Sony designers excelled themselves with this remote arm, they decided every cameraman/woman carries a screw driver so in order to extend this remote arm you need to unscrew two screws.
A Canadian company called Shape saw this design flaw and produced their version with an easy to release tool-less version, now all I have to do is release the red knob and extend the remote handle.
Better still Shape took the re-design a stage further and added a quick release knob (Red button) which makes it easy to go from shoulder mount to tripod use.
Well done Shape for making a tool-less version of this arm, now all we need them to do is make a better design of the viewfinder bracket and we are ready for action.
I find this interesting. Is it because camera manufacturers are rushing out their new designs before they are fully tested? Or is it because users are becoming more critical of camera designs?
HDW : Just thoughtlessness from a designer who obviously does not use cameras like this.
I think it is better to have a few coins in his pocket than buying this stupid upgrade. After all, if there is a tripod plate that attaches to the camera in exactly the same bolt, the user no questions, then it is cool? Do we need a screwdriver… NONSENSE …;)
HDW : Camera tripod plates are fixed at base long before I turn up to film and the slot size on a tripod plate is wider. Days of carrying “coins” in the pocket are long gone my friend.
Well, I saw Philip, you savvy guy. What prevents replace the stock bolt, bolt the wing. the price difference is astronomical.
HDW : The quick release i.e.. press the red button to release the arm plus its about 1/2″ away from the camera which is far better and is 10x easier to fit in my bag without taking the arm off.