Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole at DVinfo.net

Dan Brockett · March 9th, 2017, 09:01 AM

Hi all:

I am updating my old carbon fiber Gitzo boom pole, it's long and was made for hand booming at distance. What I would like now is a short, ENG type boom pole, mainly for traveling and interviews. Small collapsed size, light weight and reasonable cost are most important. The Røde Micro Boompole look weak, not really a pro solution. I think internal cabling is a must too.

I am fairly settled on the Ktek KE79CCR
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...alue=Ktek+KE79
Seems like it fits the bill. But are there any alternatives that I am missing? This pole will rarely, if ever be used for hand booming as I am a camera op and when we need to shoot moving scenes/walk and talks, we hire a sound mixer who will usually have their own favorite boom pole for doing that.

Sabyasachi Patra · March 9th, 2017, 11:20 AM

I like Ktek products. I think the boom you have linked KE 79CCR is fine for your requirements. If you want to do it cheap then stick a microphone to this https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...one_Stand.html and use a long cable.

Personally I have the longer Ktek KTK202CCR boom which I had bought for a feature film use. Now I carry it for my doc purposes as well. Elongate it and fix a go pro and get some interesting views as well. However, it is a bit long and not convenient for certain travel.

I use the boom pole to be fixed on a Boom pole cradle https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...le_Cradle.html which is fixed on a stand.

Bruce Watson · March 9th, 2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

I am fairly settled on the Ktek KE79CCR
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...alue=Ktek+KE79
Seems like it fits the bill. But are there any alternatives that I am missing? This pole will rarely, if ever be used for hand booming as I am a camera op and when we need to shoot moving scenes/walk and talks, we hire a sound mixer who will usually have their own favorite boom pole for doing that.

I'm using a Ktek for this duty also, but mine is maybe .3 meter longer. I like that length; I think 2.0m would be a tad short for me, but I could make it work. Internal wiring is a good idea, but make sure you don't twist the sections as you extend/collapse the pole, or you'll end up having to fix the kinks you put in the internal cabling eventually, which is a PITA. Easy way it to mark them so you see any relative rotation the sections make and can correct for it right then -- you don't have to fix it if you never have the problem.

Brian P. Reynolds · March 9th, 2017, 10:48 PM

I've been using something like this for many years for sit down interviews, simple, cheap, and practical......
No need to make things complex, and works like a treat...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...one_Stand.html

John Nantz · March 10th, 2017, 12:06 AM

Also have a K-tek pole. Specs:
KEG100CC, Avalon Graphite CC base with XLR male connector and an internally coiled cable.
Weight: 1.26 lbs.
Sections: 5
Min Length: 2’-2”
Max Length: 8’-9”

Should fit in a traveling suitcase. The 5 (they also have 6) sections would make it versatile.
It has been used nicely with a Zepplin with a Rycote cover so it is reasonably strong and light.

Have a really nice 16-page boom pole brochure from them from 2011 in *.pdf that explaines all the details and specs

Rick Reineke · March 10th, 2017, 10:39 AM

I have the same internally wired KEG100CC pole as John. I wish I had gotten the side exit connector, but that's a minor inconvenience. I also have an older Gitzo aluminum non-cabled 16 footer, but it does not get used much and it's heavy. I rebuilt the clutches a year or two ago but it's still a POS IMO. Many boom ops I've encountered prefer an external cable, especially on the longer poles (personal preference).
The KE-79 Traveler is a little shorter ( 1' 8" - 6' 7") than the 100 (2'.2" - 8' 9"} and has an additional section. (6).
For sit-down interviews, I usually use a music type boom stand.. On air travel gigs, I'll borrow a light stand and use a boom buddy or clamp the boom to it. I always carry a 5/8" to 3/8" adapter as well, since muisic boom stands are rather common in churches, schools, ect.

Jim Feeley · March 13th, 2017, 08:55 PM

I have four boom poles of varying lengths; I do a fair amount of work as a location sound mixer. One of those is a K-Tek KE79CC, which is just like yours but with the cable exiting the end of the pole rather than the side (personal, but strong preference).

I've had this little K-Tek Traveller pole for a long time; I mainly bring it for travel backup use but don't give it any special care and it still works great. Yes, it's short but that's OK in some uses (like hard docs, tight spaces, etc). And the length is good enough for many sit-down interviews. So I recommend it.

