Manfrotto1004BAC 144" Air Cushioned Aluminum Master Light Stand with 4 Sections & 3 Risers, Black

The Manfrotto Light Stand – a true game-changer in the world of lighting equipment. This stand has proven itself to be incredibly handy, and the reliability of its air cushioning system has given me peace of mind during my shoots.But what sets this light stand apart is its ingenious design for transport. The ability to collapse it completely flat and seamlessly latch it onto other units of itself is a stroke of brilliance. This feature has made transporting my equipment a breeze – no more awkwardly fitting stands into tight spaces or dealing with multiple separate components.When it comes to value for money, the Manfrotto Light Stand takes the crown. Its convenience, durability, and thoughtful design have raised the bar for what a light stand can offer. As someone who has worked with various light stands, I can confidently say that this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's not just a purchase – it's an investment in convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind.

I've gone through many light stands. Still have most of them, but this is the one I reach for first, almost every time. It's larger (and therefore heavier) than some. This makes it especially sturdy, with a wide base. Not nearly as heavy as a C-stand though. I love that they pack flat. This makes a difference, even if you just have one. I now have two, and the fact that they clip together to minimize storage and packed travel space is really nice. They hold my alien bees/Einstein strobes well, even with large modifiers on there (7' umbrellas with additional diffuser covers are my biggest).This is my go-to light stand. If I need something tiny and lighter for a speedlight, I use a very compact Manfrotto stand. There are a few times I grab a C-stand with boom arm. But for 95% of what I shoot, if I'm adding lighting, it's on this stand, the 1004BAC.

Love these light stands! I use these for on-location shoots. I like them so much that I got rid of all my other stands (except the heavy duty C-stands for the studio) and bought a bunch of these. I love that they stack together and my assistant can carry a brick of several of them easily, even without a light stand bag. They also don't get beat up in transport nearly as much when they are stacked vs. tumbling around loose. They are also air cushioned, so my light heads don't get damaged as easily if my assistant lets them slip while adjusting the height. They are very sturdy and extend to 12 feet. Also like that they come with the little screw off threaded tip so you can attach items with either the larger or smaller fittings. The only issue I have is that sometimes the little plastic hooks that hold them together when they are stacked together can break if you're rough with them and I've been waiting for replacement parts from Manfroto for literally over three months now. That's probably because its a new product and shouldn't be an issue in the future. I just bought a couple more of these stands, so I can definitely say I'd recommend them.

I'm using several of these as tall mic stands. A two buck adapter lets me attach standard mic holders on the top. The stands are quiet (no obnoxious acoustic resonances in the tubes) and secure. The knobs that lock the uprights into place are solid and easy to handle. The profile is thin and unobtrusive, especially with the knobs facing away from the audience, and the black matte finish helps them disappear from view. I really like the way they connect to each other when folded up for compact storage and to make it easier to carry them in and out of an event. I use weight bags on these when I have my expensive vacuum tube mics above head height. Also, you should note that the legs have to be most of the way out before the bottom of the center column raises off the floor. When the legs are folded up they are shorter than the center column (which is part of the storage mechanism), so you need to pull them out quite a ways to make the stand stable. Don't plan to use these if you can only extend the legs out 18 inches or less.

Sturdy stand and well made. Really easy to setup and stack, plan on buying a few more... air cushioning is awesome. I love that you can stack these for easy transport and storage.

I’ve gone through dozens of cheap light stands. They always end up failing me. I finally decided to spend the money on these and couldn’t be happier. Very compact and the ability to connect them together for transport is amazing. They are very sturdy and well built. As a professional photographer, they are used daily and worth the money

Received today in the usual Amazon abused box packaging, but something like this should survive this treatment and this did.I'm very glad I heeded the advice given in the reviews concerning wiggly jiggly lighter weight stands, including a $50 Manfrotto model, and purchased this one instead. Life's too short to put expensive lighting gear atop jiggly wiggly things.Are there sturdier light stands? Of course. This one, however, gives one confidence something really dramatic must happen before your light tips over.The pin atop the stand is crimped in place. I don't think this matters to anyone, but I've read a few comments here and there that this pin is removable. It isn't on my example. My studio flash sits atop this stand just fine and secures well.The pin comes with a, seemingly well made, 3/8" to 1/4" reducer just the right size to lose instantly unless you find a way to manage little gadgets in your work flow. My very first task for this stand is to hold a speedlight with one of those shoe mounts that accepts 1/4" so this is a welcome feature.A good stand for a good price.