EVF mount design - comments please!

[sander kamp]

Okay, so here's my version of EVF mount. It's a first prototype and I will certainly make another one with some adjustments. Knobs will change, there will be points to attach the RED arm and sizes will change. The final version will of course be black anodized.

features:
- Constantly adjustable, meaning you can adjust the position without unscrewing the knobs
- Extension arm makes it adjustable in a wide range.
- Handheld useable either with your left or right eye.
- Can be rotated in an angle from the camera - easy in a lot of situations like limited space, on a crane, etc.

The adjustment works by means of clutches. The movement of the knobs is isolated from the rotation of the arms so they don't fasten or unfasten while adjusting the position of the EVF. At the moment there is still a minimal amount of play because my prototype was handmade but even with the play it works well. Without the extension it is really sturdy and adjustment is easy and smooth. With the extension the weight of the EVF makes it a bit less smooth and you have to make sure the central clutch is fastened enough but it still works well and is solid enough. Maybe I have to make the extension a bit shorter though. Knobs will be redesigned because at the moment they hurt my fingers.

Not in the photos but in the next version there will be a way to easy attach or take off the viewfinder and extension. Rotate the knob a couple of times and slide out the custom screw on the other side. Mounting the extension should be a matter of less than a minute.

So now my questions for you:
- Who would buy this? I am thinking of a price in the 500 USD range including the extension. I don't take reservations at this stage but if 10-20 people would be interested I can go on finding out what it takes to have it CNC'd.
- Any suggestions, requests? Ways to make it better?

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Very very interested!!!

Superb flexible design.

Antoine

 

[Antoine Fabi]

maybe just ad some holes (same size as RED top mount) to the top brace for other acessories.

 

[Matt Uhry]

Nice going Sander !

I don't think this type of rotational movement is generally desirable.

The clutch system on ET's is pretty great, have you had a chance to play with it in person ?
It's more like a fluid head effect than a thumbscrew / washer kind of setup.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

 

[sander kamp]

I don't think this type of movement is desirable. The clutch system on ET's is pretty great, have you had a chance to play with it in person ?

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

I'm sure ET's mount is very nice but it's also quite expensive and that is the reason I don't have one and designed my own.

I think there are situations where it is nice to rotate the EVF, for instance if the camera is up to the wall, or if you want someone else to have a look without switching places. And it kind of came free with making the design so that it is extendible to the side. But you're right in the way when you're adjusting the EVF that direction maybe should be locked off by default and that you have to take some action to unlock it.

edit: My clutch system is pretty great too! Feels really nice

 

[chuck colburn]

You need vertical rotation if you plan to use a leveling rod. All in all it looks nice and stout to me. Also it looks like you are using polyacetal for your clutch discs which is good as they require no lubricant and don't pickup dirt or grit.

 

[Gary Stone]

totally interested!

one suggestion. wouldn't it make more sense to have the adjustable slot on the extension mounted down by the knob? if you were to move the EVF down the slot, wouldn't the bar kind of get in the way? better to let the excess bar travel past the knob and out of the way. does this make sense?

great design though!!!

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

I am totally interested, as well. Looks terrific! That RED Israeli arm is pretty weak and the ET, which looks terrific, is just too much money. But I like this design pretty well, especially if the extension arm can be used to provide vertical adjustment within a given horizontal plane.

Stephen

 

[Frank Weeks]

This is a great design. The Red arm is difficult and flimsy. Best of luck.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Me 12,5

 

[mick doyle]

Hi
Would this work well for hand held shoulder work?

 

[Joe Bruncsak]

Very nice and very interested. I would however be more interested if your next version has some kind of quick release to separate the VF from the cam (for storage) and the knobs allowed you to apply more torque (similar to Zacuto's). Also, I like the that it can move in all axes, but I agree it should also be rock solid in all axes as well.

Great work and good luck on further development and refinement!

--Joe

 

[Hannes Isaksson]

When can I bye one?

 

[sander kamp]

totally interested!

one suggestion. wouldn't it make more sense to have the adjustable slot on the extension mounted down by the knob? if you were to move the EVF down the slot, wouldn't the bar kind of get in the way? better to let the excess bar travel past the knob and out of the way. does this make sense?

great design though!!!

Thanks for your comments!

You're right in the sense that if you move the EVF down towards the camera too much the extension sticks out and you might hurt your eye if you don't pay attention. That of course is not acceptable - if it is possible it means it will happen to somebody sometime. But letting the extension travel down with the EVF is not possible because the knob would have to move to the outside and get in the way of the EVF if you understand what I mean. So I will have to make sure the EVF doesn't travel too much down and the extension isn't long enough for dangerous situations.

 

[sander kamp]

Hi
Would this work well for hand held shoulder work?

Absolutely! Reminds me I have to make picture of that...

 

[sander kamp]

Very nice and very interested. I would however be more interested if your next version has some kind of quick release to separate the VF from the cam (for storage) and the knobs allowed you to apply more torque (similar to Zacuto's). Also, I like the that it can move in all axes, but I agree it should also be rock solid in all axes as well.

Great work and good luck on further development and refinement!

--Joe

The next version will definitely have quick releases.

Sure, you can tighten the knobs enough for it to be solid in all axis. Guess I have to make a video to demonstrate that.

 

[sander kamp]

When can I bye one?

Not yet! But thanks for asking. If all goes well I hope to take orders in a month or so.

 

[Larry McKee]

I like it and the price is right. Can't wait to see the revised version. BTW, is that a Lomo lens?

 

[Birns and Sawyer]

I like how this can be mounted close to the body, since the clutch is slimmer, it allows the mount to get out of the way and get your eye closer to the camera.

 

[Mike Prevette]

Nice work!