I have a Canon Vixia HF R30 Camcorder and a Muddy Outfitter Camera Arm and I could really use yall's help before placing this order. This will be my first year videoing and basing my assumptions off of the few people I have PM'ed, the four accessories I have listed below are pretty important. Is my understanding correct?...the fluid head will fit onto the Muddy Outfitter camera arm..from there, I will attach the L-Bracket ..but will the camcorder still fit? -Basically, will the screw from the fluid head be long enough to pass through the L-Bracket and into my camcorder? Fluid Head: Amazon.com : Velbon PH-368 Vel-Flo 9 Mini-Pro, 2-Way Panhead with Quick Release, Supports 10 lbs. : Tripod Heads : Electronics L-Bracket (cold shoe): Amazon.com : Heavy Duty Photography L Bracket with 2 Standard Flash Hot Shoe Mounts : Flashpoint L Bracket : Electronics Light: Bescor LED-70 Dimmable 70W Video & DSLR Light Shotgun Mic: Recommendations? Thank you in advance,
Fluid head is very important. Your footage needs to be smooth so it is watchable, nothing worse than herky jerky footage. Honestly, the light is not a necessity. It's only use would be for filming night recoveries or interviews, but that can be done with a flash light. With that said, it's nice to have. Here's another one you could consider to save a couple bucks. I have two of them and they work perfectly. Amazon.com : Neewer® Led CN-126 Ultra High Power 126 LED Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light : On Camera Video Lights : Electronics As for the shotgun, Hard to say, but this might be a decent option. I can't speak for this unit specifically, but the price is pretty good. Polsen SCL-1075 Camera Mount Condenser Shotgun SCL-1075 B&H This would be a little higher quality option that's very popular. Rode VideoMic and Fuzzy Windbuster Kit B&H Photo Video
What are you going to use the L-bracket for? I'd also lose the light and focus on a quality fluid head and microphone. Steady/smooth footage and good audio can both make or break your video. Even if you are only going to record for your personal use on your home TV or computer, you will appreciate smooth pans form a good fluid head and the audio from a good mic. I'd personally go with the Rhode one listed in Skywalker's post. LED lights are nice but they are not a necessity. I own a couple and generally use them if I am doing some post kill footage as the sun is fading or even on a recovery after dark. Even with that, you would be surprised what a couple strategically placed flashlights can do in a pinch.
Thank you both. DEC, I would use the L-Bracket so I have somewhere to mount my light and/or mic. Was my understanding correct on how everything will fit together on the camera arm? (Last 2 sentences in the 2nd paragraph)
I'm not sure about the bracket. You will need to attach your camera to the quick release plate on your fluid head. I don't think you will be able to get the bracket between the plate and the camera. Not sure, but it looks fairly thick and the threaded bolt on the quick release plate will not be very tall. I know the Manfrotto MVH500 has an accessory hole in the side of the head that gives you a shot to put an extension that you could use for the shotgun mic. I'm sure there's a way to do it, I'm just not 100% how.
Check out the bracket campbells cameras has its called the wrap around mount for a mic/light and accessories. Thats what I went with...no problems what so ever with my fluid head either and no complaints. http://www.campbellcameras.com/Wrap_Around_Mount_for_Canon_HF_Series_Cameras.html?sc=31&category=47 This is how it looks: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Oh I got you. That camera doesn't appear to have a built in shoe attachment. If that is the case, then yea you will need some sort of bracket. As far as the arm holding it, the screw on the end of the Muddy arm will go into the bottom of your fluid head. Then your fluid head will have a plate. You will have to sandwich the L bracket (or whatever you use) between the camera and the fluid head plate. Whether it takes a longer bolt to go from the plate through the bracket and into the camera or if the bracket bolts to the camera and then the fluid plate bolts to the L bracket will depend on what exact models that you buy. I have a 1/2 cage type of set up for my DSLR made by Kirk Enterprises (the owner is a friend of mine). That cage has a quick release that attaches to the camera, then the handle/cage, and then the fluid head plate bolts into that. It can end up being a bunch of stuff stacked up on top of each other.
If you get the Wrap Around Mount from Campbells there will be no issues. The bracket will screw directly to the camera then you will attach your adapter plate to the bracket and that will snap into your fluid head. It has two separate mounting holes, one to attached the bracket to the camera and one to attached the quick disconnect adapter plate from the fluid head, so there will be no need for a longer screw or what not. Very simple and effect little bracket. If that helps at all.
It doesn't say that bracket will work with my camera I emailed them and will see if they can help me out. I'll keep this updated
It shouldn't be a problem. The camera will either have a 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 thread on it. That's pretty much standard on all cameras. It will be one or the other. I'm sure that bracket is set up to accept either size.
