I'm in the market for a PORTABLE boom. What should I be looking for and what should I avoid? I'm on a budget and would like to spend under $100 (new or used). Is this realistic? Which ones do you recommend?
Thanks.
I'm in the market for a PORTABLE boom. What should I be looking for and what should I avoid? I'm on a budget and would like to spend under $100 (new or used). Is this realistic? Which ones do you recommend?
Thanks.
--Mario
A boom you find for $100 may hold a small 35mm camera safely, but not much more - not even a moderately sized strobe head.
A cheap boom can be a dangerous nightmare. Get one of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=REG&A=details
If you really can't afford that much, then this might be ok: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...l/prm/alsVwDtl
With any boom, you'll still need a proper stand, along with weights/sandbags to counter balance the load on the boom and to anchor the stand.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
Wrap the counterweight with foam padding or bubble wrap.
I've got one of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bly_Black.html
It's great for microphones. Putting just an Interfit 300WS head, which is not a big thing, on it is scary. Right now I have one of these on it, as a hair light
http://www.amazon.com/Neewer%C2%AE-S.../dp/B0043GT9Y0
and that's about right.
That experience makes me think that if you're going to get a boom you need the very best one you can afford, much more than $150 if you intend to put any weight on it, AND you also need a very sturdy stand under it (I used a big 13' one because it's heavy, not because it's 13') and you need sandbags on the stand. You REALLY NEED the sandbags. Not having sandbags is why I have one extra head, replacing the one that got hurt when the stand toppled--now everything I have has sandbags on it.
Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear
The Matthews boom is much better than the Manfrotto. I have both. This is one of those situations where it's better to get the right equipment off of the bat. Otherwise, you'll end up paying twice, as I did in this case. None of these things are safe in windy conditions, if you're using an umbrella or softbox. For commercial shoots, we sand bag them and have an assistant keep a hand on the stand throughout the shoot. The assistant was needed in a couple of cases, as the wind unexpectedly picked up.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
I think I may get a new boom, then. I don't mind, if it works well.
Thanks.
Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear
Are you using strobes plugged into a power block like Speedotrons or monolights like White Lightning? Monolights are self contained and are much heavier and need a much stronger boom than strobes plugged into a power block.
A heavier version is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...l/prm/alsVwDtl
but that's twice as much as the original poster wanted.
Matthews equipment is time proven, and it isn't all that much more expensive than the lesser equipment.
Manfrotto does make good stuff, too, just not that mini boom, as the stand connector/boom holder is a terrible idea. For studio work, I use (and like):http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Boom_with.html
I'd love the step up with the crank adjustment, but I couldn't afford it. : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Up_Stand.html
Alan is absolutely right. Monolights require a heavier boom and stand.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
I forgot to say, I want to buy a complete boom (arm & stand), I don't want to buy it in pieces. Also, I mostly intend to use this to hold lights (primarily a 60" octabox). Oh, and I'm using monolights. Should I consider the size of it also? I mean, a small one vs one with high/long reach?
Thanks.
--Mario
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