Want to Buy Camera Stand / Salon / Studio Stand

[Despite_it_all]

Hello Photrio Crew,

There are so many names I have seen for these professional camera stands that replace a standard tripod in a studio environment. Though, I won't try and figure out the latest nomenclature for them. I will keep it simple and say that I have found that using a professional tripod has become more hassle than it is worth and going public with an ask for a professional level studio stand is now a must. I am looking for something 7'+, something fairly compact in a footprint (most stands are) and ideally has the ability to connect a computer tray to the other side of the horizontal arm. Brands that I respect within this realm are: Foba, Cambo, Manfrotto and Studio Titan. Though others certainly exist so if you have a lead that isn't one of these, don't hesitate to reach out.
I am located in Corvallis, Oregon I realize these things are monsters in size and weight, making shipping often not cost prohibitive. But, if there's a will, there's a way...

Please contact me if you have something that seems to fit what I am looking for.

Thank you for your time!

 

🛡️ Classifieds Safety Reminder: Please stay safe when buying and selling. Scams via hacked accounts are on the rise globally.

Best Practices: Always use a verified payment method with buyer protection (avoid "PayPal Friends & Family"). Services like Escrow.com are highly secure. Be suspicious of random unsolicited contact via Private Message. If you see suspicious behavior, please use the Report link on the post immediately.

[Barlow]

I have a FOBA ASABA stand that I bought used for $450. New price was about $6,000.

I highly recommend this Swiss-made stand if you can find one locally.

 

[Despite_it_all]

I have a FOBA ASABA stand that I bought used for $450. New price was about $6,000.

I highly recommend this Swiss-made stand if you can find one locally.

Absolutely. Foba and Cambo are both high on my list. And to find one at that price would be a dream. They don't come up much though, which is the problem, and $6K is just a touch out of my budget. Fingers crossed a kind member will come forward with one and take pity on me.

 

[Barlow]

The typical used price of $1,000 or less is because they're usually being disposed of by someone closing a studio with no place to store something that large. I suggest keeping an eye on Craigslist for your area, as well as eBay. I bought mine through eBay with local pickup.

 

[MTGseattle]

There had been one bouncing around on Seattle craigslist. I know that's a road-trip for you, but at least it wouldn't be cross-country.

 

[Pieter12]

If you can’t find a used one (and mange moving it or having it delivered) Studio Titan stands are reasonably priced and usually include shipping.

 

[Despite_it_all]

The typical used price of $1,000 or less is because they're usually being disposed of by someone closing a studio with no place to store something that large. I suggest keeping an eye on Craigslist for your area, as well as eBay. I bought mine through eBay with local pickup.

I wish the salon's that I have been finding were $1,000 or less. Mine have all been found on eBay and with prices of $2K+. Though, they also have sat for months without buyers. Like you said, nobody wants to store a beast like that. Yet the sellers must not want to move it quickly as all are grasping to ambitious price tags. Living in Oregon, I have larger cities (Portland, mostly) Craigslist alerts set but locally, they don't seem to be popping up. There are two in the Bay Area but driving all the way there is a bit more than I want to handle... for now! That may change as my desperation increases.

 

[KinoGrafx]

Well at the risk of becoming the ridiculously oversized tripod supplier to Photrio (see “Majestic Tripod” earlier in this forum) I do have a good Cambo studio stand that I’m using occasionally and like a lot, but don’t reallllly need. you can see it here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/shygwpg3xb8t540g1mhu1/cambo-web.jpg?rlkey=0jghdamefa9hfd3jjd4g2elrq&st=leoeac7m&dl=0

If you’re willing to make the drive up to Olympia (hey, it’s not that far!) let me know and I can answer Qs, take any detailed pix and we talk $$$.

 

[Despite_it_all]

Hi KinoGrafx!
Thank you for posting. For the right stand, a 3 hour drive is not out of the question at all. Though, my most basic needs are for a unit with an arm that can hold a camera on one side and connect a laptop tray to the other side of the horizontal arm (like my image shows). Not sure this one can do that as it doesn't look to be modular...?

 

[loccdor]

If you didn't mind the look of it, it seems you could make a functionally similar one with some metal pipe, a few wood pieces, and some screws for a much lower price. That could also be customized to your exact parameters.

