so im off to galapagos in a month, and nitpicking every inch and ounce of what im bringing.

one of the things im considering is the top handle, while i love it, it just doesn't pack down quite enough, and since i don't need XLR, that cable can only get in the way.

does anyone know of a shoe mounted top handle, or should i consider a C bracket from below? or perhaps one of these:

Amazon.com: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle- Black: Camera & Photo

My buddy has the exact model you linked and I would not not trust it when using a c100/c300. It's made out of very light plastic and will work for regular Dslr's. Also, I'm not sure the top handle on it would clear the height of the c100/c300.

If your budget is higher then maybe check out the Redrock Ultra Cages built for the c100/c300.
Canon EOS C100 - ultraCage | blue for C100 | Canon C100 Rig (http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/ultraCageHandheldRigs/Canon-EOS-C100-ultraCage-camera-rig)

the RR cages are indeed great, but i just don't need them, i literally just want a raw top handle that can go on and off as needed. all the top handles that seem to be out there are either bolts or rails attached. haven't seen any to go to shoe

Zacuto

Zacuto Cold Shoe Handle: Top Handle for Lightweight Cameras

that's just about it. but as much as i recognize that zacuto makes quality products, when i look at this i think much of what i think about most of their products: the price is a decent chunk higher than what makes sense to me for what it is.

To do this on the cheap will probably not work as well and odds are it does not give enough clearance between the handle and the camera. For example, a handle with a 1/4-20 thread plus a shoe adapter: iDC Photo Video Grip Handle + Shoe Adapter with 1/4"-20 Stud 9041690 . You are also likely to run into issues because the shoe adapter does not hold tight enough to the handle.

There is a Redrock Micro handle with a cold shoe for a bit less than the Zacuto but same ballpark: Redrock Micro microHandle Plus 2-016-0002 B&H Photo Video . It doesn't require using a cage.

well it seems stephen mick caught this and linked me to this:

CINEIK Hot Shoe Handle - cineik (http://www.cineik.com/cineik-hot-shoe-handle.html)

now that's exactly what i'm talking about! i can nitpick the short length but by far this is what i was looking for.

but thank you for the other suggestions, if any others arise, please do post them as well.

Glad I could help. :D

came across this as well:

Transformer Bracket Handle by ALZO Video (http://www.alzovideo.com/alzo-dslr-transformer-bracket-handle.htm)

would need to order or make that little slip metal on the bottom of the canon handle that goes into the shoe, and that would make a more substantial handle.

while the small guy looks great, i very much like the idea of using that 1/4" to be sure the thing stays on

Oooo. CINEIK looks nice. Get the red one!

The CINEIK would not be as safe as the original handle as it does not screw in as does the original therefore all the weight of the camera would be hanging on the 4 tiny/minuscule screws that hold the top part of the design. Probably only a matter of time before they pull out and camera crashes to the ground


As CINEIK offer CNC services they could easily adapt one that has a 1/4 screw right through from the top of the handle so it would slide in then screw down tight as does the original, I would buy one for travelling light if they make a few.

what the heck, i'll shoot them an email. but i highly doubt they'd do such an overhaul to their CAD designs for such a small market such as us.

But whats wrong with C300's original handle design?

I hate to sound mean, Roger, but did you even read the OP?

I like the look of the Cineik handle, but as Steve said it wouldn't be a great idea for the C300 due to weight restriction of the shoe. They could do with making one identical to the Canon OEM version but a more slim design.

We're waiting for the Element Technica/3ality/Elements top hat and handle....they should be out in the next few weeks:
Canon C300/C500 - Elements Camera Accessories (http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/canon-c300-c500/)

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com

Nice stuff but not cheap!!

We're waiting for the Element Technica/3ality/Elements top hat and handle....they should be out in the next few weeks:
Canon C300/C500 - Elements Camera Accessories (http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/canon-c300-c500/)

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com

Nice rigs! I like the man handle with the top plate. That would be nice for the C300.

to update what i ended up doing, i went the route of a top cheese plate, which i wanted anyways, and the one i got, the genustech, has front facing 1/4 taps. throw in any old handle with a 1/4 thread rod and boom, secure, low profile, easy to remove handle!

i also got some nifty short 1/4" extention rods and going to give a shot at top mounting a FF, and then the bronstein mini shotgun mic, for an all in one, baseplate-less system that fits into my case. beautiful stuff, getting my rig darn close to how i like it, i'lll take some pics shortly.

Hi everyone! I've fashioned myself a low profile handle for my C100 3 mths ago. I believe this is what everyone is looking for.
Low-Profile-Handle-Composite-pic | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35178959@N07/9221542031/in/photostream)

This fits C100 only (I think, as I do not have C300/500), and has a thumb screw that secures it exactly like the original C100 handle. It will not slip off. I've added an optional mic plate for 3rd party mics like the Rode Videomic Pro. This handle is strong enough for the camera with 70-200 F2.8 attached (please don't ask me about heavier lenses). At times I even carry my C100 on this handle with my Glidecam 4000 attached!

I made a few pieces for my friends and have a few left over sets. let me know if anyone is interested. I can put them up on eBay and post an auction link.