I’ve got a lot of respect for cinematographer Rodney Charters. Really I do. His work on 24 was spectacular, as well as plenty of other TV shows and movies. But I really have to wonder about this new product he’s recently announced. The logic of it makes sense. You want low altitude footage that typically can only be shot with either a drone or very expensive jib. But $550? for what is essentially just a really long stick?

The Charters Pole comes in two maximum lengths. One is 6m (20ft), and one is 4.35m (14ft). They’re both made from carbon fibre, come in 8 sections, and have a maximum load of 500g (1.1lb). It’s intention is to let you use small cameras in places where you might otherwise need a drone. It features a built in 1/4-20″ tripod thread and can support a lightweight brushless gimbal, small compact cameras, GoPros and phones. You could even use it to hold lightweight LED panels or as a microphone boom.

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