-boom.html a C stand, same supplied here https://www.essentialphoto.co.uk/category/c-stands/

Mike
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Good products but...
1. No real advantage over any other decent light stands when used on a flat surface (i.e. in the studio)
2. Massive advantage when used outdoors, but far too big and heavy to transport easily
HoppyUK said:
Yes, far from it - and tent pegs only work on grass. Even the most simple-minded VALS wins every time :D

Frankly, for working on location with lights and reflectors, a couple of assistants are as essential as the camera.
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Well, in my experience they pretty well are a complete solution, and at almost zero cost.
If there isn't any soft ground available then they can be tied off to trees, lamp posts, vehicles etc.
I was at a charity shoot at the weekend and my little group got volunteered to secure an army tent - we knew it was army because it smelled of sweat and boredom:) ) and we secured it with over straps and bloody great tent pegs - but meanwhile, someone else had done a perfectly good job by tying it off to their vehicles, and the only reason that we needed to do it "properly" is that the vehicles couldn't be left there.
But I agree, assistants (especially if they are free) are pretty well essential.
 
The other thing is, with an assistant or two, you can concentrate and not worry. No need to be constantly looking around at the slightest puff of breeze to check that the bluddy lights are where you left them.
 
HoppyUK said:
The other thing is, with an assistant or two, you can concentrate and not worry. No need to be constantly looking around at the slightest puff of breeze to check that the bluddy lights are where you left them.
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What about looking around to check the assistants aren't on their bluddy phones :) ?

Actually, I've had some very good assistants. One of these widgets on the end of a painter's pole makes an inexpensive & sturdy handheld boom arm.
 
Thanks guys - I guess I either need to invest in some bungees and tent pegs or a couple of VAL's lol
 
juggler said:
http://www.camkarts.com/ might be useful for your work.. you could weight it suitably and attach some kind of lighting stand to the handle.
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I am waiting on the prototype Lighting version, I suggested the idea to Paul (a lighting variant not the cart) and showed him some other designs and when I get it I will obviously let others know what I think of it.

Mike
 
juggler said:
http://www.camkarts.com/ might be useful for your work.. you could weight it suitably and attach some kind of lighting stand to the handle.
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This is a great idea. The other day I was thinking you could do something like that with a rolling toolbox, and they're cheap, but this is better. With a bit of development work and polish, I could use one of those :)

Feisol does a neat folding cart, also available in carbon fibre, but there's no box to work out of, you can't sit or stand on it, and the wheels are too small. Getting pricey too :( http://www.feisoleurope.com/feisol-photographic-handcart-pca2240-alu-carbon-p-55.html
 
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HoppyUK said:
This is a great idea. The other day I was thinking you could do something like that with a rolling toolbox, and they're cheap, but this is better. With a bit of development work and polish, I could use one of those :)

Feisol does a neat folding cart, also available in carbon fibre, but there's no box to work out of, you can't sit or stand on it, and the wheels are too small. Getting pricey too :( http://www.feisoleurope.com/feisol-photographic-handcart-pca2240-alu-carbon-p-55.html
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That looks as though it needs golf trolley wheels.
 
you want

- wide base
- sturdy stand
- not too big a modifier
- lots of sandbags - or a meatbag(!)
- keen an eye on the wind and know when to call it off

personally I like the Baby ALU stands - not cheap or light but dead rugged, from the film industry, and feature a lazy leg for rough terrain http://www.avenger-grip.com/product_list/71931.42014.0.0.0/baby
 
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