An iPad can do three jobs on set. It can be a screen, a video monitor, or the place you tether into Capture One for iPad. The problem is that each job needs something plugged into it, and the iPad has one USB-C port. A hub, power, a drive and a video receiver all need somewhere to live, or they end up hanging off the iPad.
The xLamina Pro 13 is a modular rig (also known as cheeseplate system) for the iPad. It gives the iPad a rigid base with places to mount all of that. In the video I build it for tethering to Capture One for iPad, and the steps below follow the video.
Tethering to Capture One on the iPad
Capture One for iPad supports tethering with a cable, and for a number of cameras it supports wireless tethering too. Capture One’s own post links to the list of cameras that support wireless, so check yours there first.
You can shoot to the iPad’s internal memory, but some people prefer an external drive. I show both in the build. If you tether wirelessly, there’s no camera cable, and the plate still carries the power, the drive and the mount.
The hub
Start with the hub. The NIDO II holds the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub with Power Delivery on the back of the plate. Fit the NIDO, mount the hub in it and plug it in. The ports stay reachable and the cables don’t pull on the hub.
Power
Next, the V-Lock Universal Mount. A V-mount battery goes here and powers the hub, which keeps the iPad charged for as long as the battery lasts.
Storage
HAMACA II holds up to three SSDs and plugs straight into the hub. The elastic holds the drives by tension, so there’s nothing to unscrew and they stay put.
The mounting point
The HEX takes the Baby Pin Pro and connects the plate to a c-stand or any photography stand with a 5/8" pin using the Codo.
NATO rail, handles and a Magic Arm
I also add a NATO Rail in case I need to mount something else, like a Magic Arm.
The NATO handle adapters have a 1/4"-20 thread. You can put a quick-release tripod plate on them, but here they go on the sides, for handles.
The iPad as a video monitor
The Magic Arm goes on the NATO Rail and holds a video receiver. This is useful when the iPad is your video monitor, and some receivers plug in over USB-C.
Mounting the rig
Finally, the mount. The Baby Pin Pro goes into the HEX, then into the CODO. For a heavier-duty mount, the pin goes straight into a C-stand knuckle.
The rig
That’s the iPad tethered shooting rig. Every part is separate, so you can leave out whatever you don’t need. The xLamina Pro 13 fits the iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd to 6th generation), the iPad Pro 13" (M4 and M5) and the iPad Air 13" (M2 to M4). It includes the magnetic carbon fibre shade.
