Does anyone have any recommendations for a shoulder mount for the EX1?

Thank you!
NIck

I'm taking a serious look at this. It from Doug Jensen who has an excellent introduction DVD and printed Field Guides for EX1 and EX3.

Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training (http://www.vortexmedia.com/SB_VSB1.html)
I can't help but think he may be right about the other's being gimmicky (problematic).
I'm not keen on the rest on my belly hold my breath kind.
I don't like shoulder plus two hand old types. I want a hand free for camera adjustments.
Anton Bauer has one that looks interesting but people have issues with it's "unique" "links" design.

My concern about Doug's is balance and the possible need to use counter weights. Also the shoulder padding looks very thin and I'm concern how that feels. His other stuff is available at B&H (which is local to me) but apparently not the shoulder mount. Shoulder mounts are such a feel/fit think IMHO that I'd really like to try it.

My hope is that he'd explain that in more detail. He's on this forum so maybe he'll talk up his shoulder mount here.

Im not a huge fan of how that looks... and how it looks like it will 'feel'

Not to say it isnt a great piece of hardware.

Dose Redrock make anything that would work? Anyone tried that?

Im not a huge fan of how that looks... and how it looks like it will 'feel'
Not to say it isnt a great piece of hardware.
Dose Redrock make anything that would work? Anyone tried that?

Redrock microShoulderMount (http://www.redrockmicro.com/microShoulderMount/index.html)
and
http://www.redrockmicro.com/cartpics/shouldermount_stephanie_0084_lg.jpg
and
http://www.redrockmicro.com/cartpics/shouldermount_stephanie_0106_lg.jpg
It's two handed. It seems the hands need to handle the weight and I'm not sure about the counterweight.

This is really why I want to TRY and get feel first.

RedRock demo video
Redrock microShoulderMount Overview (http://www.vimeo.com/1193242)
and tutorial video
Redrock microShouldermount Tutorial on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/1317816)

Yup that was what i am looking for... Strongly considering buying this model!
Thanks guys!

I wonder if we can get user reports of either. While it would be biased, I'd love to hear Doug Jensen's sales pitch comparison. I really wish I could try both. The end result is that I delay my purchase in a quandary.

BTW B&H and AbelCine carry neither.

Hi Nick
Found this the other day and while the Redrock this looks very interesting

http://www.vimeo.com/2369538areth

And the guy presenting it funny too...LOL
Regards
Gareth

I wonder if we can get user reports of either. While it would be biased, I'd love to hear Doug Jensen's sales pitch comparison. I really wish I could try both. The end result is that I delay my purchase in a quandary.

BTW B&H and AbelCine carry neither.

If you were going to use something like the Hoodman HoodLoupe 3.0 - HoodLoupe 3.0-Hoodman Corporation (http://hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1017) (they are actually coming out with an adaptor that fits the 3.5 LCD screen) which I have gotten used to for excellent focusing it doesn't look like the Vortex Media VSB1 would allow you to have your face up close enough to use this accessory - looks like it is all geared around the viewfinder and not close viewing (like 2" away) of the LCD screen. Using the Hoodman Wrist Shot - WristShot® Camcorder Support System-Hoodman Corporation (http://hoodmanusa.com/prodinfo.asp?number=H%2DWS1) and the Hood Loupe I was able to keep the camera going for some fairly long shots - it is not as stable as a shoulder mount would be but much better than totally hand held and frees your left hand up for manual adjustments of the camera.

Personally I haven't come across anything better than the zacuto system. Pricey but lifetime warranty and camera agnostic. The anton bauer. If you're rolling on a shot with audio and you leave the links loose for mobility they will make noise as you move the camera. Its made of plastic, the locking system is unwieldy, the chest brace tends to lose shape also through a long shoot and you have to reset it. But it looks cool. Not a fan of anything that can't be taken off the shoulder quickly to compose a shot off the shoulder.

Check this link:
This is one of the configurations I have for my EX3.
.

