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EX3 Matte box/shoulder mount set up. Advice please.
Hi there,
I looked for a thread about this and came up with one for the EX1 handheld support but answers weren’t really appropriate in this case…
I’m currently in the market for an EX3 Matte box/shoulder mount set up. Having come from an ENG camera background I’m looking for something no-nonsense and am prepared to throw a few bucks at it to get it right. I’m keen to get a v mount with a sony brick battery over the back of my shoulder to help ballance the camera as well.
I’ve seen numerous shoulder mounting products, many in all honesty look a bit make-shift and crappy. Having said that I’ve found the redrock shoulder mount that looks ok.
I wouldn’t go for putting it on the tripod from the snap-plate mounted straight on the bottom of the shoulder pad – that looks iffy to me.
I’d probably add the their micromattebox to the equation as well. I’d like to be able to look through the EX3 eyepiece comfortably (not a monitor) and at some point I’d be looking at a follow focus and I’d also be looking to be able to put the whole rig on the tripod with out too much hassel. But I want to make sure it’s on the tripod, with a descent base plate set up.
Has anyone got any solutions/products they’re using that they are happy with. A brilliant, sturdy, easily put on a tripod shouldermount/matte box solution is what I’m after. Pictures are good. Or any products to avoid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Paul -
11 Replies
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Check this out.
It works with Sony VCT-U14.
The baseplate is a necessity to keep bottom of EX3 from ripping out in normal ENG EFP use.
https://www.vfgadgets.com/grip-camera/ex3-heavy-duty-base-plate-system
Olof Ekbergh
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Hi Paul,
I suggest you look at these products. Which are designed for what you have in mind
The GAP from Genus is great if you want to attach smaller camera such as EX-3 to a Sony VCT-14
https://genustech.tv/adaptor-plates/genus-adaptor-plates-2.htmlAnd if you want a light weight matte box for your EX-3 or EX-1
the Genus GWMC is an excellent choice.
https://genustech.tv/matte-boxes/genus-wide-4×4-matte-box.htmlcheers,
Steve
p.s You the Brisbane Paul Crowe? -
Hi Olof thanks so much for that link. That baseplate looks pretty sturdy. Have you had experience with it? I noticed in the promo blurb they mentioned it ‘aided’ handheld shoulder work. Have you used this rig to operate from your shoulder?
Cheers
Paul -
Thanks for that Steve. They look like interesting products. I’ll definitely look into them a bit more.
If there was someway of combining them and getting them onto a shoulder rig that’d be great. I guess I might have to bite it on a quick release set up like the sony ENG/baseplate set ups have. With this GAP adaptor plate when you quick release it from the base plate it looks like you have to take the adaptor with it on the bottom of the camera. Which is fine in case when you have time to take it off the bottom of the camera but could get annoying if you need to get it off in a hurry.
At the moment I’m leaning slightly towards a Redrock micro shoulder set up – because I can quickly get it onto the tripod if I need to (although I’m not a big fan of how that’s set up on this unit) and I’m also starting to like the idea of the handgrip set up for operating handheld. Otherwise I’d go for the VGGadgets unit Olof linked me to (which looks sturdy as a base plate but doesn’t have the handgrips, and I’m still researching what it’s actually like for shoulder work. But I’d probably also get on of these GAP adaptor plates for more controlled on sticks shoots.
The Mattebox I’m still working out – I’ll do that when I’ve settled on the rest of the kit. Sorry for the rant, just sort of getting this straight in my own head. Thanks again for the advice and links.
CHeers
Paul -
Hi Paul,
Did you find a workable solution for a shoulder mount?
I bought the ST-7 shoulder mount for my EX3. It feels good on your shoulder, can take a sony quick release plate and as a sony v mount on the back. It’s not quit as balanced as a full shoulder mounted camera – a bit front heavy. There’s space between the back of the camera and the v mount which could hold wireless bits and pieces, or a nano flash.
My problem with the ST-7 is that you can’t put rails on it. I’ve considered welding rail guides to it, was wondering too if anyone else has a solution for matte box with the ST-7.
Best,
Joe
Joe Yaggi
Creative Supervisor, Director, DP
Jungle Run Productions
http://www.jungle-run.com -
I’m in the same boat.
The ARRI MMB-1 matte box can be attached directly to the lens(according to ARRI). box and adapt ring is roughly $1600. Ouch.
I’m leaning to the REDROCK shoulder but that damm dove tail area seems like its gonna snap off very quickly. I’m also gonna have to hang a lens drive control off the pistol grip( which I’m not happy about). I’m going nuts trying to figure all this *@%& out!
If Panasonic just made the dam 300 with a 1/2′ chip….I’d be fat and happy. -
Hello Paul,
I just now came across your post about EX-3 shoulder mount solutions; wasn’t sure if you figured it out or not, but I know many who are looking for a similar solution. I built something for my Z7U that might work for the EX-3. Much better as far as balance (this was main concern, as I too come from Betacam shoulder mount past); curious if you think it would be worth adapting this plate I built for EX-3.
All the best,
Charles Phred
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What about this combi:
https://thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=298
https://thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=186
I have no experience with it, but the matte box looks ok
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I’ve got a Sony EX3, and a Vinten Vision-3 tripod. I want to connect the two. Am I correct in thinking that I can use a Genus GAP adapter on my camcorder, and that it will in turn attach to a Sony VCT-u14 quick-release adapter? I’m assuming the VCR-u14 can be screwed onto the Vinten’s wedge plate.
So, in brief: if I purchase a Genus GAP and a VCT-u14, will this be all I need? Thanks.
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I also purchased the ProTech ST7 and am quite happy with it. In addition I purchased a ProAim Baseplate an rails from DVCity.com (https://www.dvcity.com/dvshop/PROAIM-RS-1-Rail-system-for-Follow-Focus-Mattebox-Dof-35mm-adapter-canon-sony-nikon-panasonic-jvc-camera.html) that works great on the ProTech ST7. You can also get an inexpensive Matte Box and Follow Focus there. Do yourself a favor and also purchase the 9″ cage to attach accessories.
Best,
Dave
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