Mounting FireStore FS-4 on XL2

Did a search on this in the forums and could not find anything. For anyone using a Canon XL2 with a FireStore FS-4, have you found a good way to mount it? I attached the large metal "Adaptor Holder" last night that's supposed to be used to hold a dual battery charger or wireless mic receiver. But I could not really figure out a way to make the two work together.

I've already got my wireless Sennheiser Wireless G2 mic receiver mounted in the top accessory shoe (up by the front of the XL2 handle), so I wont need the "Adaptor Holder" for that.

Any ideas? If I figure out a solution, I'll post photos here. Thanks.

[Antony Quintin]

Can you post photos of your set-up on your camera, would be interesting to see...

cheers Ant

Sure, I'll be happy to after I figure out the way I'm going to attach the FS-4.

[Antony Quintin]

I also meant of the set-up u hav now!??
or email to - qufilms17@aol.com

thank u

[Tom Woodworth]

I am also looking for a good way to mount my FS-4 on my XL2. I thought maybe there was an additional "holster" that had to be purchased in order to mount it on the bracket that came with my XL2. I'm looking forward to any updates on this issue.

Got this from Guy @ DVcreators.net-

I’m glad to here you like the unit. I can get you the FS-4 hot shoe mounting bracket for $110, just say the word. Then consider getting something like this:

http://www.adorama.com/NR59111.html

Also see this thread http://dvcreators.net/discuss/showth...1200#post31200

I'm still going to look around some and see how I actually use the unit. I'm getting ready to record with it the first time now. I will continue any updates with more info here. Hope anyone else will do the same. Thanks.

[Michael Padilla]

I was stuck in the same dilemma, I don't like accessories unless they can be mounted and work independent from being attached to my body. I really liked the firestore mount kit, but for $120+ bucks it was hard to reason the purchase.

So I figured out another way
It's almost free and it works...Check it out...

http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_ph...store_xlm1.jpg
http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_ph...store_xlm2.jpg

Go to Home Depot or wherever and get some Industrial (seriously) heavy duty velcro, find a short firewire cable (which I plan on getting) or bound the cable like I have in the photos, and there you have it.

I was concerned about my firestore falling off, so I ran some tests before ever taking it out in the real world, I jerked and jumped and never has it moved.

Michael,

Thanks.

That looks great. I'll try it this week. I like how your invention utilized the space right behind the camera right in the middle and that huge metal plate it came with from the factory to mount sound equip. I'm using a small wireless mic, so I didn't need that big metal braket anyway.

I'm sure that location would keep the XL2 in good balance as well. Plus, the location keeps the FS-4 controls nice and viewable as well as handy.

GREAT!!!!! I'll post some pics after I install it on my XL2.

Thanks again and appreciate the pictures so I could see it.

I meant, today... right now.

Went to Lowe's, bought some INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH velcro (in black).

I put the fuzzy side on the metal plate and the hook side on the back of the FS-4 (just the battery portion to allow the fan access to air and so you could still get to the battery release switch). I also unscrewed the little round adaptor for the belt holder that was mounted on the upper back side. I thought it would be one less thing I would have to contend with, and may even allow the air to flow to and from the fan a little easier.

I also removed the two little rectangular rubber cushions on the bottom, so the velcro would be completely flat on the back of the FS-4.

I would have posted pictures of the FS-4 removed, but that thing was stuck on there like you wouldn't believe and I wanted to give the adhesive tape 24 hours to set and form a better bond.

Here are some photos:
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic1.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic2.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic3.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic4.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic5.html

I've gotta go now. I'm making a velcro suit and sticking the rest of this stuff to the back of my house so I can jump off the trampoline onto the the new velcro wall... there will be no photos of that :)

[Michael Padilla]

Ha, Cool that's the same stuff I bought!

Glad its workin' for ya!

Cool monitor by the way, I wish I could get a 4" wide (like on the sony HDVcams) to mount on the shoe of the xl2...know of anyting?

Thanks.

You may try this site - http://www.vfgadgets.com.

That's where I got the arm for my monitor. It's very well made and durable.

[Tom Woodworth]

The pictures look great and the set up seems to be working for those who have tried it. I hope to get out to my local hardware store to get the velcro. Thanks for the knowledge and the visuals.

Derek,

I'd also like more information on the monitor you show in the pics. Who makes it, average cost, pros and cons...etc...thanks!

Tom,

TransVideo makes it. I researched for about a month or so trying to find the highest quality monitor that was the most durable. I did several searches in this forum and read several posts going from recent to not so recent and everything I read (and heard) about the Transvideo was good.

Web Site: http://www.transvideointl.com

I found it after calling Randy at EVS online (a DVinfo.net sponsor) after hearing about his efforts to find the best monitor to use when using an M2 (aka micro35). One of the factors when using a M2 is that it flips your image. So one of the M2 forum moderators (Brian Valente) said that Randy at EVS was making a real effort to investigate every monitor that would flip an image, as well as do a few other things like 16:9.

I emailed Randy and he let me know that in his opinion the TransVideo was the best, but it was very expensive.

Here's a direct link to the M2 forums where monitor solutions are discussed at length. Go to the third page and you can see my first post on the subject and the fourth page contains precise data on all TransVideo monitors and pricing. As far as I know this is the only place on the internet with pricing:

http://www.redrockmicro.com/forum/vi...ght=transvideo

Chris, hope you don't mind me sending Tom to another forum, but I think there are several people here, who look at both forums and everyone benefits as a whole.

My TransVideo is the 6" Cinemonitor IIIA, and I've been very happy with it, although I've only had it for a week now. It was about $3,500 after adding the "Smart DV Bat Back" that would hold two Canon XL2 batteries if you wanted portable power - so far I've just plugged it into the wall.

Looking at the TransVideoIntl.com site I found the "users" section quite motivating. I know that having an expensive monitor will not make me a great film producer... but it won't hurt the effort either :)

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

[Tom Woodworth]

Derek,

Great information. I'll be spending time reading and seriously considering the Transvideo option. Thanks again.

Glad I could help.