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15mm rod mount for monitor

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Nikhil Kamkolkar

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Hey all, I see a few of these, but would love to know what people are using for a handheld config.

Basically, I want to use my 15mm rods to offset mount the LCD monitor near the handles, i.e. in the front so I can see what the camera's seeing. Any recommendations/gotchas?

Thanks in advance! Feel free to PM me if you wish.
 
I use these and love them.. very convenient. they attach to the 15mm top rails or bottom rails or anything thats 15mm
First I attach the micro mount to my 15mm handles then attach the spud in the second link to the other end of the micro mount. on the opposite side of the spud "link2", there's a 1/4-20 thread that I attach a Articulating arm to mount the monitor... works great for me!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/690997-REG/Redrock_Micro_2_025_0002.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/648153-REG/Ikan_MA206_MA206_6_Articulating_Arm.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/690995-REG/Redrock_Micro_2_025_0001_microMount_w_out_Spud.html

Edit****
Here's an example

monitor.jpg
 
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John Galeano said:
I use these and love them.. very convenient. they attach to the 15mm top rails or bottom rails or anything thats 15mm
First I attach the micro mount to my 15mm handles then attach the spud in the second link to the other end of the micro mount. on the opposite side of the spud "link2", there's a 1/4-20 thread that I attach a Articulating arm to mount the monitor... works great for me!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/690997-REG/Redrock_Micro_2_025_0002.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/648153-REG/Ikan_MA206_MA206_6_Articulating_Arm.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/690995-REG/Redrock_Micro_2_025_0001_microMount_w_out_Spud.html
Click to expand...

John - I like the price and the features, and am considering purchasing your 'kit'.

1. Is there a reason you went with a 6" arm as opposed to a 9"? I've got a 12" LCD cable, and I ?think? I'd like to get it a close to my eye as possible, but ... I've never used a rig before. I notice your LCD is farther forward, but ... maybe that's where you like it on a tripod (whereas, I want to use the arm mostly while shoulder mounted).

The mounting rod will be coming out from underneath the left front side of the Scarlet from the Zacuto Studio Baseplate http://store.zacuto.com/Studio-Baseplate-for-SE.html .

My O-Box FF is on the right side, if that makes any difference?

2. How do you view the build quality of the Ikan arm? I saw some people who loved it on bhPhotoVideo, and also a number who indicated that it broke very quickly - and one said this was his 3rd Ikan product that had failed. I'm not sure bhPhoto verifies ownership for review posts, so ... unsure what to make of the negative comments.

3. Had you considered a Noga arm? They seem to make a 5" and 9"?

4. I notice that Zacuto makes a Z-Mount #Z-MO-ZW http://store.zacuto.com/z-mount-zwivel.html that might offer more flexibility than RedRock's, and only a single lever. What do you think of that? Would it be simpler to use, or more of a hassle?

Maybe the RedRock is easier to use as it seems there are two independent levers? Can each side be independently tightened?

It's difficult putting something together without holding it in one's hands first!!!

Thanks!
 
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John - I like the price and the features, and am considering purchasing your 'kit'.


1. Is there a reason you went with a 6" arm as opposed to a 9"? I've got a 12" LCD cable, and I ?think? I'd like to get it a close to my eye as possible, but ... I've never used a rig before. I notice your LCD is farther forward, but ... maybe that's where you like it on a tripod (whereas, I want to use the arm mostly while shoulder mounted).


No, no particular reason that I went with the 6'' it was just preference. In the picture I was using the Red LCD but that was just temporary. I usually have my marshall monitor in place but it was out on a rental. The reason my screen is so far forward is because when I have my shoulder rig on, I like to use a hood on my monitor... just makes it much less distracting when you don't see a bunch of crap going on in your peripheral view. Here's an example... my buddy Terrance on my camera with his first ac.


IMG_20120805_095050.jpg



The mounting rod will be coming out from underneath the left front side of the Scarlet from the Zacuto Studio Baseplate [url]http://store.zacuto.com/Studio-Baseplate-for-SE.html[/URL] .


I own the same baseplate and absolutely love it! very versatile. Mounting is really going to be up to you where it's comfortable. I suggest trying different set-ups


My O-Box FF is on the right side, if that makes any difference?


Doesn't really make a difference. it's probably easier to follow focus from the right if ur a righty when hand held "I guess lol". I have the RedRock studio double sided follow focus now which works for me because i'm a lefty and I prefer to follow focus from the left. Actually I'm in line for the new RedRock wireless follow focus system which also has a finger wheel that you attach to the hand grip and control focus from there.. now I can have 2 hands on my camera at all times.


http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/microRemote-Accessories/remote-fingerwheel-controller


2. How do you view the build quality of the Ikan arm? I saw some people who loved it on bhPhotoVideo, and also a number who indicated that it broke very quickly - and one said this was his 3rd Ikan product that had failed. I'm not sure bhPhoto verifies ownership for review posts, so ... unsure what to make of the negative comments.


