Side by Side Comparison of: CowboyStudio vs PBL

I love these Cowboy Studio 9 foot Professional stands. They are well made, strong and reasonably priced. ,They are a great addition to my studio. I bought one to check it out, and liked it so much I bought another. I highly recommend them! I was considering buying C-stands, but I love the portability, quality and strength of these stands at a much lower cost.

I bought 4 of these. While I'm not a "professional" photographer, I do know what will most likely work for the reasons I bought an item for in the first place. These will definitely work for what I need them for, and a whole lot more.For less than $25 bucks each with free shipping, I think these are a real bargain. Except for the rubber plugs on the feet, it's all metal. Very sturdy and very light with a wide spread on the feet for stability. The adjusters have no plastic parts, and need only 1/4 turn to release and tighten them.They have a 1/4" stud on the top, and they are stable enough to be used for a tripod if you put a tripod head on them so you can tilt and pan with it. There's a lot of uses for these, you could even put speakers on top of them for your home theater system if you want, and they won't tip over on you.Overall, I'm very pleased with them and I think they deserve a 5-star rating.

***BOTTOM LINE*** - This stand is cheap, lightweight, durable, and most importantly, sturdy. I have no qualms about throwing a pricey speedlite on this stand at a gig. It gets the job done well, and I especially love that it has a little bit of extra height over the typical low-cost 7' stands.Pros-Sturdy. I have used stands that seem more secure (and are also much more $$$), so I am not so sure I would go so far as to call it "professional" and "heavy duty," but it has certainly handled everything I have thrown at it rather well. All in all, for the price, I don't think this stand can be beat as far as sturdiness is concerned.-Relatively lightweight-Inexpensive-The 9' height provides a welcome boost over other 7' stands without adding too much weight to the product.Cons-None

This is a review for the CowboyStudio nine feet heavy duty light stand. Please note that CowboyStudio sells two different types of stands. This one is slightly more expensive and better built than the cheaper version. Unlike the cheaper version, this one is almost entirely made of aluminum and not likely to break easily.I bought this stand to hold my AlienBee 800 with a modifier for photoshoots. I've used it for indoor and outdoor shoots and so far it has worked very well. It is very stable even without sandbags. However, make sure you bring some in windy situations.Pros:- Good price.- Great quality material. Almost the entire light stand is made of aluminum. Including the connectors and some knobs.- It's tall enough. Up to 8.5 feet tall when fully extended.- Big footprint makes it sturdy.- Can easily hold heavy loads.- Easy to use. Not hard to expand.Cons:- The spring-loaded feature is scary to use when you unlock it. Make sure you don't point it towards yourself when doing that.In summary, this is a great budget light stand for photographers. Again, CowboyStudio proves that you don't have to spend to much for quality equipment.

I was really impressed with these light stands. I have a few already in various sizes from other companies like Manfrotto that came with the Ellinchrom set or Litedome that came with my cold light soft box sets but these really take the cake. The locking mechanism is really smart. No need to over tighten or untighten. Its just a 90° turn and its either locked or unlocked.It has a really sturdy build and a wider base than my other 9 foot stands. Its also thicker at the spine.It just feels good. I've swapped my Ellinchroms to them in studio and I want more for my outdoor setup - where we just had the Manfrotto topple on us due to wind today. Grabbed a few sand bags too and that will just make it work.The price is perfect - I'm buying more and also trying out their 12 footers.You won't be disappointed.

I have a number of stands from Cowboystudios and I love these particular ones. I teach a number of off-camera flash (strobist) lighting workshops and these are my #1 rated stands for general use. they are light enough and VERY sturdy.I shoot with Alien Bees and these are perfect for stobes with modifier (large softbox/beauty dish/etc).I highly recommend these for anyone looking for a great stand at a great price.Bryanbwlphotography.com

Love them! I bought these to start getting some consistent light stands to stock my studio with and they're absolutely perfect. They're very sturdy without being too heavy, don't wobble too much (even when extended to full height), and the air cushion gives me peace of mind that the lights will be safe if someone forgets to tighten the stand properly.I'll definitely be purchasing more for my studio in the future. They stack up very well to a single light stand that cost more than this whole pack, and I even prefer these.

These stands are heavy duty. They easily handle large LED lights and are quite stable. To get three at this price is a good deal. (It seems like I never have enough stands.) The lock screws function smoothly and lock securely. The storage bags are flimsy--no padding so they really just prevent scratches during transport and dust accumulation when in long term storage.

Love these! I got these for photographing weddings, so I could set up some flashes around the room at the reception. They reach taller than I've ever need them to be; they're built solid; and they're easy to use (I swear that tripods usually hate me, but surprisingly, I get along with these). These guys have survived months of rolling around in my trunk, getting set up and taken down (and maybe even ran into a few walls and doorways...I might be a bit clumsy) like champs. The only issue I've had is that they're so long (even folded up), I've had problems finding a simple bag that would hold these light stands with the flash brackets attached. And, seriously, who wants to attach/detach the flash brackets every time you have to store these things? Ain't nobody got time for that--especially at a wedding! But that's a very minor thing. I'll take their solid build and great height any day. :)

I was very skeptical when I saw these listed as three for $77 but I needed something to replace the skimpy stands that I have been using and figured that I would give it a try. These are absolutely wonderful!!! They make my old stands look and feel like twigs! The wide foot print also makes them so much more stable then my former stands. You cannot go wrong with these in my opinion. I am ordering another set today to use to hold up my backdrop now!

