Use a tripod as a light stand?

**lithedreamer** · 01-09-2017, 01:52 PM

Despite my specific instructions to B&H to hold my entire order of new flash gear until everything was ready, they've shipped everything...except my light stands.

So, any ideas for makeshift light stands? I might be able to get my wife to hold one for a while, I have a single light stand already, and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand?

SpecialK · 01-09-2017, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by lithedreamer

and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand?

Mount the correct adaptor on top.

Sandy Hancock · 01-09-2017, 02:17 PM

My Metz 58AF-1 flash came with a stand which includes a tripod mount. My Cactus V5 wireless triggers have them built in.

**lithedreamer** · 01-09-2017, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

My Metz 58AF-1 flash came with a stand which includes a tripod mount. My Cactus V5 wireless triggers have them built in.

Hmm. I'll have to see if my new light modifiers have tripod mounts when they show up tomorrow. Thanks!

**bobbotron** · 01-09-2017, 03:07 PM

I've done it, I've found my tripod heads don't super enjoy holding an umbrella but it'll work.

**UncleVanya** · 01-09-2017, 05:11 PM - **1 Like**

For a simple speedlight I have used old 35mm or old digital camera bodies as a hot shoe with a tripod socket in a pinch. (Assuming wireless triggering (optical or RF)

**Digitalis** · 01-09-2017, 05:32 PM - **1 Like**

Actually this is a useful ability, tripods can be a lot heavier than flash stands - and more stable on uneven ground. I have used tripods for lighting stands with unusual or extremely heavy light modifiers.

narual · 01-10-2017, 02:37 PM - **1 Like**

Table lamps typically have the same threading as a tripod mount. If you're talking dpeedlights and not a heavy strobe, they sometimes come with a plastic stand for wireless use, and those stands often have tripod threads. I've used lamps to hold flashes a few times. Even popped the lampshade on upside down to soften the light a couple times.

A great thing to have in your kit is a manfrotto super clamp: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-035RL-Super-Clamp-Standard/dp/B0018LQVIA
Bit heavy to tote around but it can turn any sturdy object with an inch or two diameter into a tripod or light stand. There's also a "magic arm" gooseneck attachment you can get for it to aim a light more flexibly.

**lithedreamer** · 01-10-2017, 06:03 PM

So, my tripod's screw is both too short and too thin for my softboxes to grip on to anything substantial. Fortunately, my light stands have shipped, they should be here Friday.

Wheatfield · 01-10-2017, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by lithedreamer

Despite my specific instructions to B&H to hold my entire order of new flash gear until everything was ready, they've shipped everything...except my light stands.

So, any ideas for makeshift light stands? I might be able to get my wife to hold one for a while, I have a single light stand already, and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand?

You need a 1/4x20 to 3/8x20 bushing.

**bobbotron** · 01-11-2017, 10:04 AM

Note that some tripod heads will have a hard time keeping flash umbrellas (and other cantilevered weights) in place.

01-09-2017, 01:52 PM	#1
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Use a tripod as a light stand? Despite my specific instructions to B&H to hold my entire order of new flash gear until everything was ready, they've shipped everything...except my light stands. So, any ideas for makeshift light stands? I might be able to get my wife to hold one for a while, I have a single light stand already, and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand?

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01-09-2017, 02:12 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by lithedreamer and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand? Mount the correct adaptor on top.

01-09-2017, 02:17 PM	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	My Metz 58AF-1 flash came with a stand which includes a tripod mount. My Cactus V5 wireless triggers have them built in.

01-09-2017, 02:19 PM	#4
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock My Metz 58AF-1 flash came with a stand which includes a tripod mount. My Cactus V5 wireless triggers have them built in. Hmm. I'll have to see if my new light modifiers have tripod mounts when they show up tomorrow. Thanks!

01-09-2017, 03:07 PM	#5
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	I've done it, I've found my tripod heads don't super enjoy holding an umbrella but it'll work.

01-09-2017, 05:11 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	For a simple speedlight I have used old 35mm or old digital camera bodies as a hot shoe with a tripod socket in a pinch. (Assuming wireless triggering (optical or RF)

01-09-2017, 05:32 PM - 1 Like	#7
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Actually this is a useful ability, tripods can be a lot heavier than flash stands - and more stable on uneven ground. I have used tripods for lighting stands with unusual or extremely heavy light modifiers.

01-10-2017, 02:37 PM - 1 Like	#8
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Table lamps typically have the same threading as a tripod mount. If you're talking dpeedlights and not a heavy strobe, they sometimes come with a plastic stand for wireless use, and those stands often have tripod threads. I've used lamps to hold flashes a few times. Even popped the lampshade on upside down to soften the light a couple times. A great thing to have in your kit is a manfrotto super clamp: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-035RL-Super-Clamp-Standard/dp/B0018LQVIA Bit heavy to tote around but it can turn any sturdy object with an inch or two diameter into a tripod or light stand. There's also a "magic arm" gooseneck attachment you can get for it to aim a light more flexibly.

01-10-2017, 06:03 PM	#9
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799 Original Poster	So, my tripod's screw is both too short and too thin for my softboxes to grip on to anything substantial. Fortunately, my light stands have shipped, they should be here Friday.

01-10-2017, 08:10 PM	#10
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by lithedreamer Despite my specific instructions to B&H to hold my entire order of new flash gear until everything was ready, they've shipped everything...except my light stands. So, any ideas for makeshift light stands? I might be able to get my wife to hold one for a while, I have a single light stand already, and is there some easy way to convert a set of tripod legs into a light stand? You need a 1/4x20 to 3/8x20 bushing.

01-11-2017, 10:04 AM	#11
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Note that some tripod heads will have a hard time keeping flash umbrellas (and other cantilevered weights) in place.

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