Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust at DVinfo.net

Peter Wu · March 5th, 2022, 05:07 PM

When setting up a stationary boom pole
I use a grip head like this
https://neewer.com/products/neewer-m...3465f341&_ss=r

It has teeth and a spring to prevent slippage. But because of this, when I need to adjust the boom arm, loosening the knob does not immediately allow movement. I have to loosen it until the spring no longer can push the plates together, and then suddenly both tilt and pan becomes free and the boom pole goes flailing.

This is difficult to control. Is there a way to set this up so that the boom pole tilt can be adjusted independently of the pan, and loosening the knob(s) would gradually loosen the grip just like a tripod head?

Doug Jensen · March 5th, 2022, 05:57 PM

Peter, you are missing one critical componenet -- a boom hook. This makes it really fast and easy to position the boom pole exactly where you want it. Plus, it is just held in place by gravity so it does not risk crushing or damaging the boom pole. I have two of them and every audio guy I've ever worked with has basically the same thing. This is standard in the industry.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885688-REG/Auray_BPH_BOOM_POLE.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Peter Wu · March 5th, 2022, 07:28 PM

Forgot to mention I do have the hook as well. It actually makes the problem worse because it is not firmly attached to the pole (like you said, it's gravity), so when everything become loose, the hook rotates and moves around and the pole tries to slip out of the hook. It's like jenga game when one piece is loose, everything (not firmly attached) comes tumbling down.

Pete Cofrancesco · March 5th, 2022, 09:04 PM

The boom pole is held at a fixed angle. The height of the pole is controlled by raising and lowering c-stand column not changing the angle of boom with the clamp. This video demonstrates proper technique.

Doug Jensen · March 6th, 2022, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Wu

Forgot to mention I do have the hook as well. It actually makes the problem worse because it is not firmly attached to the pole (like you said, it's gravity), so when everything become loose, the hook rotates and moves around and the pole tries to slip out of the hook. It's like jenga game when one piece is loose, everything (not firmly attached) comes tumbling down.

You have a boom hook? It doesn't sound like you are using the boom hook or grip head as they were designed to be used, or you wouldn't have this problem. Seriously, everyone in the business uses the hook/grip head and I've never seen what you describe.

Paul R Johnson · March 7th, 2022, 01:00 AM

The only way this can happen in when you introduce tilt angle and not a fixed 90 degree from the stand. Essentially, you’ve misunderstood the purpose of the adjustable bracket. Those teeth that interlock take the strain, not like the compressing fittings of mic stands, which all droop with heavy mics. These video stands allow much heavier weights to be held at angles other than vertical hence the turret style interlocking. That same arrangement as pan handles on big cameras. Booms need to be vertical.

When I was teaching in college, students always used to use them at angles (and miss the mouth) as it was easier on their arm muscles to put the end on your waist and have them go up at an angle. The muscle ache if having both arms up and the boom horizontal I suspect prompted the invention of the holder, for humane reasons!

March 5th, 2022, 05:07 PM	#1
Peter Wu Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 43	Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust When setting up a stationary boom pole I use a grip head like this https://neewer.com/products/neewer-m...3465f341&_ss=r It has teeth and a spring to prevent slippage. But because of this, when I need to adjust the boom arm, loosening the knob does not immediately allow movement. I have to loosen it until the spring no longer can push the plates together, and then suddenly both tilt and pan becomes free and the boom pole goes flailing. This is difficult to control. Is there a way to set this up so that the boom pole tilt can be adjusted independently of the pan, and loosening the knob(s) would gradually loosen the grip just like a tripod head?

March 5th, 2022, 05:57 PM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,415	Re: Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust Peter, you are missing one critical componenet -- a boom hook. This makes it really fast and easy to position the boom pole exactly where you want it. Plus, it is just held in place by gravity so it does not risk crushing or damaging the boom pole. I have two of them and every audio guy I've ever worked with has basically the same thing. This is standard in the industry. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885688-REG/Auray_BPH_BOOM_POLE.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801 __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

March 5th, 2022, 07:28 PM	#3
Peter Wu Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 43	Re: Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust Forgot to mention I do have the hook as well. It actually makes the problem worse because it is not firmly attached to the pole (like you said, it's gravity), so when everything become loose, the hook rotates and moves around and the pole tries to slip out of the hook. It's like jenga game when one piece is loose, everything (not firmly attached) comes tumbling down.

March 5th, 2022, 09:04 PM	#4
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,995	Re: Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust The boom pole is held at a fixed angle. The height of the pole is controlled by raising and lowering c-stand column not changing the angle of boom with the clamp. This video demonstrates proper technique. How To Setup A Boom Pole Without Someone Holding It - YouTube

March 7th, 2022, 01:00 AM	#6
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,015	Re: Stationery boom pole difficult to adjust The only way this can happen in when you introduce tilt angle and not a fixed 90 degree from the stand. Essentially, you’ve misunderstood the purpose of the adjustable bracket. Those teeth that interlock take the strain, not like the compressing fittings of mic stands, which all droop with heavy mics. These video stands allow much heavier weights to be held at angles other than vertical hence the turret style interlocking. That same arrangement as pan handles on big cameras. Booms need to be vertical. When I was teaching in college, students always used to use them at angles (and miss the mouth) as it was easier on their arm muscles to put the end on your waist and have them go up at an angle. The muscle ache if having both arms up and the boom horizontal I suspect prompted the invention of the holder, for humane reasons!