Sony VCT-SP2BP- shoulder support at DVinfo.net

Heiner Boeck · January 12th, 2010, 01:05 AM

Hi:
Did anybody test this new Sony shoulder support: Sony VCT-SP2BP? Quite expensive!
But is it okay to be used with an EX3?
Thanx: Heiner/FIN

Marty Welk · January 12th, 2010, 04:25 AM

linkey
Sony Product Detail Page - VCTSP2BP

William Griffin · January 12th, 2010, 10:35 AM

Sony say it will work on the EX-3, see link:

Sony : VCT-SP2BP (VCTSP2BP) : Compatible Products : Other

Vincent Oliver · January 12th, 2010, 03:27 PM

For that price I would expect it have wheels too

Robert Young · January 12th, 2010, 05:00 PM

It certainly looks workable, but the devil is always in the details.
I would definitely like to hear some user reviews.

Garrett Low · January 12th, 2010, 05:16 PM

Not sure I'd want a shoulder support that had something resting on my chest also. It could pick movement with every breath you take.

Just an observation from other similar support systems I've tried.

Garrett

Brian Cassar · March 25th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Has anybody bought one yet? I have just received mine 3 days ago and I tried it out on two separate occasions. I'm still not certain on what to say about it.

I was given the impression from the photos on the Sony website that you can rest it on your chest. I have an EX3 and in order to rest the arm against your chest, one has to extend the back support further out resulting in the EX3 jutting too much in front of the shoulder. In order for the EX3 to remain somewhat on your shoulder, the arm has to rest on your stomach - very much the shoulder support which is known in this forum as El Cheapo.

I also found out that whilst El Cheapo used to be tightened and one can effectively remove both hands from the camera, the Sony support cannot ever be tightened - the screw is there to act as a resistance to movement but not to lock the chest / stomach arm support.

I was previously using the VF gadget support which although good, did not offer any support to the front heaviness of the EX3.

For the price I've paid for this support, I'm not (as yet) satisfied - I might get used to it better by time. However my first reaction was a shock. It's function is also dependent on what type of clothes you wear. I was wearing both a photographer's jacket and a suit in both occasions. The chest arm tends to slip somewhat on the fabric.

I'm not sure whether I was clear in my entry but it is the first piece of equipment that I ever bought which left me rather perplexed. ...and BTW needless to say, the instruction manual doesn't offer much help.

I'm hoping that someone writes and disagrees with me and help understand how to use it correctly. ...or else i believe that of all the cameras mentioned, the EX3 is the heaviest of them all and the least suitable for this support (even though it is indicated).

I'm eager to hear reviews from other people.

Barry J. Weckesser · March 25th, 2010, 03:41 PM

I was considering trying the VCT-SP2BP out but your initial impression helps me to nix that idea. I like the idea of hands free (or just one hand lightly touching the camera or shoulder mount to keep it straight). I have an EX1 but these shoulder supports are also rated for the EX3 - the supporting arm rests on your hip bone and not directly on your stomach and the support stays steady due to the belt around your waist:
Shape WLB - SPIDER II PRO camera support - SS2200PRO

If you click on the first picture to the right you can see an EX3 mounted on this support - you do not have to get the pro version if you do not need the rails for mattbox and it is cheaper ($ 499). I have a Manfrotto remote mounted on the right handle so I can keep my right hand on the handle for start/stop record and clip review and my left hand is always completely free for focus/iris adjustment - you can also flip up the left handle and rest your hand on the handle and focus adjust with your finger. Gives a lot of stability and absolutely no weight support with your hands.

Andrew Stone · March 25th, 2010, 07:04 PM

The El Cheapo is a much better solution using the same concept as this +$500 Sony solution. You can get the El Cheapo, last time I checked, for under $25.00 to your door. I think it is way less than that. You will want to add a Manfrotto baseplate adapter to the El Cheapo which will triple the cost of your El Cheapo to $75.

I played around with a similar device that Sony came out with for the Z1 a number of years ago. It was $475 at the time. It was kinda lame as people are hinting at here.

My preferred solution is go big or go home but since people are looking for an inexpensive solution for stabilizing a camera I will suggest something affordable. First go and have a look at the SteadyStick or if you don't mind looking like a Borg, try out the Media Rig (don't have the URL handy).

