Boom Pole Length at DVinfo.net

Steve House · February 9th, 2008, 02:28 PM

In the same vein as Peter's question on bag preferences, I'm curious what size boom pole people are either finding they're using most or have discovered they need and wish they had most often - 8', 12', or 16' - and what is the type of shoot where you most often need it - ENG, doco, drama, etc. If you only have one pole, is it 8' or 10' and you find you wish you had longer or the other way around, if it's a 12' or 16' do you often find yourself wishing for something shorter?

Sacha Rosen · February 9th, 2008, 03:24 PM

I work in film and tv, no eng for me, and I use a ambient 4140 I think its around 17 feet, I find that if anything I could always go longer. I am planning on getting my own boom soon(the on I use is rented). I am looking at the Ambient lite 5130, it is longer but has more sections so it breaks down smaller, that seems to have the best of both worlds. I also would like to try a panamic.

Steve Oakley · February 9th, 2008, 10:48 PM

I've got a 12ft CF pole. its great for C standing because you can get the stand back out of the way of the lighting. however, it is heavier for ENG / doc shooting where 3-6ft is plenty because you are close most of the time. since its about 34" or so collapsed, it doesn't travel so nice, even on the audio bag it can be a drag just to fit thru doors. really you want one short pole, one long pole, but if I could only get one, it would be 12ft. more then that is too specialized for length for most shooting.

Peter Moretti · February 9th, 2008, 11:17 PM

One thing I like to have is a right angle XLR connection at the bottom. This way you can rest the pole standing up and it's not on the wire/connector. I also think it makes it a little easier to balance.

Wayne Brissette · February 10th, 2008, 05:07 AM

All three of my boom poles are 12 feet. I find this is usually about the longest you can reasonably handle with a full Rycote and mic setup. I've also never been in a situation where 12 feet wasn't long enough to be out of the shot. In fact in most wide shots I've found no boom was going to be out of the shot and we had to run 100% wireless. I do mostly films, some TV and ENG work.

And Peter's recommendation for the right angle XLR is spot on.

Wayne

February 9th, 2008, 02:28 PM	#1
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Boom Pole Length In the same vein as Peter's question on bag preferences, I'm curious what size boom pole people are either finding they're using most or have discovered they need and wish they had most often - 8', 12', or 16' - and what is the type of shoot where you most often need it - ENG, doco, drama, etc. If you only have one pole, is it 8' or 10' and you find you wish you had longer or the other way around, if it's a 12' or 16' do you often find yourself wishing for something shorter? __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 10th, 2008, 05:07 AM	#5
Wayne Brissette Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 383	All three of my boom poles are 12 feet. I find this is usually about the longest you can reasonably handle with a full Rycote and mic setup. I've also never been in a situation where 12 feet wasn't long enough to be out of the shot. In fact in most wide shots I've found no boom was going to be out of the shot and we had to run 100% wireless. I do mostly films, some TV and ENG work. And Peter's recommendation for the right angle XLR is spot on. Wayne __________________ Mics: KMR 82 i, NTG-1, MKH418S, MKH8040, SR77, QTC1, QTC40, SR30 Recorder: Zaxcom Deva 5.8 & MIX-12. Wireless: TRX900 stereo, Lectro 411

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February 9th, 2008, 03:24 PM	#2
Sacha Rosen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 86	I work in film and tv, no eng for me, and I use a ambient 4140 I think its around 17 feet, I find that if anything I could always go longer. I am planning on getting my own boom soon(the on I use is rented). I am looking at the Ambient lite 5130, it is longer but has more sections so it breaks down smaller, that seems to have the best of both worlds. I also would like to try a panamic.

February 9th, 2008, 10:48 PM	#3
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	I've got a 12ft CF pole. its great for C standing because you can get the stand back out of the way of the lighting. however, it is heavier for ENG / doc shooting where 3-6ft is plenty because you are close most of the time. since its about 34" or so collapsed, it doesn't travel so nice, even on the audio bag it can be a drag just to fit thru doors. really you want one short pole, one long pole, but if I could only get one, it would be 12ft. more then that is too specialized for length for most shooting.

February 9th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#4
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	One thing I like to have is a right angle XLR connection at the bottom. This way you can rest the pole standing up and it's not on the wire/connector. I also think it makes it a little easier to balance.