I meant the tripod head, not the adapter. I understood what you meant, and this design is intended to slightly relocate camera such that the tape housing mechanism would eject beside the head.

I can't find hard numbers on the head dimensions of the models you quoted. If the tripod head of the Bogen is less than 4" wide, or rather, less than 2" from center of the head's screw to right edge of the head, my adapter will allow the complete removal and insertion of the tape without interference. The tape would be to the right of the right edge of the head, just enough that the head doesn't interfere. The side offset of the tape eject mechanism and the adapter both work to make this possible.

I suppose I will have to come up with a visual way to show how this works.

I ordered one yesterday from Ebay. The bottom loading problem was especially bothersome to me because I was having to rebalance my Glidecam every time I changed tapes. I have a quick release adapter on there, but I was having to remove the adapter plate from the bottom of the camera to remove the tape. Even with the adapter I know I'll still have to uncouple the quick release adapter to get the Glidecam plate out of the way. I'll let everybody know how it works out when it gets here.

Jeff, quick question. Are there threaded holes on the bottom of your adapter, for mounting a quick release plate (Bogen 3272) for my Bogen tripod?
I work with both a tripod and a DVRig Pro which has the Bogen 3273 Quick release assembly on it.
So I would have the adapter attached to my camera, Mightywondercam (Mini Rover handle bracket for light wireless or mic etc.) attached to the adapter, and quick release attached to the Mini Rover.

Camera>Your Adapter>Mini Rover>Bogen 3272 Quick Relase Plate>Tripod or DvRig Pro

BOTTOM LOAD FOR HDR-HC1 / hvr-a1u OPTION
 

I saw this one on ebay its a base plate adapter and looks pretty stable. $19.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripod-adapter-f...QQcmdZViewItem

Brian it's the same tripod adapter. Jeff developed the design and is selling it on ebay as well. I figured that I would ask him here, rather than ebay, this way we all can share in any information.

There are threaded holes, they are the exact same thread as what is already on the HC1 / A1. Any tripod or component that fits the camera should also fit this adapter. Is that the kind of thread that you need?

That is perfect. I was just wondering siince using a quick release assembly is imperative. Thanks Jeff, much appreciated. I will probably order one off of ebay from you. I don't have an A1 yet, but that will be my next major purchase. A1 first, then FX1 or Z1.

I had Jeff's tripod adapter shipped to my parent's house and I picked it up from there yesterday. I pulled it out of the packing material and my first words were WOW. From looking at the pictures on here I wasn't sure what I was going to get but I figured $20 was worth the risk. I thought it might be an aluminum plate with the sides bent down, or maybe some piece of metal originally used for some other application and then rigged to fit the camcorder.

In reality this thing is a solid piece of aluminum machined to the exact contours of the underside of the HC1. This is very high quality work. It doesn't look home made at all. It fits pretty solidly to the underside of the camcorder. I'd like a snugger fit, but I don't see how would be possible. I blame that on the camcorder design and not the adapter. The provided screw was too long to use. It bottomed out in the hole and the adapter was still loose. I had a shorter screw on hand so that wasn't a big problem. I'm sure that will be corrected in future shipments.


People with fat fingers might have a hard time using this. I can no longer release the battery by sliding my finger along the release. I now have to use my fingernail to push the tab in and then slide the battery out. The little doors for the IO connections fall flat and flush to the plate and require a fingernail as well to close. Those are just minor annoyances that I'm sure I'll forget about in a month's time.

I'm very impressed with this thing and I really think it'll make my life a lot easier. Rebalancing my glidecam will be a challenge now that my quick release adapter is off to the side, but when isn't balancing a glidecam a challenge? At least now I won't have to rebalance it between tapes.


I highly recommend picking one of these up.

Rick, thank you for your impressions, I like knowing that I'm on the right track, and what I might improve.

Yeah, it's a custom design just for the HC1/A1 series camcorders.

For what it's worth, due to other feedback, my second run of parts have a nice notch that improves access to the battery release. If you think it is bothersome, I am willing to exchange it for the cost of shipping. That second run is currently what is selling on eBay.

