Which Studio Camera Stand?

I need some advice on a piece of studio equipment. I have decided to

buy a studio stand to replace my tripod, since it seems likely to take

up less space and be easier to move around and adjust. The stand will

be used for taking pictures of 2D artworks using a monorail 4x5

camera with a Better Light scanning back. This means that I need

something secure and solid that vibrates or bends very little, since

exposures run as long as 15 minutes.

I am looking presently at either the Arkay #360 6 foot camera mono

stand ($900) or the Bogen/Manfrotto #230 Salon Camera Stand 7 foot

#809 ($1400). I don?t mind paying the higher price if the Bogen is

that much better, but I have no way of looking at either one of these,

so I need advice from those who have actually used them.

What are the good and bad points of these two stands, which would you

recommend based on actual use, and are there other options that are as

good or better? What are your thoughts and experiences with these or

other similar stands?

TIA

Jeremy,

What camera are you using?

I use a Sinar X (meaning heavy, heavy, and heavy) on the Bogen Salon 230. I quite like this

stand. You can always go to Foba but they're generally MUCH more expensive.

I'm not familiar with the Arkay so I won't make any comments about it.

Good luck.

Cheers

Jeremy, I only do that work in my studio. I use the Cambo 7 foot Studio Stand from

Calumet.

You want a stand that can offer X and Y axis movements to accuratly move left-right, up-

down without any swing/tilt of the camera to align the art to the film plane, which is

critically important the doing the job. As you have found, a tripod will drive you nuts

doing this work. Forget the Arkay, it is not steady and accurate enough for the 4x5. The

Bogen needs too many accessories at added cost and is not as sturdy as the Cambo, it is

more expensive too.

Check with Calumet and buy the best, you will never regret it. Paul

foba, Cambo or Inka are the best for this one time investment. I've worked with Manfrotto

and Arkay stands and they are good to okay, but not as smooth to work with or as precise

in feel as the Foba Astio or Asaba.