View Full Version : do these look the same to you?


Philip Fass
June 15th, 2012, 03:51 PM
Only difference I can see is the price...and I've looked as hard as low-res image will allow me:

Westcott Background Stand for Illuminator 1103 B&H Photo Video

Lastolite Bracketed Stand for Collapsible Backgrounds - 7.3'

Paul R Johnson
June 15th, 2012, 04:32 PM
one is post paid, one isn't - which levels the price even more?

Les Wilson
June 15th, 2012, 05:01 PM
Lastolite is owned by the Vitec group along with Manfrotto and others. It says it has a 60,000sq ft facility but doesn't say where.
Manfrotto Lighting Ltd (http://www.lastolite.com/about-us.php)

Westcott is made by the FJ Westcott company in Toledo Ohio. It's family owned dating back to 1989 by the current president's grandfather. They just announced that they moved to a new facility that adds a distribution center.
http://fjwestcott.com/press-releases/westcott-moving-headquarters-after-113-years-of-growth

You don't always have the option to support local or USA businesses in today's global economy but in this case, you do have a choice. If that matters to you.

I have several Westcott backgrounds and am very happy with them. I don't have any stands but if they are made by Westcott themselves, I'd expect them to be decent quality.

Philip Fass
June 16th, 2012, 04:50 AM
My hunch is that it's one OEM product from Manfrotto, with MF not selling it under their own name (at least, couldn't find it on their website or B&H).