Choosing a light stand to support a boom pole for outdoor interviews

[Jim Feeley]

I think just about everyone here is familiar with various light stands, both from our personal use and from spending plenty of time working with gaffers and grips (including the guys in the video you just posted). And has been said, stability outdoors issues matter more when a stand is supporting a light that weighs a lot more than our mics and boompoles, and especially when also supporting softboxes or holding other light modifiers (especially big frames).

 

Get what you're comfortable with, but even when facing windy and tilty conditions I usually use smaller stands than you're considering. A C-Stand (with a sliding leg if needed), a kit stand if I'm flying or walking/hiking a long distance (the 7lb or so weight is a good thing then). I have one junior and a couple baby stands, but those are on rollers so they don't have rocky mountain legs. I end up on hillsides, rocky terrain, vineyards, and in pretty strong wind fairly regularly. And a C-Stand or kit stand with a couple sandbags has always worked for me. Though next time I'm in the mood to spend more money on stands, maybe I'll look for a kit stand with an adjustable leg.

 

My stands are all from Matthews. Some I've had over 20 years, and those I bought used. They're still working and I'm glad that I can get parts (I've replaced a few t-handles over the years, but those breaks were all caused by abuse). American and Modern make great stuff, but I'm fine with Matthews.  

 

Anyway, sounds like you're getting something that will work.  

[rmac]

Hi Jim,

 

Cool that you know Seerveld. In addition to having 30 years of experience, he comes across as a nice guy.

 

I have some Modern grip components that I like a lot, but in New York I’ve never seen one of its stands. Your endorsement makes me confident about purchasing one.

 

I think that your post makes a lot of sense. There are a couple of lighter stands on my short list. when I drop by B&H and Adorama, I’ll be looking at a range.

 

 

[Adam White]

I’ve used a 3 section manfrotto light stand for years and it’s been great. Way lighter than a c-stand and with a sandbag is plenty strong for a boom. 
If it’s really uneven ground a regular c stand probably wins. 

[Jim Feeley]

 

8 hours ago, rmac said:

Cool that you know Seerveld. In addition to having 30 years of experience, he comes across as a nice guy.

 

Others here know Luke better than I do. But I've worked with him and hope to again. Yes, nice, smart, and skilled guy. Makes great pies, too. 🥧 

[rmac]

 

 

I thought it might be interesting to look at C-Stand maximum height, footprint, weight and price. These have a leveling leg. The specs are for the stand, not including 2.5” grip head and 40” arm. They're listed in order of height. Modern Studio doesn’t make C-Stands, although it offers a C-Stand Cart with 12 Norms C-Stands. My own are a combination of Avenger stands and American Grip heads and arms. Interesting that the Matthews footprint is quite a bit smaller than American Grip's and Avenger’s. It’s also smaller than the footprint for all five of the light stands on my shortlist.

 

American Grip

Maximum Height: 10’4” (315cm)

Footprint: 35” (89cm)

Weight: 12.5lbs (5.7kg)

Price:  $317 direct from American Grip for the stand alone

 

Matthews

Maximum Height: 10’6” (320cm) 

Footprint: 27.5” (70cm)

Weight: 11.75lbs (5.3kg) This is the weight of the stand alone, but Matthews only sells this with a grip head and arm.

Price: $251 at B&H with grip head and arm

 

Avenger

Maximum Height: 10’10” (330cm)

Footprint: 37.4” (95cm)

Weight: 12.1lbs (5.5kg)

Price: $203 at B&H for the stand alone

 

 

 

[John Blankenship]

You seem to have made the point pretty well -- that for lights, one should use a light stand. 

 

[rmac]

On 10/24/2024 at 11:27 AM, John Blankenship said:

You seem to have made the point pretty well -- that for lights, one should use a light stand. 

