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Have just aquired to twin Companica lights used on the old large format stationary cameras printers use. They are great lights and I want to buy 2 lighting stands for them. Currently Tasman AV has 8 feet heavy duty stand he will give me for $150 each. No brand apparently from China goes to 3.1metres in height and can carry 5Kg. Anyone have any idea what might be a good choice and where to buy for best price?
cheers
marco

Marco,

I suggest that you look through the Manfrotto range:

http://www.manfrotto.com.au/LightingPro ... t_Code=010



and Australian price list:

http://www.manfrotto.com.au/PDFPages/Ma ... ceList.pdf

You may also need to investigate adapting spigotts if the attachment system of the old lamps differs from the current conventions.

The aluminium stands are light weight for their strength and there is a heavy duty steel range. All locks fasten very securely and they are something of an industry standard these days.

Only word of warning which concerns most of these devices is that many components are cast metal alloy and these are often at points of considerable load bearing. Mis-use them and the brittle alloy can snap.

Cheers,

Walter giveth good advice.

Also have a look at Vanbar; aprt from Manfrotto, they bring in their own budget line of lighting stands which are quite serviceable if you don't want to pay the premium that the Manfrottos might command.

Thank you gentleman and yes Gary I'd like to get away with not having to pay premium price but still retain reasonable quality, hopefully not mutually exclusive. Am kicking myself when asked if I wanted anything before the machine was trashed for a refurbishment to digital I completely overlooked the copy platform on which the lights were attached. Thick hinged plate glass holder on solid metal base which i could have used for all sorts of print and copy work not to mention macro work. Complete fool that I am! Now it sits thrown at a DUMP. Can't believe I missed the chance. Anyway I rescued some frames the great lights and the very good lenses and the metre or so high black concertina belows attached to the lenses. Don't know yet what I can do with them but any ideas are welcome. I'll follow up your advice Gary and Walter.
cheers
marco

Marco,

Most of those units that I have seen had large and heavy sheetmetal lamps with either bent steel or dye cast support yokes. I doubt that you could function with safety with any of the small stands that Vanbar bring in. Mind you, Vanbar do also supply Manfrotto.

It might actually be worth your while to keep an eye out for any auctions or sales of heavy duty floor stands.

The honest to God truth is, however, that most of what you have salvaged is really best off at the tip. Hard to accept, I know, but that's the reality. Generally the optics of these 'process' cameras were barrel lenses with no shutter and a diaphragm that went to exceedingly small aperutres up to and way beyond f/128. The cost of a shutter would be more than the optics themselves are worth.

Don't chase good money after bad. Modern lamps - flash or constant - are not such an expensive item these days.

Cheers,

Thanks Walter i have just purchased, before your email, 2 heavy duty stands from vanbar. The lights from the old camera are indeed relatively heavy 2.2 kg with support stand and clamp.

I also finally contacted the guy who removed it from the printery and he still had it. I went there and, perhaps against my better judgement, removed the copy platform that i craved and in which i saw in my minds eye great potential.

It has indeed cleaned up really well with the unit offering backlight or more accurately underneath light for the subject as well as the 2 45degree angled mainlights. The lighting seemed to work extremely well on the unit casting what looked like very good even light that may be perfect for copy work and some controlled macro work. I suppose walter, experimentation is what it's all about. Who knows I may fluke something worthy of my minds eye! Despite the wisdom of your words it has cost me nothing but the 2 light stands that i was going to buy anyway.

cheers
marco

marcotrov
Enjoy your new toys. The ability to copy large documents accurately is one that can be financially rewarding. The skill is relatively easy to gain.

I was counting on that being the case Matt and the way this set up I think it might be pretty good. I'm going to take a photo and post it for you to look at and pass comment. Any suggestions on best way to approach it would be much appreciated.
cheers
marco

Here is the beast

Can not necessarily my favourite but gives proportion of the beast.

Each pair of lights on side can be unhinged with one hand and mounted on light stands with some scrimm barndoors etc to soften light.

here is heavy glass lid and opaque layer lifted to reveal 4 fluro bank backlighting.
What do you all think
cheers
marco