Need help attaching EX1 to Flyer

[Joel Danker-Dake]

We have a Steadicam Flyer that we are trying to use with a Sony EX1. I'm not sure how to attach the camera properly, and don't know if we have the right screws. Does the dovetail attach directly to the bottom of the camera, or is an additional plate required? Also, what is the correct size and number of screws used to attach it? The ones that we have are too tall or the head is too fat and don't sit below the rack on the dovetail.

 

Can anyone help explain to me the proper way to attach an EX1, or email me a picture of what it looks like?

 

Thanks,

 

Joel Danker-Dake

[Brian Freesh]

The Flyer comes with 2 sizes of screw. For ease of explanation, let's call them small and large. The EX1 only has one threaded hole on the bottom with which to attach the dovetail. That takes the small screw. There is also a locating pin that comes with the Flyer. You'll want to screw that into the dovetail in front of the hole you are using to mount the EX1. That pin will go into the unthreaded hole on the EX1 in front of the threaded hole. This is so the camera is locked into position, with just the screw it might swivel a bit. Be careful not to overtighten the screw, you can bust the mount on the camera.

 

Small screw size: 1/4 20

Large screw size: 3/8 16

 

Both can be purchased from Tiffen, as well as the locating pin.

 

The EX3 has a unique issue when mounting to steadicam, and I THINK the EX1 might have the same issue. If you can slip a piece of paper between the dovetail and the camera, that's the issue. A small washer on the small screw may solve the issue. Otherwise, some soft-side velcro on the dovetail for the camera to rest on will help. If you leave it with the small gap you may have vibration in your image.

 

Good luck!

[Tom Daigon]

If you research on Google you will see that many folks dont screw right into the camera directly. They mount a metal plate designed for this purpose onto the camera, then attach a dovetail (for stabilizers)

or quick releases to this plate. This avoids any damage to the camera body / screw assembly if force is exerted on the somewhat wimpy thread assembly by the screw. Then the camera has to go to the factory to repair that assembly and its a pain in the butt. DM Accessories metal plate for the EX3 is what I use to avoid this issue.

 

http://shop.dm-accessories.com/products/ex3-plate

Edited September 28, 2010 by Tom Daigon

[Brian Freesh]

Good Advice Tom, never done it myself, but I've heard others mention it before.

 

It should also be noted that a bare EX1 is at the bottom limit of the Flyer's weight capacity. I don't recommend flying it like that, but you absolutely can. I always use a weight plate, which is why I don't know if the EX1 has that mounting problem.

[Andrew Stone]

Tom's suggestion is a good one and hopefully you have the time to order a DM plate. Unfortunately the way the holes are placed on the DM plate are not optimum for attaching the dovetail plate but once you determine the center of balance of the camera with all the stuff on it, obviously, find the nearest place to the center of balance to attach the dovetail plate. It may be a big screw or a small one, as Brian says.

 

EDIT:

 

I see the original poster is talking about an EX1. All this talk about EX3s got me a bit confused. The EX1 has a flat bottom although plates are available.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Andrew Stone