Reddit reviews SMALLRIG Cold Shoe Mount Adapter with 1/4’’ Thread Hole for Camera and Camcorder Rigs – 1241

Sadly, the [$1498 Panasonic GH4] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXB9UME/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LXB9UME&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and [$1499 Samsung NX1] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFDZRRA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NFDZRRA&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) are both above your budget limit (especially when you factor in the cost of lenses).

The two best video cameras in your price range are the [$795 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CWLSHUK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CWLSHUK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and the [$698 Panasonic GH3] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009B0WREM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009B0WREM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) (these are sale prices and will probably go up after the holidays).

I own both of these cameras, and both produce awesome video images - but each has its advantages and disadvantages.

If you really want to learn cinematography - and you don't need a still camera, I recommend the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. It is the least expensive interchangeable lens camera you can buy that records to RAW or 10-bit ProRes with 13+ stops of dynamic range - straight out of the box. Like Pro cinema cameras, it sets the shutter in degrees rather than fractions of a second and has a built-in headphone jack so you can monitor your audio track (only one other interchangeable lens camera below $1000 has a built-in headphone jack - the Panasonic GH3).

With a [$10 cold shoe] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJFBUCQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HJFBUCQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$24 pistol grip w trigger] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=221603818145&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg), a [$159 LCD viewfinder] (http://www.adorama.com/LCDVFBM.html?KBID=66297), a [$70 external battery adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPJ1FJ0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LPJ1FJ0&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a couple of [$10 batteries] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Q9PWQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007Q9PWQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$17.50 dual battery charger] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=321347920244&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) [Referral Links] - you'll have the best cinema camera in its class.

Here's what my setup looks like, ready to shoot: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f3hbYYV_y8o/VHDp77GMxoI/AAAAAAAAJF8/xnHRvNcCm5o/w724-h543-no/P1020575.JPG

Here is what this little powerhouse cinema camera can do:

Narrative

http://vimeo.com/89563847

http://vimeo.com/94798326

http://vimeo.com/101576471

Documentary

http://vimeo.com/83284391

Music Video

http://vimeo.com/88103618

Travel/Low Light

http://vimeo.com/79531723

There are lots more examples in the [Pocket Cinema Camera group] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera) I moderate over on Vimeo.

Although it has a steeper learning curve than a consumer camera, and color grading in post is pretty much mandatory - this is absolutely the best filmmakers' camera in this price range.

Second choice:

If you want something that is a little easier to use, the GH3 might be a better choice. With its built-in electronic viewfinder that continues to work while you're shooting video, 1080/60p frame rate for slow motion, up to 72mbps recording and all metal splash resistant body - this is a great video/still camera for the price.

Here is what the GH3 can do:

Narrative

http://vimeo.com/49420579

http://vimeo.com/59543338

Music Video

http://vimeo.com/53834993

http://vimeo.com/96861718

Documentary

http://vimeo.com/66940018

http://vimeo.com/54076272

There are many more examples on Andrew Reid's GH3 channel over on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/groups/gh3

And, unlike the BMPCC, it can produce still photography results like these: https://www.flickr.com/groups/gh3/pool/

Hope this is helpful and best of the holidays!

Hi /u/sanityrepresent - I built a rig around the pistol grip handheld setup seen here: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f3hbYYV_y8o/VHDp77GMxoI/AAAAAAAAJF8/xnHRvNcCm5o/w724-h543-no/P1020575.JPG

By adding a couple of rails, a cold shoe extender and a shoulder pad, I was able to provide mounting points for a mic, a ring light and, when I can afford it, a rail mounted battery pack.

Here's what the rig looks like: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K2Z7iz5-bRw/VHqL3cK9OrI/AAAAAAAAJH4/OYrYg70RQ0E/w724-h543-no/P1020685.JPG

Here's the parts list:

• Light is a [$199 F&V R-300 ring light (on sale right now for $179)] (http://www.adorama.com/FVR300.html?KBID=66297) with a [$40 rail mount] (http://www.adorama.com/FV15RMR300.html?KBID=66297)
  
  
• Viewfinder is the [Kinotehnik LCDVFBM] (http://www.adorama.com/LCDVFBM.html?KBID=66297)
  
  
• Mounting plate is the [$40 SmallRig Camera Mounting Plate] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082TO9TO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0082TO9TO&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• Shoulder pad is a [$33 Dual use DSLR Shoulder Pad & Shotgun Rest for 15mm Standard Rigs] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=281140063894&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)
  
  
• Quick release is the [$30 Giottos MH621 Quick Release Adapter with Short Sliding Plate] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010SIAV2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0010SIAV2&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• Shoe extension is a [$30 Kamerar 20 cm Black Hot Shoe Extension] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B7QQ91U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B7QQ91U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• Pistol/trigger grip is a [$24 JJC HR-DV Remote Handle Pistol Grip for Blackmagic design pocket cinema camera] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=221603818145&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)
  
  
• Rods are [$20 40cm (16") 15mm black rails with end caps] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUK1K3I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DUK1K3I&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• The shoe on top of the camera is a [$10 SmallRig cold shoe] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJFBUCQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HJFBUCQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• When I can afford one, I will get a $165 Ikan rail mounted BMPCC battery mount for either [V-mount] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPJ1XJM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LPJ1XJM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) or [Anton Bauer] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPJ1XL0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LPJ1XL0&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  With the latest firmware upgrades and this rig, the BMPCC is a real joy to shoot with. And when I want to go back to putting the camera in a jacket pocket, I can.
  
  Good luck!

Yep, I've used setups where the mic is on the NATO rail or in a cold shoe mounted directly to the cage.

First, balancing the handle on the rig is important for it to be effective, so I would position it in the center.

A 100mm NATO rail will give you enough room to mount the handle in the center and a cold shoe NATO clamp for the mic off to the side.

However, my preference is to mount a low-profile cold shoe to the side of the cage (e.g. the vertical 15mm rod) for the mic. This is especially useful when using something like Beachtek's MCC-2 adapter, as it puts the level controls in an easy to reach position, rather than way forward on top of the cage.

Here's an example of this type of setup with View Factor's Contineo cage.

Is it this one? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJFBUCQ/