Okay, I've kept you guys hanging long enough.

Yesterday, (Friday) I receive the prototype in the mail. It's very cool. I took pics, assembled, tested, added gear, and just generally had fun with it.

The, I made a lot of notes regarding a few alterations to make it perfect. I was up till 4AM.

Today, I was back up at 10AM and have been doing nothing else all day.

So, the conclusion is:
- it solves the weak mount problem of the Sony mount
- it requires very little additional room to pack
- it provides much better stability to have it on your shoulder
- by folding down the battery, weight distribution is much improved.

For perfect balance, you still need a couple more pounds near the battery, but already it is a night and day difference, really alleviating a great deal of wrist strain.

The final version will be anodized. Also, the hinge will be completely redesigned and very durable (for those of you trying to balance a mattebox or mini35 or both!). The mount from Anton Bauer will have a genuine Sony cable and connector as well as two P-tap ports. There will be an available location for hooking a wireless mic.

The workmanship is terrific - as a prototype it is near perfect. Jeff DeMaagd (DM Accessories) has done a wonderfull job working from my sketches, and it should be available to preorder from his site in a matter of days.

So, now, with much fanfare, I'd like to direct you to the following video:

TNT Integration (http://www.tntintegration.com/shoulder.html)

And, here are a few pics...

Thanks for this report, Ted -- the pics are especially appreciated.

Jeff DeMaagd is a long-time DV Info Net member.

I wonder if the plate that fits onto the camera can be modified to allow for rails? This solution is great if you are going to use the camera without the RR matte Box or 35mm adaptors.

Dean, no modification is necessary.

All along, we'd planned for rails. The toe wedge is removed and in it's place you mount the rail clamp (coming later). Then, the toe wedge can be mounted to the base of the rail clamp. There may be minor adjustments, but that's been the plan.

Boy, the creative juices have really been flowing today! I was picturing you guys hauling all your gear to locations for your documentaries and event work. I thought to myself, "Self, we need something lighter and more relaxing." I've come up with a great solution and if you don't believe me, look how relaxed the camera operator looks - he's seated in the front row.

Nice work Ted - it looks great. I can't wait to buy one!

I'm primarily interested because I shoot from the shoulder mostly, though I'd like to have more stability on my tripod as well.

I saw that you mentioned the need for a couple of more pounds near the battery, and I'm wondering if you've considered what type of weights might be best for this. I'm going to be using the long-life Sony battery, not the Anton Bauer, and am hoping to counter weight the camera back there to make all do shooting comfortable again. It would be great to have something just the right weight and size, that attached easily and traveled well!

Any thoughts?

Ted,

Great work, when can I buy one? how much will it be in the end?

I would still like to fit the matte box rails interface I already own. Is there any chance you could drill the correct holes for it? if you look at the VF plate I think they have the holes already.

Also is there any chance you could source the Sony EX power plug adapter for those of use using sony type batteries? I know there is a link on a radio shack one on the forum but I can't buy it from here in China.

Dan

Ted,

Great work, when can I buy one? how much will it be in the end?

I haven't set the prices yet. We have a general idea, but I don't want to post a price and find it's wrong.


I would still like to fit the matte box rails interface I already own. Is there any chance you could drill the correct holes for it? if you look at the VF plate I think they have the holes already.

I don't think it's a problem. I want to make it as compatible with as many other items as I reasonably can.

Can you accurately measure the hole spacings for me? If you can identify the screw size, that would be helpful too. Just a guess, but I assume a 4mm diameter screw will work.

This goes for anyone else too, if there are hole patterns you think are needed, please let me know soon.


Also is there any chance you could source the Sony EX power plug adapter for those of use using sony type batteries? I know there is a link on a radio shack one on the forum but I can't buy it from here in China.

I'll look in the catalogs.

Dean, no modification is necessary.

All along, we'd planned for rails. The toe wedge is removed and in it's place you mount the rail clamp (coming later). Then, the toe wedge can be mounted to the base of the rail clamp. There may be minor adjustments, but that's been the plan.

Where do I sign up!

Jeff,

Great work so far, I've attached pictures of the measurements. I'm pretty sure these are standard for any interface plate to fit Sony broadcast cameras, I have this too EngRig (http://www.dvtec.tv/id2.html) and it has the same hole layout. Maybe you could find a DSR450 or 500 to test before you finalize the hole spacing.

As for the plugs Steve Cahill details all you need to know here Sony Charger for the EX1 (http://web.mac.com/stevecahill/Steve_Cahills_Blog/Blog/Entries/2008/1/21_Sony_Charger_for_the_EX1_Autopsy.html)

It's just that I don't think Radio Shack will supply the tips all the way to China. I guess is the worst case I can just cut one of the connectors off my Sony battery charger.

Dan

Will the AB cables be long enough to power both the camera and a Zylight while in the flipped out position? I ask because I still need to monitor from the SDI port and based on your photos will have to be in the flipped out position.

And let me know ASAP where to sign up! I could have really been using this for the past several months!

Will the AB cables be long enough to power both the camera and a Zylight while in the flipped out position? I ask because I still need to monitor from the SDI port and based on your photos will have to be in the flipped out position.

