Although I have no issues using the 8a airs here with a book arm.
There are times when I need to use a more portable system (sans the power packs) and I want to use my PCB E640 Einstein heads. The stand/boom I have presently sags, needs a tremendous counter-weight, bows in the middle, and can't be fully extended safely.
So I'm looking for REAL life users of a moderately robust stand/boom combination that once I've purchased it. Will work with no slipping, drooping and make me not contemplate whether my insurance premium has been paid up when loaded up close to clients.
I really like the Avenger A4039CS. It's a beefy boom stand and a bit on the heavy side at around 18lbs, but still able to be used on location. Plus it has the bonus of having a leveling leg if you're on uneven terrain. I've hung some big modifiers off it, it's definitely sturdy and well made.
If you're going to be in the studio only, maybe an Avenger A4050CS with roller wheels. That's even sturdier.
Jim Sanderson wrote:
I use an Avenger A5036CS junior roller low boom stand with a D650 junior boom. Works fine on my small set. Only wish the stand had a crank.
I have a similar rig: Avenger D650 on Matthews Junior Low Boy roller. Ridiculously sturdy, but heavy at 56 lbs before adding a light. Probably not the portability requested by OP. With Acute head and 40 lb c/w, I achieve 8' of extension, no flexing, no sandbags.
I have two c stands that came with heavy duty boom arms. The boom arms are Avenger D600 and the stand it self is Avenger 2255CB. I hope this helps I got a bunch of stands a couple years back of the for sale section here and this was part of it. It came with the cstands, boom arms, and several lighter weight stands as part of the deal. I never plan on getting rid of the C-Stands but might weed out a couple of the other stands someday as I think I have way to many now.
The counter-weight issue will be the same regardless of boom used because that's a function of leverage. The more unequal the extension in front vs. back the more "counter" weight is needed. If front and back distances are equal the counter weight just needs to match the weight of flash and modifier, but space usually doesn't allow that.
I use a boom similar to the one Henry recommended.. It's downside is the awkward gear-toothed locking collars; adjusting is a job best done with three hands...
The workaround I use is to set the angle of the boom arm first with the toothed collar before adding the counter-weight and flash/modifier. I then add counter weight and modifier with boom retracted so front / back distance and balance is about equal, then extend the boom and adjust the front / back lever arms to use leverage to minimize the amount of weight needed, as space in back of the stand allows.
Since my tight space does not allow extending the boom out behind the stand much I add bungie cords between the counter-weight and bottom of stand for tension (vs dead weight), put one leg of the stand directly under the boom for support, and put weights on the other two legs of the stand in back under the counter-weighted part of the boom. Less weight swinging around in the air that way
With Acute head and 40 lb c/w, I achieve 8' of extension, no flexing, no sandbags.
