If you are someone who’s into photography, you know how easier it gets with a good photography light stand.
It will allow you to take better still photos, conduct a photo shoot anywhere without being restricted to a certain time of the day, and eliminate the chances of ending up with under or overexposed photographs.
Without the invention of light stands, it would have been much difficult and time-consuming to take the perfect shots.
We have searched the market for the best light stands for photography available that will help you to find your ideal product. Continue reading to learn more!
Best Light Stands Reviews
While there are a few different features to look for in a light stand, we would recommend you to go for a light stand that is sturdy and heavy-duty to be able to take the load of your expensive gears.
We have searched and listed down a few of the finest light stands available in the market. And we hope it will help you in your search for the right tool.
1. Fovitex StudioPRO 1 x 7’6” Photography & Video Light Stand Kit
When looking for a good light stand, the most important features to look out for are sturdiness while still being lightweight, which is exactly what the StudioPRO by Fovitex will provide you with.
What made it the best photography light stands is its strong and reliable built quality. The die-cast aluminum allows you to easily attach your device on it without fearing that it will fall apart. On the other hand, the use of aluminum helps it to be lightweight, which is extremely important to make it portable.
Now the height of this light stand is an ideal one, which is a little over 7 feet and will be perfect for shooting objects that are at your eye level. You can still use it as an overhead stand, but it won’t over the tallest of subjects.
However, one thing we don’t like about this light stand is the use of plastic knobs, which makes it medium-duty as opposed to heavy-duty, which would have been the case if the material used for the knobs were stronger.
But, what you may find impressive is the carrying bag it comes with; the bag itself is a great purchase as it will allow you to carry a lot of other equipment that you may need for the photoshoot, and it’s made up with durable materials too.
At this price point, it really is a steal for amateurs and a bonus for professionals as it’s the least pricey way to add extra equipment to the collection!
Pros
The light stand is extremely easy to set up and dismantle. It is the best portable light stands, for the lighter weight and compact size.
Also, the height is perfect for shooting portraits or for food photography. It comes with a great carrying bag which will allow you to travel with your gears with ease.
Cons
What we don’t like is the use of plastic knobs as it reduces the overall reliability and durability.
2. Neewer 75”/6 feet/190CM Photography Light Stand
The first thing that we want to point out about the light stand by Neewer is its durability. And the use of heavy-duty aluminum alloy has allowed it to be exceptionally robust and withstand heavy-duty work, which is especially great for professional photographers.
To further enhance your experience, it comes with great locking knobs that will keep your equipment safe and leave you relaxed and tension-free during the shoot. While there might be more sturdy stands available in the market, at this price point, this is one of the best stands that you can purchase.
What we love the most about this stand is its adaptability. This kit is perfect for reflectors, lights, softboxes, umbrellas, and backgrounds. So, with the help of this kit, you can eliminate the number of other stands you might have needed for your shoot as it can be used for multiple purposes.
One more thing we absolutely love, and we know you will, too, is the carrying bag the stand comes with. It is a long bag that has extra side pockets that can be used for carrying items such as cables, batteries, and more.
Additionally, This is one of the most perfect light stands for travel. The bag is made out of strong and durable nylon, making it optimal for heavy-duty usage, and what’s more, is that it is also shockproof! You will be happy to know that like most stands, this too is easy to dismantle and set up, and is quite lightweight, hence easy to travel with.
Pros
This multifunctional stand can be paired with reflectors, lights, softboxes, backgrounds, and more. It is easy to carry and set up and includes an exceptionally built carrying bag.
Cons
The material used is prone to scratches, and if not set up correctly may come undone.
3. 10” Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Cell Phone Holder
While selfie rings might not seem like as good of an option as traditional light stands, it does have surprising advantages and highlighted features.
With the selfie ring light, you have the freedom to choose from three different colors of lights – white, warm yellow, and warm white. Apart from that, you can also adjust the brightness of the light to create the look you want to.
The selfie ring light comes with 120 LED bulbs and is 10 inches in size, making it the perfect light stand for when you want to do makeup, vlog, photoshoot, and more.
This multifunctional tool can be used as a light stand, a table tripod, a phone tripod, or a selfie stick depending on what you currently need. With the tripod stand being extendable from 17.5” to 50,” it will give you the option to focus on a lot of different sizes of objects.
Now, we know how frustrating it is to travel with DSLRs and all the equipment it comes with. With the help of this selfie ring light stand, you get to attach your smartphone to the tripod and control it using a remote shutter.
Moreover, this stand also lets you rotate your phone full 360 degrees to allow you to capture from the best angles.
Also, with the anti-slip rubber backing clip, you won’t have to worry about the tripod accidentally damaging your phone. The best part about this light stand is that it comes with a USB cable, so you can charge it anytime, anywhere.
Pros
It is the most travel-friendly equipment for photoshoots on the go. The tripod stand can be used in multiple different ways, allowing you to use one tool to cater to different needs. It comes with a USB cable, so you don’t have to worry about the charge of the lights.
Cons
The tripod is made out of very cheap plastic, which hampers the durability of the tool.
4. Chauvet DJ CH06 Lightweight Lighting Stand with T-Bar
If you are looking for a light stand that will give you the perfect lighting effects for tight spaces, then the Chauvet DJ CH06 is the one for you. The design of the CH06’s T bar will allow you to hang eight lights weighing up to 50lbs on one single strand, which will provide you with the ultimate lighting.