I run the Red Rock shoulder mount with my EX1 and I like it a lot. I had to add an additional micro shoulder mount rod clamp to get the LCD far enough away from my eyes to focus (trifocals). The rig feels very much like a traditional ENG full size camera.

The Red Rock bits and pieces allow you to configure a multitude of camera supports. Using a micro shoulder mount rod clamp, two 4" rods, two 8" grip rods and two hand grips you have a very passable Figg Rig copy that breaks down very easily.

I like my system a lot. Your mileage may vary.

Best,

Mike

I wonder if we can get user reports of either. While it would be biased, I'd love to hear Doug Jensen's sales pitch comparison. I really wish I could try both. The end result is that I delay my purchase in a quandary.

BTW B&H and AbelCine carry neither.

Craig,

I Imported this little gem to Australia. Resting place, garage machine-shop, scrap metal bin. The quality duralumin, handy for future projects no doubt ....

Ron.

LOVE my redrock - I use it with the bare camera as well as the M2e adapter.

must have posted this in another thread but here goes again because I am so pleased with simplicity that works incredibly well. The DM shoulder mount - prefer to something like Vortex because of the fact it strengthens the camera mount, a quick release onto a tiffen steadistick which cost $99. I have now shot two sessions of at least five hours and this almost sixty year old bod suffered zero fatigue. It is so steady that the only thing that screwed my first shoot was having steady shot on and my pans were tripod like smooth and so the picture is grabby. More pictures in "not so cheapo" thread

I have something similar to David's steadistick solution, it's the DVRig Pro DvRigPro./ DvRigPro HD (http://www.dvtec.tv/id27.html). It's a bit more massive, volume-wise, some of the other solutions here, but I have a quick release for my tripod plate for my EX1 on it, and I have my Manfrotto 521ex remote lens control on the right handle, so I can zoom, start and stop with and hold it up with my right hand, while focusing, exposure, etc with my left, or keep my left hand on the left handle to support it more. The thing that is a bit unique about it is a spring-loaded shock absorber rod that fits in the bottom of the DVRig Pro and into a belt. It takes a lot of load off the arms so the are mostly guiding, rather than supporting the rig and EX. The spring-loading almost makes a steadicam smoothness when walking. The shoulder piece has a spot for a big battery.

With the quick release plate I can quickly take the EX1 off it and put it on the tripod. It's like the Zacuto (of course lower-end) with the addition of the shock absorber.

With the quick release plate I can quickly take the EX1 off it and put it on the tripod. It's like the Zacuto (of course lower-end) with the addition of the shock absorber.

Hi Keith,

Where do you see a quick release for the EX1 on the Zacuto site to move the EX1 between the Zacuto baseplate and the tripod. I haven't seen this.

Hi Keith,

Where do you see a quick release for the EX1 on the Zacuto site to move the EX1 between the Zacuto baseplate and the tripod. I haven't seen this.

Max, I don't have a Zacuto but I have a Manfrotto quick release base receptacle mounted on my DVRig that matches my Manfrotto tripod. I imagine you could attached the same setup to your Zacuto. What I meant about the Zacuto is that the DVRig is basically a somewhat modular framework with handles and such, like a Zacuto, but with the addition of the shock-absorber pod.

Ah OK thanks. Won't work for me I use a Sachtler head with the snap-in dovetail system. I just mount the entire zacuto rig on the head. Would be nice to find a sachtler friendly quick release that'll go between the zacuto and EX.

I'm taking a serious look at this. It from Doug Jensen who has an excellent introduction DVD and printed Field Guides for EX1 and EX3.

Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training (http://www.vortexmedia.com/SB_VSB1.html)
...

My concern about Doug's is balance and the possible need to use counter weights. Also the shoulder padding looks very thin and I'm concern how that feels.


I have the Vortex shoulder mount. It's a useful design, but I would have preferred the metal chassis to be twice as thick to reduce oscillation. I added my own clamp and plate as the supplied 1/4" screws did not prevent twisting. You need to add counterweights for cameras such as the EX1, so the rear compartment is generally occupied by those. The EX1 rotation handle screams for a wider design to accomodate larger hands. Overall, it works.