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Speaking of lighting accessories, light stand is one of the most important options. What is the difference between the shape and size of the light stand? How to choose a light stand? Different users have different needs. This article will take you through the purchasing methods and key points of using professional photography light stands.
The picture contains heavy-duty light stand, C stand, and super light stand with boom extension
Purchase and instruction for use
1. Usually we choose light stand based on the size, practical needs and budget.
Stability: The heavier the light stand, the more stable it will be, and the larger the diameter of the pipe, the firmer it will be. The material and technological process also have a great influence on light stands’ stability.
Portability: Light stand with short length and light weight are more convenient to carry.
Usually stability and portability cannot be achieved at the same time.
2. Be sure to pay attention to your safety when using the light stand!
① When you disassembling and adjusting the light stand (with boom), ensure that the whole light stand (includes boom) is in your sight. When the light stand is not in use, retract the crossbar in time, otherwise it is very easy to injure others accidentally.
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| Boom unfolded state | Boom retracted state |
②After finish installing the light stand, please remember to test and adjust the counterweight immediately and make sure it’s stable.
③When you turn on the lock to adjust and disassemble the light stand , remember to pay attention to holding the extension boom firmly to avoid it slipping and pinching or damaging the light stand. You can also choose light stand with air cushion for protecion.
The light stand selection
Godox series light stands are divided into the following 4 categories according to the size and weight of the light stands.
1. Foldable Floor Light stand with Removable Base
Lower height of center of gravity makes floor light stand a perfect choice for indoor background light or low-angle fill light. It’s also economical and practical for shooting. Except that, small light stand, C stand with adapter can also be used as floor light stand.
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90F Net weight 1.2kg, load capacity 3kg, folded height 9cm Maximum height 87cm, unfolding circle 60cm | |
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Floor light stand application | |
2.Reversible Leg Light Stand
Reversible leg light stand usually suitable for external shooting, because it is designed with small power, lightweight, easy to carry and also can be used instead of hand-held stand. Convenient to fold and be placed on the side of backpack makes this light stand easy to carry outside.
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| 210F | |
The bottom structure is simple and can be flexibly arranged to form a intensive lights array
The stability of the reversible leg light stand can be strengthened by expanding the unfolding circle. The bottom of the 190F is equipped with a buckle, which can extend the length of the leg tube, and has excellent gripping ability.
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| Comparison of conventional unfolding circle and enlarged unfolding circle | |
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| 190F | |
| Model | 210F | 190F |
| Net Weight(kg) | 1.4 | 1.25 |
| Load Capacity(kg) | 2 | 3 |
| Folded And Unfolded Height(cm) | 51 | 49 |
| Maximum Height(cm) | 213 | 188 |
| Unfolding Circle(cm) | 100 | 86 / 146 |
| List of reversible leg light stand parameters | ||
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| Reversible leg light stand application | |
3. Heavy-Duty Light Stand
Light weight and the integrated folding design does not take up much space for storage and makes it work well for external shooting. It can be adjusted to different heights, and the light stand tube is strong and durable. It is also often used to support studio flashes without C stand.
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| 290F | ||
There are other accessories such as reflector brackets can be installed to enrich the lighting solutions.
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| 380F | 240F | 300F |
| Model | 240F | 300F | 290F | 380F |
| Net Weight(kg) | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| Load Capacity(kg) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Folded and Unfolded Height(cm) | 68 | 86 | 110 | 110 |
| Maximum Height(cm) | 240 | 300 | 286 | 380 |
| Unfolding Circle(cm) | 92 | 108 | 110 | 110 |
| List of heavy-duty light stand parameters | ||||
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| Application of heavy-duty light stand | |
4.C-stand With Boom
(1) C -stand
A necessary accessory for the indoor creative shooting, made of high-strength steel pipe with chrome-plated for strong bearing capacity. The photography sandbag can be placed on the bottom light stand to increase the stability , which is enough to support large studio lights and diffusers. Godox offers different sizes as following for users to choose:
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| 270CS | 240CS |
This kind of stand is divided into three components: boom ( grip head + arm), main stand, and C stand. The position and angle of the arm can be adjusted arbitrarily through the grip head, and the light position can be easily adjusted.
The c-stand can be separated from the main stand and stowed away, which is convenient for disassembly, storage and transportation.
| Model | 270CS | 240CS |
| Net Weight(kg) | 6.3 | 6 |
| Load Capacity(kg) | 10 | 10 |
| Folded and Unfolded Height(cm) | 120 | 130 |
| Maximum Height(cm) | 270 | 237 |
| Unfolding Circle(cm) | 95 | 95 |
| List of C-stand with boom parameters | ||
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| Application of C-stand with boom | |
(2) Super light stand with boom extension
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| super light stand with Sandbag | Super light stand with counterweight |
It is used to support the top light source. In addition to the material difference with the C stand, the maximum height of this kind of light stand can reach to 422cm, and it has a long crossbar. It often requires the use of counterweights such as photographic sandbags.
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420LB Net weight 6.3kg, load capacity 10kg, folded height 125cm Maximum height 422cm, unfolding circle 109cm | |
(3) Steel Wheeled Pistol Grip Stand
With its own castors, the entire light stand and accessories can be moved freely. In the creative required shooting environment where the light position needs to be adjusted frequently, the steel wheeled pistol grip stand can greatly improve operating experience. It also shows excellent load capacity, and can be reinforced with a photographic sandbag. The folding height is 120cm, the maximum height is 240cm, and the unfolding circle is 110cm.
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| 240FS | |
With standard handle, varies accessories can be installed. The height of the handle can be adjusted arbitrarily by tapping the handle. It can be used with boom arm, like putting camera on one side and a computer tray on the other, so you can check the sample effect immediately.
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| Boom arm LSA-10 | |
Computer tray
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| LSA-11 | LSA-12 |
Light Stand accessories
These accessories can be used flexibly with light stand to greatly improve work efficiency.
1.Multi-function Clamp
They can be installed on the light stand, used to clip gels, soft light board and other accessories.
LSA-03 Nano Clamp with Ratchet Handle
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| It can be used with lamps, cameras, brackets, etc. | |
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LSA-01 Multifunction clamp is used to fix foam board, gels, background cloth, etc. | LSA-02 Multifunction clamp with long handles has wide range on fixing the reflector,round tube, etc. |
2.Articulating Arm
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LSA-04 Articulating arm is desiigned with one switch to lock two devices on both sides.The angle of both arms can be adjusted freely. | LSA-05 Extension arm can be extended to connect from both sides |
Flexible arm: It can install accessories and bend flexibly into various angles.
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| LSA-08 | LSA-09 |
Boom: It is retractable, stable, and has excellent load capacity, can be installed on the light stand to connect with various accessories.
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| LSA-15 | |
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| LSA-14 | LSA-16 |
3.Light stand casters
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LSA-06 Equipped with a brake device, stop when you step on it | LSA-07 Fast turning, smooth and smooth indoor use(no brake) |
This picture includes Steel Wheeled Pistol Grip Stand, C-stand, heavy-duty light stand, and Nano Clamp with Ratchet Handle
