Articulating arm suggestions, please, for PIX-E5

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David_

Active member
I want to attach a PIX-E5 (a 5 inch recording monitor) off the left side of a DVX200 to hang below the onboard viewer. I need an arm/device that attaches on the top of the DVX, comes across, then drops down 90 degrees and then turns 90 degrees again to attach to the top of the PIX-E5.

It needs to be stout and short so that the monitor won't tend to flop and sway while run and gun shooting. The camera will be used on a shoulder rig so the bottom will be in use; however, another option would be some kind of plate on the bottom of the camera to which an arm could be attached.

Any suggestions?
 
I'd go to Ace Hardware and fab something up that mounts to the bottom or cobble up something using DSLR flash mount brackets/hardware (my pile of DSLR flash brackets/mounts has come in handy for stuff like this). Those articulating "Israeli Arm" things - at least the ones I've got, and I've got a bunch - aren't that ridged or stable especially when going out to the max of their reach. They COULD work, but in my experience you end up readjusting A LOT as they get knocked out of position really easy or just droop. Check out SmallRig as I am assuming your shoulder rig has rails. I think I saw a rail mount bracket that (along with a few other bits) could allow for a rail attachment which may the the cleanest, sturdiest, flex free option....
 
I use Noga/Israeli/articulating Arms all the time. The real ones are made by Noga, and they make arms big/long/strong enough to do what you need this one to do for this application. Look at my BTS and you'll see Noga Arms all over the place.

Just figure the distance from point to point where you need the arm to reach and what to reach around, and then figure how heavy your PIX-E5 is plus accessories. Then take into consideration the mount threads and if you want to go with the 1/4-20" or the 3/8-16" camera to whatever the thread is on the PIX-E5 (probably 1/4-20). There will be a Noga arm for that...and you can even buy bushings to adapt different thread sizes. Know that your rig will want to capsize to port, but you'll have what you need, and where you need it.

Real Noga arms are medical-grade and should last a really long time while keeping your gear precisely where you put it.

Also, this shouldn't need to be mentioned, but you want the kind of arm that has one knob for locking everything simultaneously. Place the monitor where you need it, tighten. Done. And, with a real Noga arm, you only need it to be hand-tight.

Make sure you carry an adequate pair of pliers with you from now on to fasten the arm to the equipment and vice-versa.

ADDENDUM:

I definitely also recommend SmallRig if you go in a direction other than an articulating arm. Though their EVF Mount may not be exactly what you're looking for (or it might be), just in general, they're just as good as Wooden Camera or Zacuto in the quality department, and at a fraction of the price. It should be noted SmallRig does also make articulating arms.
 
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I would suggest going to B&H and search for "ram mounts". There are 100's of results centered around a system based on 1" hard plastic balls and clamps. It is possible to build almost anything, lightweight and rock solid.
 
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