Epic DMSC Side Handle utility?

[Rob Gardner]

How do people feel about ordering the DMSC side handle if you never expect to use the camera for still photography? It seems more likely that other set-ups would be more useful for the camera if hand holding for motion photography. Any thoughts? How has it worked in the field?
Thanks,
Rob Gardner

[C.H.Haskell]

It comes in handy even if you dont think you will use it. it also allows for the smallest possible onboard power capability and if thats something you want to do with EPIC then there are no other options. (as of now)

[Bérenger Brillante]

guys there is so much buttons on it... and the jog is so fast to play with.
take it seriously, your LCD will thank you.

[Cüneyt Kaya]

must ass. in my opinion.
next year it will cost 1700 usd. so buy it now.
i use it all the time...and i am shooting from a tripod.

i open a menu with the ts lcd and navigate with the sidehandle.
and you can use redvolts!!!

[Shane Kelly]

I'm waiting on mine so I can just use it and the evf for handheld work. I'll remove the touch screen when I do this. Also, I dont like relying on the touchscreen to navigate the menus as, if it goes down, I'm in trouble.

[Steve Wake]

I think its utility would increase exponentially if someone would make a tether. Basically a plate with contacts to attach to the Brain at the Side Handle attachment point, another plate with pogo pins to attach to the Side Handle and a cable in-between. This would allow the Side Handle to be used in place of a grip on a shoulder rig, or attach to a tripod handle. No electronics so a third party should be able to design and manufacture it pretty quickly and easily. RED has other priorities right now. RedMote is not a substitute since I only have two hands and generally operate solo. I started a thread with this suggestion a week or so ago and there was interest, but not a lot of attention. If you want this built, show some interest and I'm sure someone will step forward.

As far as whether to buy a Side Handle, I think that's a no-brainer before Dec 31.

[KETCH ROSSi]

We couldn't never do without now that we have it... ;)

[Shane Kelly]

I think its utility would increase exponentially if someone would make a tether. Basically a plate with contacts to attach to the Brain at the Side Handle attachment point, another plate with pogo pins to attach to the Side Handle and a cable in-between. This would allow the Side Handle to be used in place of a grip on a shoulder rig, or attach to a tripod handle. No electronics so a third party should be able to design and manufacture it pretty quickly and easily. RED has other priorities right now. RedMote is not a substitute since I only have two hands and generally operate solo. I started a thread with this suggestion a week or so ago and there was interest, but not a lot of attention. If you want this built, show some interest and I'm sure someone will step forward.

As far as whether to buy a Side Handle, I think that's a no-brainer before Dec 31.

I like that idea. Maybe viewfactor or element technica.

[Steve Wake]

I like that idea. Maybe viewfactor or element technica.

Great! I'm a nobody. So it would be great if the "somebody's" passed the request on to the appropriate third parties.

[Thomas Akira Nakasone]

Is it true that the dsmc side handle used in conjuction with another battery plate allows you to keep the camera powered up while you swap batteries on the plate?

[Peter Strietmann]

Is it true that the dsmc side handle used in conjuction with another battery plate allows you to keep the camera powered up while you swap batteries on the plate?

Yes.

[Bill Goehring]

Yes.

Well, that's not quite the full story though. You can swap Redvolts out of the module w/o a side handle, as well. With Redvolts in a quad-mod or dual-mod, you could still swap them out without disrupting camera power. The Epic/Scarlet draws from the batteries sequentially, not concurrently. So when one is drained the camera automatically switches to drawing power from the next on-line battery. A dual-mod holds two Redvolts, so after one drains, it can be replaced while the other continues in its place. A quad-mod holds up to two Redvolt XLs or four Redvolts, so the same strategy holds for it.

[Rob Gardner]

Steve Wake's idea sounds very sensible. I can see the flexibility and utility of the Side Handle increasing exponentially by doing that. And I think the price note is a worthy one too.
Thanks
rob

[Justin Marx]

Steve Wake's idea sounds very sensible. I can see the flexibility and utility of the Side Handle increasing exponentially by doing that. And I think the price note is a worthy one too.
Thanks
rob
Would be a pretty good idea.. Just seems like it would be a total red-design.. it's bulky for a seperate off body hand grip, you need to be able to grip all the way around, and you would constantly be hitting buttons while shooting.. Something with remote on off, and quick menu jog would be nice and I'm sure much easier and less expensive then adapting a square peg into a round hole..

My 2cents

[Steve Wake]

I understand the ergonomics of a tethered DSMC Side Handle used as a grip on a shoulder rig would not be ideal, but then again no handle will be all things to all people. This would not be traditional for shoulder-mount grip controls or ENG-style controls. The DSMC handle itself is not traditional - though it's closest to DSLR's.

So the idea is to get something quick and greasy out there without a lot of redesign. Realistically, who is going to redesign something with reliable electronics that interfaces with all future upgrades, besides RED? And they're pretty busy with much more basic priorities.

As far as streamlining the controls, the Side Handle buttons are all individually programmable, including a "Disable" setting. In fact, entire keysets can be saved as a preset. Something for everyone, and for any occasion or configuration.

[stu aull]

I'll be using mine in conjunction with a BOMB, so it really is a MUST-have. That and anticipated superior performance in Arctic conditions over a Touch-screen interface...
And as others have said, the wee form-factor with a redvolt inside for jib and quickie hand-held stuff. Great tool...

Stu Aull
Alaska

[Rob Gardner]

Well, this all convinced me. I ordered one. It was the price jump that really pushed me over the edge, but I think it would probably come in handy in any event.
Thanks

[Manuel Wenger]

Once you have a side handle, you won´t leave home without it :)

[Christopher Barrett]

SO in love with mine! RedVolts... FTW! With an EVF, menu nav is awesome. And looky... it has more data contacts on the bottom... there is obviously going to be a Vertical orientation add-on grip at some point. Sweet!

[rod bradley]

Just echoing -- you won't be sorry you took the leap!