Honestly the iKan arms aren't great.. I broke 2 of them already lol.. there are definitely better options out there! the Zacuto ones look pretty Solid but so is the near $200 price tag.. I'll stick to my $60 dollar arms lol..


3. Had you considered a Noga arm? They seem to make a 5" and 9"?


I don't really like the noga arms. the arms pictured above move more freely making positioning much better... for me at least.


4. I notice that Zacuto makes a Z-Mount #Z-MO-ZW [url]http://store.zacuto.com/z-mount-zwivel.html[/URL] that might offer more flexibility than RedRock's, and only a single lever. What do you think of that? Would it be simpler to use, or more of a hassle?


I don't like the fact that the Zacuto mount doesn't have two separate locking levers. Problem is if that one lever comes loose whatever is attached to it will slip out. I can't afford that happen to me. At least with the Redrock mount, I know my monitor will be secure.


Maybe the RedRock is easier to use as it seems there are two independent levers? Can each side be independently tightened?


Agreed! and yes each side can be independently tightened.


It's difficult putting something together without holding it in one's hands first!!!


No, very easy to use.. trust me.


Again everything comes down to preference. I found that I now have my rig set up to where it's almost perfect for me. I can come off the tripod and be shoulder mounted in literally 15-20 seconds. thanks to the Zacuto Q-Release and shoulder pad. Hope this helped!
http://store.zacuto.com/q-release.html
http://store.zacuto.com/shoulder-pad-includes-7-inch-rods.html

shoulder.jpg







 
John Galeano said:

It's difficult putting something together without holding it in one's hands first!!!


No, very easy to use.. trust me.


Again everything comes down to preference. I found that I now have my rig set up to where it's almost perfect for me. I can come off the tripod and be shoulder mounted in literally 15-20 seconds. thanks to the Zacuto Q-Release and shoulder pad. Hope this helped!
http://store.zacuto.com/q-release.html
http://store.zacuto.com/shoulder-pad-includes-7-inch-rods.html

shoulder.jpg

Click to expand...
John - you just rocked my world. I'd just placed an order for the Shape shoulder pad http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/770453-REG/SHAPE_SHPAD1_Composite_Shoulder_Pad.html , but your picture showing the Zacuto shoulder pad underneath with a perfect center of gravity has me REAL interested, so I put it on HOLD.

It is hard for me to put all these together in my mind before buying, to make sure there are no "Gotcha's" (I'm sure it's very easy to do once they are in-hand!!!

1. Is there any issue with the rig being higher? I've just got a 12" LCD cable, will that be too high up?

2. Do you see any advantage, now that you've used your rig for a while, of the Shape shoulder pad over the Zacuto?

Maybe it would be a pain in the ass instead of being more comfortable or more stable, it's hard for me to tell as I've never used a rig. And the Shape might end up pushing the camera up slightly higher? Hard to tell?

What are your thoughts?

3. What length rods do I need for the upper rods from the Q-Release to the Studio Baseplate?

4. I'm assuming the 7" rods that come with the shoulder pad are perfect for the lower rods?

---
But that Zacuto Studio Baseplate has been a great purchase for me. I love it so far!!!

Thanks so much for you post, I'm definitely getting the Zacuto Q-Release at the very least!!!
 
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Thanks for this discussion and notes, guys. I went with the Shape shoulder pad and handles. I find the narrowish pad, on my shoulder atleast, tends to add more sway than I expected (wish my shoulders were flat). I may have to do something to help that. I am still trying to workout the monitor and shotgun mounts. I do have a Noga arm, so may go for a top plate on the EPIC and perhaps mount the NOGA on that. Hoping to pick up more tips first.
 
John Galeano said:

The reason my screen is so far forward is because when I have my shoulder rig on, I like to use a hood on my monitor... just makes it much less distracting when you don't see a bunch of crap going on in your peripheral view.
Click to expand...
John - who makes that hood? thanks, Les
 
John - you just rocked my world. I'd just placed an order for the Shape shoulder pad http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/770453-REG/SHAPE_SHPAD1_Composite_Shoulder_Pad.html , but your picture showing the Zacuto shoulder pad underneath with a perfect center of gravity has me REAL interested, so I put it on HOLD.

It is hard for me to put all these together in my mind before buying, to make sure there are no "Gotcha's" (I'm sure it's very easy to do once they are in-hand!!!

