Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Would like some input, maybe some of you have some additional ideas!

I prefer the form factor of a shoulder camera, so I came up with this (Photo is a bit shoddy because the only decent camera I have is mounted on the rig!):

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...0/IMG_0181.jpg

The wiring is not done yet and some components are still underway. The viewer is a former digibeta SD B/W one and I'm hoping to use that with a correctly setup zebra function in Magic Lantarn to get the proper results.
I still need a phantom power solution, and I'm thinking about a pre-amp. That and the viewfinder will receive power from the anton bauer battery on the back.

Preferably I would go with a LCD viewfinder such as the ones now available, but they're a bit out of my budget range..

Currently on the way are some XLR chassis parts and a HDMI > Y/C converter (hoping that will give me better quality than the AV cable). I am also still working on mounting the matte box.

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

awesome! Love seeing stuff like this, thanks for sharing

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Nice!

What did you use to make the platform/handle/shoudermount part?

One thing I'd usggest is integrating some rails so it becomes even easier to add extra monitors, matte-boxes, heavier lenses, handles, etc. Also a quick release adaptor so you can whip the camera straight out in a hurry.

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Don't forget a zoom rocker.

Or, you could just get this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/761586-REG/Sony_PMW320KCE_PMW_320K_XDCAM_EX_Camcorder.html :)

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Charles.. if I had the funds I definatly would :)
Sadly I don't earn money with this, it's just a hobby.. I did think about a zoom remote, but the problem is I have a lot of different lenses. If I had only one standard lens I would try to rig up something.

John. The platform is a piece of a flat aluminium, the battery holder/rear part of the carry handle is also aluminium. The main part of the carry handle used to be an old Sony DXC/PVV-3 carry handle.

I am thinking about adding more mounting options.. first I want to get the basic rig fully operational though.

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Update.. Mechanical side is just about done.. All that is left is make sure all components get power..

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...CameraRig1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...CameraRig2.jpg
On this last picture you see the HDMI converter and the Phantom Power supply. I've allready ordered Cokin P sized ND filters for the box.. I could add a VCT-U14 wedge mount but I don't have a VCT-U14 or a tripod so that's a bit pointless at the moment..

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Awesome!

Couple of questions - how much does it weigh? I imagine less than a digibeta?

And how will you get the VF to work - Sony were pretty proprietary with the signal wiring they sent to those things (plus of course they were SD not HD. Does the Canon automatically output an SD signal or will your HDMI converter do that part?

Good work and I hope you get it all working - then maybe you could make some money and buy the 350 or the RED?

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

The entire rig with that lens (Vivitar 28-105) is about 4.2kg (9.3 lbs).
So it's about 600 grams heavier than an EX3 and about 0.8kg lighter than a HPX-301 for example..
Big part of that weight is the lens, viewfinder and battery..

I have the maintenance manual for the viewfinder, so I know the pinout and I have the wiring diagram for the BVF style plug (I also have the DXF 20pin and 8pin pinout available incase someone needs that).

I am using the HDMI converter to go from HDMI to Y/C, of which I will use just the Y.
I'm hoping that gives me a better picture than straight composite out of the camera.

The camera is mostly for my own fun, I doubt I will be making money with it :) It was my attempt to replace my old DVCpro25 camcorder, in the same form factor but in HD..

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Right, small update
I got the rig working fully now, after some adjusting the viewfinder works pretty nicely. I am using the USB > AV cable for monitoring the audio levels.

Next week I'm going to shoot with the rig, and after that I'm going to try and make some improvements, I learned a lot from building it :)

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

Ok, came back from the major event I wanted to shoot at.. I had some trouble with the rig so I had to improvise. Basicly some viewfinder contacts let go so I put the rain cover on top of the rig and just viewed on the LCD screen. That meant I couldn't see what was going on all the time. Furthermore the matte box attachment was not strong enough and the rig got knocked sideways a bit, so when I was fully zoomed out I the matte box and camera cover were in sight. I shot at 1080p25 and just used that footage at 720p25 so I could pan and scan. It doesn't look 550D worthy or DSLR worthy but it turned out better than last year so that's a good thing. I also had some trouble with a class 6 card which couldn't cope, got to research that some more.

This is what I shot (when the group got ambushed camera buffer stopped so I had to solve that with some different shots). Also I couldn't fully watch the movie while editing (PC didn't like it) so it probably doesn't look as good as it should :)
Red-Alliance at War & Peace Show 2011: Arena Display - YouTube
(Audio starts low, gets louder. watch it!)

This is the rig now in a diagram.. I will post what I want to change soon.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...rigdrawing.jpg

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

So my problem was also flexing. I want to replace the floorplate with a steel one, and have the rods extend backwards to transfer the force better. Ideally I would want to replace the 550D with a GH2 though it's not necessary. If I do replace it with a GH2 I will install a B4 mount adapter and a broadcast lens.

If I stick with the 550D I will get a fader ND instead of the fixed matte box I had now. I will also install a lens cover on the existing photo lens instead of relying on the matte box. With the 550D I also want a quick release for the camera. With the GH2 that would not be needed since the B4 adapter will be mounted to the rig, and the camera to the adapter.

VCT-U14 style plate is also planned.

With GH2:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...igdrawing3.jpg

This is to create a cheap shouldermount ENG style setup.

Re: Working on a shouldermount.. work in progress
 

GH2 bought, now to find a decent video lens with extender.. got my eyes on a couple allready :)
However I will only buy them if the price is right.. I have a lot of time on my hands..

People might say "But this way your camera won't shoot at cinema apertures!".. And that is true.. I'm not looking for a true cinema camera.. I want a "cheap" HD capable ENG shoulder camera, with a decent zoom lens. Just another route you can take with these camera's!