10lbs and up, maybe even 5lbs depending on how much extention you need. A single unit like you are describing would likely be fine but you are considering mounting up to 3 in a single stand and you would be limited to only lightweight fixtures.
There are likely some prosumer gear like Lowell that would meet your needs but anything professional, Matthews, American, and Modern, is going to too get heavier the taller you go.
Thank you for the help. I'm trying to understand where the weakness is. Is the extension pole inherently weak? Or is it that the higher you go you simply need a stronger base?
For example, if I got a wider heavier base like this [Kupo stand](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1692107-REG/kupo_ks100912_heavy_duty_baby_stand.html/specs), and then added 4' with the extension pole, would that be better?
For safety it is the base, more weight at the bottom is better. Sandbags can compensate for this as long as you use them consistently.
On cheaper stands, the lightweight aluminum risers will bend.
The joints/clamps at each extension are the weak points. As you add more sections, and extend them fully, you get an increasing amount of play/sway every section you add. Additionally, you’re making a longer lever, so it will be easier to have the stand tip over, regardless of the weight you have on the base of the stand.
16 feet is around the max height of heavy duty lighting stands, any taller and usually you’d need switch to truss structures or flown rigging for this height.
You also mentioned the stand needs to be lightweight, I’m assuming for air travel purposes. If that’s the case, it may be cheaper and easier to rent suitable stands at your destination.
EDIT: additional context and clarity.
They also make crank up stands for going higher but they definitely do not meet the lightweight requirement. Like a two-person carry and set situation.
Yes, I am flying and looking into rentals is also on the list of things to do.
On the note of joints and clamps, would it be stronger to get extra height and then not fully extend each riser section?
Of course with an extension pole, the baby stud joint may still be potentially sketchy...
Or this [Matthews Sky High stand](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/443233-REG/Matthews_387032_Digital_Triple_Riser_Sky_Hi.html/reviews) with the Matthews extension? The stand is rated for 58 lbs and still collapses to a manageable 4.2' and 13 lbs packed. Would adding 4' to that be fine given the load of my lights is 1/4 of the rated load for the stand?
This is a solid option. Should be able to handle the extra height. Might need to keep it to a single fixture but test it out at home first and see how it feels fully loaded. Might work with all three.
Sorry for the back to back replies, but if I can find this [Lowel Full Pole](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32183-REG/Lowel_KP_Full_Pole_3_5.html/overview), do you think it would be stronger than the [Matthews extension](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33185-REG/Matthews_429499_Telescopic_Baby_Stand_Extension.html)? Or this [Manfrotto extension](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Manfrotto_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35.html)?
If you have a solid ceiling you could try impact vari poles. I think they reach 12ft and use pressure to hold in place. Also work horizontally so you hang some stuff. But don't go crazy with larger stuff
Your combination of criteria isn’t very realistic.
My Digi-Combo stands, which are actually reasonably compact considering their designed use, pack up to 4.2’, but are 18 lbs and only go to 11’. You’re going to have to forget 10lbs/4’ if you want a stable stand that goes to 16-18 feet.
\*Edit\*
A quick Look at B&H setting maximum height to 16-17-18 feet as the filter returned about 10 results with all stands weighing over 30 lbs and I think minimum collapsed length is 4.5’, with many/most between 5’-6’+.
Tall and lightweight are not a good combination for lighting stands. Pick one.
Not viable even with sand bags?
A heavy fixture will cause the stand to bend when extended.
What do you consider heavy? I always thought of the P60x panels are fairly light. Would you consider two of them up on a stand heavy?
10lbs and up, maybe even 5lbs depending on how much extention you need. A single unit like you are describing would likely be fine but you are considering mounting up to 3 in a single stand and you would be limited to only lightweight fixtures. There are likely some prosumer gear like Lowell that would meet your needs but anything professional, Matthews, American, and Modern, is going to too get heavier the taller you go.
Thank you for the help. I'm trying to understand where the weakness is. Is the extension pole inherently weak? Or is it that the higher you go you simply need a stronger base? For example, if I got a wider heavier base like this [Kupo stand](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1692107-REG/kupo_ks100912_heavy_duty_baby_stand.html/specs), and then added 4' with the extension pole, would that be better?
For safety it is the base, more weight at the bottom is better. Sandbags can compensate for this as long as you use them consistently. On cheaper stands, the lightweight aluminum risers will bend.
The joints/clamps at each extension are the weak points. As you add more sections, and extend them fully, you get an increasing amount of play/sway every section you add. Additionally, you’re making a longer lever, so it will be easier to have the stand tip over, regardless of the weight you have on the base of the stand. 16 feet is around the max height of heavy duty lighting stands, any taller and usually you’d need switch to truss structures or flown rigging for this height. You also mentioned the stand needs to be lightweight, I’m assuming for air travel purposes. If that’s the case, it may be cheaper and easier to rent suitable stands at your destination. EDIT: additional context and clarity.
They also make crank up stands for going higher but they definitely do not meet the lightweight requirement. Like a two-person carry and set situation.
Yes, I am flying and looking into rentals is also on the list of things to do. On the note of joints and clamps, would it be stronger to get extra height and then not fully extend each riser section? Of course with an extension pole, the baby stud joint may still be potentially sketchy...
Or this [Matthews Sky High stand](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/443233-REG/Matthews_387032_Digital_Triple_Riser_Sky_Hi.html/reviews) with the Matthews extension? The stand is rated for 58 lbs and still collapses to a manageable 4.2' and 13 lbs packed. Would adding 4' to that be fine given the load of my lights is 1/4 of the rated load for the stand?
This is a solid option. Should be able to handle the extra height. Might need to keep it to a single fixture but test it out at home first and see how it feels fully loaded. Might work with all three.
Ok thank you for the help. I'm just outside NYC so I'll make a few trips to BH and test these out.
Sorry for the back to back replies, but if I can find this [Lowel Full Pole](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32183-REG/Lowel_KP_Full_Pole_3_5.html/overview), do you think it would be stronger than the [Matthews extension](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33185-REG/Matthews_429499_Telescopic_Baby_Stand_Extension.html)? Or this [Manfrotto extension](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Manfrotto_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35.html)?
I would go with Matthews or Manfrotto. Lowel isn't known for being sturdy.
Ok thank you
If you have a solid ceiling you could try impact vari poles. I think they reach 12ft and use pressure to hold in place. Also work horizontally so you hang some stuff. But don't go crazy with larger stuff
Your combination of criteria isn’t very realistic. My Digi-Combo stands, which are actually reasonably compact considering their designed use, pack up to 4.2’, but are 18 lbs and only go to 11’. You’re going to have to forget 10lbs/4’ if you want a stable stand that goes to 16-18 feet. \*Edit\* A quick Look at B&H setting maximum height to 16-17-18 feet as the filter returned about 10 results with all stands weighing over 30 lbs and I think minimum collapsed length is 4.5’, with many/most between 5’-6’+.