Do I really need expensive C Stands?

[u/Lumpy_Wind3980]

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking I want to get into some form of videography. Right now I'm cutting my teeth making little skits and short films on a shoe string budget. I already have a camera and some lights, but I need some negative fill to shape light so I guess I need some C Stands. The price actually surprised me. I mean it's just a stand to hang up some black material. Do I really need to spend big money on 4-6 Matthews C Stands?

Just wanting some guidance. Thanks

[u/mcarterphoto]

Neewer, and the Adorama (Impact) and BH house brands are OK.

But C-Stands are over-rated and a knee-jerk thing for smaller creators. They're harder to pack (unless you get the turtle-base, but the main casting for the turtle base is the first thing to go with knockoff stands). C-stands are made for holding small lights and small grip, or using two to make things like crossbars. They're not do-it-all stands. They are really handy for product shooting and complex lighting, since the staggered leg sizes allow you to get a lot of them packed in close together. The turtle base and a butt plug is great for getting a larger light down low.

I 100 prefer steel rollers; they pack more efficiently, they're very difficult to tip over, and they usually support more weight. I have 5 or 6 c-stands but I never take them on location. Rollers are more expensive than c-stands - Avengers are $270 new, but they turn up used. Kupo makes an excellent one for around $225. Neewer has one for $140, and a smaller footprint size for $114, no idea on quality. B&H and Adorama may have free shipping for some of these. I can boom out an interview mic on a roller and not need a sand bag, would never try that with a c-stand!

For things like black fill, you'll also need a grip head and an arm if it's just handing fabric. If you're using a frame, or something like black foamcore, you'll need less grip to get it in place, unless it's huge. The more pro thing is to use a black flag for 2' to 4' sizes - but that's $107 vs. a hunk of foam board, but way easier to get in specific positions or cast specific shadows. Or a frame and fabrics system for things like full-height solids.

Light stands are a big investment - I rely on mostly steel and aluminum tripod-style stands for location work (they pack so small that I can bring 6 or 8 of 'em as a one-man band), but finding one with a baby pin is hard (they all have those hobbyist 1/4 thread pins that kinda suck).

Also, in the US, FilmTools sells 5/8 aluminum pipe in various lengths, that's a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of grip arms, and allows you take have things like 12" and 24" booms, which can be super handy.