Finally got my heavy-duty lighting boom and stand

I had to wait over a week for Adorama to get the unit sent from the store to their warehouse and then to me, but the wait was worth it. What I got is a slightly outdated version, but it works just great. I am posting a few photos.

This is a Manfrotto 3087 boom kit which is provided with a 3071 stand, according to the catalog. I actually got an 008 stand which is extremely similar but does not have the one adjustable leg (for levelling). The brass spigot was also provided.

The boom is a 35mm diameter tube, provided in three sections. The photo has only two of the three sections in it. The three sections are each approximately 36 inches long.

The stand is an extremely rugged stand. It is rated to hold up to 66 pounds. The connection for the boom's pivot is a 1-1/8" diameter shaft that goes into the socket which is attached to the stand's mast. This is MUCH more rugged than the typical 5/8" diameter brass fitting on most light stands. This stand also has a built-in 5/8" diameter spigot if you want to use that for mounting a light instead of the boom.

Here's the whole rig (sorry for the junky background):

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More photos:

This is the end of the boom for attaching lighting equipment. Note that the spigot can be mounted sideways as well as straight out like you see it.

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Final photo:

This shows the AB B1600 light (with the medium folding softbox attached) connected to the boom.

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Nice Skip! I'm jealous.

I want a boom like that!

I can't find a way to clip a hairlight in my room.

That sure is a quality unit, Congrat!

Good buy now get a sandbag on those legs!! Safety first!!

Les

LBaldwin wrote in post #3716042
Good buy now get a sandbag on those legs!! Safety first!!

Les

I will be doing that if I put the third piece into the boom. However, it would only be necessary during setup (while the weight of the boom is not balanced).

The boom is perfectly balanced the way it is in the photos, and the center of gravity is right over the middle of the stand. The feel is almost amazing when I loosen the boom angle clamp and the thing moves smoothly with a touch of a finger.

SkipD wrote in post #3716067
I will be doing that if I put the third piece into the boom. However, it would only be necessary during setup (while the weight of the boom is not balanced).

The boom is perfectly balanced the way it is in the photos, and the center of gravity is right over the middle of the stand. The feel is almost amazing when I loosen the boom angle clamp and the thing moves smoothly with a touch of a finger.

You are absolutly correct sir!! Until some brat starts playing with it with your back turned....

Been there done that got the T-shirt. I have and have used redwings for qutie some time, with casters on the bottom. Once I have it placed, I add 20 lbs on the very bottom.

have fun,

Les

LBaldwin wrote in post #3716405
You are absolutly correct sir!! Until some brat starts playing with it with your back turned....

Been there done that got the T-shirt. I have and have used redwings for qutie some time, with casters on the bottom. Once I have it placed, I add 20 lbs on the very bottom.

Duly noted, Les. Thanks for the tip. I have no young 'uns around here any more, but they sure could show up in places where I anticipate doing photo shoots in the not-too-distant future.

Now what I need to find or make is some suitable bags.

I have a whole mess of 1-lb lead weights (at least 60 of them) that I have stocked up for casting bullets. I have not cast any bullets in years, so they might as well get hung on my light stands.

That is a serious boom stand.

The background is distracting try cropping it out or youll go nowhere in life, the lighting is horrible, try raising the ISO or youll loose you camera to a unicorn...and try to.....oh crap...sorry about that I just POTN'ed a lil bit....again sorry there...whew I pulled my head out....Im good now

Seriously thats pretty nice lookin, will ya post some photos that you used it in?

SkipD wrote in post #3716442
I have a whole mess of 1-lb lead weights (at least 60 of them) that I have stocked up for casting bullets. I have not cast any bullets in years, so they might as well get hung on my light stands.

Casting bullets?

I can understand loading yourself... but man... talking about making it from sratch!

Where can I get lead weights?

Actually there are several for sale on Ebay, and I picked up four last year for about 30 bux unloaded of course. One place I go to get a good alternative is a used sporting goods store or yard sales that advertise excercise stuff. the leg weights with heavyduty velcro work like a champ.

One other safety item i picked up was power cords with a lockable connection. This will really help if little fingers try and get at them. I did a shoot several years ago of a family with 2 special needs adult males. It was all I could do to keep them out of my gear away from the cords etc.

I would also suggst that you get some nice soft safety mats for the shooting area if you are going to shoots the lil monsters. They can and will jump right off of Mom;s lap, the table or the rockin horesy!!

Les

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #3716541
Where can I get lead weights?

I used to cast a lot of pistol bullets out of used wheel weights to which I added a little tin. In the old days, the tire shops would give the weights away to me. These days, there's some competition to get the wheel weights so they usually cost something. How much? I haven't a clue because the last stock I got was 20 years ago. I have done casting since then, but I just got way more than I needed way back when.

Wheel weights would still be a very economical way to get a lot of material to make your own weights today I am sure.

Looks really good Skip!! Thanks for the descriptions and pictures. I could have used that this afternoon for a shoot. I was moving my overhead hair light constantly and really needed to bring it in from the side with a boom.

I'm still exploring some options but I'm going to consider something like what you have.