Side plate Power out / request

[Patrick Tresch]

Hello,

It would be great to have the possibility to use an other power connector than the HUGE power in Lemo from the back of the camera.

It takes nearly 1/3 of the body length and is a big design problem for me.

The camera body is tiny and I would love to make a configuration where the brain is closer to my shoulder to have less front heavy equipment. It's not possible without bending the Lemo Cable. An L lemo cable would also be an option but why not use another way of doing it?

The POWER PLATE ;-) (instead of the Side Handle)

Pat

 

[D Fuller]

I don't understand this post. There is no power out from the back of the camera. Do you mean power in? And if so, wouldn't it unbalance the camera to have a battery hanging off the outboard side?

 

[Tehben Dean]

I agree that the new cables are way to long before becoming flexible. That piece of plastic on the back of the connector makes it a good inch longer then the old version.

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

Hi Pat,
I'm otw to solve the same problem (too long Lemo DC IN cable plug).
A part from the bad accessibility I find the original DC IN situation kind of vulnerable.

For my doc rig I want to use 15mm LW rods only - on the front and on the back - to be able to attach accessories on LW brackets at the back (i.e: Mix-Pre or Pix 240, snap on shoulder pad, etc.).
This configuration will allow me to switch from tripod to handheld instantly (I only need to snap on/off the shoulder pad).

I am using the Easy Riser XL from WC + two LW brackets, as well as the Quick Back/Switronix Battery Adaptor Plate.
Unfortunately, even with the 4 cm longer Riser XL plate, the existing DC IN cable plugs would hit against the LW bracket.

Headache solved:

I asked a camera rental house to order one right angle Lemo DC cable plug and one female Lemo DC socket plug (the same type that is used on the back of the Epic/ Scarlet).
Their technician will wire both Lemo plugs with a very short cable and fit the DC socket plug into an appr. 20x20mm aluminium block which attaches to the same screw that holds the Spacecam Sync Bob Plus
(down on the right hand side of the Epic/Scarlet body).

The aluminium block with the DC IN socket plug will sit securely right under the Sync Bob, with the DC IN socket plug facing into the same direction as the BNC connectors.
This way I can switch from V-Type batteries to AC Adaptor without having to unmount the LW bracket on the back.
It will also help to protect the original DC plug in case a power cable gets accidentally pulled on.

I also tried another solution:
to simply replace both straight DC LEMO plugs (AC adaptor cable and the Switronix) with right angle DC Lemo plugs.
Although a right angle plug fits between the LW bracket and the camera body, you just won't manage to unplug it and switch to a different power source (unless you have tiny fingers).

So I go the more fuzzy/costly way, that definitely requires the help of a professional camera technician.
Unfortunately it takes some time to get these special plugs from Lemo - another two weeks of waiting...

If you like to see the result I can send you a picture, when the work is done.

BTW: Personally, I don't like the side power plate idea so much, because I would rather use this part of the camera to attach my side handle or a VF cheese plate + redmote shuttle mount.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

BTW: Personally, I don't like the side power plate idea so much, because I would rather use this part of the camera to attach my side handle or a VF cheese plate + redmote shuttle mount.

Hello Sebastian,

I love the way you think and how you make it your way!

I understand the limitation to have a side "Power Plate" as it will disable the Side handle. My hand held configuration doesn't need it, so I'm not disapointed to loose this option. I think it could be much more sturdy to use the side plate as it is thought for "heavy weight" support (grip).

Yes I would definitly be interested to see the result you come with. And I would be interested to buy one if it's well done. Hope RED doesn't have any warranty objections about it.

See you.

Pat

 

[Patrick Tresch]

I don't understand this post. There is no power out from the back of the camera. Do you mean power in? And if so, wouldn't it unbalance the camera to have a battery hanging off the outboard side?

My bad,

I meant power in...
The Power plate would connect to the lemo cable of your battery module like for eg. a Razor shoulder mount.


Pat

 

[Mike Tiffee]

BTW: Personally, I don't like the side power plate idea so much, because I would rather use this part of the camera to attach my side handle or a VF cheese plate + redmote shuttle mount.

How about a side plate with a mount for your redmote that draws power from the camera?

 

[Patrick Tresch]

How about a side plate with a mount for your redmote that draws power from the camera?

Would be also a good option... there are options on the market to draw power from the cam like the power box,

http://eu.innocinema.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_18&products_id=97

or the PTAP-USB convertor from ViewFactor

http://www.viewfactor.net/index.php/products/epic-acc/ptap-usb.html

The main issue is not how to get power for accessories but how to power the camera when you want to stay with V-lock/AA batteries in a small config.

But your are right, more options are allways wellcome! :wink5:

My thread title is missleading... But why not to have a power in and out option?

Pat

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

How about a side plate with a mount for your redmote that draws power from the camera?

Powering the redmote seems not so much a problem (i.e. with PTap-USB Connector) than reliable pairing.
If any new side plate could have the same connection pins like on the back of the camera then it would become really interesting...

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

Hello Sebastian,

I love the way you think and how you make it your way!

I understand the limitation to have a side "Power Plate" as it will disable the Side handle. My hand held configuration doesn't need it, so I'm not disapointed to loose this option. I think it could be much more sturdy to use the side plate as it is thought for "heavy weight" support (grip).

Yes I would definitly be interested to see the result you come with. And I would be interested to buy one if it's well done. Hope RED doesn't have any warranty objections about it.

See you.

Pat

I don't see why warranty could be an issue, as I'm only attaching a very compact power adaptor cable to the camera.

The coolest thing would be, if Spacecam added a DC IN power socket on their Sync Bob Plus.
I would jump on it and stop fiddling around with this myself!

 

[Michael Mayda]

Sebastian, I had the same problem and thought about the right-angle connector as a solution. At times I have to mount my Epics in very tight spaces and the rear power cable gets in the way. Let us know how your solution works out. I'm going to order the Lemos today... BTW, Red? Are yous listening? How about a Red store cable/adapter addition?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

How about just an "L" shaped power connector? Or did I miss something?

EDIT: Oops - my bad. I see you mentioned that. But wouldn't that still be simpler and cheaper?

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

Just an "L" shaped power plug to replace the one on the battery adaptor plate, plus another one for the AC power adaptor would actually do for most people.
I just look for another solution, because I want to keep my 15mm LW rods on the back of my camera.
Even with the shorter "L" type plug you cannot get it in or out without unscrewing the 15mm LW bridge...

Plus: your "L" plugged cable would stick quite far out to the side, so you'd easily accidentally push/pull it.
I guess that would harm the socket of the camera over time...

Edit after your Edit: Cheers!

 

[Patrick Tresch]

The power plug is ok for a big camera not for the Epic IMHO and a L shape could do the trick but as you mention Sebastian it's not safe as it would stick out.

I'm really for a new option and redesign of an alternative the power supply. (who am I to say that ? :idea: )

It could also be a protective back cover with power a connector...

Pat

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

Sebastian, I had the same problem and thought about the right-angle connector as a solution. At times I have to mount my Epics in very tight spaces and the rear power cable gets in the way. Let us know how your solution works out. I'm going to order the Lemos today... BTW, Red? Are yous listening? How about a Red store cable/adapter addition?

Hi Michael,

It took some time, but here is a first pic of my DC Power Adaptor.

By now, this little box is already completely filled with a silicon-like mold, so there can't be any humidity issues in the future.

It attaches to the Easy Riser XL from Wooden Camera, sits rock solid and has perfect accessibility.

 

[Sebastian Winkels]

Here is how it looks on the camera: