Improving Odyssey 7Q+ for use with A7s with 3 little accessories?

A

A7s_user

Active member
I've bought the Odyssey 7Q+ some weeks ago for my A7s for UHD recording. Now I have a FS7 too, but one has to leave (its just too expensive for a professional hobby). It might be, that I keep the A7s + Odyssey, since it is lighter and gives similar results as the FS7 for my special interest filming.

To make it short: the Odyssey does a great job, with the last firmeware, introducing "lighter" ProRes codecs it becomes even better for my needs. BUT, I am really annoyed by the general handling and would like to improve it for my shootings, which are always outdoors in the dark. I don't want to rig the A7s heavily, I want to keep it as it is. I've searched within the long discussion threads, but would like to ask fresh - maybe some newer hints improve the solutions.

1.) The HDMI connection is of course not the fault of CD, but the the plugs connect so flimsy, it should not be used outdoors - but I have to. I've already lost one important shot because of strong wind, disconnecting the HDMI on Odyssey side (leaving the footage broken and showing a never ending blinking warning "disconnected", even after it returned with the next clip).

a.) On A7s side I will use the plastic clip, that comes with the A7s, although its not a perfect solution to have it clamped for very use. Is there a "easier" solution, to fix HDMI on A7s side? Buyable or 3D printable?
b.) Even worse is the HDMI on the Odyssey side. Why is it so close to the screw thread? Its impossible to use this side to fix the Odyssey at the tripod with a clamp. However, is there some kind of buyable or printable solution, like a clip that uses the tripod and/or the M4 threads to fix the HDMI connection cable? How do you secure the plugs on both sides?

2.) I would like to easily fix the Odyssey together with the A7s on a tripod. But as mentioned in -1b- one side of the Odyssey is blocked because of the HDMI plug. The other side is not perfect too, because than one does not reach the F2 shut down button anymore. So I really would like to use the back of the Odyssey - but with the CD plate for Sony U-batteries screwed onto the back, there is too little space left for a Manfrotto fast changing plate like it comes with the Manfrotto 494. That would have been a perfect solution. Does anybody know a smaller similar plate or short arm, that I could join with a Manfrotto Super Clamp to easily fix it at a tripod?

3.) The power connection plug from the battery-plate is very long, reaching out several cm - introducing the danger of beeing knicked or bent down. Probably it is an industry standard, but I would like to have a L-shaped adapter to protect the power cable by laying it sidewards behind the SDI connections. Is that possible?

And a last question: how to you protect the foil of the Odyssey? I thought it would be just a protection foil and was almost going to remove it - short enough I've felt the printed letters on it. The foil does not glue perfectly everywhere, there are some edges around from the very beginning, which are not fixed to the glass. Its just a question of time, when moisture and dust will destroy the foil. How do you protect it? Do you take some masking film around the Odyssey?

Thanks for any hint,
best regards in advance.
 
If it's only for the A7s, the coming Video Devices PIX-E 5H could be a cheaper and more practical solution? It's a 5" screen, which would make the setup smaller. Not available until later this summer.
The main advantage of the 7Q, as I see it, is the possibility of recording 4K in 60p. But the A7s can't output that anyway.
 
A7s_user said:
I've bought the Odyssey 7Q+ some weeks ago for my A7s for UHD recording. Now I have a FS7 too, but one has to leave (its just too expensive for a professional hobby). It might be, that I keep the A7s + Odyssey, since it is lighter and gives similar results as the FS7 for my special interest filming.

To make it short: the Odyssey does a great job, with the last firmeware, introducing "lighter" ProRes codecs it becomes even better for my needs. BUT, I am really annoyed by the general handling and would like to improve it for my shootings, which are always outdoors in the dark. I don't want to rig the A7s heavily, I want to keep it as it is. I've searched within the long discussion threads, but would like to ask fresh - maybe some newer hints improve the solutions.

1.) The HDMI connection is of course not the fault of CD, but the the plugs connect so flimsy, it should not be used outdoors - but I have to. I've already lost one important shot because of strong wind, disconnecting the HDMI on Odyssey side (leaving the footage broken and showing a never ending blinking warning "disconnected", even after it returned with the next clip).

a.) On A7s side I will use the plastic clip, that comes with the A7s, although its not a perfect solution to have it clamped for very use. Is there a "easier" solution, to fix HDMI on A7s side? Buyable or 3D printable?
b.) Even worse is the HDMI on the Odyssey side. Why is it so close to the screw thread? Its impossible to use this side to fix the Odyssey at the tripod with a clamp. However, is there some kind of buyable or printable solution, like a clip that uses the tripod and/or the M4 threads to fix the HDMI connection cable? How do you secure the plugs on both sides?

