Free DIY Pro SSD Mag Recording System for Any Camera

I wanted a DJI-like interchangeable SSD mag system for my new camera but I couldn't find anything I'd be happy with.
So I made one.
And you can too!
Download 3D-print files:
chadssd.com
*Shopping list:*
M.2 to Type-C Adapter Board:
a.aliexpress.com/_Ey4sVZ1
Heat sink + thermal pad:
a.aliexpress.com/_EyPA6BD
Cables:
a.aliexpress.com/_EG9Ge95
4-way USB-C 40Gbps Hub:
a.aliexpress.com/_Ev1NZLl
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Why?
1:44 - Mandatory showcase sequence
2:02 - DJI Inspiration (not like the drone, but like)
2:36 - How it works
3:00 - 3D-print files
3:37 - Shopping list
4:11 - Mag assembly
5:33 - Mount assembly
7:39 - Docking bay
8:18 - Docking bay assembly
9:51 - Outro and final advise
Music provided by Monstercat:
F.O.O.L - Duality
/ monstercat

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

I got worried when I saw that $99 price tag in the thumbnail. Lucky to find that everything is free and not paid 😅

[@MaxRovensky]

Oops 😅

[@ma1oN_val]

I will need to buy ssd rec supported camera now))

[@sheldonnorton9035]

Fp all the way.

[@AubidaProductions]

Well, I'm definitely making these. Thank you so much for sharing the files!

[@MaxRovensky]

🫡

[@ScottSalvi]

VERY COOL! Great work!

[@OnnieKoski]

This is so cool! I’m going to have to build one of these!

[@svengiebel9345]

WoW! Great ideas!

[@die_dunkelheit]

This is a brilliant airship… DEFINITELY printing this for my Pyxis when it shows up

[@MaxRovensky]

🚀🚀🚀

[@CY_Studios]

Thank you for all the work. This is even more awesome than your diy cinema lense set! You are awesome

[@MaxRovensky]

Appreciate it 🙏🏻😌

[@GlenReed]

Nice! Great job man! BTW I’ve used my LUMIX S1 5yrs now and it’s still a very solid and capable camera that I use DAILY.

[@matt.banton]

You genius, i love this!

[@MaxRovensky]

Thanks! 🙌🏻 😌

[@meatbyproducts]

The Kondor Blue handle is awesome. The Problade connector is supposed to be open so any company can use. Maybe you can get the connector from a company and build it out.

[@MaxRovensky]

I don't think it's open. I'm sure they'll license it to other companies if they ask, but I just don't see any appeal in a pin-to-pin adapter that can be discontinued at any point because a single company makes the drives Type-C is definitely the way to go for something like this imo 🙈

[@Asaka_Dance]

thats very cool. Thanks

[@CesarVargas365]

Brilliant!

[@markus8282]

I have a similar hub, my one puts out a lot of heat, even if not engaged, so in hot weather I have to remove the metal encasing, to protect it from overheating, which would make it crash. The metal encasing has no cooling function, it is insulated inside. I hope that your hub is kind of cooler, otherwise I would recommend removing the housing and add some air slots to your station.

[@goddyab]

Thank you for your Video, first time here, and i think am gonna be staying 😊

[@Ian-hj8qk]

This is so cool and well thought out! Just wanted to chime in and add just in case anyone was thinking of getting a different USB hub or using one they already have. MAKE SURE THEY ARE "POWERED" HUBS. To my knowledge (definitely correct me if needed) a non-powered usb hub (one that doesn't have an additional cable that connects to the wall) will not be able to provide separate read and write bandwith to each SSD. Instead, it will take the speed from your computer's USB port and share that across all 4 SSD's drastically reducing read and write speeds. That's the best case scenario, it can additionally kill a USB hub and potentially your drives/corrupt data. This may be obvious to those that have experience with this kind of setup, but it wasn't obvious to me and I ended up running into issues with my own setup previously.

