So, after getting hit in the face by a rogue Ninja Blade on an articulating arm on-set, I decided it was time to buy a proper monitor/EVF mount. Did some digging, found that Cinema 5D article etc. But then I checked eBay and found what looked to be an Indian-made near-exact replica of the excellent Wooden Camera model that I had used in the past at less than half the price. Problem was, I could find barely any info on it. Well, I took the plunge and am quite happy with it, so here's my impressions for anybody else in the same position.
There seem to be quite a few different models available with little documentation as to what actually differentiates them, beyond their appearance. I decided to go with the one that most resembled the Wooden Camera V2, as it looked to be the most adjustable of the lot, with both tilt and up-down position locks directly on the NATO clamp. Having had time to use it, I can say that these work quite well - they have enough friction to stay stable so that I can adjust them with one hand when shooting handheld.
The only other lock is on the 15mm rail, which controls pivot and left-right position. This is a fair bit tighter than the one on the Wooden Camera, which is annoying when you're sliding the rail in, but in operation this, again, adds friction for one handed use. I tried stress testing it with my Ninja Blade and two heavy NP-F970 batteries and it held as long as I didn't over-loosen it. Nice. I attached mine to the my new SmallRig C100 top plate (another Wooden Camera clone, as it happens, this one from China) and see myself leaving it there. One concern there is, as with the Wooden Camera version, the tightening knob is excessively large. Why!? At least it is one of those that can be pulled up and rotated to a more comfortable position. Might get a hacksaw and a file and downsize it at some point.
Finally the monitor/EVF bracket is, as with the rest of the unit, very similar to the WC, except there is no option for a monitor attachment like the one WC has (and sells for extra cost). This, I am not so keen on, as there is a lot of metal-on-metal contact between the mounting bracket and my monitor - it's going to scratch! This can be worked around fairly easily, though. I used a little rubber washer, though I would like to find something with more surface area.
Ok, now, how does it actually stack up to the $450+ Wooden Camera model? Well, the manufacturing process (I refuse to use the word "build quality", as that implies that things are going to break) is noticeably rougher. The aluminium has a lot of little nicks and scratches on it which, in turn, makes moving parts feel quite "scratchy". Nonetheless, it feels solid, it's all metal and is not going to fall apart any time soon.
So what exactly are you getting, then? You're saving $250 and getting a less polished product, but one that gets the job done. I'm fine with that.
There seem to be quite a few different models available with little documentation as to what actually differentiates them, beyond their appearance. I decided to go with the one that most resembled the Wooden Camera V2, as it looked to be the most adjustable of the lot, with both tilt and up-down position locks directly on the NATO clamp. Having had time to use it, I can say that these work quite well - they have enough friction to stay stable so that I can adjust them with one hand when shooting handheld.
The only other lock is on the 15mm rail, which controls pivot and left-right position. This is a fair bit tighter than the one on the Wooden Camera, which is annoying when you're sliding the rail in, but in operation this, again, adds friction for one handed use. I tried stress testing it with my Ninja Blade and two heavy NP-F970 batteries and it held as long as I didn't over-loosen it. Nice. I attached mine to the my new SmallRig C100 top plate (another Wooden Camera clone, as it happens, this one from China) and see myself leaving it there. One concern there is, as with the Wooden Camera version, the tightening knob is excessively large. Why!? At least it is one of those that can be pulled up and rotated to a more comfortable position. Might get a hacksaw and a file and downsize it at some point.
Finally the monitor/EVF bracket is, as with the rest of the unit, very similar to the WC, except there is no option for a monitor attachment like the one WC has (and sells for extra cost). This, I am not so keen on, as there is a lot of metal-on-metal contact between the mounting bracket and my monitor - it's going to scratch! This can be worked around fairly easily, though. I used a little rubber washer, though I would like to find something with more surface area.
Ok, now, how does it actually stack up to the $450+ Wooden Camera model? Well, the manufacturing process (I refuse to use the word "build quality", as that implies that things are going to break) is noticeably rougher. The aluminium has a lot of little nicks and scratches on it which, in turn, makes moving parts feel quite "scratchy". Nonetheless, it feels solid, it's all metal and is not going to fall apart any time soon.
So what exactly are you getting, then? You're saving $250 and getting a less polished product, but one that gets the job done. I'm fine with that.
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