And let me know ASAP where to sign up! I could have really been using this for the past several months!

Certainly the camera. That's part of the design. It's only 8 or 9 inches from the base of the battery to the camera.

The Zylight is another question - how long is the cable? Do you mount it to the front cold shoe?

Yes, the front shoe. It's also sometimes on an articulated arm so theoretically could be 18" or more from the AB battery if flipped out. Maybe offer a 12" extension cord?

Just a thought, you could use magnet to keep the plates together instead of screwing in in each time. Also just another thought, you could hing the battery plate twice and it would fold to a triangle and would shorten the distance it sticks out. just a brain fart..

Congratulations on producing another version of a much needed camera plate. I know how much work is involved as I saw the growing pains of the one that VFGadgets is selling. Competition is good since it generates new ideas and designs. This leads to choice and each one of us decides what works for us in terms of quality and price.

I was part of a 3 camera shoot at the opening of our new Art Gallery (AGO) on Friday using HD SDI cables. I regularly use 300' HD SDI cables with a Panasonic switcher. I looked at the design of the hinged back and see three potential issues. Will it still be possible to use the SDI cable output with the back folded? How secure is the hinge? The weight of a battery on the hinge will put enormouse pressure on it and possibly break or loosen the back. The hinge should be secured with screws that can be tightened and not just riveted in. My final comment is that the extended plate will smack someone in the face if the cameraman swings his camera. I saw a few close calls with Betacams when shooters panned suddenly in scrums or crowds. You might want to take these concerns into account and possibly modify your prototype.

The two photos show how Joe Sutherland (www.JoeSutherlandrentals.com) used Velcro to attach the battery adaptor to the back of the plate which he ordered built by PCI. This is very versatile. A gel mouse pad was cut to create a soft shoulder pad (attached with Velcro bought at Wal*Mart) for all the rental cameras.
I hope that someone will evaluate these plates in terms of quality and features. The camera plates are a necessity for any cameraman who needs a shoulder mount EX-3 and quick release convenience.

My final comment is that the extended plate will smack someone in the face if the cameraman swings his camera. I saw a few close calls with Betacams when shooters panned suddenly in scrums or crowds..

Hi Peter, yeah this is an area of concern but I suppose it depends on the type of work you do. If it's ENG stuff then maybe a bit of extra, side padding around the back might help. Coming from a news background myself, I know these things happen but good operators are good operators and can anticipate and hopefully avoid most collisions! I don't really believe the EX3 is suited to ENG style work anyway but rather full shoulder mount cams XDcams etc. like most networks have anyway, at least here in Australia.

Cheers, Evan

Ted--is the hinge plate removeable? Also, would the base accommodate this Vinten base plate?

His plate is meant to stay attached, and go into a quick release plate. You would just attach your Vinten plate to a VCT-14 camera plate. Or even better the shorter version.

Ted--is the hinge plate removeable? Also, would the base accommodate this Vinten base plate?

The hinge plate is removeable.

The base can accommodate many common quick release plates, such as yours. The wedge for the VCT-U14 is just an optional means of attaching the camera / plate combination to a tripod with a VCT-U14 mounted on it. It looks to me that your plate will screw in just fine.

Ted--is the hinge plate removeable? Also, would the base accommodate this Vinten base plate?

Jeff has already drilled and tapped several holes in the bottom - it should accommodate your tripod plate just fine. His holes are tapped 1/4x20.

I looked at the design of the hinged back and see three potential issues. Will it still be possible to use the SDI cable output with the back folded? How secure is the hinge? The weight of a battery on the hinge will put enormouse pressure on it and possibly break or loosen the back. The hinge should be secured with screws that can be tightened and not just riveted in. My final comment is that the extended plate will smack someone in the face if the cameraman swings his camera. I saw a few close calls with Betacams when shooters panned suddenly in scrums or crowds. You might want to take these concerns into account and possibly modify your prototype.

Ted,

Thinking about this I share Peter's concerns, could you have an option to make the hinged plate user removable? or otherwise sell a version without the hinge. Much of my work is run and gun and while I understand that I could mount the battery in the up position, I think I would prefer it behind my shoulder in all cases. Also, it looks like the 'up' position would block the use of a radio mic on the back shoe, is this the case?

Dan

how hard would i be to use the plate from the Sachtler SooM?

Thinking about this I share Peter's concerns, could you have an option to make the hinged plate user removable? or otherwise sell a version without the hinge. Much of my work is run and gun and while I understand that I could mount the battery in the up position, I think I would prefer it behind my shoulder in all cases. Also, it looks like the 'up' position would block the use of a radio mic on the back shoe, is this the case?

I don't know for sure about the prototype, Ted has the only complete one, I never finished the hinge part of mine. The new version will have enough room for a wireless receiver on the back shoe. The hinged part can be removed with a screwdriver, or not installed. Anyway, I don't think it's a problem to make a version of the kit without the hinging plate, but if you can have weights on the folded-out platform, you'll get very good balance.

how hard would i be to use the plate from the Sachtler SooM?

I don't see why it won't work. The parts will have the 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads common to camcorders. It also will support some V-wedge mounts and rod systems.

Jeff,

That's great to know, can't wait for this to go into production.

Dan