Boom Arm for 53" Octa

EOS_JD

EOS_JD

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Jim
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Hi there looking for some advice. I bought a Lastolite triflector to use with my softbox (I have a coupole inc a 53" Octa) however I realise I need a boom arm to get the light into the right position.

Can anyone advise on a Boom Arm I can use with the capacity to hold the 53" Octa attached to an Elinchrom 400BX light (1.95Kg)?

THanks for any help.

Regards
Jim

PS - I don't want to spend a fortune but realise it may not be cheap!
 
If you can fit a wall boom, then this one from Photomart is excellent - it has a worm drive tilt adjustment for very precise positioning
 
I'm glad you brought up this topic - I was looking for something similar to go wild with when the beauty dish arrives over Christmas :D ... I'm also very interested in the triflector... however I'm not sure I can justify it if I buy a 3 head kit.
 
A great coincidence as i'm looking at buying a boom as well, heres what i've found:

The item that HoppyUK linked is available cheaper, at £119.99 from HERE.

Alternatively, if you already have a sturdy stand, you can buy THIS.

I'm not sure which to buy, i'm pretty confident my stands are sturdy enough so I may just go for the boom arm - but then i'm thinking, will it fit?
 
The boom arms that fit to stands are perfectly usable but you need to be aware of a couple of things...
1. You need heavy weights on the base of the stand to make it even reasonably safe
2. The stand needs wheels on it, otherwise it will be very difficult to position accurately
3. Some of the boom arms on offer can't take the weight of anything except the lightest heads with the lightest modifiers

Any modern boom arm will fit on any modern stand
 
Garry Edwards said:
The boom arms that fit to stands are perfectly usable but you need to be aware of a couple of things...
1. You need heavy weights on the base of the stand to make it even reasonably safe
2. The stand needs wheels on it, otherwise it will be very difficult to position accurately
3. Some of the boom arms on offer can't take the weight of anything except the lightest heads with the lightest modifiers

Any modern boom arm will fit on any modern stand
Click to expand...

C'mon Garry, get real bud - not difficult at all, and if you're careful to get the balance right (which is why it's adjustable) you can have quite a lot of weight on even modest stands. Not everybody has a permanent studio in which to wheel around huge bits of expensive scafolding.
 
HoppyUK said:
C'mon Garry, get real bud - not difficult at all, and if you're careful to get the balance right (which is why it's adjustable) you can have quite a lot of weight on even modest stands. Not everybody has a permanent studio in which to wheel around huge bits of expensive scafolding.
Click to expand...

I agree that it's very important to adjust them properly (balance the weight using the counterweight before tightening the lock) but boom arms are very unstable, especially if set high on the stand.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't use them, but they aren't exactly a safe bit of kit
 
jayeshpp said:
A great coincidence as i'm looking at buying a boom as well, heres what i've found:

The item that HoppyUK linked is available cheaper, at £119.99 from HERE.

Alternatively, if you already have a sturdy stand, you can buy THIS.

I'm not sure which to buy, i'm pretty confident my stands are sturdy enough so I may just go for the boom arm - but then i'm thinking, will it fit?
Click to expand...

Thanks for these :) I've used SpeedGraphic a few times and have their latest catalogue. I just think there's so much, I'm never sure what will work and what will not! I have 4 stands and don't really need another (well I do need a background light) Currently I have 2 lastolite ones and 2 Elinchrom standard light stands so I think the arm would fit these. Thanks for this.
 
david1701 said:
is this for studio, but for location lightstands and assistants make great booms
Click to expand...

I don't have a regular assistant and holding a 53" Octa and a 400BX is not rerally light work! There's over 3Kg of weight to hold.

Studio is a long way off so for use in my living room or clients premises.
 
Garry Edwards said:
The boom arms that fit to stands are perfectly usable but you need to be aware of a couple of things...
1. You need heavy weights on the base of the stand to make it even reasonably safe
2. The stand needs wheels on it, otherwise it will be very difficult to position accurately
3. Some of the boom arms on offer can't take the weight of anything except the lightest heads with the lightest modifiers

Any modern boom arm will fit on any modern stand
Click to expand...

Before I dive in, have you any other suggestions? Those mentioned above seem like the thing I'm looking for but if you can add anything further I'll consider it. As I say not a permanent solution but something quick and easy to set up to use with my triflector :)
 
Thanks to all for their suggestions. Very helpful and much appreciated.

Regards
Jim
 
EOS_JD said:
I don't have a regular assistant and holding a 53" Octa and a 400BX is not rerally light work! There's over 3Kg of weight to hold.

Studio is a long way off so for use in my living room or clients premises.
Click to expand...

you have to ratio the distance from the far arm to the distance between the arms, 5 times heavier is a good ball park for horizontal holding but the distances are dpendant on angle as torque is calculated from perpendicular force (so straight up is no extra strain other than the stand) - lush for speedlights and brollies and simple stuff but less fun with a lot of weight methinks
 
Rob_Ashton said:
I'm glad you brought up this topic - I was looking for something similar to go wild with when the beauty dish arrives over Christmas :D ... I'm also very interested in the triflector... however I'm not sure I can justify it if I buy a 3 head kit.
Click to expand...

rob
i used the triflector at the weekend and despite the issues over softbox position, i'm very pleased with the results. Looks a nice bit of kit
 
david1701 said:
you have to ratio the distance from the far arm to the distance between the arms, 5 times heavier is a good ball park for horizontal holding but the distances are dpendant on angle as torque is calculated from perpendicular force (so straight up is no extra strain other than the stand) - lush for speedlights and brollies and simple stuff but less fun with a lot of weight methinks
Click to expand...

I think the Manfrotto stand above will be added to the crimbo list :) just hope it's strong enough!
 
