C200: I found a better way to mount my C200 Touchscreen

All fine and good but many are looking for a way to move the touchscreen forward for shoulder mounted shooting. Mounting on this would move the touchscreen way back toward the shooter. The only hot shoe on the handle is way toward the rear of the camera.

Sure. I understand that. But this setup is good for a quick and easy "selfie mode" for Youtubers. Also I'd forget top handle and just screw in a cold shoe attachment directly onto the top 1/4 20" hole on the camera.
 
The LCD / Mic Mount by Canon is solid in build but overall it leaves a lot to be desired for me. I find it to be bulky and puts the LCD and Mic mount too far away from the center of the camera, making it much wider and higher than it needs to be. Having both items coupled together also is inconvenient for this, and the attachment point of the thumbscrew to the handle is very hard to tighten to the point where it doesn't wobble. You can use a hex wrench to tighten it and then it is more solid, but not convenient. In general the addition of thumbscrews is good but they don't provide enough leverage to really get stuff tight enough. Replacing the thumbscrew with a ratchet lever type of screw would help tighten these enough.

Mounting the LCD / hinge part directly to the top works but then the handle may not work. In addition the handle uses a thumbscrew in front, but requires a hex wrench for the back screw because the location for the back screw is too tight to fit a thumbscrew, making it inconvenient to get a safe, solid mount on the handle. I've been just using the front thumb screw in tests and it seems pretty solid with just that 1 screw, but if was using it a lot I'd probably put in a ratchet lever type of screw in the back hole as well. I like the ergonomics of the handle, this is one annoyance though and I may just replace it with something better especially since Canon cleverly included a mic shock mount point on the camera itself, which eliminates the need for the handle.

Luckily I've collected a ton of LCD / EVF mounting solutions over the years. There is good stuff from Smallrig for pretty good deal, and of course on of the 'cadillacs' of mounts from Zacuto, their Axis series, both mini and full which I have and use with their Gratical HD. I will most like forgo the included Canon LCD mount for another mount like these. Nato mounts are also good and versatile, and don't twist-off when torquing things attached to them like 1/4'-20 screw mounts do. Luckily Canon provided a lot of mounting holes in the C200 so I feel good about getting a versatile, compact rig with what I have. Kudos to Canon for trying to create something solid and include it on the C200, it's hard to create something that really works in this regard, though it's better than the included built -n LCD mounts on older camcorders.
 
I added a cheese plate to my setup, which throws it out another 1 1/2". But it can also be screwed right into the 1/4" thread on the camera.

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Here is my fully loaded setup for FB Live streaming.

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Reverse-side interview setup

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Travel-mode. Not as precarious as it looks, since the end of the monitor actually rests in something in my case.

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Thanks for the pictures Brett. Interesting setup although not having a carrying handle would be a PITA for me as I often need to grab the camera with one hand while slinging the tripod on my shouder and grabbing my Sachtler DR. 3 bag with my left hand. Shooting small crew documentary and BTS, I am often a mobile pack mule.
 
Thanks for the pictures Brett. Interesting setup although not having a carrying handle would be a PITA for me as I often need to grab the camera with one hand while slinging the tripod on my shouder and grabbing my Sachtler DR. 3 bag with my left hand. Shooting small crew documentary and BTS, I am often a mobile pack mule.

I feel you. I'm a one-man band which is even worse. I use a camera strap so I can have both hands free if necessary. I also use a side-pack for essentials so I can be away from my bag. I do plan to add a handle which projects forward towards the lens then attach the monitor to the end of the handle. This is the one I'm looking at: http://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-camera-camcorder-action-stabilizing-universal-handle-1984.html The foot can be moved relative to the handle, which is necessary with my crowded setup.

I have the old Petrol Dr. Bag 3, cause the Sachtler one won't fit under all airline seats as I am frequently on Canada Regional Jets. I have a permanent saved eBay search to snap any up.
 
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I love Small Rig stuff, I find it to be such a better value than most of the super expensive stuff, for certain things. That handle looks cool but I wonder if there is a way to mount it with a small piece of NATO rail so it is quickly and easily detachable? I bought the Smallrig handle mount setup for my C100 that uses their cheese plate/helmet and and a small piece of NATO rail and their detachable mount that fits into the C100 handle, it's genius and gets rid of all of the slop and squeaking in the stock handle and I can remove the handle in about :05.
 
I just got hold of a C200 which I will use extensively.

Started to put it together and realized just how poorly constructed the LCD/Microphone bracket assembly thing is. I thought my FS7 was kinda bad but in comparison it's really solid and easy to use. Five minutes after I unpacked it I ditched that bracket and just screwed the LCD holder straight into the front of the handle.

But yikes that LCD cable is a badly designed one. It's just awkwardly done and I don't get why they didn't looked closer on how the FS7 LCD cable connects sleek into the FS7 body. I also found the LCD swivel construction a thing that feels like it will break.
 
Thank you! After all day shoot..it really was perfect. It centers the balance of everything and it is SUPER lightweight compared to the awful mount that canon ships with it.

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IMG_0516.jpgIMG_1105.jpg And yes...that is me using a head light as a source...(we forgot our lights! Believe it or not this actually worked! lol)


You can buy the mount stand alone for $59.99 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340938-REG/smallhd_acc_mt_tiltarm_tilt_arm_mount_for.html

You have to install a cold shoe to the top 1/4 20 thread on the camera.
 
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You can buy the mount stand alone for $59.99 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340938-REG/smallhd_acc_mt_tiltarm_tilt_arm_mount_for.html

You have to install a cold shoe to the top 1/4 20 thread on the camera.

