Heavy duty light stands for boom...

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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Currently we have an Interfit 300 head with a large (1.5m x 1.5m) soft box. It's a heavy set-up and although the boom arm we have supports it fine - it's one of these - the supplied light stand was never designed for this kind of use and is bending dangerously when at full height extension. It actually fell over the other day and the 5lb counterweight hit me on the noggin so it's time for the set-up to change for health & safety reasons.

The heads WILL be changed at some point soon for more modern units, but I want to over-egg the pudding so to speak when it comes to stands, not wanting to risk any more accidents so I need ultra-strong stands.... any suggestions?

Obviously, price is always a factor in what I can opt for, so cover all the bases in terms of cost.

I'm open to suggestions for new booms too - at my last place we had a manfrotto 420B but although it has a wide footprint and the angle unit is very easy to use (and it locks tightly), at full extension with even small heads because it bends a lot. But it's keenly priced.
 
It's difficult to advise on this, the only safe way is to have a dedicated boom arm complete with stand. Personally I can't think of any normal light stand that I would feel safe putting a boom arm on top of
 
I'm starting to think it may need a serious bit of investment.

Like posted, although the Manfrotto 420b looks okay, I never ever fealt totally convinced that it would support a head AND a big softbox, unless it was one of those really lightweight, Westcott-type jobs.

Any suggestions on dedicated booms-on-stands Garry? As mentioned, we'll probably upgrade our heads, which will probably be lighter than our current units. But I'd rather over do it and get something really heavy-duty. Obviously it has to get past those who hold the purse strings but i can only suggest :)

Garry, I know you have links with Lencarta - do you use this boom/stand? And would it hold, say, a 3kg head AND a 100x100cm Profold soft box?
 
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Yes, I do have one of those, it will support literally anything safely. So too will the cheaper boom arm kit, it doesn't have as much height or reach, and doesn't have the wheels, but it's perfectly safe even with a large beauty dish fitted - and that's a lot heavier than a softbox.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes, I do have one of those, it will support literally anything safely. So too will the cheaper boom arm kit, it doesn't have as much height or reach, and doesn't have the wheels, but it's perfectly safe even with a large beauty dish fitted - and that's a lot heavier than a softbox.
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Ah. That is what I wanted to hear.....yet another lencarta parcel for me coming soon!!!
 
specialman said:
I'm starting to think it may need a serious bit of investment.

Like posted, although the Manfrotto 420b looks okay, I never ever fealt totally convinced that it would support a head AND a big softbox, unless it was one of those really lightweight, Westcott-type jobs.

Any suggestions on dedicated booms-on-stands Garry? As mentioned, we'll probably upgrade our heads, which will probably be lighter than our current units. But I'd rather over do it and get something really heavy-duty. Obviously it has to get past those who hold the purse strings but i can only suggest :)

Garry, I know you have links with Lencarta - do you use this boom/stand? And would it hold, say, a 3kg head AND a 100x100cm Profold soft box?
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If its the big one in Garry's studio, it's mahoosive. Suitable only for the most dedicated studio space.
 
Phil V said:
If its the big one in Garry's studio, it's mahoosive. Suitable only for the most dedicated studio space.
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It's... pro size. Which I why I recommend the smaller one for most people
 
Pat if you're just looking for a strong robust stand to mount your boom onto, may I suggest this one http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/matthews_387030

Admittedly not the cheapest, but I've been using one for two years now, all on locations, generally in sand and mud, its been booted twice by horses and fallen off the back of a moving pick-up, and it's still going on strong. I've been using it with a small 40" boom but TBH its too small, so Ive just ordered one of these http://www.aj-s.co.uk/shop/product/652/manfrotto-black-light-boom-35-w-o-stand-085bsl.html

I'll be using it on Monday with a 5' Octa so I'll report back, if you're interested :)
 
What about sand-bagged C-stands? And/Or add casters and weights.
 
Cistron said:
What about sand-bagged C-stands? And/Or add casters and weights.
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It's not weighing it down that is an issue, it's the actual flex in the tubing of the stand and the fact it is dangerous. I'll post a photo - you'll laugh :lol:
 
specialman said:
It's not weighing it down that is an issue, it's the actual flex in the tubing of the stand and the fact it is dangerous. I'll post a photo - you'll laugh :lol:
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Oh. Well there is this Manfrotto roller stand with a solid centre column on a flat wheel base. Light modifiers are slid up and down by a grab to release slider. That might be for you. Maybe I can find the model number...

Might be the 231.
 
The problem with the lencarta ones is that they don't have remote control - that is to say, the adjustments for tilt / pan, at the bottom of the boom - so it's near impossible to really get the angle that you want, especially if you've got limited space

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/product/MF6070-MF6220 this one does, and comes with a cine stand on castors that is fine for smaller booms like this one, though I'd throw a couple of sandbags or weights on it.


those matthews stands aren't ideal because they've still got a baby pin at the top, rather than having a junior receiver - but for a smallish light head, I'm sure they're fine.
 
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