a7Siii hotshoe mic and a monitor

[ianthom]

Hi all,
I use the sony ECM-b10 on camera mic with my sony A7S3 as it is a great run and gun, quick and reliable option. The only issue is that it needs to use the hot shoe, so looking for mounting/cage suggestions for the smallest, lightest possible rig to also mount the Ninja V? anyone got any experience or ideas? I travel with this kit, as carry on, a lot so lightweight is crucial
Thanks in advance!

 

[Peter C.]

I did a fair amount of research on cages. IMHOP there isn't a huge weight difference between full and half. I got a full cage from SmallRig for more mounting options and less likely to twist. Half cages are better for gimbal. There are a lot of videos on the subject and with ideas for builds. Here's just one.

 

[ianthom]

I’d need something that didn’t obstruct the hotshot though…a half rig option from small rig could be an option, but not sure how I could get the monitor and the mic playing nicely together…

 

[NorBro]

The monitor can be mounted on top to any of the 1/4 or 3/8 threads with a swivel, and the shotgun mic can be mounted to the side also with a swivel or a dedicated mic holder that is on a thumbscrew 1/4 or 3/8 adapter.

I used to use dedicated cages but then kept switching cameras a lot so stopped and used more of a larger, universal one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...age_large.html

But then stopped that and used a baseplate with 15mm rods and a 15mm adapter (with a swivel on top of that), and had my Atomos monitor on that behind the camera LCD and the shotgun mic was on the camera's shoe.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...rod_clamp.html

With all that said, it will always be a mess attaching multiple accessories to a small camera because something has to go somewhere and always comes loose or blocks something or the weight balance is wacky or you have to spend time changing the rig for another job, etc.

 

[morgan_moore]

Im just trying to add the ability to add a godox flash trigger to my canon r6 this uses the hotshoe.

Im assuming this mic MUST use the hotshoe and therefor clashes with traditional hande positioning. Same deal.

--

Anyway I think you need to place the bits where you want them and make a choice.

Then hunt the bits you want and buy them or make them from ali sheet/extrusion or get that done.

Using a mirrorless I dont use a shogun - why do you want that? Throwing it away may help you. Of course a mic on a lead might help too.

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The value of the monitor is a serious question. Having the cam to your eye in the sun is good, Using flipout for lowmode is good. Using AF means you dont need many LPI to monitor you just need a green box on your subject. (or however sony AF works)

For 'travel' I would not want more batteries, silly easy break cables to get a "cant see in the sun" monitor blocking my "can see in the sun" viewfinder.

No one cares or can tell a change in codec. Maybe ILM plates need deep resolution but that is not the job you are doing?

 

[NorBro]

P.S. I just realized which mic you're using and, yeah, you're not going to be able to use most cages because they use the camera's shoe to mount securely to the camera, so you might have to use one of the bigger, universal ones that are more like accessory square frames.

 

[morgan_moore]

P.S. I just realized which mic you're using and, yeah, you're not going to be able to use most cages because they use the camera's shoe to mount securely to the camera, so you might have to use one of the bigger, universal ones that are more like accessory square frames.

On my R6 the smallrig full cage does allow use of that godox hotshoe flash trigger.I guess if that trigger works a mic would work. But you lose the logical place to put a handle (and external monitor - neither of which I would bother with)

 

[ianthom]

I found this which is a hothsoe extender, it kind of solves my problem, but I still need a way to mount the mic (as the extender doesn't allow this) maybe I could hack together some to connect the mic using this cable?

 

[NorBro]

On my R6 the smallrig full cage does allow use of that godox hotshoe flash trigger.I guess if that trigger works a mic would work. But you lose the logical place to put a handle (and external monitor - neither of which I would bother with)

Which cage?

 

[Peter C.]

I’d need something that didn’t obstruct the hotshot though…a half rig option from small rig could be an option, but not sure how I could get the monitor and the mic playing nicely together…

The full cage doesn't obstruct the hot shoe. I mount the monitor on top of the handle, leaving the top of the camera free. If you don't want to add a handle you would need an articulating arm to move the monitor away from the hot shoe. There are many to choose from but here is one. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1593279-REG/smallrig_2065b_7_inch_articulating_arm.html

This is my rig without the monitor mounted.

 

[ianthom]

Yeah nice…I’m thinking the ninja V on top of a handle could be a good option actually
i might need to head into a dealer and try a few options to see what will fit

 

[Peter C.]

Yeah nice…I’m thinking the ninja V on top of a handle could be a good option actually
i might need to head into a dealer and try a few options to see what will fit

Note when the monitor is mounted on the handle it can interfere with the flip out screen and hdmi port. I bought nato rail extension that moves the handle forward and away from the camera body. Most find moving the monitor away from you advantageous because when the camera is held close to your body for stability it's difficult to see the monitor. A monitor tilt adapter is essential for most builds.

 

[morgan_moore]

Which cage?

like pete c's cage.

 

[morgan_moore]

Still no comment on why the OP wants a atomos.

I get it. 2009 DSLR the mirror VF did not work in live view/filming mode and screens were not flippy .. so an external monitor was basically needed. Now just a liability IMO.

Sure I have an atomos - its on a stand for the director and the view, record playback are all wonderful but attached to the camera is the last place it is needed.

 

[NorBro]

Yeah, that cage design is nicer. So many of them used to attach to the shoe.

As far as the monitor, likely the usual reasons; focus (even with AF lenses), composition, LUTs, back-up recording, other tools the monitor offers that the camera doesn't...gotta be at least one of these, ha.

 

[Imamacuser]

The OP could get a Sony 1-002-838-11 cable (same one that comes with a XLR-K3M), and offset the mic to another part of the cage, but the cable seems way over priced at $155.

I attach my field monitor to a short-horizontal 15mm rod mounted to the top left of the cage, which wallows me to still use the top handle mounted on a Nato rail in front of the hotshoe, and I bolted a small right angle bracket with a coldshoe to the right side of the cage to hold an on-camera-mic or wireless mic receiver.

P.S. If possible, power your monitor off the DC input rather than a heavy L-series battery, as this will lower the center of gravity and improve balance, particularly if you have a Gripper battery or power bank mounted to 15mm rails at the back of the rig. If I'm on a tripod, I'll often power the camera & field monitor off DC extension cables run to a power bank sitting on the ground.