Lightwave Supermount or AT Universal Mount? at DVinfo.net

Jason Soo · September 24th, 2003, 09:53 PM

Hi All,

this may be a dumb question but....

is it possible to use the AT8415 universal mount with Lightwave's superscreen? This way I can save on Ligtwave's supermount. Or am I talking rubbish here and the zeppelin system (BOTH the pistol grip and windscreen) has to be from Lightwave?

I'll probaly be using the MKH416.

Thanks in advance!

Ken Tanaka · September 24th, 2003, 10:26 PM

Hello Jason,
I am not crazy about the AT8415 shock mount (which I own). It's just not very stable and mics don't feel very secure in it. I would never consider using it with the Senn MKH416 (which I also own). The 416 features a heavier metal casing than, say, the ME66 and it would threaten to slide out.

My vote for an on-camera mount is to bite the bullet and use the Lightwave Mini-Mount with a Rycote Softie on the 416, depending on your camera. (I'm not very impressed with Lightwave's windscreens...not very effective.) It works very well if you positively have no choice other than to put the mic on the camera.

Jay Massengill · September 25th, 2003, 02:53 PM

Ken, are you criss-crossing the horizontal bands on the 8415?
This adds tremendous stability and holding power.

Ken Tanaka · September 25th, 2003, 03:37 PM

Yes, crossing those bands does indeed add grip tension. The primary problem I've encountered with the 8415 is simple flop. That is, the business end of a mic with a wind screen just tends to bounce in the 8415. If gets enough inertia it can (has) bounce into the frame if the mic is a longer one.

I rarely use a mic on the camera. But when I do I just prefer the more solid grip of the Lightwave mount. Coupled with their Isolator (on the XL1s) it makes for a reasonably good shock mount system.

Mike Rehmus · September 25th, 2003, 05:52 PM

The supermount has the correct slots and fasteners for the superscreen.

You really cannot use the screen without the mount as it does directly mount into it.

I have no problems with the Light Wave Systems windscreens and I do shoot in a lot of wind up here in Northern California.

Mini Screen or the superscreen both work fine for me.

It wouldn't take much to adapt the business end of the supermount to mount directly to the camera. Course I have a machine shop in my garage. :-)))

September 24th, 2003, 09:53 PM	#1
Jason Soo New Boot Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 10	Lightwave Supermount or AT Universal Mount? Hi All, this may be a dumb question but.... is it possible to use the AT8415 universal mount with Lightwave's superscreen? This way I can save on Ligtwave's supermount. Or am I talking rubbish here and the zeppelin system (BOTH the pistol grip and windscreen) has to be from Lightwave? I'll probaly be using the MKH416. Thanks in advance!

September 24th, 2003, 10:26 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hello Jason, I am not crazy about the AT8415 shock mount (which I own). It's just not very stable and mics don't feel very secure in it. I would never consider using it with the Senn MKH416 (which I also own). The 416 features a heavier metal casing than, say, the ME66 and it would threaten to slide out. My vote for an on-camera mount is to bite the bullet and use the Lightwave Mini-Mount with a Rycote Softie on the 416, depending on your camera. (I'm not very impressed with Lightwave's windscreens...not very effective.) It works very well if you positively have no choice other than to put the mic on the camera. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

September 25th, 2003, 03:37 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, crossing those bands does indeed add grip tension. The primary problem I've encountered with the 8415 is simple flop. That is, the business end of a mic with a wind screen just tends to bounce in the 8415. If gets enough inertia it can (has) bounce into the frame if the mic is a longer one. I rarely use a mic on the camera. But when I do I just prefer the more solid grip of the Lightwave mount. Coupled with their Isolator (on the XL1s) it makes for a reasonably good shock mount system. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

September 25th, 2003, 05:52 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	The supermount has the correct slots and fasteners for the superscreen. You really cannot use the screen without the mount as it does directly mount into it. I have no problems with the Light Wave Systems windscreens and I do shoot in a lot of wind up here in Northern California. Mini Screen or the superscreen both work fine for me. It wouldn't take much to adapt the business end of the supermount to mount directly to the camera. Course I have a machine shop in my garage. :-))) __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

September 25th, 2003, 02:53 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Ken, are you criss-crossing the horizontal bands on the 8415? This adds tremendous stability and holding power.