Hey Les, I looked at the shape shoulder mount in the link, while it looks nice I still feel the Zacuto would be better because like you said I can place it right under the body of the camera making it really balanced. On top of that the pad used by Zacuto is very comfortable and soft! I can imagine it's hard trying to figure all this crap out in your head without actually having the product to try it for yourself.. believe me I spent a ton of money on different items trying to make it right for me.. now stuck with them or sold on ebay for a fraction of the price I paid, sucks! lol..

1. Is there any issue with the rig being higher? I've just got a 12" LCD cable, will that be too high up?

Not really sure what you mean by any issues being higher? With the weight of the camera on your shoulders makes it more eng style. I feel it puts less stress on my arms because most of the weight sits right on my shoulder and when the battery is attached on the rear like in the picture, it balances the weight of the monitor being in the front. As far as the LCD cable you should be fine with 12'' inches "I Hope" the monitor in the picture is a marshall so I use a HDMI cable by Zacuto which by the way rocks!! I recommend it for anyone using HDMI its so flexible!

http://store.zacuto.com/36-inch-Standard-HDMI-Cable.html

2. Do you see any advantage, now that you've used your rig for a while, of the Shape shoulder pad over the Zacuto?

The advantage I see is like I said.. you can place right under the camera or if you have top rails you can go off those but I find it very heavy using it that way. The shape shoulder pad doesn't look like it can't quite get under the camera for good balance. here's a crappy pic to show you what I mean.

mount.jpg


Maybe it would be a pain in the ass instead of being more comfortable or more stable, it's hard for me to tell as I've never used a rig. And the Shape might end up pushing the camera up slightly higher? Hard to tell?

What are your thoughts?

From looking at the Shape shoulder pad.. It doesn't look like you are going to be able to center the pad.. and I'm only saying that because I know you have the Zacuto base plate.. so you would have to attach it to the very end of the bottom rails making the camera very front heavy! I really don't see any way around it with our base plate. On top of that it's not quick release which I really like about the Zacuto pad.

3. What length rods do I need for the upper rods from the Q-Release to the Studio Baseplate?

Not sure what you meant in this question.. Take a look at the pic above. My upper rods are 12'' and the bottom rods are 14'' I really need to buy 16'' I think it would make it just a bit more comfortable for me.

4. I'm assuming the 7" rods that come with the shoulder pad are perfect for the lower rods?

Yes the 7'' rods are just fine!

---
But that Zacuto Studio Baseplate has been a great purchase for me. I love it so far!!!

Thanks so much for you post, I'm definitely getting the Zacuto Q-Release at the very least!!!

No Problem Les Hope I can help you save the money I had to spend to make it work for me lol.. By the way the hood for the monitor in the picture is a hoodman... I have one for my marshall and one for my RED LCD

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/396688-REG/Hoodman_H700P_H700P_Sun_Shield_Hood.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749038-REG/Hoodman_H_R5_6_5_6_Monitor_Hood_for.html
 
John Galeano said:
.... the hood for the monitor in the picture is a hoodman... I have one for my marshall and one for my RED LCD

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/396688-REG/Hoodman_H700P_H700P_Sun_Shield_Hood.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749038-REG/Hoodman_H_R5_6_5_6_Monitor_Hood_for.html
Click to expand...

John - I ended up ordering the Zacuto Shoulder Pad and the Zacuto Quick Release - as well as your choice of the Ikan arm, etc. I agree that the Shape pad didn't look like it had enough room to fit underneath.

If it's working well for you, it must be a good choice!!

I only wish that the shoulder pad would tilt (not sure any do). I lift a lot of weights, and my shoulders are not flat, but sloped from my neck, so ... I may have to deal with that in some fashion?

Thanks for your help, you really pointed me in a different and superior direction than I was heading.

BTW - for the hoodman, can you still use a stylus for the LCD touch screen? I guess the long one in the first picture H700P must be for your Marshall, but the smaller H-R5.6 looks like it might be difficult to use the touch screen? I do have a side handle, so maybe I should learn to take advantage of that more?

Do you think this hood would still be useful as a hood - or does the hood need to totally enclose the LCD to be useful? I've heard it will allow the use of a stylus for the touch screen. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759117-REG/Hoodman_HV5_3_Sided_5_Visor_Hood.html
 
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I bought into the RED quickrelease system (instead of building on my Zacuto universal baseplate).

I had 15mm bottom rails attached to the universal 15mm mount on the back of the quickrelease platform. That had the Shape pad sitting behind the camera. Very unstable IMHO. Plus, my shoulder slopes and that adds quite a bit of sway with the camera seated up high. I've ordered the DSMC top mount adaptor now and will attach the pad to the top rails instead. I think I'll like the camera sitting lower rather than right on top of my shoulder. It'll be front heavy, but I've got stuff to add to the back to balance it out. My handheld usage should be for short intervals, so hoping this works out.
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
Returning the SHAPE shoulder pad, and the handles... it doesn't get as close to the camera as I'd like because of its curve. Going to look at the Zacuto shoulder pad. And looking at these CAVISION handles instead. Anyone have any experience with these specific wider handles? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310697-REG/Cavision_RS15HDE_RS15HDE_Dual_Hand_Grips.html
Click to expand...

