Shoulder Mount

[Christopher Barry]

I have a Spiderbrace, though with the Cinevate Brevis and a monitor etc, imo, will overload it, risk damaging the cam gear if it breaks during use and falls to the ground.

I have a Cinevate rails/rods 24" long. I am considering to add some of the Cavison Hand Grips (RS15HD-100) and Shoulder Pad (RS15SP-3) for support. Hopefully that flex issue you mention siniarch will not be an issue.

 

[Carlos_E._Martinez]

i would want to finish it in less than a month.
it all depends on the LCD mnf. and when they can get me - first a quote. -2nd the unit.

Who's that LCD mnf.? Can you disclose it?

 

[siniarch]

Not yet Carlos. I'm talking to a guy who was referred to me by a friend and he is talking to the engineer that figures out the components for the unit. Its not something that he can just receive a bunch of calls from different people. I think they usually deal with large companies and large orders, but he is doing me a favor. I also had to get my re-seller's license in order for them to sell to me.

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Hey Guys,
I just built myself a nice shoulder mount with a quick release plate and some space to add some weights to the back of it to counter balance the heavy HVX and Redrock M2 combo, but I need some help.
Problems

1. When I place it on my right shoulder, the left side is supported higher than the right side.
2. Its not very comfortable having 2 bars sitting on your shoulders

So my solution would be a shoulder pad that could form fit to my shoulder in order to keep the camera level, and it would also be more comfortable than a metal bar on skin.

What are you guys using for shoulder pads, how are you shaping them and how are you attaching them to your shoulder mounts?

Thank you.

I was in the same funk. I ended up grabbing one of my sons palm sized bean bag. It worked great because the bean bag contures to your shoulder whether right or left.

Question for you Siniarch. Notice that sweet monitor set up. What all do you have there, and is it heavy? Where can I get one of those monitor arms from?

 

[siniarch]

hey there. Long user name, can I call you lee?
So what i did was put a knee pad on the rig for my shoulder. I'll take pictures a little later tonight. like 1hr. but now I have to go pick something up. (the knee pad works good so far. still have to test on the field.)
I'll also take some better picture of the monitor. and weigh it for you. I had to do some soldering and cut some plastic pieces to make it all work. also drilled some holes took me a day but that's because I didn't have everything with me.

 

[Carlos_E._Martinez]

Not yet Carlos. I'm talking to a guy who I was referred to me by a friend and he is talking to the engineer that figures out the components for the unit. Its not something that he can just receive a bunch of call from different people. I think they usually deal with large companies and large orders, but he is doing me a favor. I also had to get my re-seller's license in order for them to sell to me.

I know how it is. Don't worry.

What LCD screen are you using? It looks very much like the one I have, which I bought from B&H in 2005. A generic type that now has a different name.

At the time I was curious about the Lilliput and the Xenarc, but I could not find a place to see them working. Focusing with these screen does not seem to be so good, isn't it?

 

[siniarch]

I have to step out for an hour I'll get you the name of this screen when i get back. and I find that I can focus with this one just as easy as with the focus assist. as long as I'm looking at it dead on. (still haven't tried it outdoors though)

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Let me know how the field test goes. I have the M2 and it's anything but comfortable. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't trade it.

Good luck!

 

[Tom Marshall]

hey there. Long user name, can I call you lee?
So what i did was put a knee pad on the rig for my shoulder. I'll take pictures a little later tonight. like 1hr. but now I have to go pick something up. (the knee pad works good so far. still have to test on the field.)
I'll also take some better picture of the monitor. and weigh it for you. I had to do some soldering and cut some plastic pieces to make it all work. also drilled some holes took me a day but that's because I didn't have everything with me.

Hey siniarch... I see your idea here about the knee pad. Just curious - have you thought about a squat bar pad? Something like this might do the trick: http://www.fullcirclepadding.com/index.cfm?event=ProductDetail&ProductID=108

 

[siniarch]

ok. I'll post picture in a few minutes.

 

[USLatin]

Nice, you friggin' do-it-yourselfer you! Nice! I like it the looks of the rails too! Very nice... And the monitor! Way to get the numbers and keep the green ones! All you will need now is the remote follow from Redrock and you are in da' game!
How is that monitor going to work with your steady? Did u figure out how to mount it to the oposite end of the pole? it can't be on-camera, too top heavy...

I gotta see this!

 

[siniarch]

Carlos: the screen I'm using is made by accelevision part # LCDP7W again I don't recommend it because its awful viewing angle. if you don't look directly at the screen it doesn't look good.

Tommy: that is a good idea, but I actually tried something like this - http://www.acehardware.com/product/...24.1306491&parentPage=family&searchId=1306491
but more rubbery than plastic. Home depot had two kind. It kind of worked but I wasn't supper happy. You can see the pictures with the knee pad. (it has a knee pad and a removable pad inside. I put the screws through the first pad with washers. and then I placed the removable pad over that)

Latin: I don't know about the monitor with the steady arm. I'll figure it out when I get it.