[@MaxRovensky]

ProBlade bay is powered I think This hub is advertised as Thunderbolt-compatible with 40Gbps total throughput, which, with each board capable up to 10Gbps checks out and doesn't need a separate power cable That said, I haven't tested it with more than 2 drives at a time yet. But in theory, it should be well within specs

[@diegoweidemann]

This is an amazing solution, congrats and thank you for the work. Sadly it seems to partially lock the flip out screen which would be an issue for me, although the one with universal mount could be mounted elsewhere on the cage.For anyone looking for ssd mount solution where you can keep the cable locked in, that doesn't have the skills/time to assemble this, I would recommend using the smallrig T5 ssd mount with a Tilta BMPCC angled USBc cable. It works nicely together if you saw the plastic screw holder off the cable.

[@MaxRovensky]

Yeah that's true, I tend to leave my screen in data display mode up against v-mount since I'm using external monitoring anyway So it wasn't an issue for me, but the mount has to be attached as the last step in the rig I might add another variation that's pushed further forward, but you're right, universal mount should solve this, i.e. you could use sth like Camvate 1781 blocks to mount it to 15mm rails I like Smallrig's T5 mounts but one of the requirements for building this was to keep things off of the top of the cage so I'm not using up any extra cold shoes or nato rails there

[@diegoweidemann]

@@MaxRovenskyyeah absolutely, and your solution looks quite perfect for your configuration. I’m always impressed by people designing their own stuff to fit their needs. I remember the multiple SSD racks that Dark Power Laboratories designed for the sigma Fp, that was also amazing. Anyway, your a genius for coming up with this solution and very kind to make it available for everyone !

[@AnirudhHu]

OMG, this is amazing! Also, it is worth spending on Samsung SSDs (I'd get the 980 Pro myself) because of thier reliability.

[@MrCoffis]

Just what I needed. Was researching the problade and it seems they just have an nvme and an adaptor to their proprietary connector inside it. Would be dope to have a 2230 type nvme casing for an even smaller footprint. (Would have been nice to see how you cable managed the thing on to your camera)

[@MaxRovensky]

That is a neat idea, I'm gonna have to look into it 👀

[@MaxRovensky]

Re: cable management, the cable is tiny, it wraps to the left and above the mount and goes straight into the USB port, barely noticeable during use

[@MrCoffis]

@@MaxRovensky👀🫡

[@Wildridefilms]

Super sleek and cost effective alternative to the pro blade system. One question though, can I avoid peeling the sticker to keep the warranty and is a heat sink really essential?

[@MaxRovensky]

Heat sink isn't technically essential, but reeeeeeeally nice to have, the drive gets VERY hot during continuous operation You can keep the sticker on, but it will reduce the performance of the thermal pad

[@LionelBlaise-nc4ym]

This is fantastic. I work with a DJI and one of my issues with it is how expensive the PROSSD. I want to see if this 3d printed enclosure would work with it so i could use a higher capacity m.2 drive.

[@MaxRovensky]

Please do not try to plug it into the ProSSD mount, the dimensions won't match, it's slightly larger 😅 But I am curious if the board + M.2 would work. My suspicion is it might, but won't unlock 8K RAW

[@caccambridge]

@@MaxRovensky Thanks for letting me know! haha! luckily I haven't purchased anything yet. I want to see if i could use cheaper SSDs with higher capacities like 2 TB and so on. I use the 6k version of the 4D and it 1TB isn't enough to record at the best codec and quality. this is great stuff you're doing keep it up!

[@Hindsight101]

This was awesome but could you tell me where you got the black screws from?

[@MaxRovensky]

There are sets of M2/M3/M4 on Amazon for about $15-20, I think I mentioned it in my lens video I also have a ton of spares from building FPV drones 😅

[@MaxRovensky]

And if you're referring to the ones that secure the SSD inside the mag - they come with the adapter boards and heat sinks

[@Hindsight101]

@@MaxRovensky thank you

[@krishnakanthcake]

you are awesome . i am looking for fuji - xt5

[@RichHaydleon]

Would these fit in actual DJI PROSSD slots? Design looks spot on...

[@MaxRovensky]

I believe it's 1-2mm wider because of 3D-printing constraints, I can't precision-machine a heat sink like DJI does 😅

[@Shuttterbugg]

I use a smallrig hd drive with a mount for any cage as well..then simple csble with a lock om it..45 bucks..it works great and I use an nvme drive inside

[@kennethgooswit3697]

What about a cexpressb card reader?

