How to mount Atomos recorder and microphone on camera?

[DNature]

I currently use a Panasonic S5II for recording video. Due to how reflective the screen on the camera is, I wanted to get a monitor so I can see what I am doing easier. Since I am going that route, I have wanted to get a recorder so I'd rather do that. I was looking at the Atomos Ninja Ultra.

I currently do everything myself (audio and video) so the way my camera is setup is on the camera hot shoe, I mount a Rycote InVision On Camera shock mount and a Rycote HC-22 microphone with Rycote Super Softie windshield.

My audio recorder is a Sounddevices MixPre-3 II audio recorder which I screw below the camera onto the camera tripod mount and I mount a tripod plate to the audio recorder tripod mount.

I also use USB-C batteries to power the camera and audio recorders. I would need a way of mounting to the camera, both the Atomos ninja recorder and the microphone. I thought about getting a SmallRig cage for the S5II, but from images of it, I didn't think I could mount the audio recorder below it.

Can anyone help? I live in the UK so I need a solution I can get here.

 

[BobKo]

I have a cage for my GH6 that is made by Niceyrig. Yeah, I know... dumb name. However, it cost only around US$35 and it holds everything I want to put on it. I ruined a GH3 by frequently carrying too many accessories using the hot shoe, so I vowed to never make that mistake again. I'm sure that there is a way to mount everything you want on the SmallRig cage for the S5II.

Here's a photo of my GH6 in its Niceyrig cage, holding a monitor, light and a wireless mic receiver:

 

[Rag and Bone]

If it were me, I'd put the mic on a separate stand and boom. Less chance of handling noise, and better chance of optimal location.

 

[DNature]

If it were me, I'd put the mic on a separate stand and boom. Less chance of handling noise, and better chance of optimal location.

Thanks for the suggestion, however, I probably should have mentioned that I am currently shooting nature videos. I use the microphone to record background audio which is why I currently have it mounted on the camera with a shock mount. I often do some panning shots and need the audio to sync up with the panning.


I am careful when I shoot video and audio to not get handling noise in the audio, especially since the Rycote HC-22 mic I use is quite sensitive.


If I were doing talking head shots I wouldn't mount the microphone on the camera. Also since I am doing everything myself and use a tripod, I can't carry around anything extra like a stand and boom pole.

--
If find that the best way to live life, is not in the pursuit of material possessions, but its to live in the pursuit of making positive differences to both other people and to the planet as a whole and if you can get others to do similar or the same, so much the better.

 

[Rag and Bone]

Ah, that's different.

I'm curious about the SmallRig cage you've dismissed. It looks to me like it has mounting options on the underside, but I'm probably missing something.

 

[Off The Mark]

I would definitely look into a using a cage with multiple cold shoe sockets and avoid having anything in the hotshoe if you can.

I would also suggest that a stereo mic would probably give "better" performance than a monaural shotgun mic when recording nature, or at least a more realistic representation of the environment, since we hear in stereo. A monaural shotgun mic would be better if you are trying to capture a bird far away and you are able to record the mic off camera in a field recorder that is a lot closer to the bird (or whatever subject), but it sounds like that is not an option that will work for you.

 

[DNature]

Ah, that's different.

I'm curious about the SmallRig cage you've dismissed. It looks to me like it has mounting options on the underside, but I'm probably missing something.

Thinking about it, I haven't dismissed it completely. My initial thought when I saw images of the bottom of it was that the bottom of it might not attach 100% with the audio recorder I use. The audio recorder I use, the Sounddevices MixPre-3 II has a 1/4-20 threaded screw that comes out the top center of it which screws into the tripod screw mount of the camera. and it looks like, while there are 1/4 holes, they are not centred on the bottom of the cage.

 

[DNature]

I would definitely look into a using a cage with multiple cold shoe sockets and avoid having anything in the hotshoe if you can.