I dig this for cradled shooting, although doesn't do much for you for shoulder mounted shooting. Very nice idea. You might pick up a Hoodman H400 hood, it isn't perfect but will make the touchscreen usable outdoors although the reflections still suck.
 
I still hope for DHL to finally deliver the C200 (has been in "storage" for a week now due to a strike), but all the talk about the flimsy(?) LCD mount has made me less exited anyways.
Canon cuts corners and the wiggle of the e.g. the C100 handle is an example, but people being afraid sth will break sooner or later, is one of those things you don't want to hear about your
new 8K+ purchase.
Anyways, I was thinking of this immediately https://www.edelkrone.com/eu/p/115/monitor-holder
I always considered their product gimmicky, but the EVF holder is good according to a friend who uses it with a 1DX a while back.
Not fond of adding yet another 150 more after CFast and batteries...
 
I still hope for DHL to finally deliver the C200 (has been in "storage" for a week now due to a strike), but all the talk about the flimsy(?) LCD mount has made me less exited anyways.
Canon cuts corners and the wiggle of the e.g. the C100 handle is an example, but people being afraid sth will break sooner or later, is one of those things you don't want to hear about your
new 8K+ purchase.
Anyways, I was thinking of this immediately https://www.edelkrone.com/eu/p/115/monitor-holder
I always considered their product gimmicky, but the EVF holder is good according to a friend who uses it with a 1DX a while back.
Not fond of adding yet another 150 more after CFast and batteries...

I actually own that monitor holder (from my C100 days) and haven't tested with it yet. I can tonight and will take some pice for you guys.
 
I love Small Rig stuff, I find it to be such a better value than most of the super expensive stuff, for certain things. That handle looks cool but I wonder if there is a way to mount it with a small piece of NATO rail so it is quickly and easily detachable? I bought the Smallrig handle mount setup for my C100 that uses their cheese plate/helmet and and a small piece of NATO rail and their detachable mount that fits into the C100 handle, it's genius and gets rid of all of the slop and squeaking in the stock handle and I can remove the handle in about :05.

Here is my latest setup...almost there. I just need a slightly wider cheese plate to hold the handle.

IMG_4464.jpgIMG_4465.jpgIMG_4466.jpg
 
I still hope for DHL to finally deliver the C200 (has been in "storage" for a week now due to a strike), but all the talk about the flimsy(?) LCD mount has made me less exited anyways.

I have to say, after shooting with the C300 MKII the past year and a half, I was expecting the touchscreen holder on the C200 to be flimsy, have you used the stock handle and clamshell on the C300 MKII? It sags all over the place. Not the end the world, third parties are already picking up the slack. Yes, they are more money but at least you don't have to shell out $2k more for a proper EVF like the EVA 1 owners will. It's all relative.
 
Here is my latest setup...almost there. I just need a slightly wider cheese plate to hold the handle.

View attachment 126711View attachment 126712View attachment 126713

Have you shot with this shoulder mounted? It looks like you are getting enough forward extension to actually shoot shoulder mounted and use the touchscreen? My setup on the first page is almost there but it's still a little blurry for my non-close focusing eyesight. Usable, but not ideal yet.
 
Have you shot with this shoulder mounted?

No. It's not really my style. But I think it's still too close. I can look over the top of my glasses and view it that way (there are advantages to being near-sighted). I think you'd still need a loupe or something. If the screen goes any further out, it would be in the shot.

What I like about this setup is the monitor can be close, can be far, can be high, can be low, can be on the right-side. And it's always perpendicular to the lens. I was finding when my monitor got off perpendicular which happened frequently with the factory hinge, I would shoot crooked. I also want to see if I can rig up some sort of hood for shooting outdoors.
 
I have to say, after shooting with the C300 MKII the past year and a half, I was expecting the touchscreen holder on the C200 to be flimsy, have you used the stock handle and clamshell on the C300 MKII? It sags all over the place. Not the end the world, third parties are already picking up the slack. Yes, they are more money but at least you don't have to shell out $2k more for a proper EVF like the EVA 1 owners will. It's all relative.

I keep hearing how shitty and saggy the C300 Mark II clamshell/handle are... but I've had mine for a few months and I don't see it. Mine's really solid.

I replaced the handle with a Zacuto handle/helmet kit because A) I got a great deal on it and B) to make it easier to pull the handle off... but I was pretty happy with the stock handle's solidity.
 
Maybe it is suppose to be like that by design, not to brake when you hit something?

Manny handles and leavers require not to be fully tightened.
 
I keep hearing how s*%tty and saggy the C300 Mark II clamshell/handle are... but I've had mine for a few months and I don't see it. Mine's really solid.

I replaced the handle with a Zacuto handle/helmet kit because A) I got a great deal on it and B) to make it easier to pull the handle off... but I was pretty happy with the stock handle's solidity.

You must have lucked out. I rented a C300 MKII from lensrentals.com last week and the clamshell, no matter how hard you cranked down on the tie down knob, would sag and or rotate, depending on how you had it oriented. My friends C300 MKII, same thing. The Zacuto helmet and handle make the camera a lot more convenient to use. And those stupid AV cables, they do nothing but get in the way. I don't even like the touch screen cable on the C200 but at least it is more out of the way. You'd think that Bluetooth for monitoring or something like it, would be in place by now, we are shooting 4K-8K cameras with tons of dual processor sophisticated computing power in them yet we are attaching and powering the on board monitoring with 1970s technology. Lame. This is one more thing the manufacturers aren't listening to users about, eliminate the damn thick cables for monitoring the cameras LCD. At least go to smaller, thinner ribbon cables with integrated channels on the camera body so they are out of the way.
 
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