 

 

What I’m getting out of this exercise is that there’s quite a lot of variation in what makers of stands offer in the same category. For example, it’s news to me, at least, that an Avenger 40” C-Stand has a diameter footprint that’s 10” (25cm) larger than the footprint of a 40” Matthews C-Stand. The Avenger footprint is 36% larger. The American Grip footprint is 27.3% larger. A larger footprint may not be desirable for transport, but it would seem to be an obvious benefit to stability. There’s also more variation in Baby Stand/light stand specs than I anticipated.

[Pat Slater]

I've used a Manfrotto light stand ( light by name, light by weight ) with a Cardalini clamp ( actually Mathews Mathalini ) on one of the cast metal stage lock points with my bag as the counter weight, at an adjustable comfortable operating height. Boom holder in a Manfrotto knuckle. Has worked well for past 30 years, only way to better it would be an adjustable leg.....   Oh yeah,  a Robo cup bottle holder on shaft.   All folds down and travels in a tripod bag on a shoulder. C-Stand too heavy and bulky.

[rmac]

19 hours ago, Pat Slater said:

I've used a Manfrotto light stand ( light by name, light by weight ) with a Cardalini clamp ( actually Mathews Mathalini )

 

I was hoping that someone would raise using a Cardellini/Mattellini clamp. Pat, do you cushion your boom pole from the jaws of the Matthellini clamp? If so, how do you do it while maintaining the grip?

[Pat Slater]

I hold the boom in either a boom buddy or a KTek  boom pole cradle, the Mathelini is for holding my bag, easy on easy off and it is the counterweight instead of carrying shot bags....

 

 

[inspire]

Hi!

I have K&M 20811:
https://www.thomann.de/intl/km_20811.htm
Weight: 9.94 kg !!!

I can put with it the microphone for recordin choir exactly above to the choir leaders head. 😉
It is going to be very long and is very stable.
Con - it is weightly difficult and a bit heavy. But I can set it up quickly and it is safe. For transport not very easy but I can manage with it myself alone.

And I use it with K&M 21231
I add photos as well (where it is not set at the full hight) and it is just as one option.

[rmac]

On 10/29/2024 at 2:53 AM, inspire said:

Hi!

 

I have K&M 20811 ...

And I use it with K&M 21231

 

 

B&H pages:

 

K&M 20811 Overhead Microphone Stand

K&M 21231 Telescoping Boom Arm with Counterweight

 

Not in the same category as Inspire’s stand and boom arm, but my understanding is that the Manfrotto 420NSB Convertible Boom Stand - 12.8' (4m) has long been used for interviews:

 

[inspire]

Yes, mine is probably too heavy for you! But maybe this one is also good: 

https://www.thomann.de/intl/km_21411.htm

Manfrotto is good too, I own one light stand from them and I’m happy.

[rmac]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ve ordered one of the stands on my short list:

 

Modern Studio, Mini Baby Double Riser with Rocky Mountain Leg

 

 

Specs:

Maximum height: 171cm (67.5”)

Minimum Height: 81cm (32”)

Footprint: 81cm (32”)

Material: stainless steel and aluminium

Weight with grip head: 4.2kg (9.2lb)

 

I think that this stand has good specs for sit-down interviews. The average height of a seated man is 94cm/37”, and this stand should also work with some stools. I also have additional uses for the stand, such as recording with a stereo bar. The minimum height and the weight are good for transport. If I need more weight in use, I can add some. I’m interested in trying a Modern stand anyway, and I also purchased a Modern 2 1/2” grip head for it. It helped that I was able to take advantage of a sale. This stand doesn’t address standing interviews, which I’ll deal with later.

 

I should receive the stand this week, and I’ll post photos of it set up with a boom pole and a stereo bar sometime in the next couple of weeks.

 

Much obliged for your assistance.

 

[EDIT: Thought I’d mention that Modern’s page on the stand says “Usually ships or ready for pickup within 7 to 10 business days”. In fact, I ordered the stand this morning (Pacific time) and it shipped this afternoon.]

