Boom arm question...

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Archive 2010 · Boom arm question...

JoJo S.
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p.1 #1 · Boom arm question...

Hi I'm not sure if this has been brought up before but I did do a search and found nothing.

If I have a lightstand, what would I need to be able to attach a boom arm onto it so that I can hang my BD on it. Is that even possible or would I have to buy a whole new setup?

Thanks again for all the help!

Feb 05, 2010 at 11:31 PM

Hatcher
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p.1 #2 · Boom arm question...

Any stand can be used to hold a boom, but a minimum stand size, suitable boom arm, counterweight and sandbag are required for practical and safe use.

What stand do you have? What boom are you considering? What size head/beauty dish are you using? What is the fastest land animal?

A medium to large aluminum stand of decent quality (Bogen or better) would be the minimum. A steel century stand (double-riser) is preferable, and will give you a much safer setup. A simple side-arm on a c stand works perfectly for a beauty dish (with sandbags and maybe a counter-weight, too)

Feb 05, 2010 at 11:46 PM

JoJo S.
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p.1 #3 · Boom arm question...

Thank you for your reply Hatcher!

I got the LS3900 from alien bees. Its the 13 foot heavy duty lightstand. As far as a boom is concerned, I wasn't sure what would be a good fit for it. And the beauty dish would be the 22" BD attached to an AB800.

And the fastest land animal is the cheetah with a maximum speed of up to 120km/h. Or me after I've taken an 8 ball of speed...

Feb 06, 2010 at 12:01 AM

jwboring
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p.1 #4 · Boom arm question...

JoJo, I've been trying to do the same thing with little luck, much frustration. First I bought the D600 Mini Boom arm for that same ab stand. Well, it turns out the D600 weights 8 lbs, 2X as much as the ab800 + BD. But then you counter weight it with the 15 lb sand bag and you've got 8+15+ ab800 + BD on this flimsy stand. Didn't seem safe to me so I sent the D600 back. Just didn't make sense either to have a 8 lb solid steel bar to hold about 4 lbs.

Next, just today in fact, in comes the Avenger A475B Baby Combi-Boom to solve my problems. Wrong! The boom bends like a rubber band with ab800 + BD on 1 end and the sand bag, about 12 lb on the other end. Plus, it just doesn't seem safe where you turn the nob to hold the poles from falling down. Seems like you need a pin of some kind. Also, the way you attached the ab800 doesn't seem safe either, again seems like you need a pin.

Sorry to take over your post like this but as you can see I'm boom challenged. Any one know if there is a "Boom for Idiots " book out there?

Jeff

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3599-REG/Avenger_D600_D600_Mini_Boom_3_8.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/200109-REG/Avenger_A4041B_A475B_Baby_Combi_Boom.html

Feb 06, 2010 at 02:41 AM

Ryan Pream
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p.1 #5 · Boom arm question...

I am new to this also and just went straight to this avenger junior boom. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/204456-REG/Avenger_A4050CS_A4050CS_Junior_Boom_Stand.html . The grip head http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=kitInfo&Q=&sku=90439&is=REG&friendly=Avenger_D400_Grip_Head_with_Junior.html I got for it is massive and weighs as much as my lights!

Quite a monster, but seems like quite a good value for what you get! I also just added to it today this swivel pin http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3616-REG/Avenger_F830_F830_Baby_Swivel_Pin_.html to give me more control over the lights on the end.

Ryan

Edited on Feb 06, 2010 at 08:01 AM · View previous versions

Feb 06, 2010 at 03:20 AM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #6 · Boom arm question...

If you do not quite need a full boom, you can take the approach I took.

You buy this
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D200-2-5-Inch-Grip-Chrome/dp/B001B1G3IK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-1

It goes on top of your stand. Then you buy this.
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D520L-40-Inch-Extension-Chrome/dp/B00127U9X8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432633&sr=8-1

It connects into the grip head. Voila, instant mini-boom with an existing stand. I use it with an AB1600 and Apollo 28 box.

Another option that gets you some more gadgets (a super clamp a bag, and all of the accessories are black instead of chrome).
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D800KIT-C1575B-Super-40-Inch/dp/B001AXJ2O6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-3

Feb 06, 2010 at 05:07 AM

jwboring
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p.1 #7 · Boom arm question...

Robert, I read that boom thread of yours and was about to get a grip kit but was concerned that a 40" arm was not long enough. I want to do butterfly lighting with either the ab bd or medium sb.

Thanks for the help!

