Shoulder pads?? at DVinfo.net

Randy Johnson · May 16th, 2010, 02:18 PM

I have been in a on going search for the perfect shoulder mount. Everyone I looked at had something wrong with it. Either it wasnt offset or it didnt mount to a tripod or I could put my Anton/bauer plate on it. I thought I found the perfect one (under $200) and I have been using it.
Cavision Shoulder Pad System Package with Dual Handgrips
Now im still convinced its the best one for me but its lack of padding is killing me. any thoughts of how to put padding on this sucker?

Don Bloom · May 16th, 2010, 04:17 PM

go to a fabric store buy some foam. Cut pieces to fit cover with material of choice, I suggest some other than silk or satin as they might tend to slip on the shoulder, demin might hurt your shoulder so maybe smooth felt of dull vinyl. Cover the foam and use either strong double face tape OR spray adhesive OR velcro to attach padding to mount. Off the top of my head that's what I'd do. What I did exactly that some years ago with a shouler mount I had for my old PD150s.

Foam should be a soft or medium density, check them both out for comfort.

Randy Johnson · May 16th, 2010, 05:07 PM

Thanks Don, I will have to learn how to sew:)

Chris Harding · May 18th, 2010, 04:52 PM

Hi Randy

An extra small point to note (since I have shoulder-mount cams) is that if you take a look in the mirror at yourself you will see that your shoulders are not horizontal to the floor but actually slope down!! All shoulder-mount cameras have a pad that is widest across the pad on the side nearest your neck and slightly narrower on the side nearest your shoulder joint..a sorta wide V shape !! This helps the camera sit on your shoulder and be as "upright" as possible. If you have a flat piece of foam the camera will tend to tilt outwards due to your shoulder shape so before you add the vinyl, grab the wife's electric carving knife and shape the underside of the foam a little!!

Chris

Randy Johnson · May 18th, 2010, 07:58 PM

I had a different thought, has anyone ever seen a videographers shooters vest with a padded shoulder? Maybe I could kill 2 birds with one stone.

Chris Harding · May 18th, 2010, 09:25 PM

Hi Randy

Great idea...the only commercial one I have seen is the one from Portabrace which doesn't look very suitable as it's all pockets and only two thin vest straps without padding. We could probably get away with something like a 1/2 vest (so you don't get too hot) but with more effort put into the shoulder part. You could probably persuade the wife/girlfriend/mom to take a nice tough demin jacket and stitch in some foam much the same way as ladieswear jackets have padded shoulders. If you use a wedge shaped piece of foam you will have a nice flat surface for the shoulder-mount to sit on.

Shucks, maybe I might look into that too!! My Cams have very hard pads and after an hour they do get a bit uncomfortable!! Another good idea is NOT use foam but stitch in a small CineSaddle type of bag which will form around the mount very nicely!! If you look around stores you can buy headrests to use at home which are basically bags filled with microbeads...they conform to any shape and are really useful.

Chris

Randy Johnson · May 19th, 2010, 08:59 PM

Thanks for the input guys I have been meaning to get a vest for my weddings anyway may I can just put some bean bag kinda stuff in the right shoulder. If I can sew like a secret pocket kinda thing on I could put a zipper on it and add or subtract until I get the feeling right.

May 16th, 2010, 02:18 PM	#1
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	Shoulder pads?? I have been in a on going search for the perfect shoulder mount. Everyone I looked at had something wrong with it. Either it wasnt offset or it didnt mount to a tripod or I could put my Anton/bauer plate on it. I thought I found the perfect one (under $200) and I have been using it. Cavision Shoulder Pad System Package with Dual Handgrips Now im still convinced its the best one for me but its lack of padding is killing me. any thoughts of how to put padding on this sucker?

May 16th, 2010, 04:17 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	go to a fabric store buy some foam. Cut pieces to fit cover with material of choice, I suggest some other than silk or satin as they might tend to slip on the shoulder, demin might hurt your shoulder so maybe smooth felt of dull vinyl. Cover the foam and use either strong double face tape OR spray adhesive OR velcro to attach padding to mount. Off the top of my head that's what I'd do. What I did exactly that some years ago with a shouler mount I had for my old PD150s. Foam should be a soft or medium density, check them both out for comfort. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

May 16th, 2010, 05:07 PM	#3
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	Thanks Don, I will have to learn how to sew:)

May 18th, 2010, 04:52 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Randy An extra small point to note (since I have shoulder-mount cams) is that if you take a look in the mirror at yourself you will see that your shoulders are not horizontal to the floor but actually slope down!! All shoulder-mount cameras have a pad that is widest across the pad on the side nearest your neck and slightly narrower on the side nearest your shoulder joint..a sorta wide V shape !! This helps the camera sit on your shoulder and be as "upright" as possible. If you have a flat piece of foam the camera will tend to tilt outwards due to your shoulder shape so before you add the vinyl, grab the wife's electric carving knife and shape the underside of the foam a little!! Chris

May 18th, 2010, 07:58 PM	#5
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	I had a different thought, has anyone ever seen a videographers shooters vest with a padded shoulder? Maybe I could kill 2 birds with one stone.

May 18th, 2010, 09:25 PM	#6
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Randy Great idea...the only commercial one I have seen is the one from Portabrace which doesn't look very suitable as it's all pockets and only two thin vest straps without padding. We could probably get away with something like a 1/2 vest (so you don't get too hot) but with more effort put into the shoulder part. You could probably persuade the wife/girlfriend/mom to take a nice tough demin jacket and stitch in some foam much the same way as ladieswear jackets have padded shoulders. If you use a wedge shaped piece of foam you will have a nice flat surface for the shoulder-mount to sit on. Shucks, maybe I might look into that too!! My Cams have very hard pads and after an hour they do get a bit uncomfortable!! Another good idea is NOT use foam but stitch in a small CineSaddle type of bag which will form around the mount very nicely!! If you look around stores you can buy headrests to use at home which are basically bags filled with microbeads...they conform to any shape and are really useful. Chris

May 19th, 2010, 08:59 PM	#7
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	Thanks for the input guys I have been meaning to get a vest for my weddings anyway may I can just put some bean bag kinda stuff in the right shoulder. If I can sew like a secret pocket kinda thing on I could put a zipper on it and add or subtract until I get the feeling right.