For the money these can't be beat! Very strong and sturdy. Makes some of my old kit lightstands feel like toothpicks in comparison. I use them to hold a pair of softboxes, which it does with ease. I'll be picking up another set of these very soon. Solid 5 stars!

Yes, These are quality stands. I was quite surprised at the price for them. I paid almost that much for one Ravalli. These are of equal quality in my opinion. I took a chance on them and got lucky. They have completed my home studio. So, as a voice in the wilderness, I would highly recommend these. Air cushioning is a must if you don't want to damage your equipment by loosening a clamp by mistake and having that sudden drop.

Really sturdy and like how the extensions secure. The first wedding I used them for, one of the stands would not stay extended but I had backup stands. I was going to send it back asap, but I noticed easy access to the bolts in the knobs. It was an easy one turn with a pair of needle nose pliers and the stand was back to functioning 100%.

Much more sturdy than stands that are only a few dollars less and it's a real 9' tall stand as well. Save yourself the time and aggravation buying an $18.00 stand and spend a few more dollars to buy this stand as it's a much better build for the cheap stands out there. It's not a Manfrotto but it doesn't cost as much either. If you're looking for a cheap light stand this one is likely to fit the bill.

These aren't the highest quality, but they are certainly a great deal. I bought two for holding up the lighthouse sensors for my Vive and the stands work just as well as I hoped they would. My only complaint is that the poles wobble a little bit in their collars when fully extended, but it can be mostly avoided by backing them in about in inch from fully extended. I would certainly buy these again!

Definitely not a Manfrotto but will do the job. ***** be very careful when you first open it up and release the stands flip style locks as they come compressed and they are spring loaded and could easily shoot you in the face if you are not paying attention.***Only think I don't like is the very strong petroleum like smell, not sure what it is but I am assuming it's either the paint or something but it's very strong, going to leave outside for a few days on the porch to see if it goes away.

Decent stand. Not my 9 ft. air cushion cowboy stands but still good. Btw, the 'air cushion' part on those broke instantly, but still solid stands. Works well for mobile backdrop stands!

but like another post said, be careful when unlatching for the first time. That poll would shoot up. I knew this ahead of time because of that review but the way you unlatch the level feels backwards. I moved in closer to see why it wouldn't release and it was a close call. Once you've done it the first time, there's no need to have the center poll as tightly. So it's a onetime event.

I have used these stands professionally for 2 years and they have held up pretty well considering what I paid for them. I own pricier, heavier stands that are nearly indestructible (Manfroto) that cost more each than these 3 stands together. I have used at the beach in and around salt water and have not had any corrosion problems. They work as they are supposed to holding lights and backdrops. I also like that they are not extremely heavy making them very portable.Cons I have had problems with screws needing tightening on the heads (loctite fix) and the pistons no longer move smoothly when raising and lowering the stands for height. If you extend them too far there are no actual stops and they will pull completely out of the cylinder. Have also been worried about over tightening and stripping the clamps but so far they have held any weight I have put on them (flash heads/backdrops). Functionally they do what they are supposed to do consistently and reliably. One of the stands broke where it clamps and holds the bottom cylinder and it's not repairable so I have 2 of the original 3 still functional after 2 years of heavy use.. I can use the non-functional stand as parts if necessary so not a total loss. All these are minor problems and I feel I got my moneys worth considering I use them professionally (constant heavy use and abuse).

Not heavy duty in professional terms. Tighten screws upon arrival, all 3 Had loosened screws. If you do small scale work sure but not professional use.

Good stands, much sturdier than my old set.

It's OK. These came at different stages of assembly and were improperly assembled. I had to take them apart and reassemble each one. The "air" glide does not really work properly. They are however well built and sturdy and that is why I purchased them. At the price point it was a good buy.

Perfect! Heavy duty without being heavy. I got 3 total, one was pretty busted when I got it but works okay at minimal height.

I cant say I love it, but for the price these are definitely very nice and sturdy stands. Heavy, but that's a plus. Not sure if I actually like the suspension part, because it makes it harder to disassemble the stand, but im hoping that with time it gets better (or i might get used to it)

The stand is very sturdy and I like clasp system. It has wide stance and I was able to mount my boom arm without a sandbag because of how wide and sturdy the stance is.The only downside is the weight capacity given is incorrect. Mounting a 8.5 pound Strobe head was too heavy for the stand. The top pole kept sliding down. I had to stuff a small rubberband inside the clam area to keep the pole from sliding down. There is no way (from what I see) to tighten the grip of the clamp since it's not the typical screw but a lock release system. If anyone knows of a way to tighten it let me know.