Dan Brockett · March 14th, 2017, 08:42 AM

Received the KE79CC and played with it yesterday. Nice quality and the length will work fine for 90% of interview framing. If the producer needs/wants longer, I would be telling them to hire a sound mixer anyway, this is strictly for travel kit for single, sit down interviews. The size and weight of this pole is perfect. For sit downs, I like the cable exiting the back of the pole.

Thanks for the input gents!

March 9th, 2017, 09:01 AM	#1
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole Hi all: I am updating my old carbon fiber Gitzo boom pole, it's long and was made for hand booming at distance. What I would like now is a short, ENG type boom pole, mainly for traveling and interviews. Small collapsed size, light weight and reasonable cost are most important. The Røde Micro Boompole look weak, not really a pro solution. I think internal cabling is a must too. I am fairly settled on the Ktek KE79CCR https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...alue=Ktek+KE79 Seems like it fits the bill. But are there any alternatives that I am missing? This pole will rarely, if ever be used for hand booming as I am a camera op and when we need to shoot moving scenes/walk and talks, we hire a sound mixer who will usually have their own favorite boom pole for doing that.

March 9th, 2017, 11:20 AM	#2
Sabyasachi Patra Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 507	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole I like Ktek products. I think the boom you have linked KE 79CCR is fine for your requirements. If you want to do it cheap then stick a microphone to this https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...one_Stand.html and use a long cable. Personally I have the longer Ktek KTK202CCR boom which I had bought for a feature film use. Now I carry it for my doc purposes as well. Elongate it and fix a go pro and get some interesting views as well. However, it is a bit long and not convenient for certain travel. I use the boom pole to be fixed on a Boom pole cradle https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...le_Cradle.html which is fixed on a stand. __________________ Wild Tiger Productions http://www.indiawilds.com/about.htm

March 9th, 2017, 10:48 PM	#4
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole I've been using something like this for many years for sit down interviews, simple, cheap, and practical...... No need to make things complex, and works like a treat... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...one_Stand.html

March 10th, 2017, 12:06 AM	#5
John Nantz Trustee Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,252	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole Also have a K-tek pole. Specs: KEG100CC, Avalon Graphite CC base with XLR male connector and an internally coiled cable. Weight: 1.26 lbs. Sections: 5 Min Length: 2’-2” Max Length: 8’-9” Should fit in a traveling suitcase. The 5 (they also have 6) sections would make it versatile. It has been used nicely with a Zepplin with a Rycote cover so it is reasonably strong and light. Have a really nice 16-page boom pole brochure from them from 2011 in *.pdf that explaines all the details and specs Attached Thumbnails

March 10th, 2017, 10:39 AM	#6
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole I have the same internally wired KEG100CC pole as John. I wish I had gotten the side exit connector, but that's a minor inconvenience. I also have an older Gitzo aluminum non-cabled 16 footer, but it does not get used much and it's heavy. I rebuilt the clutches a year or two ago but it's still a POS IMO. Many boom ops I've encountered prefer an external cable, especially on the longer poles (personal preference). The KE-79 Traveler is a little shorter ( 1' 8" - 6' 7") than the 100 (2'.2" - 8' 9"} and has an additional section. (6). For sit-down interviews, I usually use a music type boom stand.. On air travel gigs, I'll borrow a light stand and use a boom buddy or clamp the boom to it. I always carry a 5/8" to 3/8" adapter as well, since muisic boom stands are rather common in churches, schools, ect.

March 13th, 2017, 08:55 PM	#7
Jim Feeley Supports LPFM Radio Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern California USA Posts: 168	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole I have four boom poles of varying lengths; I do a fair amount of work as a location sound mixer. One of those is a K-Tek KE79CC, which is just like yours but with the cable exiting the end of the pole rather than the side (personal, but strong preference). I've had this little K-Tek Traveller pole for a long time; I mainly bring it for travel backup use but don't give it any special care and it still works great. Yes, it's short but that's OK in some uses (like hard docs, tight spaces, etc). And the length is good enough for many sit-down interviews. So I recommend it.

March 14th, 2017, 08:42 AM	#8
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Re: Best Travel Sit Down Interview Boom Pole Received the KE79CC and played with it yesterday. Nice quality and the length will work fine for 90% of interview framing. If the producer needs/wants longer, I would be telling them to hire a sound mixer anyway, this is strictly for travel kit for single, sit down interviews. The size and weight of this pole is perfect. For sit downs, I like the cable exiting the back of the pole. Thanks for the input gents!