Shoulder Rig for DVX200

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I was able to create a useable Rig out of my old DSLR Rig by gaffing a 5 lb counter behind the shoulder mount. Works great and the monitor sits about 6 - 8 inches from my eyes. Cheap. Effecient. Comfortable. Stable.
 
Thanks much for all the sharing on this website!
Especially thanks to Barry! I've learned more about my DVX200 here than any other source.

At first I was frustrated with the DVX200 because I could not accomplish what I wished to do. However when teamed with the Video Devices PIX-E5 this becomes a whole different camera. Be sure to update the PIX-E5 to firmware ver 1.05 or later so that you can take advantage of 4:2:2 10Bit out. This is where you can finally see the camera's 12 stops of dynamic range and beautiful, sharp, very easily gradable UHD image.

I believe the duo of DVX200 and PIX-E5H add up to the best UHD run-n-gun camera out there.
With the PIX-E5H doing the heavy lifting of recording, the DVX200 is a dream.
Touch to focus works great as does image stabilization.
The DVX200 alone can't show peaking in touch to focus mode but the PIX-E5 can.
The DVX200 can't show waveform while other screen displays are on but the PIX-E5 can show waveform at the same time the DVX200 shows histogram, audio levels, white bal, etc, etc, etc.
The other thing that is GREAT about the PIX-E5 is that it takes advantage of the cheapest media currently available for recording - 2.5" SSD's. That's 1/5th to 1/8th the cost for media compared to some UHD cameras. And it is FAST to download those ready-to-edit ProRes 4:2:2 10Bit files via a USB 3 port. No additional reader purchase required.

My shoulder rig has slowly evolved to this configuration and is working well for my current needs.
Regarding the rig:
Built the arch for the shoulder pad from .25" x 1.5" aluminum bar and curved it as high as possible to allow me to use the LCD panel as a viewfinder.
Built a LCD Viewfinder with an open bottom so I can still use touch to focus capabilities
I gently hold the adjusting knob with my left hand and use my pointer finger to touch focus point
Focus distance and coverage area of this Viewfinder worked for me
V2 2.8X Viewfinder 3" LCD DSLR Camera Canon 5D R Markiii 7D Mark ii T5 Body D90
Used this arm to support the Viewfinder to protect the LCD
11" Articulating Magic Arm + Super Clamp for Camera LED Light LCD Monitor LF82
Here's the Eyepiece Cushion
Bluestar Extra Large Oval Microfiber Red Color Eyepiece Eye Cushion Viewfinder
Used thermoplastic sheet to make a mount for this inexpensive zoom controller:
Tripod LANC Zoom Controller Remote For Canon Sony 190P 2100E NX5C Canon XL1S XL2
The ridiculously high cost of camera batteries makes crazy so I knew I wanted a better solution. The RC community provided well.
Built a battery box that can hold up to four batteries but found that two batteries balance the rig pretty well.
I use one battery to power the PIX-E and the SRb. The other battery is regulated to 12.1v and plugs in to the external battery connector.
As I recall he DVX200 uses external power first until the voltage is unacceptably low then automatically switches over to internal battery. I never even noticed the switch in power as I was shooting. The two external batteries and one internal battery allow me to shoot for an 8 hour day with the camera and recorder off between setups.
Here's the batteries I use:
MultiStar High Capacity 4S 14.8v 10000mAh MultiRotor Lipo
Charger:
GENUINE AUTHENTIC SKYRC iMAX B6AC V2 6Amp ACDC LiPo NiMh Battery Balance Charger
Voltage Regulator:
New Digital-controlled Constant Current Voltage DC Step-Down LED Driver Module
This rig weighs about 18 lbs. with two external batteries.
Cheers!
Pictures to follow...
 
The PIX-E records four channels of audio. Two are from the dual channel Lectro SRb. The other two are generally mixed in at very low levels for ambiance and come from one built in mic and a Sennheiser Mkh 416.

Maybe some day I'll build a smaller and more elegant battery box but for now I need to go to work!
 
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Hi:
Have a question about your set up:The V2 2.8X Viewfinder 3" LCD DSLR Camera Canon 5D R Markiii 7D Mark ii T5 Body D90 you list and show mounted doesn't match the size of the DVX200 LCD, so is part of your view cut off?
 
When I started thinking about making the Pull-Out LCD into a viewfinder I remembered i had a "V2 2.8X Viewfinder 3" LCD DSLR..." that was kind of an odd thing. The magnification optics required that the entire device be held a bit more than an inch from any surface in order for it to be in focus. Bought it for a DSLR but it didn't work. So... I held it an inch away from the Pull-Out LCD on the DVX200 and got the full LCD in view and in focus! That became the basis for the shoulder rig...
Fabricated a bigger hood extension with a felt padded slot which could slide down over the LCD. As you can see from the pic there is only top and sides - no bottom except close to the eyepiece where I put a Slik DQ-10 Mini Quick Release Plate. That way the home-made viewfinder hood is completely supported by the Noga Arm and can't put stress on the LCD even with my face pressed up against it. When the rig is on a tripod, I can quickly remove the viewfinder thanks to the quick release plate.
This setup works well for me and I rely heavily on the touch-to-focus and OIS capabilities of the camera. I've shot about seven 8-hour days and some shorter stuff with this rig so far and find it very manageable and relatively light.
btw greytail thanks for all your posts!
 
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One more thing. The flexible plastic eyepiece on the "V2 2.8X Viewfinder 3" LCD DSLR..." was NOT comfortable for me. Problem solved with:
Bluestar Extra Large Oval Microfiber Red Color Eyepiece Eye Cushion Viewfinder
However it fogged up badly when I tested it. Had to add one of:
Zacuto Anti-Fog Protective Covers, Pack of 3
to get rid of the fogging.

 
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I just invested in the Zacuto Graphical HD and Axis mini. What a great piece of gear. Now my 200 is near perfect.
 
The bad news... I have a couple alexmos 3-axis gimbals and can't imagine flying the DVX200.
The Good News... while recording external UHD ProRes422 10Bit, the in-camera image Stabilization works really well.
 
Hi Brad,

please have a look to the pictures in the slashcam workshop.
May be they are using a DJI Ronin without "M" - the bigger one or you send a mail to them.
 
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