The perfect monitor arm mount?

J

Josh Bass

Veteran
No, unfortunately I am not posting a link to it; rather, looking for it. I bought an ultralight control systems arm from a member here, and while I like the arm and use it a lot, mounting it to a c100 is still problematic. Same old issue...when screwing into the mount on the top handle or the cold shoe, it likes to work itself loose as the camera is moved around throughout the day and the weight/gravity pulls it in the loosening direction. Just bought another monitor mount from ULCS for the C100 top handle mount, but of course the little teeth are just a little too short and one is right over the curve of the handle so they dont really “bite” (and that mount is unreturnable to Filmtools).

Seems like it would be simple enough to make a mount that would have additional pieces to wrap around a handle and lock to keep it from spinning, but I dont think anything like that exists. Anyone know of anything? Even thought of going to a machinist and having them design something but no idea if that’s feasible or what it would cost.

Or I guess I just be a doofus and like zip tie it down once it’s screwed in.
 
Last edited:
Yes that one on the right looks like the ticket...except from the pic it looks like the (presumably) 1/4 20 hole is the one that should be in the center and the way it's off to the side like that it wouldn't fit the C100 top handle. Not quite sure how the other one works.
 
The two parts JPNola showed go together. The one on the left mounts to the camera and the one on the right mounts to the arm. Then the part on the right slides and clamps onto the one on the left.

If you find that the at is constantly unscrewing and you plan to leave it on all the time, I suggest simply adding a bit of Loktite to the threads. You'll be able to break the bond should you need to remove the arm, but otherwise it should stay put in normal use.
 
I think I get it. But somehow you have to attach the piece to the arm right? So that's another connection that could work itself loose. It's almost like the arm itself needs to have that mount/piece built into it or be attachable in a way that couldn't work loose. Maybe the loktite with what I already have is the key. I don't think I'd put anything else in that mount but it would make the camera a little taller when it's in the bag. And the ULCS stuff is kinda different the way it all goes together so I'd maybe have take that piece of the arm off each time cam is put away if I left the mount attached to cam like that.
 
You need to get an arri connector onto your camera - 1/4 thread plus 2 locator pins, your arm needs those pins.

The C100 handle looks basically impossible to mount to however!

IMO using a Noga style arm is all wrong for a monitor anyway as the horizon can be set wrong.. one needs an arm system where the horizon is constrained.

Id only use a noga style arm whne the camera was mounted oddly.. say facing down to an overhead shot.
 
I like the flexibilty of an arm over the shoe mount. Yes C100 hole is positioned in an unfortunate spot. Yes the horizon thing can be disorienting but just one of those things to watch for. Be nice if monitors themselves had a horizon display like dslrs do. Or if non dslr cameras had that. Ive never seen it on one but maybe some camcorders do.
 
Some monitors, do have horizon indicators. My smallHD DP7Pro OLED has one. Or you could just get a small, cheap bubble level and attach it.
 
Here is my monitor on handlebars.

The rear joint has a rosette, allowing incremental locakble pans on the arm which will be subject to leverage which the rosette fights, the front joint pans and tilts with a friction joint - it can be a friction mount as the leverage is lower at that point. The monitor itself is held hard with a milled slot around the monitor body.
Correct contraints.

31.jpg
 
Thanks. I do have a plate/rods so with the extra pieces your setup could work for me but I'm trying to keep it lighter/simpler for now. Maybe it's just not possible.
 
Sort of...the the anti twist mechanism is very clever...but looks like I'd need a cage first. And then the other end would have to be the little pronged monitor mount to keep IT from swiveling. So it could get pricey real fast for everything. Great idea though.
 
The wooden camera ultra arms with nato rails have been really good for me.

https://woodencamera.com/collections/uvf-ultra-arm/products/nato-lock-ultra-arm-5

If you get a 1/4 20 with the new locating pins they line up perfectly on the newer smallhd monitors, and then use the nato rail on the camera body with 2 mounting points, and it's rock solid.

I am always frustrated by typical magic arms, because even if they are sturdy, they still spin off, and come loose if they get rotated counter clockwise at some point, this arm with those mounting options completely eliminates the issue.
 
Have to get back to you on that one. That site hates my phone and I cant make heads or tails of anything.

(later...)

Hmmm. Actually if I were to go that way I'd probably go a different path...looks like I could get that top plate and the anti-twist mount and that LOOKS like it would work with my ULCS stuff, since their arms have (to look at it anyway), the same design idea (the balls/joints). Still not exactly cheap but keeps it light compared to the rails etc. Which is another way to go...get that rod clamp with the holes and the anti-twist mount (I already have a Zacuto plate/rods).
 
Last edited:
Those arms are IMO just the wrong thing - a bad idea and then stronger and stronger clamping forces on 'pro' arms to try and make them work.

I found an old video of me testing my monitor arm, you can see the correct constrants in action the thing is super ridgid but the tilt is slip tight.

It is meant to be funny but does show what correct design delivers.

BTW Im not trying to promote any specific kit as Im not making stuff at the moment.

 
I understand, and not saying you're wrong. Your kit is more built out than I usually need to be though, so all that, for me, is overkill. It's usually just the camera itself, regular size battery, no rails, no handgrips. Just trying to find a simple way to mount a monitor to a cam and have it stay there. Maybe the whole quest is in vain, but my arm and monitor connection does stay rigid, it's just the mount point to the camera that moves.
 
Sir - Im not suggesting you build your kit out.. just pointing out the value of correct 'constraints' on a system.

So your main problem is getting securely onto the camera.

Well step back and think that through.

'I need a secure mount on my camera'

My guess having minimal experience with that camera is that mounting on the handle is out as the handle is not too great in its connection to the camera.

So - no mount to the handle.

So the first option is to get a top plat that presents some 1/4-20 and takes the handle too..
A quick google..
https://www.holdan.co.uk/Wooden+Camera/Top+Plate+(C100,+C300,+C500)

Now I would be suspicious that such an item may not actually hold well to the camera (which only presents a hotshoe up top?)

So if that is out you need to find the next closest mount point..

The side rosette? maybe there is something that goes in there between the handle and the body.. I doubt it.

No rosette solution..?

Well now you are talking about the bottom of the camera.. so that is basically a full or half cage... which is basically what I think you need.

---

OK now you actually have an attachement to the camera you can start thinking about the actual monitor arm itself :)
 
There is a 1/4 20 mount on the top handle in addition to the cold shoe. I’ve been mounting that with limited success, hence this thread. So far my best solution is the wooden camera top plate that goes in between c100 top handle and body, and the no twist 25mm ball mount that appears compatible with the Ultralight pieces I already have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top