Compact/low profile top handle

QuickHitRecord

QuickHitRecord

Veteran
I have a C200, but this applies to all cinema cameras. I really don't like having a top handle that impedes the view of a center-mounted monitor. What are some of the smaller and less obtrusive top handles that you have found (that can hold the weight of a kitted out cinema camera -- let's say, 12lbs)? Here is one that I am looking at:

SmallRig MD2393
smallrig-universal-top-handle-for-cinematic-cameras-md2393-02__49917.1565058204.jpg

For comparison, here is another top handle with more common dimensions:

SmallRig 1955
1955-SR-2__85873.1514526762.jpg
 
A good low profile handle is worth it’s weight in gold.

I have yet to find a good low profile handle.

Vocas currently makes my favorite top handle.


The one in your first photo looks promising.

I actually bought the second one. I used it temporarily till i could get a real handle.

My only gripe with smallrig is how weak the aluminum is.
 
What would you consider to be your "ideal" top handle? Needs:

#1 screw to common cages (defined bolt spacing)

After that, what size and shape (with dimensions)? Hanging off the front/back, or "gripable" over the camera body"? Hanging off could be lower, over the camera body requires a certain amount of height so you can get your fingers around it.

I have one like the second example, it mounts on a rail and moves though I have only moved it to create balance. Yes it is pretty tall, yes it does get in the way a bit. A look at the Wooden Camera page, and all their handles are tall.
 
Greg_E said:
What would you consider to be your "ideal" top handle? Needs:

#1 screw to common cages (defined bolt spacing)

After that, what size and shape (with dimensions)? Hanging off the front/back, or "gripable" over the camera body"? Hanging off could be lower, over the camera body requires a certain amount of height so you can get your fingers around it.

I have one like the second example, it mounts on a rail and moves though I have only moved it to create balance. Yes it is pretty tall, yes it does get in the way a bit. A look at the Wooden Camera page, and all their handles are tall.
Click to expand...

Handles have to fit the user and the camera build. Considering how often shooters change their camera build, finding the right low profile handle involves more factors than it used to.

Best to have two or three handles.

I am constantly using different cameras and different builds. So, i’ve never been able to get one handle to do everything. Vocas is my go to, but it is a little taller than i need sometimes.
 
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James0b57 said:
I actually bought the second one. I used it temporarily till i could get a real handle.

My only gripe with smallrig is how weak the aluminum is.
Click to expand...

I have a variation of this one right now on my C200, without the NATO clamp (which always seems to increase the overall height of the top handle in my experience). It's a little too long for the C200, but I have the center post in the middle and have been using it as a "T" grip -- two fingers on either side. However, I don't like how far back needs to extend and I don't fully trust the two little screws to bear all of that weight though. For heavier cameras, a solid piece of aluminum is better.

James0b57 said:
What do you think of this handle?

NICEYRIG Camera Top Handle Handgrip with 15mm Rod Clamp Cold Shoe Mounts for DSLR Cameras/Camcorder/Action Cameras Cages https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LCDGVK6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IsMuDb3ARD7DF
Click to expand...

It looks nice but I personally like some contours for my fingers (or at least something with a little more width to fit my hand).

Greg_E said:
After that, what size and shape (with dimensions)? Hanging off the front/back, or "gripable" over the camera body"? Hanging off could be lower, over the camera body requires a certain amount of height so you can get your fingers around it.
Click to expand...

For my C200, I'd like to mount a top handle "backwards" facing my 5" monitor (mounted Red-style) but without blocking it. I could almost pull it off if SmallRig's top plate for the C200 was just a little longer. The little stubby top handle in my original post might fit the bill. I just wish that it had an offset so that one of your fingers could go around the back side of the post.

This one from Camvate almost fits the bill, but it's a little too long, and a little too tall:

s-l1600.jpg

I also have one of these from SmallRig, but it's about 33% too large. It would be great for a larger, heavier camera though:

71CtVtcAoFL._SL1500_.jpg
 
The rail adds a lot of height. Making one without the rail mount might not be that hard.

Kind of need to see your camera and a sketch of what you would want to go farther.
 
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Greg_E said:
Kind of need to see your camera and a sketch of what you would want to go farther.
Click to expand...

