Replacement collars for lightstands

[purplehaze]

One of the collars on one of my old ProMaster lightstands is broken; any idea how to go about replacing it? I don't see collars listed on the manufacturer's site, nor do the local camera stores seem to stock them.

[Manfred M]

Parts are rarely stocked by photographic stores and most do little to no service. Try emailing ProMaster directly, although with model updates and changes spare parts may or may not be available. Many of these companies contract out manufacturing to other sources, so don't be surprised if the parts are not available and they are often little more than a distributor / wholesaler.

Try: ahuman@promaster.com

[xpatUSA]

Assuming collars to be interchangeable, how about getting a basic model on eBay and pulling it's collar?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Promaster-L...d/263376260154
.

[Manfred M]

Assuming collars to be interchangeable, how about getting a basic model on eBay and pulling it's collar?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Promaster-L...d/263376260154
.

Because the are not necessarily interchangeable.

On my more expensive light stands, the collars are held in with an Allan screw and they can be removed / replaced. My less expensive ones are a press fit and there is no way of removing them with breaking them.

[purplehaze]

It's a cheap stand, but the collars are removable. I have mailed the company, but am going to take the collar up to the local camera store now, on the off chance that they have something to replace it in a back room somewhere. I have four other working stands, but it would be nice if this one were functional, too. Thanks, Ted and Manfred.

[rpcrowe]

There maybe a local machine shop that could fabricate a collar. However, the cost may be prohibitive!

[Manfred M]

There maybe a local machine shop that could fabricate a collar. However, the cost may be prohibitive!

Richard - based on the hourly rates of the machine shops I know, it would much less expensive to buy a brand new light stand.

This is not a viable option unless you have a friend with a metal lathe and milling machine in the basement and a bit of scrap metal kicking around to use.

[xpatUSA]

Because [they] are not necessarily interchangeable.

Well, duh!

On my more expensive light stands, the collars are held in with an Allan screw and they can be removed / replaced. My less expensive ones are a press fit and there is no way of removing them with breaking them.

That would be an Allen screw, BTW.

[purplehaze]

The camera store denies that there are universal replacement collars and says my only choice is to buy a new stand. But I see that B&H sells a Smith Victor 5/8- to 3/4-in replacement collar, which is exactly the size I need! Why can’t we have a B&H in Canada?

[Manfred M]

The camera store denies that there are universal replacement collars and says my only choice is to buy a new stand. But I see that B&H sells a Smith Victor 5/8- to 3/4-in replacement collar, which is exactly the size I need! Why can’t we have a B&H in Canada?

That would seem to suggest that they don't know and they make their money selling light stands rather than fixing them. The clamp is a fairly inexpensive part and the the cost of it not working is going to be fairly low. That being said; add the exchange rate, shipping, brokerage and taxes, the price of the piece will be considerably higher. The question really becomes is it worth your time and effort to get the part or just buy a new light stand?

I do shot at B&H and they have good service into Canada. If I order something on the weekend, it is usually in my hands on Thursday.

The reason we don't have a B&H in Canada is population density. Everyone imports into the USA whereas only the "big boys" are in Canada. The smaller companies are handled by local distributors that do not carry the whole product line of the manufacturers that they represent. The Tri-State area in the USA has a population of well over 20 million. The closest we come to this in Canada is the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) with a population of over 6 million; just no comparison (unfortunately).

[rpcrowe]

We often seem to regret the demise of the smaller, independent camera store. The general idea is that they really knew the gear and could give the best advice regarding the gear.

However, the other side of the coin is that the selection was often minimal and that some (not all but, some) store personnal would skew their recommendations towards the gear that they carried.

[purplehaze]

And morning brings news that ProMaster has the collar I need in stock and is offering to ship it out to me! Hope they prove to have more follow through than the yarn company that promised me a hank after I complained online of knots.

[xpatUSA]

And morning brings news that ProMaster has the collar I need in stock and is offering to ship it out to me! Hope they prove to have more follow through than the yarn company that promised me a hank after I complained online of knots.

Excellent, Janis. Good luck ...

[Manfred M]

And morning brings news that ProMaster has the collar I need in stock and is offering to ship it out to me! Hope they prove to have more follow through than the yarn company that promised me a hank after I complained online of knots.

Let's hope it shows up sooner rather than later!

[purplehaze]

It did indeed show up within a week or so. I have been remiss in not acknowledging ProMaster for supporting their product graciously and promptly. I couldn't get the bolt out of the hole on the lower half of the collar, but the collar works fine with just the top half secured. Thanks, Manfred, for suggesting I contact them. Frankly, I did not expect a positive response regarding a low-cost product so far off warranty. It's nice to know some manufacturers still care.