best bang for buck light stands?
 

I'm lookng for some strong sturdy, but cheap lights stands, if there is such a thing. I bought a bunch of cheapies from ebay and they ended up being way to flimsy. Any suggestions?

I got three stands from http://www.flolight.com/
Go to the accessories page.

They're $60 each, spring loaded and bigger and heavier than I expected for the money. They also spread out wider at the bottom than many other similar stands, so they're more stable. They go to 7-1/2 feet high, which works for me but is not quite as high as some stands I have.

all I'll say is, you get what you pay for. stands are really pretty cheap when you consider they are format, resolution, and color depth independent, work well in both film and video, indoors or out regardless of tempature, for the next 20 years. try that most any other gear your get. spending $250 for a triple riser baby stand really isn't that much new. you can also look for used stuff, but skip the really old (red paint if its there ! ) matthews stuff. its not the strongest, and it will be beat up being 30+ years old most often. as for C stands, the knock-offs generally aren't so much less that buying real matthews or avenger for $10-$20 more is in fact the better deal - you know what you are getting and that these things are tough. since thats often the case, might as well get the real thing. a couple of c stands for starters is good, and a couple of baby stand triple risers, with or without wheels.

Try these guys: http://www.pyramid-films.com/

They usually have nice used C-stands for $80, or $150/pair. They're good guys, call 'em and they'll give you current stock. They also have stuff like hi-hi's, and oh yeah... tones & tons of used Moles, Arris, etc.