Tascam DR-60D Mounting Issue - Wiggly tripod mount

I

iservin

Member
I recently purchased the DR-60d and overall I'm quite pleased. With the price drop and the features list, I was unable to justify getting the perhaps higher quality but more expensive Fostex dc-r302. I used it for the first time last week on a pretty intense 5 hour documentary shoot on location. The shoot was mainly for b-roll so I was sending audio to my camera and only recording some important bits. I'm quite pleased with how it went.

My one issue is mounting. The mount on top that connects to the camera is actually surprisingly solid, but the bottom 1/4" 20 mount is problematic. I set it up with a manfrotto 501 plate and there's a decent amount of play from side to side which means that the camera does end up wiggling quite a bit. When I'm careful, it doesn't interfere with filming but I do worry about the unnecessary stress it's putting on the unit and I really don't want to break the thing.

Does anyone have any tips for making the connection from quick release plate to DR-60D more robust?

I was thinking that a metal baseplate that ran the full width of the unit and had mounting connections at the bottom might fix the issue so I'm trying to find a cheeseplate that's the right size. Other than that, I'm not sure what to do.
 
I've been seeing this a lot lately in low-cost gear. There's a slight variance in either threaded mounts, mounting screws, or both. If the mount is just a hair too shallow, or the screw just a hair too long, it won't tighten enough to secure the gear. (This can also be affected by the thickness of the QR plate, but I've never had an issue with a Manfrotto 501 plate.

There are a couple of solutions. One, you can try adding a washer. This may or may not also impact the balance of the QR plate, or its ability to slide into the tripod head. Use the smallest washer you can fit around the screw.

The other option is to seek a better fit with the screw; get some replacement screws and try a couple of them until you find one that tightens enough. Or, get a Dremmel and shave off just a tiny bit off one of the spare screws.
 
Thanks for the reply, unfortunately it doesn't seem to be a problem with the mounting screw. I have an ungodly collection of 1/4" and 3/8" mounting screws of varying lengths and the problem persists.

It seems the play comes from either the metal thread that's embedded in the plastic body or just the flex in the plastic body itself. In the mean time I've put a thick cheeseplate under it which helps, but there is still some play and the plate that I have at the moment is very thick and adds too much height. I might end up just using the Tascam unit mounted to the top of the camera, but then I need to figure out a good way to mount my shotgun mic. Adding it on top of that would look pretty damn comical so I'll start looking for a decent hot shoe extension bar. If anyone has any recommendations I'd be glad to hear them.
 
I haven't used that specific setup, but you're going to introduce wobble when you make your camera taller and add a component in between. It's just simple physics and the reason why race cars corner better than pickup trucks with lift kits.
As far as reducing the wobble, you could make a better connection to the QR plate if you're able to shim it somehow. I recall there being a kit for DSLRs that did this, but can't remember who made it.
 
I'll search for that product, it sounds interesting. I tried my own shimming, but there's some instability in the bottom mount of the Tascam unit itself and the shimming didn't do much.

The height certainly doesn't help, but that bottom mount is the weak link. I can handhold the two connected units from the bottom and the thing is really solid, but that mount just won't play nice. It's good enough for now, but I'm working on putting together something more solid.
 
I'm going to pick up some ARRI style dovetail parts and see if a wider QR system helps, my testing with some wide cheeseplates gives me hope. I've been meaning to add a doveplate based shoulder rig to my kit anyways so it's a good excuse to make the purchase. I'll update the thread when I get that sorted.
 
I'm waiting on some budget dovetail parts from abroad and I decided to see what I could do with the parts I have on hand. I think I came up with a pretty awesome solution. Awhile ago, I picked up a piece of kit called the Multiplate by a small company called Long Haul Gear. It's basically a hunk of aluminum that goes under camera and provides a bunch of 1/4" mounting points for rails and other accessories. I realized I could bolt the Tascam unit to the back of it with the controls facing up. It looks a bit funky, but doesn't add all the height and is super solid. I usually shoot off of a monopod, but the connection is so good I can use the tascam unit as a chest support for shooting handheld. I'm taking a couple pictures of the setup and I'll make a new thread in the HDSLR subforum to show off what I did. It's pretty simple but really effective and keeps the whole rig low profile which I value.
 
I have this same problem, its the plastic on the bottom of the unit that flexes causing this wobble. i haven't found a solution yet. Did you try the dovetail yet?
 
laniwolf said:
I have this same problem, its the plastic on the bottom of the unit that flexes causing this wobble. i haven't found a solution yet. Did you try the dovetail yet?
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http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?324235-Tascam-DR-60D-Mounting-Solution-Low-profile-setup-for-run-and-gun-w-HDSLR&highlight=

I did get the dovetail gear, it helped somewhat, but I'm using the setup I described in the thread linked above. Even with a wide bottom plate, it's still pretty wiggly, so I had to resort to that. It's a real shame, it's a great piece of kit, but it honestly feels too fragile for run and gun stuff. I'm saving up for a new DSLR with better sound controls and will probably pony up for a fostex dc-r302. I got to see one in person and it's pretty damn slick.
 
Man, if you're shooting handheld or with a monopod, get a waist pack and call it a day!!!!

I can't imagine that stack of gear... ***shudder***!

If you're using rails, side mounting it is really handy for tripods... everything else, I'd go waist pack.

My unit is rock-solid on a 1/4-20 screw though...

dr60d.jpg
rig3.jpg
 
Michael Carter said:
Man, if you're shooting handheld or with a monopod, get a waist pack and call it a day!!!!

I can't imagine that stack of gear... ***shudder***!

If you're using rails, side mounting it is really handy for tripods... everything else, I'd go waist pack.

My unit is rock-solid on a 1/4-20 screw though...

View attachment 88687
View attachment 88688
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Can you describe your setup when using a waist pack? I use a thinktank belt from my photojournalism days to hold lenses and stuff and I have a pouch that is supposedly able to hold a DR-60. I haven't used it because of sending audio out to the camera and in from a shotgun for run and gun use.
 
There are some threads on BMC user about custom waist packs... google, it, someone makes one specifically for the DR. But yeah, you'll be wired up like a chemo patient...
 
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