 

[USLatin]

dude, clean your mirror! lol

thanks for the additional pics!

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Good job on the monitor and battery rig. It is so hard to find the perfect 7" monitor. But I am still looking. When I find it I post a thread. I'll title it "Help me to rig my monitor with a battery"

 

[siniarch]

i hear ya Lee. Most of these are not sold at stores, so you kind of have to take a leap of faith and see how they look. I did and paid the price. but for now since I'm having it shoulder mount, I can position it perfectly so I can see pretty well. I really like the set up. I've move the camera so all the weight is on my shoulder and was walking around my apt. and didn't feel bad at all.
let me know if you find one better.
the battery thing is no big thing. just have to be a little handy and get yerself a soldering iron.

 

[siniarch]

Sorry Lee, I missed this
The monitor is just under 3lb with the 3 batteries included. Two of the batteries I have are 1000mAh from Radioshack ($14.99 including charger) and the other three were 650mAh from Nikko from Fry's ($12.99 including charger) I took apart the chargers and cut the plastic parts inside and the cover to mount it to the back of the converter. I ran all the wires inside and solder it all inside. so the power for the LCd goes from the lcd through the converter to the battery holders.

The arm I got from Filmtools.com Its the Noga arm. I got the heavy duty one ($159 I think)

edited: the batteries last about 35min. but I think I have to re do my test because the 1000mAh lasted slightly less than the 650s. I think it was because I left them hooked to the monitor for a little bit before testing. I think just plugging them in drains them a little. so maybe 40-45 for the 1000 ones and 30-35 for the 650. (mind you I had the camera pointed at the TV so they would have to be displaying different pixels all the time. Not sure if it burns more battery, but wanted to make sure.)
I can also get my hands on 1500mHa batteries. for $15-16. so I think I'll do that. maybe they will give me 1hr. at that price I can buy a bunch and just swap them out as I need them. (my back will go before the batteries anyway.)

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

That is the kind of tech instruction I was hoping to hear man. I am pretty confident that I can rig a simular setup. Thanks for the info Bro.

Let you know how it turns out.

Thanks

 

[siniarch]

Hey Lee,
Where are you located? if you are in LA, I'll be bringing my gear to the HVX meeting so you could see it.

 

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Hey Lee,
Where are you located? if you are in LA, I'll be bringing my gear to the HVX meeting so you could see it.

I wish I was in LA man. I'm trapped back and forth between New York and Washington D.C.

I won't be making it out there until late April if I'm lucky.

But thanks anyway bro.

 

[Carlos_E._Martinez]

The monitor is just under 3lb with the 3 batteries included. Two of the batteries I have are 1000mAh from Radioshack ($14.99 including charger) and the other three were 650mAh from Nikko from Fry's ($12.99 including charger) I took apart the chargers and cut the plastic parts inside and the cover to mount it to the back of the converter. I ran all the wires inside and solder it all inside. so the power for the LCd goes from the lcd through the converter to the battery holders.

You did a neat job with cutting/gluing. What converter are you using inside? I bought one from Nebtek (don't know who makes it), to convert camera batteries to 12v. Of course they become half of what they were then, but it seems like a good trade. I also have a 12v/4Ah NimH that wouldn't be easy to attach on the back of the LCD.

One problem I have with my LCD is the battery plug, same as yours. Contact is not as good as it should be on those types. I hate non-locking connectors, particularly for that function. I will look into some locking type I can fit inside the LCD.

The arm I got from Filmtools.com Its the Noga arm. I got the heavy duty one ($159 I think)

I think B&H is selling it for less, but it may not be the same type.

edited: the batteries last about 35min. but I think I have to re do my test because the 1000mAh lasted slightly less than the 650s. I think it was because I left them hooked to the monitor for a little bit before testing. I think just plugging them in drains them a little. so maybe 40-45 for the 1000 ones and 30-35 for the 650. (mind you I had the camera pointed at the TV so they would have to be displaying different pixels all the time. Not sure if it burns more battery, but wanted to make sure.)

If you are using a converter: yes, the moment you plug in the battery it starts draining. Your LCD should be draining around 1Ah, so one hour should be the most you can get from a 1Ah battery, half that if you are using a converter.

I can also get my hands on 1500mHa batteries. for $15-16. so I think I'll do that. maybe they will give me 1hr. at that price I can buy a bunch and just swap them out as I need them. (my back will go before the batteries anyway.)

Are those NimH types or Li-Ion? I discarded all Nicads from my batteries.

Considering all the things you are carrying, I would consider a larger battery to use on your belt (not belt-battery) or even on your back, as counterweight. That should help you to preserve your back.