tripods & lightstands
support equipment i use for photography & video.
LIGHTSTANDS, TRIPODS AND MONOPODS I USE AND RECOMMEND TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMMAKING
MANFROTTO 055 CF TRIPOD
Let me be very clear here, I LOVE this tripod. For almost camera support uses I need a tripod for, the Manfrotto 055 is perfect. Carbon Fiber, so it’s light. 4-section, so it’s small and packable. Heavy-duty and stable, the 055 checks all the boxes for me. The top extension even folds out horizontally for top-down camera angles. This Manfrotto is by far the best tripod I’ve owned for so many different reasons.
MANFROTTO MT190 XPRO 4
When I just need something smaller, or think I’ll need a second tripod, I usually grab for the MT190 XPRO 4. Smaller than the 055, but every but as well made, this little guy comes in handy, and sometimes serves as a lightstand in a pinch. If you’re starting to see a pattern here, there is a reason I mainly use Manfrotto tripods. They are well-built, reliable, and Manfrotto always stands behind them.
MANFROTTO VIDEO MONOPOD XPRO+
So where do I start with the XPRO+ monopod? So versatile, so well designed, and built like a tank. The removable fold-out legs work extremely well, and can be set to allow smooth motion at the base. Pair this with a solid video head, and you’ve got a real winner here, especially for crowded locations, tight shooting locations, or events such as sports where a full tripod would get in the way. Bravo Manfrotto!
MANFROTTO 504X FLUID VIDEO HEAD
The Manfrotto 504 fluid head is a BEAST of a video head. I use this with the Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber tripod, which balances it out nicely. The 504 is a very smooth video head that’s incredibly well-built. I’ve used the heaviest cameras, even with field monitors, mics and cages attached, and the 504 doesn’t flinch.
MANFROTTO 057 BALL HEAD
This ball head is huge, heavy, and built like a tank. Exactly what a pro photographer needs in a ballhead. The Manfrotto 057 is not one I’d typically grab for daily use or light travel, but for day shoots and studio use, it’s just about perfect. The arca-swiss style plate mount is compatible with Smallrig plates, to for me, it’s a winner!
MANFROTTO HYDROSTATIC HEAD
The Manfrotto Hydrostatic ballhead is, to me, the perfect camera ballhead. Small enough to travel, strong enough to use with heavy cameras and lenses, the Hydrostatic is amazing. Yes, another pattern here. I use and swear by Manfrotto ball heads. I modify my Hydrostatics with the Smallrig 1716 plate clamp.
MANFROTTO 494 BALL HEAD
This little guy is tiny, but strong. I’ll often use this atop the Rhino slider, with a monopod such as the Manfrotto XPRO+, and for vehicle camera rigs. Like all of my ballheads, I modify the Manfrotto 494 ball head with Smallrig 1716 clamp so every tripod, monopod and camera mount is the same. I can’t stand swapping tripod plates.
IMPACT HEAVY-DUTY LIGHT STAND
Impact light stands are light, strong and affordable. I use these all the time for full size studio lights such as the Aputure 300x along with the huge Lightdome II. I’ll even raise these bad boys all the way up, connect a horizontal bracket and use them for top-down camera angles. Impact Heavy Duty lights stands, my go-to lighting support.
IMPACT TURTLE BASE C-STAND
For the studio you can’t go wrong with Impact C-stands. Heavier, more solidly built and less portable than the Impact Light Stands, C-stands are incredible for heavy lighting equipment, light modifiers and camera gear. Throw a solid boom arm on here and you’re set. I really like the Impact C-stands and highly recommend them.