It's actually a CAVISION matte box system, and the shoulder mount gets set back a little further and the two part shoulder pad splits in two pieces and becomes longer for a adjustment.And the viewfinder is rotated to the furthest position towards front.
Actually have been very happy with their stuff. Just wish all of this would stay on and click on tripod.

Still can't believe they want 575 for the mount from VFgagets. Still just, pisses me off.

Go to it TED..

Here's my latest V-Lock mount adapter and matte box rails. I wanted to keep the rails separate from the V mount as I won't always be using the matte box. The rails and matte box help with the tripod mounting as the camera is supported by both the tripod fixing bush and the lens as the matte box has a rigid lens clamp ring. This stops any tendency for the camera to rock. The rails were purchased from ebay for £75 and I've added an extension and Sony type wedge so that I can use it on a standard Sony snatch plate. The V-Lock adapter/shoulder support can be quickly removed without tools. I've used a wedge adapter available from my local photographic suppliers. I need to get some foam to complete the shoulder pad. This is still work in progress, but I am reasonably happy with this current version.

Alister-

Looks pretty nice, keep up the good work!

I've been following this thread from the start. I'm on a documentary production in Hawaii having shot here for two months with EX1s, and now using an EX3. I like the camera, but would really LOVE it if I could get some more balance on the shoulder - especially with my Cavision mattebox mounted up (no rails).

I was all set to order a shoulder/tripod mount from VFGadgets, but no way at that price. I don't use aftermarket batteries, but like the idea of having weight further back like on that hinged setup you spec'd Ted. Perhaps a wireless mic could velcro there. Padding for my shoulder is a priority, as most of the work I do I shoot on the fly. Unlike my last shoulder mount, I love Ted's idea that no adjustments need be made to get it on the tripod - and that it reinforces the crummy tripod mounting plate on the EX3. Price is obviously a priority too!

All in all, it sounds like you've got a good thing going Ted. I'd be VERY interested in one of your mounts when you have it done. I'm shooting here until the end of Oct, and would love to field test it!

Cheers

Zachary,

Thanks for the support. Our goal is to provide twice the mount at half the price. This should make it a fairly popular item and provided we make a little, the volume will make it worthwhile. Drawings and designs are nearly complete, and we've sourced some prototype elements as well as some production ones.

Hopefully, within two weeks, the prototype will begin to be built. Very shortly after, we'll start a small run - a couple dozen units - and see how they're received.

Please stay tuned...

I read this thread with much interest. It confirms my observation that Sony has designed EX3 with creatures like the Humpback of the Notre Dame in mind.
When I tried EX3 first, I was not able to find a comfortable position.
I remember one car mechanic guy once fiddling with something under my car: "If I can reach it, I can't see it, if I can see it, I can't reach it." As if he predicted the coming of the EX3.

In any position the viewfinder was so far from my eyes that I was wondering whether a gorilla should be hired to operate this unit.

I worry once I will buy EX3, soon after that Sony will come out with a new version, suitable to human body and I will have nothing left but my back pain and some swearing.

The test subject/guinea pig that I hired for testing the new mount always struck me as a bit odd. Now that I am looking at his job application, I see the problem. I can't believe the name "Quasimodo" didn't 'ring a bell' sooner.

Back to the drawing board...

;-)

Any progress with this yet? I'm just about to order a VCT14 adapter plate from here True Lens Services Ltd Matte Box Support Systems & Accessiories

But wondered if you were even close to a better solution.

Dan

I'm awaiting receipt of a part that will be immediately sent to the fabricator once received. Following this, we still have fabrication and testing. I wish I could provide an ETA, but I'd guess that since it is almost mid-Oct now, this could take until late Nov or early Dec. (six to eight weeks?).

That adapter plate looks nice, but I'd be careful with it as the only fastening point to the camera is the 1/4-20 threads on the base of the camera, and that piece is held in place by four eyeglass screws. It is a bit of a weak point.

Thanks for the update, have you got an idea of price yet? and will it have a bars interface? did you decide to offer it with a V- lock battery plate? I might hang on if it is going to be the killer solution.

Dan

Dan,

My goal is twice the product, half the price. I felt this was after awaiting the VFGadets solution (available now). That would bring this product in around or under $300 - so far, so good.

Generation one will probably be very simplified - plate provided for mounting any solution you choose. I imagine that many will want optional AB, IDX, Switronix, etc. solutions provided and that may very well be prodided later. However, to keep engineering more simple, it will simply have a plate upon which you can mount any solution you choose. I have an Anton-Bauer setup already, so I simly removed the plate and mounted it myself to a sample. I'm sure we can provide sources for AB or IDX mounting plates that you can purchase and affix, plus add a pigtail for DC power or use the D-Tap.

Mitcorp ...
 

If you go direct to Mitcorp you can get the VCT14 adapter plate for 85 pounds. This vendor is quite expensive.

Yeah, TLS is actually the manufacturer, but they charge more than Mitcorp. Problem is I wanted to add a custom bars mount, which only TLS can do. More I think about it though I think I'm going to wait a bit and see what Ted can come up with.

Teetering
 

Used my EX3/Letus/Zeiss fully loaded yesterday and admit to being more than a little worried about the tender nature of the single-screw attachement.

