Topic: mic stand suggestions requested

[jeromejello]

i have a mic stand that i am generally happy with... it is air cushioned and about 8.5'.  one of the ebay stands that are around $40 shipped.

i am looking to get a new stand...
my wish list for the stand:
smaller foot print then current one (i think around 45")
collapses smaller then current one (fits, barely in a camp chair bag)
taller - would like 12' with it not being fully extended
quick release tabs to raise and lower

needs to be sturdy, even when tall...

any suggestions, recommendations, etc... budget, under $100

[page]

i have a mic stand that i am generally happy with... it is air cushioned and about 8.5'.  one of the ebay stands that are around $40 shipped.

i am looking to get a new stand...
my wish list for the stand:
smaller foot print then current one (i think around 45")
collapses smaller then current one (fits, barely in a camp chair bag)
taller - would like 12' with it not being fully extended
quick release tabs to raise and lower

needs to be sturdy, even when tall...

any suggestions, recommendations, etc... budget, under $100

Willing to rank that in a priority order (some of those are paradoxes to me)?

[jeromejello]

it does seem like a smaller foot print/collapse would mean a shorter height, but i am thinking there is a stand out there that does this... my reasoning is that i know there are stands out there with the same height as my current one, but collapse a lot smaller with a smaller foot print.

that said... here is a ranking
height 12'
small collapse (under 3 feet)
foot print that isn't huge

[mosquito]

Sounds like you want a perfect stand.  When you find it, let us know.  I want one too. ;-)

I think you can get close to all of that if you spend more money.  Have you looked at the Manfrotto catalogue?  It's here (or at least was): http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/pdf/catalogues/GB_MANFROTTO_LIGHTING_CATALOGUE_2009.pdf

There's a couple that meet most of your requirements and they even have a 2.2 m extension (which was news to me).

BTW, what out there compares with Manfrotto, quality-wise?

[page]

Sounds like you want a perfect stand.  When you find it, let us know.  I want one too. ;-)

I think you can get close to all of that if you spend more money.  Have you looked at the Manfrotto catalogue?  It's here (or at least was): http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/pdf/catalogues/GB_MANFROTTO_LIGHTING_CATALOGUE_2009.pdf

Thats my bit, I think you might be able to achieve 4 out of 5 factors, but only if you're willing to blow close to twice your budget (estimated). If money's not the object but the functionality, then we can probably find something that meets most of the specs. I've got to troll for some other accessories this week and I'll take a look.

[acidjack]

I bought a Savage stand off of eBay that I think is 15' (maybe a touch less, just can't remember). It was $50.  Footprint is reasonable - it's bigger than the Bogen FOB stand, but not horrendous - and it's lightweight. Again, compared to the 8' Bogen FOB stand it's a lot bigger, but it extends high, is air-cushioned and has good build quality.  I think it's basically a slightly taller version of this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Savage-10-3-Sec-HD-Air-Cushioned-Light-Stand-Black_W0QQitemZ330376969858QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cec007e82

Good choice IMHO but not sure if this meets your small size requirements.

[mosquito]

Oh, I haven't seen 'em or used 'em, but Calumet appears to have their own line of stands that cost less than Manfrotto:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/

<ETA>

Yes, indeed they do.  Just bought a (another!) stand this weekend that I'm cannibalizing.  Well designed and made.  They're not as nice as Manfrotto but definitely as good and come in at about half the price, especially if you catch their sale.  (Dunno if it's still on right now or not.)

[notlance]

Or, here is an option:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=ShowProduct&sku=253066&is=REG&Q=#specifications

Max height: 4m (13 ft), Min footprint: 0.8m (34 in) Folded size: 1 m (42 in) Cost: $53

Meets 3 of 4 requirements.

I own one of these stands; I trust it enough to put $6000 worth of mics up on it.

[steve4134]

This is what I have and love it.  I know a few of the North East guys have this stand as well.

Steve

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html