Jeff

Feb 06, 2010 at 12:43 PM

hollow4
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p.1 #8 · Boom arm question...

if you want to do Butterfly light you would be shooting through the split in the lights or the light and bottom reflector. In reality you only need to off set your lights about 6 inches to a foot. this would be really easy with a grip kit. Just because you can go to 40 inches doesnt mean you should. Just keep that in mind. By keep the weight near the center you will use less weight in keeping is secure.

If you want a hair light thats 10 feet in the air and the stand out of the way of the BG then thats a different setup and will require a heavy boom.

Feb 06, 2010 at 03:59 PM

bobbyz
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p.1 #9 · Boom arm question...

hollow4 wrote:
if you want to do Butterfly light you would be shooting through the split in the lights or the light and bottom reflector. In reality you only need to off set your lights about 6 inches to a foot. this would be really easy with a grip kit. Just because you can go to 40 inches doesnt mean you should. Just keep that in mind. By keep the weight near the center you will use less weight in keeping is secure.

If you want a hair light thats 10 feet in the air and the stand out of the way of the BG then thats a different setup and will require a heavy boom.

Agree completely. Simple C stand with grip arm should be more then enough.

Feb 06, 2010 at 09:09 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #10 · Boom arm question...

C-stands are those goofy footed ones, right?

Feb 07, 2010 at 12:16 AM

Ryan Pream
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p.1 #11 · Boom arm question...

Yes, something like this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243966-REG/Avenger_A2030DKIT_A2030D_Turtle_Base_Century.html . I have two of em and use em as booms to a point. They are way more solid than a normal light stand, but way less solid than my junior boom.

I think they are fine to put a light at a given height, a given angle, and keep the stand out of the shot, but I wouldn't use it to put a light over a models head.

Ryan

Feb 07, 2010 at 01:14 AM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #12 · Boom arm question...

Ryan Pream wrote:
Yes, something like this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243966-REG/Avenger_A2030DKIT_A2030D_Turtle_Base_Century.html . I have two of em and use em as booms to a point. They are way more solid than a normal light stand, but way less solid than my junior boom.

I think they are fine to put a light at a given height, a given angle, and keep the stand out of the shot, but I wouldn't use it to put a light over a models head.

Ryan

That's what I thought they were. I mainly work on "location" so the c-stands are out for me.

Feb 07, 2010 at 01:32 AM

Carmen Miranda
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p.1 #13 · Boom arm question...

RobertLynn wrote: I mainly work on "location" so the c-stands are out for me.

Since when aren't C-stands used on "location"?

Feb 07, 2010 at 02:28 AM

derek walter
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p.1 #14 · Boom arm question...

RobertLynn wrote:
If you do not quite need a full boom, you can take the approach I took.

You buy this
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D200-2-5-Inch-Grip-Chrome/dp/B001B1G3IK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-1

It goes on top of your stand. Then you buy this.
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D520L-40-Inch-Extension-Chrome/dp/B00127U9X8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432633&sr=8-1

It connects into the grip head. Voila, instant mini-boom with an existing stand. I use it with an AB1600 and Apollo 28 box.

Another option that gets you some more gadgets (a super clamp a bag, and all of the accessories are black instead of chrome).
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D800KIT-C1575B-Super-40-Inch/dp/B001AXJ2O6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-3

Don't forget you need a pin to attach the light to the grip head.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=243787&is=REG

Feb 08, 2010 at 05:02 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #15 · Boom arm question...

Carmen Miranda wrote:
RobertLynn wrote: I mainly work on "location" so the c-stands are out for me.

Since when aren't C-stands used on "location"?

It looked like something that wouldn't work well in a wooded area, or something similar.

Someone's office or place of business is okay, but I didn't think they would work well for the outdoors.

Feb 08, 2010 at 05:08 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #16 · Boom arm question...

derek walter wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
If you do not quite need a full boom, you can take the approach I took.

You buy this
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D200-2-5-Inch-Grip-Chrome/dp/B001B1G3IK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-1

It goes on top of your stand. Then you buy this.
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D520L-40-Inch-Extension-Chrome/dp/B00127U9X8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432633&sr=8-1

It connects into the grip head. Voila, instant mini-boom with an existing stand. I use it with an AB1600 and Apollo 28 box.

Another option that gets you some more gadgets (a super clamp a bag, and all of the accessories are black instead of chrome).
http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-D800KIT-C1575B-Super-40-Inch/dp/B001AXJ2O6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265432664&sr=1-3

Don't forget you need a pin to attach the light to the grip head.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=243787&is=REG

Only kinda you do. I don't have any of those pins, and I use two of the grip heads and arms. I attach the light to the arm.