Seriously thinking of biting yet another financial bullet and springing for that vfgadgets EX3 plate before I regret it.

At least my free 8GB SxS card finally came.

Phooey.

We've got one EX1 with a mounting plate that's starting to work loose. It might be unwise to assume the problem is limited to just the EX3.
What I'm concerned about is that I tried tightening the 4 screws down but couldn't get a solid bite. I'm in no hurry to pull an EX1 apart to find out just what the screws screw into but it certainly doesn't feel solid or else the threads have been stripped.
I should point at that these are cameras in rental where it's pretty much 'dog years'. Still even if it's your own kit it'd be worth regularly checking those little screws. We have a similar thing happen with the Z1s however with those it's just the screws working loose and I can tighten them down and get them to bite with the appropriate torque.

Bonding.
 

I wonder if it's worth adding a little cement or bonding agent to the threads and screwing in again? Would that void the warranty?

Jus.

At this time, the tripod mounting plate on my EX1 seems okay. I think it should remain okay if a couple of precautions are taken.

1.) Don't overtighten the 1/4-20 screw.
2.) Don't lift the tripod from the camera handle.

We'll see...

2/3" lenses on EX-3
 

Don't glue the screws as the repair technician will have problems fixing it.
The only way to minimize the mounting screw issue is to get a plate that is anchored on the bottom and the rear of the camera. This creates a secure multi-point grip. Joe Sutherland (www.joesutherland.com) needed to protect his EX-3s rental cameras from damage so he had Precision Camera Inc. (www.pci-canada.com) fabricate camera mounts because these cameras would have a heavier load factor on the tripod screw mount. His prototypes will be replaced with the black anodized versions. The plates are well made and are available at www.vfgadgets.com A soft gel pad can be Velcroed to the shoulder mount and the camera can be clicked into a camera plate. These photos tell the story.

Peter,
that's great for the EX3 but there's no extra holes in the EX1. We're open to suggestions as to how to improve the securing of the EX1 to a release plate.

Peter,

The VF plate with the extra options sure does look like a good solution. Do you know what V-lock battery plate is show on the pictures and what connector it uses with the EX3? It looks smaller than an IDX or Swit plate, I've been looking for something similar. Also, does it have a d-tap outlet too?

Dan

If you use a matte box with a clamp ring plus a set of matte box rails you end up supporting the camera by bot the lens and base. This will make the camera more stable and reduce the stress on the tripod fixing. You can pick up suitable matte boxes and rails from many vendors including some remarkably cheap, yet effective rails made for the JVC HD100 that work very well with the EX1/3 from an Indian ebay seller.

I've got the Red Rock micro shoulder support system and the Cinevate rails system along with a mattebox, both work fine with the EX3 for 35mm adapter use. Thing is I want a simple solution for run and gun that is robust, has a vct type plate, v-lock battery option and yet is as compact as possible, the VF type solution seems to fit the bill.

ex 3 bottom tripod mounting base
 

I already have the problem with my ex 3. Tripod mounting base plate( small plate at the bottom) of ex 3 has come out a little. I got Sony NZ to inspect it and they say that the inner housing of the camera is cracked and has to be replaced. which will cost me a quite a sum. Its still within the warranty period i.e one year. I will have to talk to sony agent in Singapore as I bought this in Singapore.

Hi guys.............
 

Just a bit of light humour, a document I sent to the Vitec Group a while ago on this very subject............

This is such a travesty, I cannot believe the camera manufacturers still think they can get away with it.


CS

Whilst quite an amusing read in all fairness to Mr Sole and his heirs the problem isn't the 1/4" bolt. The problem is what it's holding onto the tripod release plate and how it's connected to the rest of the camera. Worse, this isn't the only Sony camera with the same problem. Several of our fleet of HC7s also suffered because the same plate is barely held onto anything solid within the camera. In part the diecast plate is afixed to the plastic housing which after a fair amount of use cracks.

Hi Bob...........
 

Nah, this is directly caused by putting too much stress (and equally little support) on a totally inadequate support system.

Granted, Sony seems to have fired any engineers who can actually work out stress loads and such, but the fact that they'd even consider putting such a camera on a tripod with such a pathetic attachment is just criminal.

My beef is that this is industry wide (tho' other camera manufacturers don't seem to be quite as wanton on the skrimp front as Sony).

There simply is no need for this rubbish.

This is NOT rocket science.

These are HD cameras, Cinemascope in miniature if you like - who'd ever dream of attaching one of those cameras to it's support with one poxy 25 cent 1/4" screw?

It simply beggars belief that ANY camera manufacturer thinks they can do this.

The fact they are not all over Vitec asking for a better system is so scary as to be, er, scary.

At the moment there appears to be a standoff - the camera manufacturers will not address the problem, the support people won't raise the subject because it throws their entire SD equipment range(s) straight out the window (where, incidently, it's going anyway).

What an absolute bloody shambles.

I live in hope.


CS

Point taken Chris, you are right about this and Sony should be wrapped on the knuckles for it.

However, the camera does have a lot of advanced technology and given it's price point it does still represent excellent value for money. My advice to any EX3 owner would be to invest in something like the DM shoulder mount DM-Accessories - EX3-SHOULDER Shoulder Brace For EX3 Camcorders At $300 it does provide a lot of peace of mind and provides extra sturdiness.