Where can I get a universal mount for the top of my video camera?

Question

I'm looking for something prettttty general here. I have the slots (im not sure what else to call them really) on top of my video camera that are meant for a mic or a light or an accessory....do they sell just a plastic piece that slides in and allows me to make of it what i want?

that sounds pretty confusing, but right now i have in mind attaching my 12LED compact flashlight to the top of it, since any light I can find is overpriced and underpowered.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Without knowing the model of your camcorder, we assume you are talking about a hotshoe.  Hotshoes have ben around since the 1950s.  Hotshoe technology is older than anyone who uses them, so any device you want to slide in there is , well, already built so it slides in.  You don't need any extra equipment to slide in the hotshoe device.

Attaching a flashlight to your camcorder is not easy, nor is it wise to do.  Besides, there are very affordable lights for your camcorder that are much more powerful than a flashlight.  Depending on your budget and how far you wish to stray from AC power cords, you have two general options available:

1.  SAKAR Video Light VT3800 300W http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O39... - a whopping 300 watt light for a very affordable price that needs to be plugged into an AC power source, and comes with a 9' cord.  We recently bought this light from this link, and we love it.

2.  Opteka 150w Professional Halogen Quartz Video Light Kit with 12v Rechargeable Battery Pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U7G... - comes with its own light-weight rechargeable battery pack to allow 50 watts of light for 2.5 hours, or it can be plugged into an AC power source for 150 watts of light.  We have owned this model before, and it works well.  It costs a bit more and produces half the light, but you get better, longer, and more flexible mobility than the light above.

* be aware that both of these lights will weigh as much as your camcorder, so you will be holding at least twice the weight when they are attached to the hotshoe.

If you need to plug in two or more hotshoe devices (such as a light and an external mic) into the same camcorder, you might need a Cool-lux Light & Sound Bracket, Camcorder Dual Mount Bracket for Video Lights & Microphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R... or a Bower Two Shoe Video Light Bracket http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL5...