DIY Flash Boom

[KevinBarrett]

I've illustrated here my homemade flash boom.

Parts used:

• 1/2" PVC electrical conduit (a starting point because my cheap Quantaray tripod's legs can still grab it)
• 1/2" PVC male adapter (also for electrical conduit)
• 3/8" hex head cap screw (3/8 - 16 x 2)
• 3/8" hex nut or nylon lock nut
• 3/8" flat washer

First, the hex cap screw will fit inside the male adapter, head inside, thread outside, through the threaded end of the adapter. Make sure the washer goes after you put the screw through the male adapter, then tighten the lock nut down, this will set the corners of the screw head inside the soft PVC adapter's threaded portion.

Second, fit this new inter-department hardware-store-hybrid onto the end of your PVC electrical conduit. I used a 5-foot section because it was sold in the store that way, and a full 10-foot piece wouldn't be practical. Tap it on so that it sets itself there.

Voila! You now have a flash boom with 3/8" thread for about $2.09 and five minutes work. It's perfect for flexible lighting on location without any tripod legs to trip up passers-by.

[KevinBarrett]

My mistake, that's not a Seagul SC-6, it's a Minolta OS-1100, but the Seagul SC-6 will mount onto the swivel adapter's included hotshoe thingy.

[Dr. Harout]

Nice input and device, Kevin. TFS.

[KevinBarrett]

In usual practice, I have my wife there holding the boom so that it is less cumbersome on site and, in fact, voice activated. However, in case I'm shooting alone, my el cheapo Quantaray QSX DigiPro 8500 tripod can grip the 1/2" PVC when I remove the center column. On windy days I can splay the legs without sacrificing any height.