What's the most annoying thing about vlogging with a Sony mirrorless camera? No flip-out screen. Back in 2018 I found two clever, cheap hacks that finally let me see myself while filming with my a6500.
Why an external monitor isn't the answer
Like most of you, I bought an external monitor. It's fine when you're sitting at a table or the camera is on a tripod in a room. But the moment you mount it, the rig becomes huge and heavy, sometimes the monitor is bigger than the camera, and it's not comfortable at all for vlogging in public. On a gimbal it just doesn't work that well.
Solution 1: the Maxotics vlogging mirror
I found Max Rottersman online. He had my exact problem, and he's a genius. His idea is really simple, like a periscope: the screen of the Sony tilts up but never turns 180 degrees, so he made a small gadget with a mirror that sits in front of the tilted screen and reflects it back towards you. You see the screen as if you were standing behind the camera. It's well made, and when it's closed it fits in any pocket of your bag, which makes it great for travel.
Solution 2: a 3D-printed version
The second idea came from a cardboard DIY project I found online. It was very detailed, but my attempt was honestly horrible. So I sent the video to a friend with a 3D printer, and he came up with a 3D model. The result is one lightweight plastic piece that slides into the hot shoe. For the mirror I used a reflective A4 sheet, cut it with scissors and glued it on. Really easy to assemble, and very cheap.
Tested in the field
We tested both outdoors (while mosquitoes ate me alive) and they both performed great. Max did an incredible job and deserves your support. My printed version is just a piece of plastic, but it's quick and easy. Finally, a solution to my main problem with the a6500. In 2018 these things should be shared!