January 12th, 2010, 01:05 AM	#1
Heiner Boeck Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Varkaus Finland Posts: 33	Sony VCT-SP2BP- shoulder support Hi: Did anybody test this new Sony shoulder support: Sony VCT-SP2BP? Quite expensive! But is it okay to be used with an EX3? Thanx: Heiner/FIN

January 12th, 2010, 04:25 AM	#2
Marty Welk Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East Bay Cali Posts: 563	linkey Sony Product Detail Page - VCTSP2BP __________________ ----------------sig----------------- Re-learning everything all over again, one more time.

January 12th, 2010, 10:35 AM	#3
William Griffin Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 204	Sony say it will work on the EX-3, see link: Sony : VCT-SP2BP (VCTSP2BP) : Compatible Products : Other __________________ Bill Griffin SONY PXW-X320,PMW-300K2, LiveU LU-500,Sound Devices 552 Mixer,www.Dallascamguy.com

January 12th, 2010, 03:27 PM	#4
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	For that price I would expect it have wheels too __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

January 12th, 2010, 05:00 PM	#5
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	It certainly looks workable, but the devil is always in the details. I would definitely like to hear some user reviews. __________________ Bob

January 12th, 2010, 05:16 PM	#6
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Not sure I'd want a shoulder support that had something resting on my chest also. It could pick movement with every breath you take. Just an observation from other similar support systems I've tried. Garrett

March 25th, 2010, 01:11 PM	#7
Brian Cassar Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 306	Has anybody bought one yet? I have just received mine 3 days ago and I tried it out on two separate occasions. I'm still not certain on what to say about it. I was given the impression from the photos on the Sony website that you can rest it on your chest. I have an EX3 and in order to rest the arm against your chest, one has to extend the back support further out resulting in the EX3 jutting too much in front of the shoulder. In order for the EX3 to remain somewhat on your shoulder, the arm has to rest on your stomach - very much the shoulder support which is known in this forum as El Cheapo. I also found out that whilst El Cheapo used to be tightened and one can effectively remove both hands from the camera, the Sony support cannot ever be tightened - the screw is there to act as a resistance to movement but not to lock the chest / stomach arm support. I was previously using the VF gadget support which although good, did not offer any support to the front heaviness of the EX3. For the price I've paid for this support, I'm not (as yet) satisfied - I might get used to it better by time. However my first reaction was a shock. It's function is also dependent on what type of clothes you wear. I was wearing both a photographer's jacket and a suit in both occasions. The chest arm tends to slip somewhat on the fabric. I'm not sure whether I was clear in my entry but it is the first piece of equipment that I ever bought which left me rather perplexed. ...and BTW needless to say, the instruction manual doesn't offer much help. I'm hoping that someone writes and disagrees with me and help understand how to use it correctly. ...or else i believe that of all the cameras mentioned, the EX3 is the heaviest of them all and the least suitable for this support (even though it is indicated). I'm eager to hear reviews from other people.

March 25th, 2010, 03:41 PM	#8
Barry J. Weckesser Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 427	I was considering trying the VCT-SP2BP out but your initial impression helps me to nix that idea. I like the idea of hands free (or just one hand lightly touching the camera or shoulder mount to keep it straight). I have an EX1 but these shoulder supports are also rated for the EX3 - the supporting arm rests on your hip bone and not directly on your stomach and the support stays steady due to the belt around your waist: Shape WLB - SPIDER II PRO camera support - SS2200PRO If you click on the first picture to the right you can see an EX3 mounted on this support - you do not have to get the pro version if you do not need the rails for mattbox and it is cheaper ($ 499). I have a Manfrotto remote mounted on the right handle so I can keep my right hand on the handle for start/stop record and clip review and my left hand is always completely free for focus/iris adjustment - you can also flip up the left handle and rest your hand on the handle and focus adjust with your finger. Gives a lot of stability and absolutely no weight support with your hands.

March 25th, 2010, 07:04 PM	#9
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	The El Cheapo is a much better solution using the same concept as this +$500 Sony solution. You can get the El Cheapo, last time I checked, for under $25.00 to your door. I think it is way less than that. You will want to add a Manfrotto baseplate adapter to the El Cheapo which will triple the cost of your El Cheapo to $75. I played around with a similar device that Sony came out with for the Z1 a number of years ago. It was $475 at the time. It was kinda lame as people are hinting at here. My preferred solution is go big or go home but since people are looking for an inexpensive solution for stabilizing a camera I will suggest something affordable. First go and have a look at the SteadyStick or if you don't mind looking like a Borg, try out the Media Rig (don't have the URL handy).