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DSMC2 Side Handle. Is it worth it?

adam brennan

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What are your thoughts on the DSMC2 side handle? Is it worth the money for $950? Anything out there that will make holding the Epic W for run and gun shooting with my hands?
 
What are your thoughts on the DSMC2 side handle? Is it worth the money for $950? Anything out there that will make holding the Epic W for run and gun shooting with my hands?

Hey Adam,

Personally, the side handle is fantastic! The iris control and the focus control on the handle for stills lenses with focus chips make it an amazing feature. Plus I love the grip of the handle. I miss the ability to run a redvolt inside the handle like the old days, but none the less it's truly an awesome addition. IMHO....
 
Is there a way to mount a follow focus remote wheel to the handle?
 
I have one and I don't think there's a way to mount a remote to the handle. I shoot handheld a lot so it's great, especially with all the customizable buttons, easy to toggle edge focus/false colors etc. Also you can navigate menus pretty quickly using the wheels, especially when I don't want to take my other hand off the camera. Only thing I wish is that it was a bit closer to the body, seems like it's .5" too far away from the body and puts a little more weight on the wrist than it could, but RED engineers probably know best.

You might look at the outrigger handle too.
 
I had zero interest in dsmc2 until the side handle was in production. By that I mean its essential. But I think the old sidehandle was better attached to the camera. Its ridiculous that those short screws can hold the camera. It would not heart to have made them 1mm extra tall. The old was good that it was fast to mount and unmount with out tools while giving you a sens of trust.
 
What are your thoughts on the DSMC2 side handle? Is it worth the money for $950? Anything out there that will make holding the Epic W for run and gun shooting with my hands?


Is it worth the money? Absolutely!

Once you've gotten used to it, you'd use it on all handheld shoots unless you are using the Epic-W on a gimbal (Ronin or MoVi type).
 
Thanks all. I will put an order in for one.
 
I love the side handle it's very comfortable and really well laid out. Especially compared to the old one.
 
I sold mine because I really wanted to use it to focus my lenses and it didn't feel as good as using the RTMotion thumbwheel. Its good for being able to navigate the menus but it was a pain to remove quickly.
 
My feelings get the sidekick if you're going to have an AC and the handle if you're going to be operating it yourself. ACs are not going to like that handle, but its pretty nice to have if it's on your shoulder and you want to change a setting without putting it down or trying to reach the touch screen.
 
I got my side handle and it does make a nice difference in using the epic w.
 
I have the side handle but hardly use it. I use the outrigger handle with the sidekick installed. Contrary to the old side handle of the DSMC1, this one to me feels a bit less sturdy,. The way it is mounted on the camera is through some small screws and I can't help but feel there's a chance I might damage the body if I use it as my carrying handle, like I use the outrigger. I use the Weapon DSMC2 most of the time in a very small configuration and operate it myself, and I find the side handle slightly angled grip not as comfortable as the old dsmc 1 grip or the outrigger.

The side handle does have all previous side handle 1 controls and custom buttons which is great, but I've learned to use the touch screen and mainly use the outrigger to press record. The sidekick carries most of the sidehandle functions, excluding, of course, the excellent focus control for autofocus lenses.
 
Potentially obvious question, so I thought I'd refresh this thread instead of post a new: can the DSMC2 side handle negate the need for a touch monitor? I sold my 5" touch years ago as I always used the side handle and preferred a monitor on a noga arm, and didn't like the extra weight of two monitors.

I assume you can navigate all menus and camera features with the side handle?

Thanks.
 
Potentially obvious question, so I thought I'd refresh this thread instead of post a new: can the DSMC2 side handle negate the need for a touch monitor? I sold my 5" touch years ago as I always used the side handle and preferred a monitor on a noga arm, and didn't like the extra weight of two monitors.

I assume you can navigate all menus and camera features with the side handle?

Thanks.

I love the my side handle and yes you can essentially navigate everything using just the handle, but the touch screen is often much quicker and more convenient. For adjusting all basic camera settings using the side handle is quite quick, but if really diving down through the menus the touch screen is quicker.
 
I love the my side handle and yes you can essentially navigate everything using just the handle, but the touch screen is often much quicker and more convenient. For adjusting all basic camera settings using the side handle is quite quick, but if really diving down through the menus the touch screen is quicker.

Hi Andrew,

Thanks, good to know!

Dan
 
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