I've shot content on a Sony Alpha 7 IV for years, but I'd yet to find a good solution for mounting the camera - until today.
95% of my content is talking-head, so I wanted something mounted to the desk. This is necessary because of space constraints, but it's also nice with a standing desk - I can get the same shot seated or standing.
Unfortunately, most desk mounts are cheap and underbuilt.
These mounts are not only flimsy but rigid - any movement of the desk will cause the camera to shake.
But it turns out we've already gotten quite good at mounting certain things to desks - monitors.
Here's how I built a rock-solid DSLR mount with a VESA monitor mount.
The setup
Monitor arms are one of those things it's worth spending a few extra bucks on: I'm willing to pay a bit extra so the arm is worth 1/10th of the thing it's holding instead of 1/100th.
I use Ergotron monitor arms, but any arm will work. Parts:
- Monitor arm
- L-shape cheese plate (inedible)
- Ball mount with quick-release head
- Screw kit
- M4 nuts
The cheese plate mounts to the VESA and acts as a secure platform for my camera. This allows me to mount both my camera (via a ball mount) and monitor.
Because the Ergotron is a premium mount, rated for a heavier weight, the camera is completely secure. With a gas piston, the camera movement is smooth and precise.
I can even rotate the arm, which provides more precision and a greater range of motion than alternate solutions.
Finally, because the arm has a piston for adjustment, it absorbs more force and tiny movements from the desk, resulting in fewer vibrations while shooting.
It's funny how the perfect solution can sit unnoticed for years - I found one today!
You can read more about my setup here.