Feb 08, 2010 at 05:09 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.1 #17 · Boom arm question...

RobertLynn wrote:
It looked like something that wouldn't work well ....

Looks can be deceiving.

C-stands work quite well outdoors. I depend on them. Aside from heavier lazy leg stands, I find that C-stands work outside much better than regular stands.

Next to flags, gobos and grids, the C-stand/grip arm combo may be one of the least appreciated and most misunderstood pieces of kit available to lighting neophytes.

Good luck.

Feb 08, 2010 at 11:33 PM

tomrock
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p.1 #18 · Boom arm question...

C-stands are GREAT outside. The extra weight and the ease of sandbagging both help them not blow away.

And they make C-stands where one of the legs can be adjusted up and down for uneven terrain (one of the links above may show that particular stand; I haven't followed all the links).

Feb 08, 2010 at 11:52 PM

JoJo S.
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p.1 #19 · Boom arm question...

Ack! This is all very confusing to me... Honestly, just tell me what I need to buy and I'll just buy it!

That Avenger C-Stand kit looks pretty rad...

Feb 09, 2010 at 12:25 AM

Ryan Pream
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p.1 #20 · Boom arm question...

Just get this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/517874-REG/Glidecam_VC_Vista_Camera_Crane_with.html it is guaranteed to solve your problem!

Ryan

Feb 09, 2010 at 12:50 AM

JoJo S.
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p.1 #21 · Boom arm question...

Thanks Ryan! It was a LITTLE bit outta my price range, but I put my house up for sale and I was able to purchse 3 of them! I'll post some pics of the resulting shots I get with it! Thanks again!

Feb 09, 2010 at 12:55 AM

jdben622
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p.1 #22 · Boom arm question...

I use a Avenger 600CB on a C-stand for my head and BD. I don't understand the point about the boom shouldn't weigh more than the light. Why not? My combo is very sturdy, the integrated grip head is very secure and I only use a 5lb. rock-cod weight in the sandbag to counter-balance, so the overall weight isn't all that much IMO.

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:00 AM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #23 · Boom arm question...

Carmen Miranda wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
It looked like something that wouldn't work well ....

Looks can be deceiving.

C-stands work quite well outdoors. I depend on them. Aside from heavier lazy leg stands, I find that C-stands work outside much better than regular stands.

Next to flags, gobos and grids, the C-stand/grip arm combo may be one of the least appreciated and most misunderstood pieces of kit available to lighting neophytes.

Good luck.

Thanks! I didn't know this. Just from the looks it looked like it would be a pita to deal with in the outdoor conditions.

Even though I've got a handfull of 630B's, maybe I'll look into some C-Stands too.

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:26 AM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #24 · Boom arm question...

tomrock wrote:
C-stands are GREAT outside. The extra weight and the ease of sandbagging both help them not blow away.

And they make C-stands where one of the legs can be adjusted up and down for uneven terrain (one of the links above may show that particular stand; I haven't followed all the links).
I need to buy more sandbags. I left mine at my last outdoor gig...and strangely enough, they weren't there when I went back. Who in the hell would steal 50lbs in sand?

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:26 AM

Dameon
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p.1 #25 · Boom arm question...

I've been doing a ton of research on these as well. It's hard to find something that is:

a) portable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
b) relatively inexpensive
c) strong enough to support anything from speedlight/umbrella combo to a monolight/BD/softbox combo

I'm going to order the Manfrotto Heavy Duty Boom & Stand.

Individually, the components add up to over $400, so I think this is a good deal (fulfilling requirement "b)".

Also, while not as flexible for outdoor use on uneven ground (doesn't appear to have a lazy leg), I see no reason why you couldn't leave off the casters when using it outdoors and put them on in-studio, fulfilling most of requirement "a)".

***EDIT - Just went back and looked and it reads "One leg section may be independently extended to level the lightstand on uneven terrain."***

Lastly, the 9' boom arm with 7' stand seems like it should be able to suit almost any purpose (i.e. enough height for an out-of-scene hair light or for a BD and clamshell lighting). The 9' arm being able to split into 3' sections, provides flexibility and strength, especially with the included 15lb counter-weight

Anyone see any issues with this set-up, or restrictions? Am I comparing apples and oranges trying to compare this with a C-stand? Still not sure what the difference is between a C-stand and regular light stand are, besides the funny legs...

Edited on Mar 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM · View previous versions

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:38 PM


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