Gaffer & Gear 123 - Kupo Light Stands

Gaffer & Gear 122 - Kupo Light Stands
A review of various Kupo light stands and the Convi Clamp
Big thank you to the Australian distributor Protog.com.au
00:00 Intro
00:32 Convi Clamp
01:55 Grand 4-way Snap Stand
03:17 Baby Kit light stand with square legs
04:43 Combo Stands
05:09 Low Mighty Light Stand
08:13 Master High Cine Stand
10:19 40 Inch Sliding Leg C-Stands
16:18 Turtle base C-Stand

[@Shutupmike]

New years Eve. People is partying, I'm watching this episode. Priorities? Dunno, still a big fan of G&G channel tho.

[@bobh1782]

same here, watching this Christmas eve haha

[@djktman]

Your humor is great. I too have a turtle base Kupo C-Stand and I love it more then the industry standard ones I've used for years.

[@vincentzavier8109]

I always like when you stress the gear to their limits like standing on em, throw it on floor, etc. Gives confidence to buy these gears. Thank you for your guidance and sharing your knowledge. God bless you.

[@drob1994]

Would love an episode on boom arms / menace arms and comparing the different options out there!

[@stevndelozada3640]

I love this guy, hella funny with great information. I just bought the 40" Turtle Base C-Stand in black from Amazon in the US. I didn't realize Kupo had those Bigger Stands as I would have invested in the large one. After watching this I guess I should pickup some protective gloves. I am not a lighting Gaffer but a photographer.

[@FTGTapGod]

Been looking at Kupo stands pretty heavily lately. This video definitely inspires confidence. Matthew's and American Grip is standard here and while I really like them, there are actually design choices I see on these stands that I see as an improvement while remaining cheaper.

[@RChildVision]

Same. This video came right in time as I was prepping to buy new stands

[@gangd4807]

Kupo was always heavy but very solid. It's still better than Merking😂

[@tinderbox218]

Haven't heard of Kupo before, but looks solid. Love the details and build quality they put into the stands. Thanks

[@TheFilmGuyOfficial]

"... don't do that!" haha. I laughed at that.

[@rodrigo8269]

I have no idea why the C-Stand got so popular on youtube to use as a lightstand, since most have legs that might move if someone kicks them. But good to know Kupo's turtle base C-Stand legs are well locked, might end up getting one

[@romekwatzlawik9772]

Thank you Andrew for having this channel and giving out your great knowledge!!! If you ever ran out of content I'd be happy to get some infos on possibilities to light from above (meaning overhead) boom arms (seems to be quite short) polecats etc. Have a great start into 2021!!!

[@EpictheEpicest]

That 4 way clipping is very smart

[@gangd4807]

Finally, I learned the meaning of the alphabet in the name of the stand. Kupo's square stand is amazing!

[@davidp158]

Thanks for another highly informative review. Quality light stands are a must-have, as there is simply too much risk to people and equipment to skimp on cheap stands. I have some Kupo grip hardware, and for the most part it is as good as similar products from Matthews. I have a Vise Clamp from Kupo that binds up badly, but their other grip gear has been fine.

[@thegrandproductions]

happy new year, thank you so much for all these amazing informative reviews.

[@georgs5870]

Thanks for the reviews, made me leaning towards Kupo Light Stands.

[@jeremeyshelton]

Great review, as always! I just wanted to say that I’ve replaced most of my turtle bases (old spring loaded ones that have become a huge pain to open and close) with the Kupo quick locking ones. They are amazing. It seems like a minor (perhaps silly) thing to do but it makes working the stands so much faster and effortless on shoots.

[@osoriony]

Happy New Year!! I have the heavy crank light stand from Kupo and it's superb, besides much cheaper than Matthews.

[@stuartrankin4851]

brilliant thank you - just the thing I need! Now I can confidently purchase these to replace my manfrottos

[@conrad2nr]

Thanks for the new episode. Happy New Year all the way from Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean

[@terryhope2074]

Hey Locky, have you just had a particularly traumatic agency gig? Always good reviews, always entertaining. Happy new year, here's to a good 2021. TH

[@byung-hyun]

All good information about all stands 👍👍👍

[@andresbohorquez2524]

Every episode is a GEM!!

