C-Stand advice wanted

[Peter De Smidt]

How about a ceiling system?

[vinny]

For the average user, there's nothing wrong with the new Matthews c-stands that have the "hollywood heads". The old matthews gear with the small handles (found on the used market) aren't great even when new and don't work well after years of constant use. For the most part, those have been phased out of the rental world. American are the best and easiest to operate and we prefer them for a couple reasons. One being that there are less holes in the head to deal with. Anything that makes setting a flag faster when the pressure is on, is helpful. That's coming from someone who has used all of them.

[Tin Can]

Actually I wanted that, but then I need to change my HVAC open pipe ductwork. It's in the way. Perhaps I could remove 12 feet of duct as I don't think it's necessary. It's my back area and it stays a very constant temp.

I have been dodging that 10 feet high ducting for a while. Cutting down camera stands and even my Deardorff Bi-Post to get under it.

I have developed 'mission creep' and even tonight I am rearranging the shooting studio once again. If I only had 2000 sq ft instead of 750. I could fill that up too...

Oh the horrors

How about a ceiling system?

[Tin Can]

I'll just bob on over to Calumet and look at them. Oops, they never did stock anything. I think they are open again.

Thanks for the grips POV.

For the average user, there's nothing wrong with the new Matthews c-stands that have the "hollywood heads". The old matthews gear with the small handles (found on the used market) aren't great even when new and don't work well after years of constant use. For the most part, those have been phased out of the rental world. American are the best and easiest to operate and we prefer them for a couple reasons. One being that there are less holes in the head to deal with. Anything that makes setting a flag faster when the pressure is on, is helpful. That's coming from someone who has used all of them.

[HMG]

Are the ceiling mounted "accordion" tracks an option? I visited a home studio a while back; the photographer had recently converted to those a loved them. She had a small space and like the fact that there was nothing on the floor to trip on.

With C stands, you might consider having a couple of bags of lead shot (for reloading shotshells) around when a sandbag isn't heavy enough. Though you might need to remove some of the shot to allow the bag to drape over the leg properly.

[StoneNYC]

For the average user, there's nothing wrong with the new Matthews c-stands that have the "hollywood heads". The old matthews gear with the small handles (found on the used market) aren't great even when new and don't work well after years of constant use. For the most part, those have been phased out of the rental world. American are the best and easiest to operate and we prefer them for a couple reasons. One being that there are less holes in the head to deal with. Anything that makes setting a flag faster when the pressure is on, is helpful. That's coming from someone who has used all of them.

Oh good to know the newer Matthews products are improved.

And now I remember that's why I DIDN'T like the American, I like the smaller hole options as my flags are different size poles than other things, but if you have custom flags they can all be made the same size.

Good info.