VCT-FXA Sony Shoulder Brace at DVinfo.net

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 10:43 AM

I just received my Sony Shoudler brace for the Z1, very expensive but it really does help stabalize the camera and fits very nicely onto the Z1 and slides into position for use at the touch of a button. Your shoulder still does not take the weight with this brace because it is not a shoulder mount but still very compact and it works (plus it makes the camera look even more high tech!). Now I want a Steadicam Flyer!

Bryan McCullough · February 21st, 2005, 10:51 AM

Seriously, how about some pics of the brace in action?

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 11:17 AM

Oh, OK then here are a few quick pics of the brace attached to the camera and some of the positions it can be placed:

http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace1.jpg

http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace2.jpg

http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace3.jpg

Cut and paste the links into your browser.

Enjoy.

Bryan McCullough · February 21st, 2005, 11:39 AM

But we want to see your cool new gear on your camera in your hands!

It's nice to see this stuff 'for real'.

So slap that thing on and take some shots for your good friends at DVInfo!

:)

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 11:48 AM

Sorry, too shy and nobody here but me to take the pics.

Sean M Lee · February 21st, 2005, 12:40 PM

Simon,
are those your pics?
It looks like a well-thought-out piece.

Does it just push back against your shoulder or does it actually sit on your shoulder.

How does it attach to the camera body?

thanks!

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 12:52 PM

It just pushes back (braces) between the camera and the body, making it more stable and stop it wobbling around, it does not sit on the shoulder, it pushes against it at an abgle - think the Canon XL series has a similar kind of thing. It is correctly fitted to the camera shape and attaches by a metal bolt that's part of the unit. They are just quick pics I took.

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 01:59 PM

$299 + shipping from B&H

Patrick King · February 21st, 2005, 02:23 PM

So do you think you could replace the metal bars with telescoping rails to support a matte box also? Do the rails extend all the way through the piece that fits to the bottom of the camera. You know, one set of rails for matte box support AND shoulder brace support.

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 04:12 PM

No, the rails only extend out the back with the shoulder pad at the end that flips round. It dosent look like the kind of thing you can modify without breaking, I know there are other bigger shoulder mount units on the market that are more suitable for use with matte boxes.

Toke Lahti · February 21st, 2005, 07:03 PM

I don't get the idea of this brace (other than looking good).
The whole idea of putting lcd in the front of the camera is to be able to lean the camera to your chest/shoulder.
If you move camera out of your body's balance point, you move it out of balance. And for the bonus, you'll have to extend your arms more, so they get tired sooner...

Simon Harris · February 21st, 2005, 09:19 PM

Your logic is the wrong way round, this brace extends the physical length of the camera to the point where it can be firmly braced against the chest, shoulder or body (squeezed against) making a firmer grip during shooting. Without the brace it is wobbling around on outstretched arm. It will also reduced fatigue a small amount because the point of balance is slighty further back, you lean back (not forward) slightly during use. It is very good and compact (though in my opinion it could have been 25% larger and worked as a short shoulder mount too) but overpriced that is my point,, It is a brace, not a mount, so heavy uses may also want a proper shoulder mount too.

February 21st, 2005, 10:43 AM	#1
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	VCT-FXA Sony Shoulder Brace I just received my Sony Shoudler brace for the Z1, very expensive but it really does help stabalize the camera and fits very nicely onto the Z1 and slides into position for use at the touch of a button. Your shoulder still does not take the weight with this brace because it is not a shoulder mount but still very compact and it works (plus it makes the camera look even more high tech!). Now I want a Steadicam Flyer!

February 21st, 2005, 02:23 PM	#9
Patrick King Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 857	So do you think you could replace the metal bars with telescoping rails to support a matte box also? Do the rails extend all the way through the piece that fits to the bottom of the camera. You know, one set of rails for matte box support AND shoulder brace support. __________________ Fear No Weevil!

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February 21st, 2005, 10:51 AM	#2
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Seriously, how about some pics of the brace in action?

February 21st, 2005, 11:17 AM	#3
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	Oh, OK then here are a few quick pics of the brace attached to the camera and some of the positions it can be placed: http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace1.jpg http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace2.jpg http://www.led-watch.com/images/z1brace3.jpg Cut and paste the links into your browser. Enjoy.

February 21st, 2005, 11:39 AM	#4
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	But we want to see your cool new gear on your camera in your hands! It's nice to see this stuff 'for real'. So slap that thing on and take some shots for your good friends at DVInfo! :)

February 21st, 2005, 11:48 AM	#5
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	Sorry, too shy and nobody here but me to take the pics.

February 21st, 2005, 12:40 PM	#6
Sean M Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indy Posts: 160	Simon, are those your pics? It looks like a well-thought-out piece. Does it just push back against your shoulder or does it actually sit on your shoulder. How does it attach to the camera body? thanks!

February 21st, 2005, 12:52 PM	#7
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	It just pushes back (braces) between the camera and the body, making it more stable and stop it wobbling around, it does not sit on the shoulder, it pushes against it at an abgle - think the Canon XL series has a similar kind of thing. It is correctly fitted to the camera shape and attaches by a metal bolt that's part of the unit. They are just quick pics I took.

February 21st, 2005, 01:59 PM	#8
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	$299 + shipping from B&H

February 21st, 2005, 04:12 PM	#10
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	No, the rails only extend out the back with the shoulder pad at the end that flips round. It dosent look like the kind of thing you can modify without breaking, I know there are other bigger shoulder mount units on the market that are more suitable for use with matte boxes.

February 21st, 2005, 07:03 PM	#11
Toke Lahti Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 158	I don't get the idea of this brace (other than looking good). The whole idea of putting lcd in the front of the camera is to be able to lean the camera to your chest/shoulder. If you move camera out of your body's balance point, you move it out of balance. And for the bonus, you'll have to extend your arms more, so they get tired sooner...

February 21st, 2005, 09:19 PM	#12
Simon Harris New Boot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 23	Your logic is the wrong way round, this brace extends the physical length of the camera to the point where it can be firmly braced against the chest, shoulder or body (squeezed against) making a firmer grip during shooting. Without the brace it is wobbling around on outstretched arm. It will also reduced fatigue a small amount because the point of balance is slighty further back, you lean back (not forward) slightly during use. It is very good and compact (though in my opinion it could have been 25% larger and worked as a short shoulder mount too) but overpriced that is my point,, It is a brace, not a mount, so heavy uses may also want a proper shoulder mount too.