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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Battery options with Vlock expander

R

Richie Allen

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Just thought i share this info.
The DSMC2 V lock expander http://www.red.com/store/products/dsmc2-base-io-vlock-expander, with the DSMC2 top handle http://www.red.com/store/products/dsmc2-top-handle can be a challenge with a lot of v mount batteries due to the length of the top handle.

But when you add the off hollywood DSMC2 standard top plate https://shop.offhollywoodny.com/collections/frontpage/products/dsmc2-top-plate, I can get the switronix hyper core slim battery on and off http://www.switronix.com/products?p...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=301&category_id=55.
i'm sure some would like to know this
cheers
 
The problem I feel with any kind of riser, putting the top handle higher to make room for the battery is that the camera gets unnecessary hight. I think it's sad that Red didn't do a lower level V-lock mount like the Wooden Camera V-mount. Would rather have everything all Red, but WC is the only company doing this lower mounted mount.
 
Christoffer Glans said:
The problem I feel with any kind of riser, putting the top handle higher to make room for the battery is that the camera gets unnecessary hight. I think it's sad that Red didn't do a lower level V-lock mount like the Wooden Camera V-mount. Would rather have everything all Red, but WC is the only company doing this lower mounted mount.
Click to expand...

Anton Bauer, RED, and everybody and their brother's cousin are now making lower profile V-Lock batteries that are more ideal for lower height cameras.

I've been one of the biggest cheerleaders over the last 3 years begging, pleading, and hoping for a solution like this.

My normal V-Locks now all go to AKS that can use them. On camera, everything is smaller form factor from here on out.

Yes, I know it's not a perfect solution. Yes, I know the Universal Top Handle is "too short" for some (I've lifted a 30lb rig with it just fine), despite also being a sudo Top Plate itself. Also, after certain Expanders or Modules are attached this conversation goes away. Just depends on how you want to work with your camera.

IMO, due to the new body form factors (honestly with Epic and Scarlet too, as well as other manufacturers for that matter) it's time to not rig these cameras with things that were designed for much taller cameras. That's been my perspective and once I bit the bullet on the REDVOLT XL and AB Cine series I haven't looked back. Especially since RED stated they'll be riding this body form factor until 2020 at a minimum.
 
its adding 10mm of heigh with very little redistribution of the height above the enter of gravity. I have some new AB cine v mounts and they are great i can't denied that, i just found a very simple solution to use my hyper core slims as well. so i thought i'd share.
 
Richie Allen said:
its adding 10mm of heigh with very little redistribution of the height above the enter of gravity. I have some new AB cine v mounts and they are great i can't denied that, i just found a very simple solution to use my hyper core slims as well. so i thought i'd share.
Click to expand...

Cheers Richie. Wasn't aimed at you for sure. I just get completely frustrated when I hear that for whatever reason this particular thing holds up people from shooting, especially with all the different ways to tackle the rigging or accessorizing.

You found your solution and that's the point. Camera rigging is moving target. Adapt accordingly.
 
no offense taken Phil.
i find the simplest solution is often the best so i thought i share my solution rather than complain about design limitations etc.
its not about "i wish this was..." its about " how can I do....".
 
Phil Holland said:
Anton Bauer, RED, and everybody and their brother's cousin are now making lower profile V-Lock batteries that are more ideal for lower height cameras.
Click to expand...

The thing is that I rather not replace all my Red bricks with new batteries because of the top handle, or heighten the top handle and the entire camera for it to work. Right now, the WC mount is the only mount compatible with the Weapon and Red Bricks and it's been delayed for so long now meaning I have no battery solution at all. When Red announced the battery mount I was a bit stunned though that it wasn't much else than what the already existing V-lock expander is. Batteries aren't really that good for selling second hand so it's just a waste of money getting new batteries because of this. I've also read that the anton bauers won't fit the V-lock expander width, since the connectors protrude in the way, even though I'm not certain since I haven't seen it for myself.

I just feel that everything about the v-locks for the Weapon package sounds more like work arounds than actually having a camera body that is optimal. The universal handle is too small, I need stability when filming something using only the handle as the main grip. I just wish Wooden Camera delivers on the quality part, I've been waiting too long for it to be a DOA product.
 
Recently placed an order for the Scarlet-W I/O kit and heard so much about this issue. Was just planning to go barebones with the base kit so that I can shoot events with it too....Don't really want spend more money on bricks or redvolts but rather with existing GMP V-mounts I already have. Does anyone have any idea whether the GMPs clears the top handle?
 
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