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10/12/2009 10:08:21 PM · #1 |
Yes I did search for this beforehand.
I have an Alien Bee 1600. It's a big heavy thing and the lightstands I currently use with my flashes for portability are cowering in the corner so I need something bigger.
I need something big and sturdy enough to support the light, boom and softbpx/octabox/beauty dish and need your ideas/suggestions as to what would do the trick.
I know Alien Bees make their own but the boom is rumoured to be a waste of time, and the stand also.
Any suggestions? Or does anyone here have something they're looking to offload?
Cheers all!
tez |
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10/12/2009 11:01:13 PM · #2 |
| I use the AB stands and boom all the time--no issues. I haven't actually used another type of boom, though, so can't say whether the AB boom is better or worse than other stuff. I will say that AB has the best customer service I have ever encountered anywhere for anything. |
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10/12/2009 11:46:27 PM · #3 |
I have a heavy duty AB stand and quite like it, built well, works great...
ETA:
Im using the AlienBee LS3900 13-foot Heavy Duty Light Stand with a 30"x40" softbox, this thing is great indoors, but outside as mentioned below I would be using some kind of weights to keep it stable...
Message edited by author 2009-10-13 14:59:14. |
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10/13/2009 12:22:46 AM · #4 |
I have a B1600 with a softbox that I use on site for portraits... at first I had the cheapie alienbees light stand, but several times it fell over, luckily not dammaging anything...landed in soft grass/snow)
soooo I went out and bought a heavy ass duty stand... this thing is a monster and weighs a TON!!! I took it out, set it up, then a little gust of wind came by... Boom! down goes the light stand... (luckily into soft snow)...
the point i'm getting at, is if you are going to use this light stand outside, it doesn't matter how large it is, if you have a softbox, it will act like a friggin sail on a sail boat and blow over... even with a huge heavy duty stand...
now I just use my cheapie stand and put weights onto the three legs to keep it from blowing over... works perfect every time... just grab some sandbags...
the big one was just too much to carry around...
so if you are buying it for sturdability, try out some sandbags first on the feet...
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10/13/2009 12:24:17 AM · #5 |
If you're serious about this, seek no further. But prepared to shell out some serious coin: they can be found for around $3,750.00 :-)
Oh, and it weighs in at a cool 176 lbs...
R.
Message edited by author 2009-10-13 00:26:21. |
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10/13/2009 01:41:33 AM · #6 |
There's nothing wrong with AlienBees booms or stands. I have several of both and I've been using them for years without any problems. However, they're not indestructible. They're made from aluminum tubing to reduce weight and, naturally, that means there's a limit to how much abuse they can withstand. If you're the kind of person that can't be bothered to use and maintain equipment properly then you may want to consider steel stands and booms. They're a lot more expensive though, and even they can't stand up to a truly determined idiot. :)
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10/13/2009 03:18:36 AM · #7 |
| The 13 foot AB stands are very good and the boom works great also. I have 3 of the 13 foot stands and the boom and have never had any issues at all. The casters they sell for the stands are a bit cheap however (plasic mounts). I have broken a few of them and ended up replacing them with some that I picked up at the hardware store. So if you would order stands from AB don't bother with the casters pick some up at home depot or someplace else. |
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10/13/2009 02:01:15 PM · #8 |
| what do you attach to the boom on your 13' ft stand? |
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10/13/2009 07:04:22 PM · #9 |
Usually an AB 800 with a 60 inch softbox sometimes a beauty dish. Depends on what I trying to shoot. Right now I am using it to hang my jacket. lol
Originally posted by Tez:
what do you attach to the boom on your 13' ft stand? |
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