Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit at DVinfo.net

Olof Ekbergh · February 9th, 2015, 08:20 AM

This is version 5 of my kit for the A7s I finally have a nice light balanced kit here. It took a long time and I really resisted going to a complete cage solution, but it is what works the best. This kit is very light and minimalist but rugged and I like using the built in VF. It works great with the shoulder support and all the controls are easily accessed. The wood handle makes the camera much more comfortable to hold. I will post more pictures later this week of the camera on the shoulder, and I am making a demo video.

There will be 15mm rail kit added soon. There is also a Metabones clamp included not shown in these photos.

This is a prototype just painted black the final version will be black anodized and the Shoulder part comes off with out tools in seconds.

Every control on the camera is accessible and all the doors work. I will also have a HDMI clamp on the left upright. The top part of the cage is actually a very comfortable handle, I will make a forward/rearward handle as well, but I was surprised how comfortable the top of the cage is as a handle. Holding that in your left hand and the shoulder brace in the right makes a really nice steady low angle shooting rig with the built in LCD tilted up.

Shown here with Arca Swiss QR but any QR will work. I am making these Arca components now and I am stocking the clamps as well.

The basic kit including shoulder brace will be $300.00 Monitor bracket and battery plates will be extra.

As soon as Sharyn has them on the store I will add a link here. If you are in a rush you can contact me directly for early delivery. I will have them back from the anodizer on this week.

The wood handle makes it really easy to grip the A7s, I felt the camera was too small to be comfortable in the hand. It also moves your hand forward a bit so it becomes more natural to push the rec trigger with your thumb. All the wheels and top trigger are in easy reach the cage does not get in the way. The design of the cage and handle was tricky to get just right. Keeping it strong, light and not in the way of any controls or doors, it took a lot of prototyping, I used my 3D printer to mock up different versions until I had one that is comfortable and allows access to everything, yet as small as possible.

This handle is Cherry and I only oil it with Danish teak oil, that makes it really nice to the touch, and it will age gracefully like any tool handle from the oil on your skin, not plasticky like a heavily varnished or polyurethaned handle. I will have options for different woods as well, but cherry is very nice and ages beautifully.

Steve Bleasdale · February 9th, 2015, 01:07 PM

Nice... Can you please tell me where i can get the red eye cup or how to manage it. steve

Olof Ekbergh · February 9th, 2015, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale

Nice... Can you please tell me where i can get the red eye cup or how to manage it. steve

I use these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/837359-REG/Blue_Star_20102_Extra_Small_Round_Eye.html
I cut off the bottom and glue it to the existing eyecup with "Welders adhesive":
http://www.amazon.com/Welder-Adhesiv...+adhesive+glue

Just be very careful with the adhesive, don't make a mess, follow the instructions carefully. It is very strong.

This works great if you wear glasses or not, it keeps the glasses from smearing from the rubber and really cuts the light. W/o glasses it is comfortable and keeps sweat from getting on the eye piece when it is hot.

I have always used shammy or micro fabric eye cups, I used to make my own but these work great and are really in expensive. I use larger ones on my FS7 and other big cams.

I am sure you can find them in the UK as well.

Steve Bleasdale · February 9th, 2015, 04:26 PM

Cheers Olof, thank you...

Peter Rush · February 10th, 2015, 04:06 AM

Here's what I use - I used the P&C Gearbox cage in the early days of using a DSLR (coming from a traditional video camera background) and I found that for 90% of the time I wanted my hands on the camera, negating the use of the cage handles - plus I wasn't using a loupe and found myself holding the cage out away from my body causing less stability and back ache!

I now use this shoulder pad rig (attached image) which is Ideal as I can have my hands where I need them - on the camera - but brace the rig against my body for a nice stable shot - I can also access the viewfinder with no issues - it's light and easy to handle in a variety of positions, making good use of the A7s flipout screen.

I built it using parts bought off Amazon for less than £100

Pete

Peter Rush · February 10th, 2015, 04:15 AM

This might be a less messy alternative to extend your eyecup

Pete

Steve Bleasdale · February 10th, 2015, 06:21 AM

Nice one Pete

February 9th, 2015, 08:20 AM	#1
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit This is version 5 of my kit for the A7s I finally have a nice light balanced kit here. It took a long time and I really resisted going to a complete cage solution, but it is what works the best. This kit is very light and minimalist but rugged and I like using the built in VF. It works great with the shoulder support and all the controls are easily accessed. The wood handle makes the camera much more comfortable to hold. I will post more pictures later this week of the camera on the shoulder, and I am making a demo video. There will be 15mm rail kit added soon. There is also a Metabones clamp included not shown in these photos. This is a prototype just painted black the final version will be black anodized and the Shoulder part comes off with out tools in seconds. Every control on the camera is accessible and all the doors work. I will also have a HDMI clamp on the left upright. The top part of the cage is actually a very comfortable handle, I will make a forward/rearward handle as well, but I was surprised how comfortable the top of the cage is as a handle. Holding that in your left hand and the shoulder brace in the right makes a really nice steady low angle shooting rig with the built in LCD tilted up. Shown here with Arca Swiss QR but any QR will work. I am making these Arca components now and I am stocking the clamps as well. The basic kit including shoulder brace will be $300.00 Monitor bracket and battery plates will be extra. As soon as Sharyn has them on the store I will add a link here. If you are in a rush you can contact me directly for early delivery. I will have them back from the anodizer on this week. The wood handle makes it really easy to grip the A7s, I felt the camera was too small to be comfortable in the hand. It also moves your hand forward a bit so it becomes more natural to push the rec trigger with your thumb. All the wheels and top trigger are in easy reach the cage does not get in the way. The design of the cage and handle was tricky to get just right. Keeping it strong, light and not in the way of any controls or doors, it took a lot of prototyping, I used my 3D printer to mock up different versions until I had one that is comfortable and allows access to everything, yet as small as possible. This handle is Cherry and I only oil it with Danish teak oil, that makes it really nice to the touch, and it will age gracefully like any tool handle from the oil on your skin, not plasticky like a heavily varnished or polyurethaned handle. I will have options for different woods as well, but cherry is very nice and ages beautifully. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

February 9th, 2015, 01:07 PM	#2
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit Nice... Can you please tell me where i can get the red eye cup or how to manage it. steve

February 9th, 2015, 04:26 PM	#4
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit Cheers Olof, thank you...

February 10th, 2015, 04:06 AM	#5
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit Here's what I use - I used the P&C Gearbox cage in the early days of using a DSLR (coming from a traditional video camera background) and I found that for 90% of the time I wanted my hands on the camera, negating the use of the cage handles - plus I wasn't using a loupe and found myself holding the cage out away from my body causing less stability and back ache! I now use this shoulder pad rig (attached image) which is Ideal as I can have my hands where I need them - on the camera - but brace the rig against my body for a nice stable shot - I can also access the viewfinder with no issues - it's light and easy to handle in a variety of positions, making good use of the A7s flipout screen. I built it using parts bought off Amazon for less than £100 Pete Attached Thumbnails

February 10th, 2015, 04:15 AM	#6
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit This might be a less messy alternative to extend your eyecup SONY A7s Eyecup - how to fit the Hoodman HoodEYE on Vimeo Pete

February 10th, 2015, 06:21 AM	#7
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Westside A V A7s Cage and shoulder kit Nice one Pete