Stands & softboxes

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Vertigo1

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Hi all,

So I've decided I need to experiment more with OCF and get comfortable with it. To this end I have two questions...

Firstly, can anyone recommend a cheap(ish) but decent stand on which to mount a remote flash? There seem to be so many different stands, then a million different attachments and so on and I don't really know where to start.

Secondly, I'm interested in getting a softbox to play around with and have been looking at the Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe (54cm version). The reviews I've read all seem pretty favorable but does anyone here have experience of it they'd like to share. Also, tying in with Q1, what additional bits would I need in order to be able to attach this to the stand as well?

Ta :)
 
For playing with flashguns, the cheap stands will do fine.

I'd recommend this as it's all you need in one package, and if you later decide to buy proper studio lights you'll have a decent crossover kit.
 
Are there different types/sizes of connections? I've seen people refer to specific fits before and got the impression that not everything would fit the same stand.
 
Phil V said:
For playing with flashguns, the cheap stands will do fine.

I'd recommend this as it's all you need in one package, and if you later decide to buy proper studio lights you'll have a decent crossover kit.
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Cheers. Only need something that can cope with a flash without keeling over really - not into studio work so don't really need anything that can cope with beefy studio lighting, just something that will support a flash and softbox/brolly for wedding work and the like :)
 
Vertigo1 said:
Cheers. Only need something that can cope with a flash without keeling over really - not into studio work so don't really need anything that can cope with beefy studio lighting, just something that will support a flash and softbox/brolly for wedding work and the like :)
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But... spend a bit extra and have a more robust stand that'll cope with larger light modifiers as well the possibility to getting a studio head later on.
 
I bought the konig ones from Amazon, which work well indoors.
 
Sharky said:
But... spend a bit extra and have a more robust stand that'll cope with larger light modifiers as well the possibility to getting a studio head later on.
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Or:
If you buy a cheap flimsy one that'll be good enough for your flashgun, it'll do for all sorts of jobs if you get bigger gear later.
 
Sharky said:
True enough, but i still prefer something a bit stronger.

@Vertigo1 some middle ground, £30, 90cm legs spread, 5kg load and screw collars (important vs clamp lock ones):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIXAPRO-2...ghting_Light_Stands_Booms&hash=item2a32a9efb9
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That's the kind of thing! Basically I don't need anything strong enough to support big studio lights but do need something that can cope with a flash plus modifier and won't be so wobbly as to fall over if a wedding guest farts at 50 paces.

The connections and mountings confuse the hell out of me though - don't know anything about "screw collars" or "clamp locks" :(
 
Vertigo1 said:
That's the kind of thing! Basically I don't need anything strong enough to support big studio lights but do need something that can cope with a flash plus modifier and won't be so wobbly as to fall over if a wedding guest farts at 50 paces.

The connections and mountings confuse the hell out of me though - don't know anything about "screw collars" or "clamp locks" :(
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Screw collars secure the sections of the lightstand as they extend up better than clamps imo, certainly at the budget end of the market. Something like the budget Konig LS10 stands have clamps and each section of the stand that extends has a groove which stop you rotating sections around i.e. you have to physically turn the entire stand to rotate the top.

Bowen-s and elinchrom are common so pick your adaptor type e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Studio-L-...hotography_Flash_Brackets&hash=item417ee17849

Put that on top of the stand, then fit a bowens-s fit softbox, beauty dish, reflector etc. into that. Or just use a simple flash bracket holder with a hole for an umbrella type modifier.

Just remember to weigh down the legs of the stand to stop it topping easily, it won't stop a top heavy modifier going over but it'll be enough that the clumsy sod who knocked it might hopefully save it before hitting the ground.
 
Ta for the info :)
 
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