I need user suggestions for a X70 support. I love the little bugger but after adding a light, mixer and monitor it is starting to be a bit unwieldy.

I think I need one to carry on my shoulder but I am open to ideas.

Dan, I had a shoulder rig for the X70 for a while and sold it. Perhaps I didn't spend enough time manipulating the setup, but I found (for ENG work) it made the whole thing messy and awkward for, say, when chasing people down a street.

It was one of the rigs with the two vertical handles under either side of the lens to support the camera.

I used a Libec remote on one of the handles under the lens to control start/stop and zoom.

If I try it again (and I am sure I sill) I reckon I will go with something that:

1) Has a shoulder rest/pad (of course) but no front handles attached to the rig....

2) ...keeps your hands on the handgrip and focus ring on the lens (like a shoulder mount ENG cam)

3) has an EVF mounted to the rig somehow so essentially the whole thing sits on your shoulder while looking through a viewfinder off to the left hand side of the camera, again, like an ENG shoulder cam.

Old habits die hard, and I guess this is why news crews don't always go to the smaller cameras because they know the ENG style shoulder-mount cams work well.

All I would have to do to get that kit right is to make sure the shoulder rest/handgrip and EVF are placed correctly.

David,

This is what I bought: "www.switronix.com/products?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=81&category_id=39" with the V mount battery plate.

I have several large Sony V mount batteries ,which in addition to powering a Zylight on camera light and the X70, will serve as a counterbalance.

I decided against an external monitor to keep things simple. I did add a Varizoom remote control to the single handle and my left hand can ride the focus.

I am cannibalizing an old piece of equipment for the carry handle to add to my new rig.

What mixer are you using?

Any photos of your gear right now?

Zack,

When I am mixing audio on camera, I use a Juiced Link Riggy-Micro RM333. In this instance, I have decided to limit mixing audio except when I am in a fixed position. I was using a cage which has plenty of architecture for mounting accessories. Now I will be using my Marantz PMD620 recorders in lieu of the on camera mixer and mix in post

I will post some photos later.