Cheaper options to WC Cable-less Gold Mount adapter for DSMC2?

[Todd G. Peterson]

I've been thinking of changing from v-mount to anton bauer batteries, but i find the cost a bit frustrating.

The base i/o expander is $1750. For $150 more you get v-mount capability. If you want gold mount, a WC cable-less adapter runs you $650.

I generally like the AB batteries better, but the cost to add that to the camera is relatively steep (yes, I know everything in the cinema/red ecosystem is expensive, but hey I'm cheap!).

Any suggestions?

 

[Alexander Thomson]

Yeah, it's tough. I went Base I/O V-lock, with a $250 WC low mode adapter to go from V to AB. The cost of the battery mount is somewhat subsidized by the I/O module, and I spend the savings on the adapter to go from v to AB. You can get cheaper adapters but they either aren't metal, or don't sit flush with the top of the camera.

 

[David Schuurman]

Alexander, I wanted to do what you did and get the Vlock IO and then adapt it to Gold. But what kept me from doing it that was was a lack of faith in the vlock mount as I've had vlock batteries pop off many times before and I like knowing I can pick the camera up by the battery if I want and its locked in. Have you ever experienced any play or has the mount ever not been fully locked in or popped out?

 

[Alexander Thomson]

Alexander, I wanted to do what you did and get the Vlock IO and then adapt it to Gold. But what kept me from doing it that was was a lack of faith in the vlock mount as I've had vlock batteries pop off many times before and I like knowing I can pick the camera up by the battery if I want and its locked in. Have you ever experienced any play or has the mount ever not been fully locked in or popped out?

FWIW, I've never, ever had a problem with Red's V-lock, and it's never developed any play whatsoever in the past year. But I'm deeply invested in GM and, and do believe it's a better mounting system, so that's the direction I went. I also appreciate that the V lock IO has a 5v USB out that the Base I/O doesn't have.