I keep buying these because they are affordable , they keep breaking or they just give up , I just really like the price... wish I can just take it to the next level with the pocket wizards already but I'm being cheap lol

Good product but a couple of the latches are loose that it won't lock.

you get what you pay for. it's extremely tight and difficult to unscrew the legs to open up the stand. right from the box, I started to expand the top portion of the stand and I heard a piece go tumbling down from the inside. it's not heavy duty, it's quite wobbly and shaky. I'd rather spend an additional $30+ for a more durable stand. I put my $350 flash at risk putting it on this stand at a wedding, which I will test out today.

This item is a great price but it's only standard. I would not call it professional or heavy duty. The flip locks are slightly tough to turn and I find them to be awkward to use. It is a spring loaded stand that "cushions" it with springs, which really just bounce things around when they are lowered down. I will not buy this item again due to the fact that I need heavier duty stands but if you are starting out, this is a pretty decent buy.

Stand is acceptable. Especially for the price. Footprint is great, the rubber stopper on the bottom needs to be glued in better. Nothing a bit of Silicone sealant wouldn't fix. The tightening levers are still working well after dozens of shoots holding up a 32x48 softbox with a 400w/s monolight. Tubing is wide but not really thick. So far so good after 4 months of use. Only complaint is the spring cushioning. It's kind of a joke and increases the storage length of the stand. Just be careful when lowering equipment and you'll be fine. They use common hardware for assembly so it'll be easy to replace if needed.

Not bad

they work

this tripod is pretty flimsy and I hardly ever use it for fear that my camera won't hold up on it. going to look for a new one soon.

I only used this a few times before the top part that extends lost it's tension and kept falling down. Spend a few extra dollars and get something with better quality! Lesson learned..

Bag in picture not included. Why put it in picture???

Pulled this out for a shoot this weekend, and it just would not support my White Lightning X1600 and a 22" beauty dish. It would just collapse....couldn't hold up the weight. Not sure what I'll use this for now. It might hold up with an Alien Bee and an umbrella, but not much more (unless I have a defective one). Definitely would NOT buy another.

I love the flip locks. The stand was surprisingly light weight and sturdy. I was really happy with it until getting ready to use it on my second photo shoot with it when the top section broke internally. It is now stuck in the collapsed position and with twist but not come back up. I can't decide if it was a fluke, and I should get a new one, or a different brand. grrrr.

Ordered 3 stands. 2 of them broke in different ways within a couple months of careful use. Stands are low cost but also low quality.

The picture shows the quick release levers but was not quick release when I received it...jus need to change their picture

Piece of junk. It doesn't fold up, and the springs don't keep the bars in place.

Item stops working after 3 uses. The stand no longer extends up if you attach any weight. completely useless. Pay the 6 bucks more and get this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TM600U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A17W6NLJ3OBMCK. I've had it since 2/15, it still is going strong and comes with a bag which this does not!!!!

I have had the same experience with a couple other reviewers here. One of the segments (for me the top one) is not properly fitted with the other one, and will not hold steady even after tightening the grip clamp. As a result, one cannot keep the stand at a steady height. This is pretty cheap, and might work for some, but after my experience I will be avoiding this brand from now on.

The light stand which advertised as a professional quality light stand is nothing of the sort. Made of lightly constructed and inferior materials, it came to me with enamel scraped off one leg as well.Furthermore, Cowboy Studio charged me $20.00 to ship the stand to me which is equal to the price. I noticed this immediately and tried to alter my order via Amazon and could not. Then I noticed that they had already posted it as shipped only after a few short minutes had passed. Therefore, I ended up paying twice the price and received an inferior and defective product. My dealings with Amazon have always been good and my complaint is not with them but Cowboy Studios. They lost more money from me than they gained in this scam as I will not buy from Cowboy Studios again for any photography equipment.The only kind word I may have to say is that it did arrive when they promised (which it should for an outrageous $20.00).

Bulky but not as strong as it looks. The segment ties are not strong enough - I have a lighter and about the same priced stand that is as strong.NOT recommended!!

Absolute Garbage! Did not make it through 1 wedding before I had one separate from the collar. I had the older 10 foot PBL stands that were great, lasted a whole season before a few started having issues. These ones, I have 0 out of 3 in the past 10 weddings survive. They all failed. Separated from the tubing etc... One is in the trash cause the top where the mounts screw on completely is gone. So disappointed. Definitely have to find a new company for stands.

Had high hopes for this product, and after using it 2xs one of the stands broke. A section just popped out and wont go back in. I'm a professional wedding photographer and this happened at a wedding! Even my colleagues were puzzled. NOT HAPPY!

I have been a photographer for 37 yrs and have had light stands that have lasted 15yrs. Two of these came apart after 2 months. Garbage!!!!!!

Update: After using these stands two or three times, they are difficult to setup and extend. The "air cusion" causes and "air vacuum"... very strange. Beyond that, two out of three broke (couplings came lose, or internal mechanisms failed - no external damage). They didn't last event a couple uses. I don't know how there are so many 5 star ratings, unless they never updated later, but these are made very poorly and come apart quickly. Returning right away.