EX3 - Mic Clamp Replacement?
 

Hello all, can someone please refer me to an online site in North America that has replacement mic clamps for the EX3 Shotgun Position for sale. Mine is cracked and i need a new one.

Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thank You

Shawn

I had the same thing happen. I epoxied mine back together, it is still OK after 6 months use.

You can also buy this hot-shoe replacement and then get a ho-tshoe mic mount:
DM-Accessories - EX-FLAT - Shoe Mounts for Sony EX1 & EX3 Camcorders

Thanks that would help actually. But an original Clamp would also be a nice option if possible.

thanks for your help i appreciate it

You can buy the part from Sony. I did for my EX1. In fact when I ordered they asked "how many." Kind of shows you the confidence they have in the part and the frequency of breakage.

I would get both. The Sony one for resale of the camera and the DM one for use.

BHphoto sells a RODE shockmount for under $50 that works well with the DM. You also get to use the DM shoe mount for other things, in the event the situation arises that you don't require an on camera mic.

Try to ask Sony for a warranty issue. I did so and the first one they changed without problems. The second one is still pending. But an important notice: Ask for the latest one. I don't remember the order number but my technician found out after a while of research that Sony modified the clamp in some details and it seems to be more solid.

Regards
Markus

What I did with mine, was remove it from the cam, and fill the part which attaches to the camera with epoxy resin, leaving holes free for the screws, then drilled 2 small holes into the resin to accomodate the 2 small nipples which are part of the camera itself, fits just fine and is much more sturdy than it was before.

I'm still very carefull with it though.

I did see a post somewhere in this forum where someone did something very similar, but they added a small aluminium plate to the mix.

Anyone know what the replacement clamp costs and if there is a better one out there, what exactly is the difference to the original?

Go for the J-rod ex, it makes more senses as you can place a wireless with the mic together,

Super Strong Twin

Just ordered myself. Here's the diagram and part numbers. Use the third column for the part number. It was a f****** mission trying to get this information from Sony.

Or you can do what Sony should have done:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...ic-holder.html

I have been using the DM-Accessories version without any problems but I am running out of Cold-Shoes :) That J-rod looks the business! I have ordered one to try!

Here's what I did to fix my own mic mount, and reinforce the other camera's mount which hadn't broken yet:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/933958-post2.html

Sony EX3 Mic mount issue
 

Greetings to All,

In regards to the mic mount on the Sony EX3 - yes - I broke mine too not long after owning the camera. After right at 30 days in the repair shop - and after actually speaking to a tech repair guy in Teaneck, NJ -- he stated that the mic mount was designed and engineered to be a "breakaway" mount due to the anticipated 12-15 inch mics that would undoubtedly be mounted to the camera - swinging in the wind and hanging way out there.

That way - the camera proper - would be less prone to additional breakage should a sturdier mic mount catch on a tree branch, door jam, etc. I for one would not want my vcr/joy stick panel to break, crack, etc., should I catch my 15 inch mic on a tree branch, etc. Repair expense would be much, much higher ! Too bad Sony has not addressed this engineering concept somewhere on this forum, or in an email to all buyers of the EX3, etc. It is an inconvenience - but the 30 day repair time was way, way too long - and a REAL inconvenience !

And yes - I have broken the replacement mic mount already - but electricians tape does the trick and comes in your basic black - just what the doctor ordered ! Maybe Sony should sell them by the gross ! ?

Best to all -- and travel safe !

It did occur to me that the ease of breakage was by design and for the reasons stated.
However when I came up with the design that is now sold by DM Accessories I realised there's another way to achieve the same outcome that doesn't require anything at all to break. Mounting the mic in a cats craddle shock mount provides excellent protection and reduces mic noise pickup. The unit from Rode is an excellent choice.

This arrangement in my view makes your mic even safer as it's so easy to simply leave the mic in the kit bag when it's not needed. If the mic is on the camera the suspension mounts provide better shock absorbtion in the event of a mishap and can almost certainly be field repaired.

Well, today I joined the elite club of those who've busted the mic mount on their EX3.

I realize Sony designed it that way so it would break before something more expensive broke, but what a PITA.

The Lightwave shock mount I use would give way before a solidly fixed mic mount. So I'm not concerned with the slight reinforcement I added to my own Sony mic mount, which is far too flimsy and broke under normal usage.

Unfortunately this nice shock mount design isn't available anymore from Lightwave.

What's really interesting is I have a little Sony HVR A1U and the mic mount for it is made out of aluminum. But the $9,000.00 EX3... a dime's worth of flimsy plastic. I'm going to reinforce it today. I've got a Rykote shock absorber.

Lightwave mic mount for Sennheiser ME 66?
 

I also need to find a replacement mic mount for my EX3. I may have an opportunity to buy the Lightwave mini mount mic mount -- one that includes the cylinder adapter that fits inside the existing EX3 mic clamp. My question for anyone out there is: will the Lightwave mic mount securely accommodate a Sennheiser ME 66 with a windscreen? I'm concerned the suspension mounts on the Lightwave may not be configured in a way to accommodate the ME 66 with a windscreen on it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

yes

Wow, Brian, you are good!

photo?
 

Thanks much, Brian. Do you have a photo you can post of your shotgun microphone actually mounted in the Lightwave?

I went the EX-FLAT route... EX1 mic holder replacement | Paul Joy

Thanks, Paul. I've heard good things about the K-tek, and the EX flat plate replacement looks like a great solution. I'd considered the Rode shock mount too but your comments confirmed my fear about it -- won't hold the shotgun firmly in place when maneuvering the camera.

The Rode shock mount will hold a shotgun in place quite firmly. The trick is to cross the bands over before feeding the mic into them. This is a little tricky to do as you need to feed the mic in one band at a time but it's only something you need to do once.

That said I do prefer the K-Tek mounts because they're smaller but they're more expensive.