HC9 on My New Steady-Mount (Photo)

[J. Stephen McDonald]

I've just developed a very small steady-mount for my camcorders and cameras. It can be quickly taken apart and carried in my coat pockets. I like it better than my larger and more complicated shoulder-mounts. The pad can be held against the belly, chest or shoulder and either the small viewfinder or the larger viewscreen can be used. It's simple to make, with just a few pieces of wood and some bolts, washers, wingnuts and a foam pad.

The mike on the extender arm is a Sony ECM-MS907 stereo model and the telextender is a Raynox HD-2200, that gives 2.2X. It causes vignetting below 60% of full zoom and is very sharp optically. I made the butterfly hood from fiberglass and it's attached on a short hood from a Canon A-1 Digital camcorder, from 1990. The external power-pack uses a Sony NP-F960, borrowed from my VX2100, that has a 5,300 mAh capacity. I carry it inside the small bag, in a pocket or a shoulder-bag.