 

[KinoGrafx]

Hi KinoGrafx!
Thank you for posting. For the right stand, a 3 hour drive is not out of the question at all. Though, my most basic needs are for a unit with an arm that can hold a camera on one side and connect a laptop tray to the other side of the horizontal arm (like my image shows). Not sure this one can do that as it doesn't look to be modular...?

Ahhh! No this one only has the camera-side arm. Best of luck with your search for a good stand though, they are very handy!

 

[Pieter12]

Could the addition of something like this (and sandbags to counterbalance it) work? https://neewer.com/products/neewer-...yCG--4BNifeS6ggjvY9464wIwbjHFE4BoCeTkQAvD_BwE

 

[Despite_it_all]

I appreciate the comment. I'm all for cobbling together certain items to get by, but in cases like this, I would want to use manufacturer correct pieces for enhancing a base product.

 

[Pieter12]

I appreciate the comment. I'm all for cobbling together certain items to get by, but in cases like this, I would want to use manufacturer correct pieces for enhancing a base product.

You might check the Cambo site to see if they have a crossarm for that model.

 

[Franklee]

FOBA stands are the best, outside of Linhof perhaps. Cambos are good. The smaller, less expensive stands can get tippy when the arm goes high. I’ve seen lots of Calumets thrown away, they really weren’t worth saving having been forced to use them before.

Figure on two people to disassemble and load it into whatever vehicle can contain the height of the column. Bring metric wrenches and Allen keys.

A geared Gitzo column in a Giantluxe tripod might still be the best option. Most pro studio shooters used the largest available Gitzo even for 35mm since weight doesn’t matter in a studio. Pardon my assumption but if you’re using a tourist travel tripod in a studio it has to annoying ~ you simply need to abandon your little toy tripod and get a big metal beast!

 

[Despite_it_all]

Yep,

You might check the Cambo site to see if they have a crossarm for that model.

Absolutley. Before concluding this is not the model for me (and posting here), I did that and found this is what they call a "mono stand", hence the singular arm. The new models have circular post tubing. The one above has square. Good work around idea but I'm going to call this one not right for me. Though I appreciate the original poster putting it up as a possibility!

 

[Barlow]

I would hold out for one of these, when you can find one at a good price, because they're a pleasure to use. The ASABA is on the left and the even more expensive DSS ALPHA is on the right.

 

[Despite_it_all]

FOBA stands are the best, outside of Linhof perhaps. Cambos are good. The smaller, less expensive stands can get tippy when the arm goes high. I’ve seen lots of Calumets thrown away, they really weren’t worth saving having been forced to use them before.

Figure on two people to disassemble and load it into whatever vehicle can contain the height of the column. Bring metric wrenches and Allen keys.

A geared Gitzo column in a Giantluxe tripod might still be the best option. Most pro studio shooters used the largest available Gitzo even for 35mm since weight doesn’t matter in a studio. Pardon my assumption but if you’re using a tourist travel tripod in a studio it has to annoying ~ you simply need to abandon your little toy tripod and get a big metal beast!

I would agree that, from the research I've done, that FOBA is the stand alone "winner" of the stands. It is the one I hope to acquire but am trying to keep an open mind just to get something in my studio. Even if it's something I upgrade quickly. But even so, I do have some check boxes I need to mark that I mentioned in the first post.

Great information on the details of getting the stand back! Thank you!

And yes, anything other than a professional stand is really just a toy tripod. Anytime my foot grazes my high end Manfrotto tripod to slightly move it, disrupting the image composition, I burn with anger and think, "a stand would never have this problem."

 

[choiliefan]

I have an older Manfrotto Salon stand. Not tippy at all.

 

[Despite_it_all]

I have an older Manfrotto Salon stand. Not tippy at all.

I'll connect with you offline to hear more (assuming this is a solicitation for more discussion as you might be interested in selling?).

Meanwhile, for everyone else visiting this thread, please assume I am still looking for a stand and continue posting leads here.

 

[choiliefan]

I'm in NC so even if I wanted to sell it, shipping cost would be prohibitive.
I bought it from a guy closing down his studio in VA. Stand cost $10 and another $2 for a 5X7 Beseler enlarger he posted on ebay. No other bidders. If you're flexible, deals are still out there.