I didn't want to make this thread all about me and my ergonomic challenges, but rather about compact top handles in general. But since you asked:

IMG_0309.jpg

You can kind of see what I am going for here. If I can get a top handle that sits a little lower, I could slide the top handle forward to accommodate more fingers.

I really like that scorpion-style top handle from SmallRig, but I think it would put the front of the handle right where the current one already is. Plus, I don't want to be putting all of the camera's weight on a single Arri locking pin.

I ended up just ordering the new mini SmallRig handle (MD2393). It was only $40 and might be enough for my needs.
 
Please update. I’d be curious to know how the new handle works in the real world.

I’ll say, i didn’t understand your first post, as i didn’t realize you had a screen there. Looking at C200s i’d never seen that configuration yet. Very Red like.
 
Yes, so far it's the best configuration that I've been able to come up with. The camera's LCD is for touch focus (which is truly remarkable and greatly improving my keep rate), and the high-bright monitor is good for general composition and monitoring outdoors in bright sunlight. Ten or even five years ago I never would have imagined having this kind of technology available to me. All that's lacking is the most low-tech thing of all: the right top handle.
 
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Haha! Go figure.

A handle is so important though. The wrong handle makes life difficult.


I posted this rig on a battery thread, but it also works to show the versatility of the handle i use. I put the EVF and Daybright 7” on the 15mm rod. That way they are fully articulating, and clear the handle. A little bulky, but is one of the few grab and go rigs. Just didn’t include the mattebox:


i like having the option of an EVF. And often i prefer it. But somethings a 7” makes life easier. And like you say, auto focus is so under rated in the video world, but is fast becoming a requirement.
 
I don’t have any pictures of it, but i have also put a dovetail rail on the top of my handle, and the attached the 7” monitor on a pivot bracket. That way i can slide it forward if i am doing low angle handheld, or slide it to the back if i am sitting on sticks for a long interview.

EDIT: actually, just decided to take a picture of it, since it was detached cuurently:

48534487207_b11545a4df.jpg
 
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James0b57 said:
I’ll say, i didn’t understand your first post, as i didn’t realize you had a screen there. Looking at C200s i’d never seen that configuration yet. Very Red like.
Click to expand...

That's why I asked too. Probably not a big task to make something, especially if you have an old handle that is close and just need that riser piece to be made differently.

The other question would be, how well does it work if the monitor is on top of the handle? Probably wrecks balance and function, but worth asking.
 
James, that is one heck of a rig. Never realized that you also had an a7S ii. The Vocas stuff looks really nice, some of the best around.

Greg, I've found that putting the monitor on top of the handle makes the rig too top-heavy for my liking. However, my last setup involved attaching the monitor mount to the front of the Red-style handle. That took care of the clearance problem, but the center of gravity of the camera was off. Another option would be to flip the top handle back around so that the butt is facing the shooter, and attach it towards the rear of the top plate. But that would make the EVF unusable. It's a conundrum.
 
QuickHitRecord said:
James, that is one heck of a rig. Never realized that you also had an a7S ii. The Vocas stuff looks really nice, some of the best around.

Greg, I've found that putting the monitor on top of the handle makes the rig too top-heavy for my liking. However, my last setup involved attaching the monitor mount to the front of the Red-style handle. That took care of the clearance problem, but the center of gravity of the camera was off. Another option would be to flip the top handle back around so that the butt is facing the shooter, and attach it towards the rear of the top plate. But that would make the EVF unusable. It's a conundrum.
Click to expand...

I’ve never owned one. Always rented a friend’s. I never wanted to buy another 8bit camera, and hundreds of A7 owners have cameras laying around, hardly being used. Figure i give them money than buy one.

With a dummy battery, a monitor is loght enough to go top mount for most of my setups, and it allows the handle grip to be mounted farther forward so the rig isn’t fron heavy.

But you rig looks completely different, and you aren’t using brick batts or anything.
 
OK, what if you went totally custom... What if the monitor mount pivot was built into the end of the handle? You could have a complete "loop" of a handle attached front and back. You could also (maybe) lower it to about 30mm between bottom of handle, and top of camera (maybe), 40mm would be better.
 
Yeah, that looks pretty good. You just have to be gentle with the small rig stuff, as the wear out more quickly. But i guess you’ll just buy more and then adapt to a new rig any way.

Camera industry could be more thoughtful of waste. We’ll see. It is currently a consumer sport.
 
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