boom pole with good resale value

chris f

chris f

Veteran
I'm looking to buy a boom pole to use on just one project, so for starters I'm looking to a buy a used one off of somebody, but if that doesn't pan out I was planning on buying a brand new one, using it for the project, and then selling it. If I go the second route I want to make sure I buy one that would have good resale value cause I'd rather spend 200 on a pole and sell it for 170 than buy an 80 dollar pole that no one will want to buy. Any suggestions (or used poles you want to get rid of)?
 
doesn't have to be too long, we used a 5' pole over the weekend and that was fine, but if a longer pole would have better resale value i'd buy longer
 
:-) , sorry usually people buy what they need , 5 foot is nothing for normal work.
if you looking buy one ,buy something that wouldnt be useless , of course if you make stand ups only the 5 foot is ok
for normal documentary you usually use 2.5-3.5 meter booms as the action is not alwais near your camera and the lance usually could be wider then 50 ( 35mm):-)
to buy something that doesnt do the work with only thought to loose as less is possible is quit stupid
 
i dont think you're going to get lucky with this unless you can organise a buyer BEFORE you shoot.. but it would be great if im wrong.
 
you should either rent a pole or just buy one of the gitzo carbon ones, G556C or G557C.

both good poles and both under $200 new.

i started with the G557C and i haven't used it in quite a while but i still pack it up with my kit whenever i goto any shoot.

it is a nice light small diameter pole. you just run the cable on the outside.

anything beyond that would be a big jump to a ktek.

matthew
 
Better to have length you don't need then need length you don't have. A 5' pole is worthless for anything other then a standing eng interview.

9' minimum.

A 13' pole starts to show real value.

A 16' pole is on my wish list... although I can't see using it THAT much.

A 20' pole is what you have when you're a super-freak... boom pole collector... or a professional soundguy doing major sh*t.

Let's hope you can scrape up the cash for a 9' pole... if you really want a 5' pole then put a shockmount on the end of a broomstick. No seriously... the only way I'd have a 5' pole is if I was doing eng and needed to pack one up in my carry-on bag.

For your budget I like the Gitzo suggestions... otherwise check out the aluminum K-Tek... but since it's aluminum you might want to skip the internal cable option... this will have you under $200... and the pole should sell fast if it looks good when you're done... the 12' Gitzos will also hold their value if you take care of them... expect to lose $40 or so.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I decided to order a Gitzo 557C which I believe is 9'. I definitely didn't want a 5' pole as I knew it would have no resale value, I was just illustrating that I was only using it for closeups so I personally didn't need anything super long for my current project. Also, I've also decided that I'm going to keep the pole after this project unless something comes up and I absolutely NEED the money.
 
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