Vocas has just released a handy new accessory for SmallHD, RED, and ARRI on-camera monitors: a NATO clamp with a 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock. The clamp is made from airplane-grade aluminum and features a built-in drag system to adjust the position of your monitor smoothly. A kit with a 15mm rod to single-sided NATO rail is also available. So, let’s take a closer at these!
The ARRI 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock standard was introduced in May 2023. The ARRI 3/8″-16 with locating pins has been a standard for decades. However, there was no locating pin standard for the smaller 1/4″-20 thread. Indeed, some companies, such as SmallHD, Portkeys, Atomos, and FEELWORLD, to list a few, already have their own locating pin/anti-twist standard. Still, none of them is unified (pin size and spacing) and interchangeable. To solve all these issues, ARRI is doing the landlord work and has created the 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock standard, so everything should be more unified in the upcoming years.
If you don’t want to spend $530 on the ARRI MAC-1 monitor mount, Vocas has just released one of the first 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock, on-camera, monitor mounts with a NATO clamp.
Vocas NATO clamp with 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock – features
The Vocas NATO Clamp with 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock is designed to attach 5″ and 7″ monitors in a comfortable position for shoulder rig operation. Some monitors already feature the ARRI 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock standard, such as the SmallHD Indie/Cine/Ultra 5, the Indie/Cine 7, the 702 Touch, but also the RED DSMC3 Touch 7.0″, and the high-end ARRI CCM-1.
The Vocas clamp is made from airplane-grade aluminum and weighs only 83g/2.9oz. You’ll find a NATO-standard compatible clamp on one side that attaches to the camera side. On the other side, you’ll find a 1/4″-20 mounting screw with Pin-Lock locating pins.
Then, an articulation allows you to rotate your monitor 360° for easy repositioning. You can adjust the tension level via the third screw at the back of the clamp. Also, you can lock your on-camera monitor in place by simply tightening that screw down.
Vocas NATO clamp kit with 1/4″ Pin-Lock
Vocas also has a kit that includes a 170mm/6.7″ single-sided NATO rail to 15mm rod adapter. This kit allows you to mount your monitor easily to a top handle or the top of your camera, for example.
Pricing and availability
The Vocas NATO clamp with 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock is available now for €177/$227. The kit is also available now for €269.
For more information, please visit Vocas’ website here.
What do you think about this 1/4″-20 Pin-Lock rigging option for on-camera monitors? What is your go-to solution to mount a monitor to your camera in shoulder rig configuration? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
