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WAFlowers
04-29-2009, 10:23 AM
For my semi-DIY shoulder support I am mounting a rod support system on the shoulder portion of an old Optex Cam Support. I have attached a cross rod with handles to achieve something similar to the RedRock shoulder mount.

The shoulder portion of the old Optex (a Christmas gift from 15 years ago) I always liked but the design had the camera far farward supported by a 2nd leg that rested on my chest to support the camera. The problem was everytime I took a breath the camera would go up and down.

I have removed the 2nd leg and attached the rod support where the camera would normally attach. This puts the camera further back, partly over my shoulder. The problem is that the attachment point on the shoulder support is lower than the top of the shoulder support. This causes the rods to rest on my shoulder instead of the shoulder pad.

Does anyone know of something I can put between the shoulder mount attachment and the base of the rod support to raise the rods? I have to go up 1/2" or so (must get exact measure of minimum rise needed).

I can visualize a block of aluminum with a 1/4-20 threaded hole and a screw in a slot, but my searches haven't found anyone who might make such a thing or anything else that might do the job?

One possibility I thought of was to put a Manfrotto quick release adapter under the rod support which would give me the bonus of quickly going from shoulder support to tripod, but I don't know if it would raise it enough.

Or maybe someone can suggest an "outside the box" solution.

If you need photos to help visualize the problem let me know.

WAFlowers
04-30-2009, 09:50 AM
Here's a photo (pardon the quality) that shows the problem. The bars rest on my shoulder, painfully, instead of the shoulder pad.

If I can find a scrap block of aluminum there's a machine shop here and people who will machine it for me as a friend. So maybe I have the problem solved.

Maybe.

WAFlowers
04-30-2009, 10:01 AM
Another grainy picture complete with my prototype DIY sunshade. (Can't call it a matte box because there is no lens holder.) The sunshade design is going to change significantly and gain side shades and an eyebrow out of 1/8" baltic birch.

Also the handles still have to be wrapped with grip tape, a LCD monitor attached to the cross bar and a platform for the monitor batteries rigged to the back end of the rods. I know how to make and attach the platform but it won't fit until I raise the rod support system.