EOS_JD said:
I think the Manfrotto stand above will be added to the crimbo list :) just hope it's strong enough!
Click to expand...

I love booms :) They allow you to put the light exactly above the subject for a symmetrical look you can't really get any other way. Invaluable for still life/products IMHO. Whole new range of lighting options :thumbs:

It's strong enough, but building on Garry's point about stability you can have a lot of leverage going on. Sorry to teach you to suck eggs, just in case your gran forgot to mention it, the key is to balance it up carefully which is easy enough with the counterweight and with the length of the arm extension.

However, when you're working, especially if you don't have much space to move around in, it's quite easy to get it out of balance with little adjustments so make sure that the heavy end is directly above one of the legs. It's the spread of the legs that gives stability, and they are pretty wide, but easy enough to get it wrong with a big and top heavy rig.
 
HoppyUK said:
I love booms :) They allow you to put the light exactly above the subject for a symmetrical look you can't really get any other way. Invaluable for still life/products IMHO. Whole new range of lighting options :thumbs:

It's strong enough, but building on Garry's point about stability you can have a lot of leverage going on. Sorry to teach you to suck eggs, just in case your gran forgot to mention it, the key is to balance it up carefully which is easy enough with the counterweight and with the length of the arm extension.

However, when you're working, especially if you don't have much space to move around in, it's quite easy to get it out of balance with little adjustments so make sure that the heavy end is directly above one of the legs. It's the spread of the legs that gives stability, and they are pretty wide, but easy enough to get it wrong with a big and top heavy rig.
Click to expand...

Hoopy
I really appreciate the tips. :thumbs:

Having never used a boom before I hadn't thought about things like that although given what I've been reading I now see why and I will be careful to make sure I get the balance right.

Thanks
Jim
 
I thought i'd just bring this thread back to life as my Manfrotto 420B and Manfrotto Castors just arrived.

I bought it from Speed Graphic

It's very easy to set up, here are a few images:

JPP_9142.jpg


JPP_9150.jpg


JPP_9152.jpg


My weight distribution may seem random, but when I test this at different lengths and height it seems to work completely fine.

JPP_9154.jpg


The boom can be used as a regular light stand, and of course a boom:

JPP_9159.jpg


JPP_9160.jpg
 
Here is the boom all set up and ready to go:

JPP_9162.jpg


The only slight difficulty i'm having at the moment is just positioning the light properly, there are different ways in which you can fix the flash head on the end. It's very easy to move around, without the castors it would be quite difficult!
 
Looks very nice :thumbs: Might get me some of those casters. Spread the legs out for max stability :eek: Tether bars should be horizontal.
 
Yep I know, was just giving it a quick go :)

You definitely need castors, will make it so much easier to move around.
 
I'm just a bit unsure if the 400BX light an a 53" Octa would be supported ok? Looks big too! I might struggle for space to use it!

Thanks for posting the images Jayeshpp

PS Just noted the castors are out of stock :)
 
Just thought I would revive this thread, my Manfrotto 420B and beauty dish/grid arrived today. I have just finished setting it all up, and I must say I'm s***ing my pants! prob for no reason because I'm sure its all fine... I just find the angle the flash head fits the pole really awkward - I keep imagining it falling of or snapping >.<
 
example pics:

DPP_0001-4.jpg

DPP_0002-4.jpg

DPP_0003-4.jpg


Does that give any idea of what I mean, or am I going the wrong way about things?
 
Hmmm just had a play and answered my own question sorry folks - At least I gave a demonstration how maybe not to go about it ;)
 
:lol:
You could at least have had your wonderful Lencarta flash head the right way up and in focus
:)
 
who says I wasn't just standing on my head taking the photos :thumbs:

Oh and 10pts to whoever can name the Film the poster in the BG of pic.2 is of :D
 
Can you give us an image of your set up? Do you have a big softbox you could try? I've still nopt bought mine yet - close though.
 
hmmmm let me have a root around I may have taken one earlier then I was messing, wont be with a SB though sorry, biggest I have is a 60x60 and I just packed all the gear up :(
 
Only one I'm afraid, and its bloody awful sorry, I'll post it anyway - as you can see my working area is somewhat... limited... :D Taken standing on my bed, which is where I have to shoot from if I want to leave 4-5 feet between the BG.

That's the only position I can arrange the arm to stay put where I want it... The dish with grid is super heavy, doesn't like to stay put - its not weight distribution that's the problem, more the flash head connecting to the arm.

Need to remind myself to invest in some black velvet before I forget :)

DPP_0006-2.jpg
 
thanks Rob. Nce to see as my space is very limited too!
 
Well only 4 months after my last post here I decided to get the 420B and a very nice stand it is. Much more substantial than I thought it would be! Not got the castors but will see how it goes when in use.

Need to get myslf something heavy to put in the bag - Lead shot was mentioned. Anybody else using something other than sand?
 
EOS_JD said:
Well only 4 months after my last post here I decided to get the 420B and a very nice stand it is. Much more substantial than I thought it would be! Not got the castors but will see how it goes when in use.

Need to get myslf something heavy to put in the bag - Lead shot was mentioned. Anybody else using something other than sand?
Click to expand...

Lead shot?! :eek:

I use a couple of tins of beans, which is plenty enough weight for me, and nice and handy. I think you can get four tins in there quite easily.
 
HoppyUK said:
Lead shot?! :eek:

I use a couple of tins of beans, which is plenty enough weight for me, and nice and handy. I think you can get four tins in there quite easily.
Click to expand...

Beans it is Hoppy :) I always have plenty of those - in fact if you were in my room right now you'd know that's what I had for dinner tonight! :gag:
 
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