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

NICE DOG MATE!!!

[@Charles-Elie]

Happy New Year man! Thanks for another fantastic review, I'm impressed with those stands and I now wish my Avenger c-stand have that same hedagonal end for light mount.

[@robwettengl8845]

Great review, I appreciate your work!

[@JoATTech]

I really like Kupo Grip stands. I got one at the moment and it's rock solid. I'm looking at 310M for last few days after watching your Aputure Dome 150 review :D.

[@ColdChills01]

I wish there were links in all of your videos...plenty of great useful Info with awesome detail in every video I've watched so far..just need links to top it off ...thanks for searching

[@D_L_J_83]

Okay these are great. At first I was kinda thinking “chinese company just ripping off the likes of Matthews and Manfrotto” but they’re actually improving them with some clever innovations on design. Thanks for this mate appreciate it - happy new year!

[@KDGlan]

Taiwanese company actually

[@orsonhumphrey2188]

Id love to see a review on the kupo junior boom stand!!!

[@dugsbugs1]

What the hell have I done. My 543M arrived today and it's a monster. I'm glad I didn't choose the wind up one. I am going to have to split it in 2 to carry and transport. That's if I can get the grub screws out which so far are very tight. Great quality stand.

[@erthaldop]

lovely doggo 🐶

[@smallbatchsessions6892]

I have the largest light stand that you just reviewed and love it . It is a beast . Only thing I don’t like it the bolts that thread into the flip out baby pin come inscrewed vibrating look in the truck .

[@retlwiz]

Have had a couple of Kupo products for a while (Apple box and grip head) and found them super solid, but was wondering if to get more of their gear. After this review will definitely get some of their stands.

[@PVCLime]

Got my Master Cine Combos and the C-stands with turtle base this week. Just the thought about putting the C-stand as a riser on the combos 😱

[@gaffergear]

I only do this outside with my Super Wind Up Stand (which can take an 80kg payload) I do use the master combos stands indoors for this, but with a lot of shot bags, and overlap on the section (as in I don't go full height on any section, so pipe is overlapping inside the stand for added strength)

[@benrickard5092]

I have some of the same stands under the name of Impact, still going strong after five or so years.

[@realestatephotovideoshawns1177]

I really like Kupo products!

[@victorsantos9612]

really great!!!

[@BrianHalePhoto]

That Kupo 195S is right up my alley and yet no one seems to sell or have sold it in the states. Info on it is sparse at best. I have emailed Kupo with no response and just tried sending B&H an email. Hopefully I can track one (or two ideally) down.

[@artobzor]

Best new year present

[@HighlyAkicktive]

Hi Andrew, did you have a chance to compare the Master HD Stand (KS200112 / 226M) vs. the Master Cine Stand (KS501411 / 542M), and if they're comparable in stability? The HD has round legs vs. square legs on the Cine but features spring loaded risers, which is quite an advantage. Thanks!

[@DUANEYAISER]

Pupper at 4:46 Hey Fletcher!!

[@Kinespojken]

Here in Sweden Kupo is equipment non grata haha

[@patrickdeteliga7309]

Hey mate love the channel. Would you recommend the 195S to cope with Aputure 600d ballast and 150 dome? Thanks in advance

[@gaffergear]

Technically yes, but I wouldn't go high with it, it's a bit too small for my liking

[@cnihon5894]

Adam, many thanks for these videos. After watching this I went out and invested in a lot of the equipment in this video. Supply chain issues aside, it's almost impossible to buy Avenger or Matthews stands here in Japan. Overall, I'm impressed with the quality. Would you mind confirming something for me? I have a quick Kupo quick-release c-stand and when the legs are set-up, locked in place, if I apply pressure to the longest/highest leg (using a foot or sandbag), it pushes out and angles up slightly. The foot is no longer parallel to the ground. Is this something you've noticed with these stands when they're setup? First time using the quick-release mechanism and wondering if I need to have words with my Kupo rep.

