A List of Firestore On Camera or Rail Mounting Devices

B

borax

Active member
Hi,

I have been looking for the best way to attach the Firestore FS-100 to my HVX. So far I have found these links:

http://www.geardear.com/
(bottom of the page - cageFS-100)

http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=13&cat=36&page=1
(FS mounting kit)

http://www.16x9inc.com/cgibin/eDatCat/169store.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=BE-BOX-FS
(bebob)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=409363
(some Anton Bauer mount - might not work on HVX??)

These are the options that I have found. Can anyone comment on any of these. (obviously I have already read the recent forum posts on the Bebob)

If there are any other options I have left out please let me know what they are.

I would love to be able to take the Firestore off of my "belt" at some point.

Thanks
 
I'm in the middle of purchasing GearDear's cage. I already have their mattebox, baseplate, rails, backpack, and french flag with side wings. I love it all.

When I receive my cage, I'll post a review.
 
I've posted some photos of Geardear cage on Zacuto rails. I have also mounted it on a DVMultiRig.

The Geardear cage is one of the best inexpensive products I've seen.

Pics will be coming.

We're going to be iced-in in Dallas this weekend, so I'll hopefully gets lots of odds and ends like this taken care of-- provided we don't lose power.

Ned Soltz
 
Borax,
I can vouch for the Zacuto rig. It's sturdy and versatile. I've used it while shooting a documentary on hump back whales... another on black bears and on every other production I have done since last summer.
Jim
 
Focus makes a holder for the FS100 that mounts on the hotshoe. That's what I use and really like it.
 
I have used the Focus holder and returned it. First of all, I am very skeptical about mounting anything with that weight on the hotshoe. But most troublesome is the fact that the on-board mikes pick up the sound of the Firestore fan. Focus recognizes this as well.

Ned Soltz
 
I've never noticed any sound pick up from the mics. That would make sense though. My FS100 is vertually silent. Where does Focus recognize that? Thanks for the info!
 
The sound issue was acknowledged by a Focus rep. Mine is silent as well-- until the fan kicks in. That would then produce enough sound to pick up. Now your other option is to use the FS-100 mount on a Noga arm on the back rails and plate of a Zacuto rig. I still think the Geardear cage either on rails or a DVMultiRig is the best solution. You get mounting options plus additional protection for the FS-100.

Ned
 
Call me paranoid, but I like the protection of the Geardear cage. Prior to finding it, we were using my AC's FS-4(?) on his XL-2, and I refused to hold it or be responsible for it while shooting, because I've never trusted the flimsy belt clip. He uses it all the time like that, but I've had a cellphone fall and break (and seen it happen to many others many times) because belt clips like that broke. And I don't like the hotshoe idea either.

I think a Noga arm or some plate on the rails is a great idea, but then there's still the issue of protection when it gets bashed/dropped (and trust me, no matter how careful you are, it can happen) - plus the hotshoe adapter attaches to the belt clip part, and that's all plastic if I'm not mistaken.

I had been looking for a good soft-side pouch or case that would hold the FS, but I couldn't find anything that would still let the fan breathe - then I found the Geardear cage. I've never felt the housing on the FireStores is all that durable, and I can imagine it in several pieces from a short drop. Until I found the Geardear cage, I wasn't willing to buy the FS.

Now my buddy's Marshall monitor? That's a tank, and I've never felt that needed extra protection (that's why I ordered one).

I'd go Geardear cage or the Bebob Box-FS (16x9inc.com), but the Box only offers you protection when the FS in in the slot, and I can leave the Cage on all the time (except when changing batteries, I believe).
 
If I remember correctly, cage was $75

And czar emphasizes my point that the cage affords the greatest protection for this expensive piece of gear.

Ned
 
If you dont have anything in the mean time, I have had to loosen the hand strap on the HVX and slip the FS in, then tighten it up. I also wrapped the firewire around and underneath the FS to make sure it cant go anywhere. This is no way the best solution, just temporary fix while you wait for something more secure.
 
email gear dear for cage price. I have the cage and it works beautifully! Lightweight and they even have an "L-Mount" so it mounts on the back thread of the HVX. Very nice! I would highly recommend it!
 
i've used two zacuto options. the noga arm and a wireless mount with a gentle, but firmly placed wide zip tie. both worked well; tho' for handheld, the noga was nice to put the FS-100 out of harms way, yet still be able to keep an eye on it to make sure it's working!
 

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zone6 said:
Focus makes a holder for the FS100 that mounts on the hotshoe. That's what I use and really like it.
Click to expand...

Over the past few months I've found mine cumbersome, and now with the new longer life Focus battery, their horshoe mount is useless (doesn't accomodate the larger battery). Anyone looking to buy a slightly used Focus hotshoe mount?

robotx21 said:
...I have the cage and it works beautifully! Lightweight and they even have an "L-Mount" so it mounts on the back thread of the HVX. Very nice! I would highly recommend it!
Click to expand...

robotx21, when you mention mounting to the back thread of the HVX do you mean the thread on the top back area of the handle? If I can find something lighter/cheaper than the Bebob box I'm in. But the recent changes to the Box-FS are looking nice.

- John
 
John J. said:
Over the past few months I've found mine cumbersome, and now with the new longer life Focus battery, their horshoe mount is useless (doesn't accomodate the larger battery). Anyone looking to buy a slightly used Focus hotshoe mount?



robotx21, when you mention mounting to the back thread of the HVX do you mean the thread on the top back area of the handle? If I can find something lighter/cheaper than the Bebob box I'm in. But the recent changes to the Box-FS are looking nice.

- John
Click to expand...

Yes, that is correct. What I like about it is you have visual access to the screen and all controls so you know you are recording. It is extremely light and very sturdy as well.

p.s. This was typed using the Nintendo Wii browser and Wii remote.
 
Any chance of posting pics of your cage mounted with the bracket? Is the bracket an additional order to the cage, or from another company? Thanks.

- John
 
But with the Geardear, it seems like you can't use a lense adapter and the Firestore at the same time because the rails are only long enough for one.
 
That's the great thing about the GearDear baseplate... it's got 8 tension points (four on each side). I use mine with the 18" RedRock rails sticking out the front and halfway into the base (still being held by four points), and 10" GearDear rails coming out the back (also halfway into the base and held by four points). I mount the GearDear backpack on the back, and I can mount the cage there, as well as strap on my wireless hop. And I can have the RedRock on the front, with the GearDear mattebox in front of it. Great setup. One of these days, I'll take a good picture and post it. Plus I have room to attach a Noga arm to the backpack, for my Marshall.
 
Sounds good.

Now what about run and gun shooting? Is it painless to shoot with just the camera and the GearDear? How's the weight distribution and balance?
 
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