Re: Lightest Light Stands 2.5 lbs or less
 

I just bought two of the Manfrotto 5001B stands for a shoot in South America. Meh, I like my Matthews Reverse Fold Travel stands better, they hold a LOT more weight safely and are taller. The Manfrottos are lighter but less capable so it's good to have both for me. If I am packing and trying to save every ounce, the 5001Bs are handy but for general use, the Matthews are superior IMHO. They are better constructed than the Manfrottos.

Re: Lightest Light Stands 2.5 lbs or less
 

Doesn't the sandbags you have to carry around to keep your lightweight stands upright with even smaller lights enter into this discussion. I've not yet seen a lightweight support that is stable on anything remotes useful on top!

Re: Lightest Light Stands 2.5 lbs or less
 

If I'm shooting in offices, short of someone tripping over them, Stability wouldn't be an issue. I wouldn't use lightweight stands for exterior shoots even on a breezy day. BTW there are "water filled" type bags which can be filled and emptied on site (assuming access to water).

Just my humble opinion but once you're using a vehicle to transport your gear, weight is much less a factor. Weight's important when you have to hand carry (as I often do) or you need to transportation where weight and size restrictions are big factors.

Re: Lightest Light Stands 2.5 lbs or less
 

Agreed. My only concern with weight is when I fly, which is quite often. If I am bringing all of my grip gear in my truck or car, I much prefer larger Arri kit stands or Matthews Beefy Baby, real light stands. As far as sandbags, I find with the mere 6' or 7' extension of these little stands with relatively light weight LED panels on top, I rarely sand bag the stands anyway. I put a sand bag on the hair/rim light that is usually at the end of a 40" C-stand arm for interviews and when I use C-stands for backgrounds, green screen. But for travel, I never bring sandbags as they usually just aren't crucial or needed.