[@gaffergear]

I haven't had that issue, but worth checking with them, it could just be an adjustment somehow

[@cnihon5894]

@@gaffergear thanks, that's enough confirmation for me to drop them a mail and see. No regret on the rest of the haul, especially the Kupo skim kit and the combo stand. Skrims are next to impossible to find here and cost a fortune to import. Don't know where I'd be without this channel, cheers!

[@MaxIsBackInTown]

If you were going to use the pole from a c-stand as a boom are what would you use to hold it up?

[@BigfootMediaPro]

Kupo Pivoting Boom Arm Clamp

[@D_L_J_83]

I’m thinking of buying more C-Stands - do you prefer these compared to Avengers? Mine are Avengers and they just feel nice overall compared to the Kupos, but I like the spring aligning feature of the grip heads and that the legs can’t be kicked loose

To me, apart from the griphead, I’ d still go for Avenger if it is cheaper. ( it is here in EU)

[@D_L_J_83]

@ it’s more expensive here in Australia :(

[@KDGlan]

I have both and honestly I prefer the kupo turtle base stands over my avengers.

[@DJWOLFIExx]

does the kupo stand have the little bar that lets you hang it on cart racks? all the beefy baby stands we usually use on set have a little bar through the top of one leg so you can hook it on to the cart rack. i keep trying to see if it has that and it doesnt seem like it does

[@gaffergear]

Yes

[@centralparkpiper]

Hey Andrew, would you mind offering your advice on whether the kupo turtle mount or the impact turtle mount is a better stand from your experience or knowledge? I could use some help here as I need to purchase 3 of these but don’t know which is higher quality. I can get the impact for a bit less and save some money but would prefer to have the higher quality if there is a difference. Thank you so much for any advice you are willing to offer.

[@gaffergear]

I haven't seen the impact brand, but they look almost identical

[@centralparkpiper]

@@gaffergear awesome thank you for the input

[@santiagotorres5285]

You are allowed to kick your own gear!

[@gaffergear]

Yes, but don't tell your insurance company

[@natehaban9843]

Sorry if you may have addressed this in another video, but: what exactly is the difference between the brands Kupo and Impact? I own a few Impact c-stands, and from everything I've seen the Kupo's are nearly identical.

[@gaffergear]

I actually suspect that impact may be Kupo rebranded, but that's from looking at photos. Not sure

[@MunchyToy]

You may not have had access to test, but do you know if there is a huge structural difference between the Kupo and Neewer heavy duty C-stands? I'm in Australia too and manufacturer options seem to be limited.

[@gaffergear]

I haven't used one so can't pass judgement

[@centralparkpiper]

Hi, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on whether kupo turtle base is of higher quality to the impact turtle base c stand. They seem nearly identical and I can’t find any info comparing these two on the internet. Is the B&H impact brand a subsidiary of kupo. Kupo has the patent on the turtle base and since impact sells the identical things it makes me wonder if they are sister companies. Does one have higher quality construction over the other? Any info would be much appreciated, Thanks mate!

[@conrad2nr]

It's a copy of the Kupo. The Impact comes with a welded extension arm to the gobo head whereas the Kupo arm and gobo head can be separated.

[@centralparkpiper]

@@conrad2nr is there a difference in quality and longevity between the two? Also just FYI, The impact extension arm is not welded and can be separated, perhaps it was at one time but it definitely is no longer welded.

[@conrad2nr]

@@centralparkpiper I haven't had the Impact and Kupo side by side to compare but it did feel solid and from memory felt a smidge taller/heavier than my subsequent stands. It was my first C-stand.