What you will appreciate even more is the easy and super quick setup process; it was created to cater to your emergency needs and for the time-sensitive events. It can be used with the proper Nikon cameras, Slow Motion Cameras & all the decent cameras out there in the market.
The build and the lightweight of the stand make it the best lightweight climbing stand. Moreover, it has the ideal height, which is not too high, so you can adjust it easily, and not too low that it will come in your way.
Impressively, Chauvet added an adapter that will make it easier for you to attach or hang smaller moving heads, gobo projectors, and follow spots. This will enhance your overall experience and makes it even more user-friendly.
This stand is ideal for DJs or any mobile entertainer. But, interestingly, this stand can be used as a floodlight stand as well. This great feature will allow you to maximize the use of this stand beyond its conventional routine.
Other than that, you can attach multiple LED lights and make it an LED light stand that will give you amazing lighting during your photoshoots.
Pros
A great stand that can be used in many other ways, such as a floodlight stand and a LED light stand. It is very easy to set up and carry.
Cons
It comes with a very poor instruction manual, which may lead to problems in the initial set up.
5. Emart Light Stand 8.5ft
Are you a photographer who is looking for an extremely strong light stand? If you are, then look no further.
The Emart Light Stand has been constructed with heavy-duty aluminum alloy that will allow you to keep working without having to worry about any accidents. This light stand has a height of 8.5ft, which will give you great coverage for both tall objects and can be used as an overhead light stand.
Moreover, the feature that I personally loved as a clumsy being is the addition of spring cushioning; this helps to prevent the stand slamming down in case a screw comes loose or when you adjust the height.
Now, the part that stands out the most is the fact that is it made by the industrial standard, which will let you use any equipment from any major brands.
What we love about this light stand is that while it’s extremely heavy-duty and sturdy, it is incredibly light and easy to carry. Additionally, it comes with a durable carrying bag that includes a storing pouch as well. However, the bags could have been made out of better materials.
Overall, we can say with confidence that this stand will cater to all the needs you might have in a studio very efficiently. Even more, it will cater to your needs when you want to conduct a photo shoot while traveling.
Pros
It has been amazingly built for daily heavy usage. The aluminum alloy, along with strong knobs, will give you a robust yet surprisingly lightweight light stand. You can also use it for multiple purposes, and it’s very easy to travel with it as well – allowing you to conduct photoshoots on the go.
Cons
The bag that comes with the light stand is not up to the mark. And the material is not as durable, and the zippers are of a low quality, which may lead to tears and wears.
Best Light Stand Buying Guide
Whilst there are many different kinds of light stands created for different purposes, there are two main kinds of stands – a lightweight stand and a C-stand.
Let’s take a look into the differences between them and the main features you should look for when buying a light stand.
Lightweight Stand
These stands are perfect for beginners or for people who take photography as a hobby. The stands are light and easy to carry around, plus most of them are pretty affordable. Pro tip from us will be to purchase one with an air shock as it will help to protect your gears.
C-Stand
C-stands are perfect for professional photographers or someone who uses expensive gears. These are made to give superior stability and durability, which is why these can be a bit expensive.
Sandbags
While sandbags are not an integral part of stands, having these will come in handy as it adds mass and stability, especially to lightweight stands.
Durability
The importance of owning a heavy-duty light stand cannot be stressed enough, especially for professional photographers. Most of us shoot using heavy and expensive gears, which is why it’s essential to get a light stand that will be able to take the weight off them.
Weight
One more thing to keep in mind is the weight of the stand. While you should not go for a flimsy stand, you should also avoid getting a tool that’s too heavy as it will cause inconvenience when you’re traveling.
Our suggestion will be to go for a light stand that is made out of heavy-duty aluminum and has strong metal knobs.
Multifunctional
While light stands have been limited to one function, more and more stands nowadays are becoming multifunctional. So with one stand, you get to set up different equipment or use it for an entirely different purpose!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have some of the most commonly asked queries regarding the best stands for photoshoot, wedding photography and outdoor photography:
Q: What is the purpose of using artificial lighting?
Ans: Artificial lights will give you steady and continuous lighting, and it won’t limit your working hours to daytime, or won’t restrict the usage of indoor spaces.
It is as important as the backdrop stand, gimble for a mirrorless camera, etc for better photography.
Q: Is there an ideal height for a light stand?
Ans: While there is no perfect height for a light stand, we will recommend that you get a stand that is minimum 3ft long. The short light stand has some down backs so select the one that meets your requirements.
Q: What type of light stand should I get?
Ans: The kind of light stand you want to purchase should depend on the type of work you are going to conduct. That being said, we would recommend getting a tripod stand for maximum use.
Q: How important is the build of a light stand?
Ans: It is extremely important to get a light stand that has been made with good quality heavy-duty material as it will be taking the load of your expensive gears.
Q: Can one light stand be used for different purposes?
Ans: Yes, stands are adjustable and multifunctional, which allows you to use one tool for shooting different items or to serve other purposes.
Wrap up
Knowing what you exactly need will save you a lot of time and money when it comes to buying a light stand.
We hope, in this article, we have been able to pack all the information that you might need to choose the best light stands for your photoshoots.
Good luck with your purchase!
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