Reasonably sturdy light stand for old Metz flash lights

SilverEagle · Aug 30, 2017

Hello,

I use a couple of Metz 60 CT 4, but I don't have any stands / tripods for them. I have looked a bit at some very inexpensive brands (Neewer, Phot-R) on Amazon. I think that these brands might be good enough, since the Metz flashes are obviously a lot lighter than for example real studio strobes. However, I am worried that they might be too flimsy after all, because I will probably also be adding soft boxes or other modifiers. The two aforementioned light stands do get a number of rather negative reviews, mainly due to poor build quality. I would be grateful for any advice on these or other brands.

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Peter

MattKing · Aug 30, 2017

I hang the power pack for my 60CT flashes from the lowest adjustment screws on my old Bowens stands.
The extra weight really helps with stability.
Look for stands that offer a place to hang stabilizing weight from.

SilverEagle · Aug 30, 2017

Many thanks, Matt, great advice! Are these adjustment screws long enough to safely hang the rather wide strap of the power pack? Otherwise, I'd have to look for something with a hook under the centre column, like on a camera tripod.

Regards,
Peter

Patrick Robert James · Aug 30, 2017

You can make just about any stand work, you just need to weigh it down. Sand bags are what most people use, which can be as simple as filling a bag with sand! You don't need to buy them, but the ones you buy have handles, which is nice.

Personally, I would recommend getting a couple good light stands. They will be the last light stands you ever have to buy and they won't be too much more than a cheap stand. Look for used ones if you must. Manfrotto 367 is on Amazon US for about $80.

Stands are like tripods. Whatever you do, avoid anything that has the words compact, light, mini, etc.

M Carter · Aug 30, 2017

I have tons of stands... most name-brand guys make aluminum tripod stands, some are flimsy, some are good, hard to keep up -

The Matthews Steel kit stand seems like an excellent value though, may have free shipping from B&H or Adorama - they used to be about sixty bucks though, about $120 now;

This looks like a good deal in an aluminum stand, 20lb. capacity at 12';

You can't go wrong with a C-stand, and Kupo is making very good stands for a few bucks less than Avenger. There are two kinds of c's - one just folds flat, and the "turtle-base" has a removable post. More expensive but only really needed if you take them out and about, easier to pack. Free shipping from B&H or Adorama. (I just got this Kupo stand - for $150, it's a monster. Total overkill, but - dayum).

As of last week, Pyramid Films had used steel rollers for $80 - I got two more. My favorite general-use stand, maybe overkill, but the wheels are nice to have and hey, that's like a $280 stand that will hold about 40 pounds at 11 feet high.

Generally, a tripod stand will be a better one if it's steel vs. aluminum. To hang a small pack or ballast from a stand, a Manfrotto Super clamp and pin is a great idea. They also make a "hook" pin that is really handy, ten bucks a pair.

MattKing · Aug 30, 2017

SilverEagle said:
Are these adjustment screws long enough to safely hang the rather wide strap of the power pack?

Yes - the good old fashioned heavy ones that you can really grab on to.
Good stands aren't compact.

AgX · Aug 30, 2017

The cheapest solution would be some used, light-weight camera tripods. However they are reduced in height compared to light stands.

paul ron · Aug 30, 2017

most of the old light stands I've used had 1\4-20 thumb screws you can change. but hanging stuff that high makes them tippy if you nudge them the wrong way.

best to weigh down the legs.

tripods work great and are very stable, even the cheap ones.

SilverEagle · Aug 31, 2017

Many thanks for all the suggestions! Oddly enough, though, some of the above don't seem to be available in Europe. (I have looked on Amazon UK) For example, it seems I would have to get the Manfrotto 367, the Kupo or the Matthews Maxi Kit Steel Stand shipped from the US which is almost prohibitively expensive in postage and customs duties.

There may, of course, be camera dealers in Europe who import them, or I could get similar models from the same manufacturers. I actually called a big camera dealer here in Brussels to ask about the Manfrotto 367, which seems like a good solution (as does, by the way, their hook pin), but the answer was that it is a discontinued model. Instead, they recommended the Manfrotto 5001B, which is a lot smaller than the 367, so not very useful advice IMO.

As a start, I will make a trip to a local second-hand camera dealer and see if he has anything I can use. I will definitely try to avoid "compact, light and mini" Thanks again for all the comments.

Regards,
Peter

RichardJack · Sep 15, 2017

I bought generic light stands on Ebay and the brackets that hold the flash with an umbrella and they work fine. As long as you don't have anyone running around that can trip on them. Now and then a counter-balance weight helped. I used several Metz CT-3 & 4's with Quantum wireless units when I shot weddings and they worked fine. No need to spend lots of money and tripods don't go high enough and are much heavier. There is plenty of good used lighting equipment on Ebay.
Rick

Chan Tran · Sep 15, 2017

I don't think you should worry too much. The Metz 60 series are large but light weight as the bulk of the weight is in the power unit which you can place on the floor.

TheFlyingCamera · Sep 15, 2017

Check with Calumet Photo in Antwerpen. They probably have something. Here's one of their house-label light stands that should be more than adequate for supporting your Metz plus a soft box or umbrella.

https://www.calumetphoto.be/product/Calumet-Lampstatief-Heavy-Duty/CAL6060

Reasonably sturdy light stand for old Metz flash lights

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Reasonably sturdy light stand for old Metz flash lights

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