MID49 riser fits Sony FX5 XLR handle and DVF-EL1 viewfinder together

MID49 has announced the EVF Cable & XLR Handle Riser with Mounting Kit for the Sony FX5. It lets FX5 owners keep Sony's XLR audio handle on the camera while placing the DVF-EL1 electronic viewfinder where they want it. The kit is available to pre-order for $595.

The handle riser

The riser has the same footprint as the XLR-H2 handle, so it stays compatible with third-party cages. It carries the hot-shoe connection up to the XLR handle and holds the handle firmly with an integrated hot shoe and several 1/4-20 threads. It works with both the XLR-H2 and the XLR-H1 handle units.

A built-in 18-inch cable and a proprietary adapter link the FX5 to the DVF-EL1, extending the viewfinder signal. The adapter offers an anti-twist 1/4-20 thread and a mini 15mm rod for building the rig.

Mounting parts in the kit

• 15mm rod clamp. It attaches with two included 1/4-20 screws, holds one 15mm rod and has one more anti-twist 1/4-20 thread. It is compatible with MID49's TWIST system.
• TWIST double-sided NATO rail to 15mm rod. A 6-inch rail with variable friction, set by a thumbscrew, with safety pins at both ends. A 15mm rod can run through side rod clamps to keep the rail parallel to the camera.
• TWIST EVF knuckle. It pairs a 15mm rod port with a NATO rail clamp, both with variable friction, so a monitor can be adjusted without loosening the thumbscrew.

Further TWIST components are sold separately. They let users adapt the knuckle to specific monitor brands and build a viewfinder mount for their camera.

Pre-orders for the complete kit are open at $595.