A light stand holds a light on a 5/8" pin. A C-stand holds a modifier out to the side on a grip head and arm. A combo stand holds a heavy light on a 1-1/8" junior receiver. Most working sets use all three; the mistake is buying one and asking it to do the other two jobs.
Light stand (baby stand)
A light stand, or baby stand, is a straight column on three even legs with a 5/8" baby pin on top. It is built to hold a fixture vertically: an LED panel, a small Fresnel, a speedlight. Matthews kit stands and the Hollywood Beefy Baby fall in this group. They are the lightest option and fold flat, which is why photographers travel with them. Capacities run from about 9 lb on a Location MERF stand to 20 to 30 lb on a steel Beefy Baby.
Choose a light stand when the load is a light, it sits straight over the column, and weight matters.
C-stand (century stand)
A C-stand has three staggered legs, a riser, a 2.5" grip head and a 20" or 40" arm. The arm is the point: it holds a flag, scrim, diffusion frame, bounce, or backdrop out from the stand, at any angle, in a position a light stand cannot reach. The staggered legs let stands nest and let one stand's leg pass under another's. A Matthews 40" C-stand holds 22 lb and reaches 127".
Choose a C-stand when the load is a modifier, it needs to be offset from the column, or it needs to sit low and close to another stand. Every set needs more C-stands than light stands.
Combo stand
A combo stand has a 1-1/8" junior receiver at the top with a 5/8" pin that pulls out, so it takes junior-mount lights and baby-mount lights. Legs are wider and heavier, often with a Rocky Mountain leg that adjusts for slopes. A Matthews Hollywood Combo double riser holds 90 lb at 136"; the triple riser reaches 177.5". Rolling versions add locking casters. This is the stand for a 2K, an 18K, an HMI ballast head, or a large overhead frame.
Choose a combo stand when the fixture has a junior pin, weighs more than 25 lb, or has to go above 10 ft.
Side by side
| Stand | Top mount | Typical load | Reach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light stand | 5/8" baby pin | 9 to 30 lb | 7 to 12 ft | Small lights, travel |
| C-stand 40" | Grip head + arm, 5/8" pin | 22 lb | 127" (10 ft 7 in) | Flags, frames, bounce, backdrops |
| Combo stand | 1-1/8" junior receiver | 50 to 90 lb | 11 to 24 ft | Large lights, overhead frames |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a C-stand as a light stand?
For a small fixture on the 5/8" pin, yes. For a heavy or high light, no; use a combo stand.
What is the difference between a baby pin and a junior receiver?
A baby pin is a 5/8" male stud. A junior receiver is a 1-1/8" female socket. Both are industry standards Matthews helped establish, and most combo stands carry both.
Which one should a photographer buy first?
One 40" C-stand with grip head and arm, then a light stand for the strobe. The C-stand will hold the reflector, the flag, and the backdrop.
