Repurposed AF-100 Handle

diputsboy

Active member
With the way I'm configuring my AF-100 I was using the cold shoe on the top of the camera for mounting a 15mm rail block that supports the top part of my Cinevate Titan Mattebox. That meant that I had to remove the top handle. However, I really like the design of the handle and felt that it could be repurposed on the side of the AF-100 body by removing the plastic block on the side of the camera (which opens up 4 1/4-20 threads for use. It also squares up the body a bit more, which I find aesthetically pleasing.) So I then put on my thinking cap, trying to figure a way to successfully mount the top handle to the side using at least 2 threaded points of contact so that it would have zero give or play. I won't go into my failed attempts.... but I will share my final success.

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It's a crappy photo taken quickly with my iPhone, but you'll get the idea. I'll spray it black tomorrow (because I'm a sucker for aesthetics), and upload a few more pictures of the simple piece that allowed me to mount it properly to the body. It's very sturdy, and easily supports my 13lb. rig allowing for another way to grab the camera, walk around with it comfortably, and handhold it low mode for anything lower than shoulder level shooting. Not to mention, it acts as a side "cage" piece that buffers the camera body from walls, corners, camera assistants, etc.

I hope this helps others save some money!

-Seth
 
Here's a couple more images of the piece so you can construct it yourself. It's made from a strip of 1/16" aluminum purchased from Ace Hardware. Again, the cold shoe mount has been taken off of the Panasonic handle. You want the head of the little screws to become flush with strip so a little filing or careful drilling is necessary.

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photo-1.jpg
 
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Just wondering if the hot shoe is truly strong enough to carry your matte box rig the way you have it set up.

Does it flex?
 
Awesome idea! I use the top handle often, otherwise I'd give that a shot. What I ended up doing was using a cinevate articulating grip in place of the stock side handle.

C360_2011-06-08 16-21-49.jpg
I apologize for the low-res photo. I shot it with my camera phone.

I love it because I can make on the fly adjustments depending on how I need to hold the AF100.
 
I can see those two 1/4 holes aft of the new handle position being used to mount an attachment plate for a wireless receiver, external recorder, or the like. Nifty.
 
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