 

 

 

[Jim Feeley]

Great you found a stand you feel good about.

 

And you're probably way ahead of me, but if you order today directly through Modern, the stand is 30-percent off. (They offer semi-regular Modern Mondays discounts...today the discount applies to everything). 

 

So that drops the price to about US $210, plus tax and shipping. Their shipping charges are reasonable.

[rmac]

5 hours ago, Jim Feeley said:

And you're probably way ahead of me, but if you order today directly through Modern, the stand is 30-percent off. (They offer semi-regular Modern Mondays discounts...today the discount applies to everything). 

 

So that drops the price to about US $210, plus tax and shipping. Their shipping charges are reasonable.

 

I’m on their email list and made the purchase earlier today. The Monday discount is usually product-specific. As you say, today it isn’t. UPS Ground shipping from San Francisco to the east coast was very reasonable.

[inspire]

So you plan sit-down interviews in open areas, not in Studio? That sounds inspiring. 😇

[Philip Perkins]

9 minutes ago, inspire said:

So you plan sit-down interviews in open areas, not in Studio? That sounds inspiring. 😇

That sounds like a documentary.  Which is kind of what a lot of us do?

[rmac]

49 minutes ago, inspire said:

So you plan sit-down interviews in open areas, not in Studio? That sounds inspiring. 😇

 

 

I plan to use it indoors and out, and also for stereo recording.

[inspire]

7 hours ago, Philip Perkins said:

That sounds like a documentary.  Which is kind of what a lot of us do?

Yes, I know that many here are involved in recording documentaries, but how you do it is often a matter of taste. I was inspired by rmac's photo. In such cases, you definitely have to take the wind into account, as even the slightest breeze is our enemy.

At the same time, once this challenge is overcome, the result can be very authentic after post-production!

[johngooch]

One thought--   C stands play nicer on set with other C stands-- the legs are designed to be able to be used next to each other..  Tripod type stands take up more effective real estate...  Something to think about when talent is surround by a nest of stands...

 

j

 

 

[rmac]

1 hour ago, johngooch said:

One thought--   C stands play nicer on set with other C stands-- the legs are designed to be able to be used next to each other..  Tripod type stands take up more effective real estate...  Something to think about when talent is surround by a nest of stands...

 

Thanks, there’s a fair bit of discussion about C-stands earlier in this thread.

[petersont]

For the standard sit-downs (and stand-ups if the subject is not super tall) for years I've traveled with a pair of "Manfrotto Alu Mini Compact Air-Cushioned Stand (Black, 7')". Anyway. It's a rare 1 or 2 camera frame where these have not been fine... Plus they are well built, relatively lightweight & very compact and easily fit in the same bag with boompiles For air travel and keeping check-in weights down,  for ballast a couple of empty shopping bags I'll fill with a water bottles or some spare cables I always have with me anyway. Having a small, short condenser on the end keeps things easy to balance anyway.

[Constantin]

There‘s a group on Facebook called „Dull Men’s Club“ - celebrating the ordinary.

I think this thread would fit in there very well. 
You had a shortlist of stands to choose from and that you did, contrary to everyone’s opinion here.

Good for you for holding your ground. Not sure about the objective of this entirely dull endeavour. 

I apologise for the grumpiness. 
 

[Philip Perkins]

On 11/4/2024 at 10:37 PM, inspire said:

Yes, I know that many here are involved in recording documentaries, but how you do it is often a matter of taste. I was inspired by rmac's photo. In such cases, you definitely have to take the wind into account, as even the slightest breeze is our enemy.

At the same time, once this challenge is overcome, the result can be very authentic after post-production!

A slight breeze or even a decently stiff wind isn't my enemy: like any pro sound person I have zeps for the mics and sandbags etc for the stands.  If need be I tie off the stand and the boom to something heavier.  This goes for outdoor music recording too.