How to Mount a Monitor to FX3 / FX30 Camera
TLDR: Another Solution (If you don’t want to spend +$100) is to use the product linked below
Small Rig Magic Mount: https://amzn.to/3WHdzb4
A Professional Solution
Mounting an external monitor like the Atomos Ninja V to your Sony FX3 camera shouldn't be this hard. But I found the best way to do it, and it involves using a part I have yet to see anyone recommend.
The Old Way
For years Sony video shooters have been mounting their external monitors to the top of their cameras using the hot shoe. This method was the way for cameras like the Sony A7sii and A7iii because it put the monitor in a nice spot to see. Right above the camera, with the option to tilt it up or down to suit your viewing needs.
And you can do that with the Sony FX3.
But when Sony included an audio handle with their FX3 or camera. It took the spot Sony shooters used to reserve for their monitor. And the handle is practical, helping you record pro-grade XLR audio directly into your camera with no wires. So you use the handle because it's good.
But then, where does your monitor go?
There was no way to mount the monitor to the handle out of the box. It's like they designed the setup to be monitor-unfriendly. So people had to get creative.
Why Other Options Don’t Work
Third-party solutions began popping up as soon as the Sony FX3 launched, but many of them added a new mounting point onto the handle itself, which, I mean... isn't it supposed to be used as a handle? If you put it here, you can't use the handle anymore. Back here, and it's too close to you.
It's just not the same as it used to be.
And don't even get me started about the people who put their monitors up here. That setup is getting a little precarious for my taste.
The Importance of a Cage
So how do we solve this problem well? Well, first, I'm going to assume you have a cage on your camera. A cage is a great option to protect your camera from damge and to add more mounting points. We're going to use those later.
The plan is to put the monitor mounted somewhere on the camera's left side. Similar in function to how the bigger Sony cameras have a viewfinder off to the side.
But how do you do that with an external monitor like the Atomos Ninja V?
You could get creative with a magic arm, mounting it into the cage and holding the monitor in your desired position. But that's complicated and could be more secure.
Mount a Monitor to the Sony FX3 & FX30
Here's the solution that I recommend, based on a part I have yet to see anyone recommend.
Before you begin, this solution is contingent on you owning the Small Rig Sony FX3 half cage or a cage with a mount point for a 15mm rail on the smart side of the camera.
Once you have that, place a 15mm rod into the mount point. This one is an eight-inch stainless steel rod from Small Rig. Now I'm going to add the part that brings it all together.
The Shape offset swivel monitor mount with a 15mm rod clamp is precisely what its name suggests. It's a 15mm rail with a right-angle rod clamp on one and a monitor mount on the other.
It slides onto the 15mm rod, and you tighten it down. Screw on your monitor, and that's the end of the installation.
You can see how it brings the monitor into the perfect spot beside your camera. You can even adjust how far out you want the monitor from your setup.
Is the monitor low? You can flip the mount to underweight the monitor and bring it up higher. You can do all this while retaining the swivel action of a traditional shoe-based monitor mount and adjusting it on the fly to the best viewing angle.
It's solid as a rock and adds even more places to mount rail accessories if needed without adding a substantial amount of weight.
Conclusion
I love this little part, and when I tried it out, I was shocked I didn't see more people recommending it. That's why I made this video to share the solution I've been using for the last year to mount an external monitor to my Sony FX3 or FX30 camera.
I hope this was helpful. This was a short video. I hope to make more quick recommendations like this in the future. Make sure to subscribe, and I'll see you in the next video.
Thanks!
Josh Diaz is a Video Producer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Videos by Josh is a freelance creative outlet which shoots and edits advertisement and promotional videos for a variety of corporate and commercial clients.