I would also suggest that a stereo mic would probably give "better" performance than a monaural shotgun mic when recording nature, or at least a more realistic representation of the environment, since we hear in stereo. A monaural shotgun mic would be better if you are trying to capture a bird far away and you are able to record the mic off camera in a field recorder that is a lot closer to the bird (or whatever subject), but it sounds like that is not an option that will work for you.

Yes I think a cage would be best, I don't want to potentially damage the hotshoe on the camera.

I have wanted to get a stereo microphone setup at some point when I can afford a good mic setup as I know shotgun mic isn't really a good option for background audio recording.

 

[Alan_W1]

I currently use a Panasonic S5II for recording video. Due to how reflective the screen on the camera is, I wanted to get a monitor so I can see what I am doing easier. Since I am going that route, I have wanted to get a recorder so I'd rather do that. I was looking at the Atomos Ninja Ultra.

I currently do everything myself (audio and video) so the way my camera is setup is on the camera hot shoe, I mount a Rycote InVision On Camera shock mount and a Rycote HC-22 microphone with Rycote Super Softie windshield.
My audio recorder is a Sounddevices MixPre-3 II audio recorder which I screw below the camera onto the camera tripod mount and I mount a tripod plate to the audio recorder tripod mount.

I also use USB-C batteries to power the camera and audio recorders. I would need a way of mounting to the camera, both the Atomos ninja recorder and the microphone. I thought about getting a SmallRig cage for the S5II, but from images of it, I didn't think I could mount the audio recorder below it.
Can anyone help? I live in the UK so I need a solution I can get here.

You could take a look at the Tilta S5ii Half-cage, as it has a different arrangement of 1/4"-20 mounting holes on the base/underside {seven of them, although three of them are slightly recessed, compared to the other four}.

I use one on my G9ii, as i prefer to leave the hand-grip side of the G9ii completely unobstructed {compared to a full cage}. I had to make a slight adaption of the cage for it to fit my G9ii body, which wouldn't be required with your S5ii.

Half Camera Cage for Panasonic S5 II/IIX | Tilta

 

[DNature]

I currently use a Panasonic S5II for recording video. Due to how reflective the screen on the camera is, I wanted to get a monitor so I can see what I am doing easier. Since I am going that route, I have wanted to get a recorder so I'd rather do that. I was looking at the Atomos Ninja Ultra.

I currently do everything myself (audio and video) so the way my camera is setup is on the camera hot shoe, I mount a Rycote InVision On Camera shock mount and a Rycote HC-22 microphone with Rycote Super Softie windshield.
My audio recorder is a Sounddevices MixPre-3 II audio recorder which I screw below the camera onto the camera tripod mount and I mount a tripod plate to the audio recorder tripod mount.

I also use USB-C batteries to power the camera and audio recorders. I would need a way of mounting to the camera, both the Atomos ninja recorder and the microphone. I thought about getting a SmallRig cage for the S5II, but from images of it, I didn't think I could mount the audio recorder below it.
Can anyone help? I live in the UK so I need a solution I can get here.

You could take a look at the Tilta S5ii Half-cage, as it has a different arrangement of 1/4"-20 mounting holes on the base/underside {seven of them, although three of them are slightly recessed, compared to the other four}.

I use one on my G9ii, as i prefer to leave the hand-grip side of the G9ii completely unobstructed {compared to a full cage}. I had to make a slight adaption of the cage for it to fit my G9ii body, which wouldn't be required with your S5ii.

Half Camera Cage for Panasonic S5 II/IIX | Tilta

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look at that. I am thinking now I might wait and see what the rumoured new upcoming Lumix cameras being announced on the 13th May will be first: https://www.l-rumors.com/surprise-p...cameras-and-one-lens-on-may-13/#disqus_thread

If one of those is better for video than my S5II, I might order one, if not I'll get an S5IIX.
and look into a cage for it rather than get a external video recorder and instead upgrade my audio setup for stereo audio