Boom pole to light stand

Why not just spend the +/- $30 for a grip head?

Of course, the flimsy little light stands that come as kit with many budget lights may not be sturdy enough to support a boom pole with mic and suspension, depending on the length of the pole and weight of the whole rig. That, and you'll need to sandbag the hell out of it. If it's a more robust light stand, you should be okay (still with the need for a sandbag or two).
 
I don't recommend using a light stand as they aren't heavy duty enough to hold a boom pole with a mic. I've tried. Because the legs are angled it is difficult to get a sand bag to stay on them.

I recommend a c-stand with a grip head and a good boom pole holder. The ones shown in that video and described as "overpriced bent wire" couldn't be further from the truth. They are actually pretty cheap, in terms of cost, and a good boom cradle is worth every penny. I wouldn't trust the one made in that video to last long at all, or even support the weight of a boom pole for one shoot.
 
davefisk said:
I recommend a c-stand with a grip head and a good boom pole holder. The ones shown in that video and described as "overpriced bent wire" couldn't be further from the truth. They are actually pretty cheap, in terms of cost, and a good boom cradle is worth every penny. I wouldn't trust the one made in that video to last long at all, or even support the weight of a boom pole for one shoot.
Click to expand...

Always the better way to go. Notice in the YT video that he's using a lightweight pole and says that he uses a RØDE VideoMic. So, that's not much to support. Again, why I stipulated the weight and length of the pole/mic rig being important.

As for the "overpriced, bent wire" (and that being categorically wrong), they can be had for half the price of the "professional" vesion marketed to sound people. Just go to Bass Pro/Cabella's/Gander Mountain/Dick's and get one marketed to fishing folks. It's basically the same thing, just as strong, and costs less.
 
Thanks guys for chiming in... I too will be using a super low budget light weight Videomic from RODE, though I don't have a boom pole yet...
I like how small and light a light stand is (plus I have several) but I understand that this might not be the adequate approach...
thanks for the help...
 
I understand that lugging around a c-stand isn't as convenient as a regular light stand, but, as the saying goes...the right tool for the job.
 
jrod,
Sometimes a musician stand can work...like single cam seated H&S shot. But in numerous wider situations etc..not long or tall enough.
 
I prefer a "real" boom pole with internal cable when being handled, but for simply mounting on a stand, a painter's pole can certainly do the job for a lot less cash. Just have to adapt the shock mount to the end.
 
good point, maybe I should just go grab some PVC pipe and an elbow and see what kind of weight it can handle...
then again, the painter's pole would have a thread on the end so maybe PVC pipe and a painter's pole
 
Make sure the pole is black in color, silver painters poles are often textured and occasionally bounce light to odd places.... Been there done that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top