[@IanHavens]

@@centralparkpiper have had both impact & kupo, the impact riser is taller and didn't fit into my lighting case so I ended up trading it for a matthews riser. Apart from that the base is pretty much identical

[@centralparkpiper]

@@IanHavens do you have any reference regarding the long term durability of both? I know the impact is made in China and the kupo is made in Taiwan. I wonder if there is any difference to the metal strength and durability. Did you find they had an identical feel to the adjustments and connectors etc?

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

Hey Andrew. Would that middle of the road-stand (195S baby kit) be able to handle the aputure 600x with the fresnel and/or the nova 300? I imagine you work with heavier lights but those are the max in my lighting arsenal.

[@gaffergear]

It could, but I wouldn't!. Especially if you are going up higher than head height. I would tell my assistants they have the wrong stand and to get a combo

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

Thank you.

[@adi0ne]

@@gaffergear the Master C-Stand With Sliding Leg & Quick-Release System will be allrigt for this setup ? forza 500 + fresnel or lantern ?

[@calebhyatt5090]

Hello! Do you have an update on gupo gear now that you have used them for a while? Would you recommend them for building out a G&E van?

[@gaffergear]

Kupi has a tendency to over tighten the leg nuts, so they snap after time. , so I've gone through and made sure they are all slack enough for the legs to unfold without using force, after doing that I have had no issues at all.

[@calebhyatt5090]

@@gaffergear That is good to know. Just to clarify, are you talking about the bolts/nuts that connects the legs to the center pole? Guess the best word would be the "bracing."

[@MaxIsBackInTown]

Which do you like better the avenger or kupo stands?

[@gaffergear]

I've just ordered 8 Kupo large cine combos for one of my vans and 5 C-Stands for rentals. Price was a huge factor in the decision, as I do prefer the feel of the avenger combo.

[@chrispeden979]

I have been trying to decide between the Manfrotto Quick Stack stands and the Kupo Click/Snap Stands. What would be your recommendation?

[@gaffergear]

The only difference I can see is that the Kupo paint seems to scratch a littke bit easier when it is abused on rentals.

[@chrispeden979]

@@gaffergear not many reviews out there on the Kupo but the some I’ve found say on the mini and midi the blue collar lock isn’t very “locking”. Any thoughts there? I’m probably splitting hairs aren’t I?

[@gaffergear]

@@chrispeden979 A good light stand is a forever purchase, I regret some of my decisions 12 years later. So don't rush into purchasing. The size units I had here I slammed the shit out of during testing and they always locked. I have had a few rentals where they haven't locked but that is because nothing is idiot proof and the didn't have the base of the stand sitting in its holder. I can only speak for the exact model stands they sent me, but so far rentals people love them. I recently updated all my large combo stands in my large van to Kupo. But I use admit, cost was a huge factor in causing between these and avenger. I get a lot of feed back from viewers pointing to problems that seem to have been fixed on the stands I have.

[@chrispeden979]

@@gaffergear thanks for your help.

[@adi0ne]

@@gaffergear Manfrotto quick stack will be good enough for Forza 300 with small aputure lanter or with forza fresnel? They are rated for 9KG but Forza with fresnel is no more than 5KG.

[@robojim4000]

A lot of the time I see people not use any counterweight on c-stand arms - is this normal? I use boom arms like the avenger d600 and always use a counterweight...

[@gaffergear]

I use counters on my d600 and Menace Arms, I'm not a fan of the strap system. On C stands the counter weight is usually a shit bag on the legs, because it is a short boom distance that works.

[@andrewtaylor5103]

How much to hire a shit bag per day? Or do they come complimentary with the ad agency?

[@NigelZhen]

lol 😂 how u keep talking about the advertising agency guy

[@abettervideographer]

Is the "Master High" just a Mombo?

[@gaffergear]

Mombo usually have a large grip head at the top

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

FLETCHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gdrriley420]

got any complaints after a year or have they held up good? I'm looking at the Midi-Max Baby Kit Stand for my 100-200W COBs with 36in softboxes as I don't trust my lightweight stands and I don't have the space to store C stands

[@gaffergear]

The stands are going very well. No let downs yet

[@GripTips]

First? Hahahha