Light Weight Stands for Low Level Lighting

The BESNFOTO C-5188 Carbon Fiber Light Stand, shown above, is the lightest and most compact (when folded) of all the tripod-style stands I have ever used. I LOVE it! I've used it in the field for over two years, and it's held up well under all kinds of abuse. What makes it even more attractive to me is its price: It's almost one-third the cost of the the $200 Manfrotto MS0490C Carbon Fiber Nanopole Stand, which has a very similar design specs and construction (shown below).

The only advantage I see in the Manfrotto Nanopole (above) is the adjustable "leveling leg" you see in the bottom right of the above image. This is useful on uneven terrain. The Manfrotto also has a higher load capacity of 3.3 lb/1.5 kg vs. the Besnfoto's 2.2 lb/1 kg — but I find this capacity more that adequate for lights used in Low Level Lighting (LLL).

My second most-favorite light weight stand is the Besnfoto A-5188 Aluminum Light Stand. This stand looks just like the carbon fiber version, but the center columns are made of aluminum instead of carbon fiber. This only add another 105 grams (less than 0.25 lb) to its weight, but the savings over the carbon fiber version are pretty significant (one-half the price of the carbon)!

5 LIGHT WEIGHT STANDS FOR LLL - listed by weight (lightest to heaviest)

Besnfoto C-5188 Carbon Fiber Light Stand

• Price: $78.00

• Weight: 1.18 lb / 535 grams

• Folded Length: 19.6" / 50cm, 5 sections

• Max Height: 94.5" / 7.88 ft / 240cm

• Load Capacity: 2.2 lb / 1 kg

• PROS: Lightest of all the stands. Tallest of all the stands. Lowest price for a carbon fiber stand, super slim in your hands when folded. Includes a Velcro strap and carabiner clip (for adding weight if necessary).

• CONS: Lowest load capacity of the carbon fiber stands, but very adequate for LLL lights

Besnfoto A-5188 Aluminum Light Stand

• Price: $42.99

• Weight: 1.41 lb / 640 grams

• Folded Length: 19.6" / 50cm, 5 sections

• Max Height: 86.6" / 7.2 ft / 220cm

• Load Capacity: 2.2 lb / 1 kg

• PROS: Lowest price of all the light weight stands, super slim in your hands when folded. Includes a Velcro strap and carabiner clip (for adding weight if necessary).

• CONS: No carbon fiber componets, but only 105 grams heavier than the carbon fiber version. Lowest load capacity of the stands, but very adequate for LLL lights

Manfrotto MS0490C Carbon Fiber Nanopole Stand

• Price: $200.88

• Weight: 1.65 lb / 748 grams

• Folded Length: 20" / 51cm, 5 sections

• Max Height: 77.56" / 6.46 ft / 197cm

• Load Capacity: 3.3 lb / 1.5 kg

• PROS: Leveling Leg - nice for uneven terrain

• CONS: Most expensive of the light weight stands

Neewer ST210R Carbon Fiber Light Stand

• Price: $105.99

• Weight: 2.0 lb / 907 grams

• Folded Length: 20" / 51cm, 5 sections

• Max Height: 86.6" / 7.22 ft / 220cm

• Load Capacity: 7.7 lb / 3.5 kg

• PROS: Highest load capacity, with virtually all carbon fiber construction.

• CONS: largest girth when folded (fat in your hands)

Manfrotto 5001B Nano Light Stand

• Price: $88.88

• Weight: 2.12 lb / 962 grams

• Folded Length: 19.3" / 49cm, 5 sections

• Max Height: 74.8" / 6.23 ft / 190cm

• Load Capacity: 3.3 lb / 1.5 kg

• PROS: Solid build, but a somewhat clunky design.

• CONS: Heaviest of all the stands due to its thick, all aluminum construction. Shortest of all the stands.

HELPFUL LLL LINKS:

• My Official Low Level Lighting website

• How to set up your LLL

• How to calculate your LLL exposure

• LLL video tutorial - sponsored by PhotoPills