2.) I would like to easily fix the Odyssey together with the A7s on a tripod. But as mentioned in -1b- one side of the Odyssey is blocked because of the HDMI plug. The other side is not perfect too, because than one does not reach the F2 shut down button anymore. So I really would like to use the back of the Odyssey - but with the CD plate for Sony U-batteries screwed onto the back, there is too little space left for a Manfrotto fast changing plate like it comes with the Manfrotto 494. That would have been a perfect solution. Does anybody know a smaller similar plate or short arm, that I could join with a Manfrotto Super Clamp to easily fix it at a tripod?

3.) The power connection plug from the battery-plate is very long, reaching out several cm - introducing the danger of beeing knicked or bent down. Probably it is an industry standard, but I would like to have a L-shaped adapter to protect the power cable by laying it sidewards behind the SDI connections. Is that possible?

And a last question: how to you protect the foil of the Odyssey? I thought it would be just a protection foil and was almost going to remove it - short enough I've felt the printed letters on it. The foil does not glue perfectly everywhere, there are some edges around from the very beginning, which are not fixed to the glass. Its just a question of time, when moisture and dust will destroy the foil. How do you protect it? Do you take some masking film around the Odyssey?

Thanks for any hint,
best regards in advance.
Click to expand...

Let me try to answer your questions in order.

1. HDMI connections
(1a) HDMI on A7s. There are a few solutions for the camera, but you noted that you do not wish to add the weight of a cage. I would suggest using a LockPort, which is a small plate that fits between the bottom of the camera and a tripod and includes an HDMI adapter that is held rigidly in place at the camera's side.
(1b) HDMI on the Odyssey7Q+. The small threaded socket above the HDMI input is a 4mm and the larger one below it is a 1/4"x20. Screw an eyebolt into the socket and then use a ziptie as a strain relief to hold the HDMI connector securely in the Odyssey. Works perfectly and costs pennies.

2. Mounting the Odyssey
I suggest using a small ball head mount to attach the Odyssey7Q+ to the top of the camera. The Manfrotto 492LCD is very strong and fits on the rear of the Odyssey with the battery plate in place.

3. Power connection
There is no right angle connector or adapter made for this plug. If the cable gets in your way I suggest using a bit of electrical tape to secure it to the battery plate, pulling the excess up.

4. "Foil"
The Odyssey has a replaceable peel-off / stick-on screen protector attached when it ships. It is there to protect the surface of the OLED panel, which is in turn mounted to a Gorilla Glass protective surface. If the scree protector gets damaged or the edges peel off, a replacement is available from any of our dealers for a modest price (I think it's about $30). This is the same sort of screen protector commonly available for consumer smart phones and tablets. Installation is simple. Clean the screen surface and apply the protector from the center out, using a credit card edge to smooth out any air bubbles. If you want to put something around the edges to protect the screen protector from wearing early then go ahead, but it is meant to be sacrificed and replaced as needed.
 
@dmitrizigany
Thanks. Of course I will always have a look at new gimmicks. But I need a recorder now and the Odyssey does a good job, is solidly made - and I am just annoyed by some things, which maybe can be improved.

@Mitch
Thank you for you time and hints.
1a) LockPort: the port by LockCircle looks very interesting and is exactly what I was looking for. But LockCircle takes it from the living but I will look further.
1b) would you screw in one or two eyebolds? I am afraid that one ziptie will pull the hdmi-plug to much to one side. And two will pull the plug to the rear side of the Odyssey. But I will try that too - not sure, if I like it. I would prefer some 3D printable part or similar.

2) yeah, the Manfrotto 492 was/is a possible solution. Since I am always outside, without IS, I have to avoid any shaking by wind and therefore I won't put the Odyssey on top of the camera. But there is the version (not LCD) for tripods and I will try it for the Manfrotto SuperClamp. Good to know, that the "wheel" fits on the Odyssey with battery plate. I would prefer some fast changing plate system though...

3) The screen protectors I know from smartphones don't have important printings on it. And normally they stick perfectly without peeling off edges at the beginning. The foil/protector of my Odyssey have 3-4 edges/areas, which lifted from the very beginning, although I've tried to press them more firmly onto the glas.
 
Only one eyebolt is necessary. Don't pull the connector one way or another. The zippy is there to act as a strain relief. make it just long enough to prevent the HDMI plug from being pulled out of he socket.

I do know that some 3rd party companies are working on accessories to hold in this connection. Don't know when they will become available or how well they will work.
 
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