Though there is some improvement, I did not change much about the little side doors though, I just used my fingernails. It didn't occur to me to space that out or put an access pocket below them, I also wanted to protect the doors from breaking as well from being exposed.

I appreciate the return offer but I don't think the battery release will be much of an issue for me. I just looked at the I/O doors and you're right: the adapter now eliminates the possibility of them being accidentally forced open too far. Closing won't be much of an issue either. I have a video job at the end of the week and I'll probably have some field impressions to write about then.

botton loading
 

Hi Jeff,
where can I get the tripod adapter?

Look on ebay:

look here. If the aution is over then click on the link for "View seller other items".

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripod-adapter-f...QQcmdZViewItem

tripod adapter
 

Thank you Michael
I bought it
René

Jeff, I'm wondering if you've managed to test the panning yet or come up with a way around that instead of offsetting the camera? I'd be interested in buying one from you, but for now that's my only concern. And also whether it would work on my Velbon tripod. The plate is 2" wide, or 2.4" with the slotting part underneath.

Well I ordered one yesterday off eBay.

There will be no noticeable difference in panning due to the offset.

Actually, yeah, thinking about it there probably wouldn't be any real difference. So I guess my only concern now would be whether my tripod plate is too wide or not.

While my gut impression is that it's not significant, I still want to try this out and post footage. My HC1 is still in for repairs due to accidental damage so I probably won't see it until early January. On a 45 degree sweep from the side to the front, the focal length would only change about 3/8". It might make a noticible difference if you have an object in view less than a foot away.

I could make an adapter that simply jacks the camera up about 2", but that would make a pretty significant tilt error instead.

The distance from the mounting screw to the right edge of the head needs to be less than 2.2" / 5.5cm, this includes the handle, bubble level, etc. if it is less than 2" from the top of the head.

I should note that I appreciate everyone's support, thank you.

Actually, I measured it and that distance is pretty much spot on 2.2" / 5.5cm. Although there is another issue I've learnt of. I'm looking at eventually buying a 35mm lens adapter for the HC1 to allow me to shoot with more of a shallow depth of field. The one I'll most probably go for requires the screw holes to be centred in order line up the camera with the lens support base. Here's the website for that: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wayne.kinney/sg35.htm The guy can create one with a 37mm thread for HC1's.

Other than that, I think your unit appears to be a great solution and looks good too.

Thank you. The measurement I gave is approximate. It is possible there might be room up to 2.25", but I can't verify it until I get my camera back so I estimated conservatively.

I hadn't considered third party add-ons of that type. I might be able to make a nifty riser-only unit. A problem is that it looks like it would seriously need to be a block that is about 2.5" tall to do the job. This is because of the height of the tape cartridge and that the ejector mechanism moves down to release the tape. I don't know if that lense rig can cope with that much of a rise, that is something that you may need to ask.

Update from KB Solutions
 

I bought one of their adapters and as others said it will allow me to remove the tape but not while the cam is still on the tripod. At least I wouldn't have to remove the plate or whatever you call it. Anyway I wrote them about a 2" unit and here is the reply (email) I got from them.

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Dear Danny,

Thank you for the feedback.

The next time I have the Tripod Adaptors manufactured I will increase the height to 2". Unfortunately, it will be 6-8 months before they will be machined again.

In the mean time I have been offering a discount of $5 for the purchase of a second Tripod Adaptor. The Tripod Adaptors do attach to each other very securely and lifts the camera off the tripod 2". The website is not set up to handle the discount, so if you order a second Tripod Adaptor please note that on the website so I can send you a check for $5.

Thank you again for your order and more importantly in taking the time to let me know how it worked for you.

Have a nice holiday.

Kelly
KB Solutions

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Looks like we have something better to look forward to. Most of my video work is without tape and is direct capture. Once in a while I get a situation when I do need tape and that is when I need this solution.

Danny Fye
www.dannyfye.com

I got it the day before Christmas. I love it!