Boom Pole Question

J

jbuckwitz

New member
So I'm rounding out my location sound kit and the last thing I need is a boom pole. My kit is: 1 Sennheiser k6 with me66 and me64 capsules, a sound devices mixpre, a tascam dr-40, and pearstone dusm shockmount and sofite for wind diffusion. The last thing I think I need to purchase is a boom pole, and I'm torn between these two:

K-Tek KE110 Aluminum Uncabled (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0_KE_110_Avalon_Series_Aluminum.html/mode/edu)
or
Gitzo 1540 Carbon Fiber Uncabled (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...B1540_1540_Three_Section_Carbon.html/mode/edu)

Has anyone used/owned either of these poles, and do you have any thoughts?
 
What kind of things do you do? Is it interviews, ENG, drama? This will determine how long the pole will need to be, and to some extent also how heavy. For most ENG and documentary work it's usually fine with a 9-12' pole, and an internal cable is popular since you may not have time for cable management. For drama/fiction, I recommend at least 15' (12' is an absolute minimum), and weight becomes more important. Internal or external cable is up to personal preference.
 
I was in a similar situation last year and went with the Gitzo 1540. I can't comment on the K-Tek as I've never used it but the Gitzo is a fantastic boom pole as far as I'm concerned. If you're going to be holding the pole for a long time then the Gitzo is great. Really light and easy to use. Last month I used the boom pole for the recording of a documentary workshop. I held the pole for nearly four hours, with a couple of breaks inbetween of course, but the pole is so light I could have gone on all day.
 
Even though I own that exact K-Tek model, I'd go for the Gitzo if buying new because it's about half a pound (one third) lighter according to the specifications. Every fraction of an ounce counts when you're holding a boom.

I don't find the lack of an internal cable to be much of a bother, and it eliminates a few potential points of failure in the system.

I do mostly quick setup on-location interview and other non-fiction shooting, both indoors and out. Your exact application will of course determine what you need.

- Greg
 
It would be for almost entirely fiction work. It seems like the Gitzo is the way to go. I'll look into an over 12' pole. It might be out of my price range though unfortunately.
 
Internal / external cabled is usually a matter of the boom ops personal preference. Many of the boom ops I've worked with preferred external on long poles but internal on shorter ones.
IMO, the made in the USA K-Tek is a higher quality product and customer service is considered by many to be top shelf. The esteemed K-Tek sales manager Dave, frequents this forum as well.
I also have a Gitzo and getting clutch parts for it was difficult.
 
Not a pro sound person here, so I might have a little different take. If you are shooting extended scenes and for a longer pole, carbon fibre would be much better. My stuff is usually pretty short in nature and a little more up close, so aluminum has worked fine for me, and is probably more durable. One of my poles is internally wired and it seems to be more quiet when fully extended due to the coiled wire inside, so if you need varying lengths, that might be a factor. Also, for internal, I much prefer a side exit cable and wouldn't buy one which came straight out the bottom. It is great to be able to set the base of the pole on the deck whilst fiddling your audio bag. External is just so simple, I think I prefer it; less connections = less chance for a hardware failure. +1 for K-Tek, it is really good stuff.

And for me though it is difficult to do, I have begun avoiding Vitec Group products when possible, (Gitzo, Manfrotto, Lite Panels, among many others) do to their crazy patent claim on LED lighting products. This was wrong in so many ways, but so far, they have won. Political rant over.

Grant
 
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