CheetahStand – Self Retracting Automatic Light Stands

• • 13 Comments

Lately i'm hearing about many videographers investing in LED lighting especially to add a bit more light during dimly lit wedding receptions. Wedding Photographers are probably quite familiar with CheetahStand Light Stands, but young video shooters may not be as aware.

To understand why these light stands are so special check out the old video below from the CheetahStand company, and another product overview from YouTube member Shuttertastic.

In a crowded event where you need to setup a light (or two) and quickly move around, you can see how beneficial these stands could be. If your work does not require you to setup and move light stands very often, it's probably not worth investing in as the prices start close to $90 each for the C8 (8ft) version. You can find CheetahStand light stands sold via Adorama (found here).

Adorama Cheetah Light Stands
CheetahStand C8 & C12 Light Stands via Adorama

Related Articles You May Like:

13 thoughts on “CheetahStand – Self Retracting Automatic Light Stands”

  1. I would love to purchase 4 of them but I live in Europe Greece and it seems impossible to find them anywhere in europe. Any idea anyone?

  2.

    I love my Cheetah C8 stand. Edward has to be the fastest shipper I have ever encountered. As for the auto folding function, it's a God send. I dread the task everytime I have to play with the screws on the non-auto ones. Even though it's not that loud IMO if you are careful picking it up, I bet a couple well placed pieces of felt would make it ninja for sure. The quality is also far above the cheaper options. I will own more.

  4. Emm

     Post author

    @seenematic - Though I love the CheetahStands, the main purpose is if you have to move around with your lighting kit. If you're working with static lighting, you could get some heavier duty light stands. Check out the ratings on these Impact Air Cushioned Light Stands

  6. Joel

    @ Martin ~ Then you must piss a lot of people off when you ram the legs of your stands into people's shins as you move around a crowded event ... lol.

  8. Rob S.

    I have a couple of these and it's pretty well made. There are cheaper knock-offs but the quality sucks on those. It's totally useful for event work and when you don't have a lot of room to work in or when the work area is crowded. It gets out of the way quick. Worth the money.

  9. Emm

     Post author

    @apostolos - To each their own I guess, but as easy as it sounds to loosen up screws and retract the legs on traditional stands, it's not quite that simple when you're wearing two cameras + lenses (as most wedding photographers), or if you have a bunch of video gear + monopods / shoulder rigs in your hands.

  10.

    Even though I'm a fervent proponent of the battery-operated LED lights on stands for weddings (super quick setup, no need to set up and tape extension cords to the ground, etc) I don't see a significant time savings that would justify the price difference in these. I mean it takes two more seconds to loosen up the screw and retract the legs in the "traditional" stands. If the difference was 10-20%, maybe it would be worth it, but not at this price.

  11.

    I use these a lot at weddings. I have 5 of them, 3 the large air cushioned version and 2 the small version. They are particularly good when moving around in confined spaces. The only downside is that they can make quite a clatter and this noise needs to be avoided during ceremonies. The large version is also a good alternative to tripods for cams - thats their main use for me.

Comments are closed.