For complex top lighting or shooting over obstacles, standard stands won’t cut it. That’s where jib arms (booms) come in. But keep in mind — each model has its own safe working load, which drops sharply as you extend the arm. Let’s break down three types: the junior, the megaboom, and the mini-boom.
1 . Avenger D650 (Junior Boom)
Max specs:
Folded: holds up to 40 kg
With a 3 m extension: only 10 kg (not including counterweights)
Two-person setup
How to set up the Junior Boom:
• One person holds the arm, the other adds counterweights until lifting feels effortless.
• Loosen the screw and fine-tune the balance.
• Raise the arm using the windup handle (winch).
! Important: The winch itself has a max load capacity of 30 kg (boom + all weights + fixture). Raise the arm using the windup — just turn the handle.
Raise the windup, turn the handle
Always secure your fixture with a steel safety cable attached to the eyelet on the arm.
Key limitation: Up to 40 kg in the overhead position is only possible at the minimum extension.
2. Manfrotto Megaboom (Megaboom)
Megaboom
The largest boom in the rental fleet — but paradoxically, it’s weaker than the junior.
At max extension (3.2 m): max load 6 kg
At minimum extension: up to 30 kg.
Features: Articulated joints for smooth movement in three axes (pan, tilt, rotation).
Stoppers
! Critical warning:
The Megaboom won’t tip over if unbalanced — which creates a false sense of safety.
Do not compensate for imbalance by tightening locks — this damages the equipment.
All wheeled stands (including the Megaboom’s windup base) must have their wheels locked.
3. Avenger 600 (Mini-Boom)
Mini-Boom
Shorter than the junior — max extension just over 2 m
Load capacity:
At minimum extension: up to 30 kg
At full extension: no more than 7 kg
There’s a hook on the rear end for counterweights.
Requirement: All three legs must be secured with sandbags or locked brakes.
Proper balancing — key takeaways
• The longer your reach, the lighter your fixture must be.
• Balance using counterweights only — never by tightening locks. The latter is dangerous and damages gear.
• Overloading will result in a penalty from the rental.
When in doubt about stability, call over a teammate or check with your rental manager.
This material is provided by the team at Kinoarenda (Saint Petersburg).