I have the Zacuto shoulder pad. It is quite comfortable and can slide forward or backward (but doesn't slide while camera is mounted on shoulder). It's quite small.

The Shape looked interesting, but ... didn't think it would fit underneath my Zacuto Studio Baseplate if they quick release plate was in place.

I also added the Lanparte Side Grip 2 handles from CoollCd.

They are quite flexible in how you can arrange them. I have the top segments angled outwards which may appeal to you as you want wider handles (that's how they end up).

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...-to-go-with-which-quot-best-quot-shoulder-pad

I think I applied two coupons, and got it for $309 including shipping. Ordered late Sunday nite and they arrived from China on Wed, which I thought was amazing.

I like their length. It's a lot more comfortable to have my arms close to right angles.
 
Les, were you concerned at all about the quick-release system for the Lanparte? I kind of like the rods going through vs being tightened while sitting in a half-circular opening. If your rig was on the heavy side, would you feel concerned about pointing the rig towards the ground with all the weight resting on those tighteners?

btw, you probably have this info, but the hoodman is 5 1/8 " deep... I did get it too.
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
Les, were you concerned at all about the quick-release system for the Lanparte? I kind of like the rods going through vs being tightened while sitting in a half-circular opening. If your rig was on the heavy side, would you feel concerned about pointing the rig towards the ground with all the weight resting on those tighteners?

btw, you probably have this info, but the hoodman is 5 1/8 " deep... I did get it too.
Click to expand...
The quick-release is not a problem. It extends up and over the rods slightly, and is very tight.

They easily support all the weight of the rig.

I haven't taken them off since I put them on, had the rig (which seems heavy to me with the O-Box, O-Focus, Side-Handle, etc.) setting on the handles and shoulder pad for a new nights, now on the tripod - and there's not the slightest trace of looseness.

I expect they gave this a lot of though in the design and testing, as the one thing above all others that would give you a bad rep is for the handles to come off.

One person who owned some said he thought there was a slight 'play' in the handle joints, but ... I haven't seen that at all, so this must have been corrected in manufacturing.

I put some Zacuto end-caps on the front (and 4 on the rods holding the Zacuto shoulder pad) just to make sure, but the handles are not in contact with the end-caps - so they are not holding it in place.

The only thing I wish were different about the handles is - you can position them in a very large range, but they move in small increments, so you can't put them precisely where you want, they will be a few degrees from that position.

That hasn't been a problem, but ... just wish that was different.
 
John Galeano said:
Hey Les, How are you making out with your rig? I hope everything worked out for you!
Click to expand...
John - I'm mostly happy except that the LCD is so close to my face, it's hard to focus. I use reading glasses, but they don't work so well when the image source is only 5" away from the eyes - so I've got to figure out how to deal with that.

I noticed that your photo shows the ikan arm mounted on a rod coming out from in front of your FF (mine is mounted on a rod coming out of the left front of the Zacuto Studio Baseplate).

What are you using to mount in front of the FF?

BTW - I'm definitely glad I went with the RedRock microMount and Spud (they sell both together in one package), as the more expensive Zacuto version with it's single tightener would have been a real pain to operate!!!

I have no way to compare the arms, but ... if I grip mine way up higher than the handles (where I think many handles would extend to), it doesn't feel as good as having the handle grips much lower so my arms are straighter.

But - I'm going to have to come up with a 'workflow' for focusing - and even pressing the start button. Never having used a rig, it's harder to do than I imagined!!!

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!!
 
The CAVISION handles went RIGHT BACK today. Horrible build quality. I think after all this, and given I'm invested in the RED quickrelease system, I'm settling on a RED version for the front handles. What I'm thinking now is that having a rosette-based connection between handle components is more solid than just friction-based. And that a 19mm solution with just the handles alone would be better in terms of strength and for isolating the handles from my matte box/ff which sit on a 15mm LWS system above the 19mm rods.

Considering this combo now -
DSMC Universal 19mm mount = $200
Two 12" 19mm rods - $100
Rod to Rosette - http://www.red.com/store/products/rod-to-rosette-bracketn - $200 x 2 = $500
Dogbone Jogged - http://www.red.com/store/products/dogbone-b-jogged - $125 x 2 = $250
Fixed Handle 300x2 = $600 (or go with the ball and socket handles - which would be $900)

~$1700. Compared to the CAVISION handles which were $170. :laugh:

Damn. Anyone has a less expensive, yet equivalent solution?

 
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