[@DroseMr]

Nice🎉

[@EMBEVIDEO]

I'm flashed - awesome solution! I hate my SSD-Solution with than annoying cable. Unfortunately I do not have a 3D printer. Anyways - best video & solution I've seen for a long time!

[@MaxRovensky]

There's probably an affordable 3D-printing service available wherever you live :)

[@EMBEVIDEO]

@@MaxRovensky I'm sure there is. But actually that's a good reason to start 3d-printing ;) Just scanning your channel - lot's of very cool stuff! And yes - of course I subscribed :)

[@dylanevans5644]

Very cool project! There is a certain irony that DJI lock their own system down so hard - on the 4D for example they lock RAW and 8k to only record on the ProSSD and they hardware lock the ProSSD to the drives they supply. So you can't use your own high capacity, high speed drive to record RAW or 8k.

[@MaxRovensky]

I imagine it’s because of the PCIE handshake I don’t have the Ronin 4D (yet 👀) but I imagine those files are chonky If I were them, and had a known history of doing weird unintended things with a Type-C interface (*cough phone destroying Goggles 2 batteries cough*) I’d do a weird unintended thing with a Type-C and CFExpress interface to unlock proper NVME speed instead of “only” 3.2/Thunderbolt But then there’s also the possibility that 3.2/Thunderbolt can totally handle those files, idk, I haven’t tested it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dylanevans5644]

@@MaxRovensky They actually go to the extent employ a chip that writes the serial of the NVME drive to the USBC>Nvme interface contained within the mag. Even if you bust open a mag and swap the SSD the camera will throw an error. If you try and connect a USBC drive to the male USBC connection in the on-camera mag dock it won't work, and any USBC drive connected direct to camera wont allow recording of the 8k or RAW formats. It is in no way a hardware limitation, it is a deliberate software lock to ensure that if you are opting for the 'pro' formats you are buying their 'pro' media. The ProSSD, and the interface, is not particularly fast, well under 1GB/s and the files the camera records needs no more than this. CFExpress is faster than the ProSSD but is artificially software limited to prevent using it for the 8k/RAW formats. I'm also not sure what you mean by "PCIE handshake" PCIE is fairly agnostic in terms of what it allows to be plugged in.

[@MaxRovensky]

@@dylanevans5644 yeah sounds about like what I would've expected Same thing RED does with their off the shelf mSATA drives in their mags Guess it's just the way it is in the high end camera industry 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dylanevans5644]

@@MaxRovensky Yea, you can see why they do it as they have such a massive markup. At least on Red you could replace the internal SSD or a third party could make their own... not so with DJI :( It's a shame as their biggest mag is only 1tb, which is a realy pain for very long shots.

[@mirkozohren1139]

Awesome !! I have been thinking the same lately and just stumbled randomly upon your video. Such a nice design. Diy in the 2020s can be so awesome. I'm not a fan of the hotglue and would prefer a press fit approach, but who am I to judge. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

[@MaxRovensky]

That was the hope, but the reality is 3D-prints aren't 100% reliable, and neither are Aliexpress cables 😅 I'm not proud of hot glue. but it's also a diy engineer's best friend sometimes :D

[@SolidBlueBlocks]

Useful, BUT: Just using Samsung T5/T7 SSDs with the normal tilta ssd holder in a comfortable position and an angeled cable will do just as good, won't it?

[@MaxRovensky]

Yes, but it takes up more space on the cage somewhere and I don't want to deal with cables The nice thing about this one is I have to plug it once during installation and never cable manage again 😌

[@SolidBlueBlocks]

@@MaxRovensky thats true!

[@JakeGraves]

Hey, I've tried printing the mount a few times, but each time, the hook does not seem to raise very far, and quickly the gears moves towards the backplate until it no longer is moving the hook at all. Any suggestions?

[@MaxRovensky]

Check the number of teeth on both parts the gear attaches to, I've had an issue with Cura slicer where it would sometimes remove one at the edge cause it's fairly thin. I used Creality slicer to fix it

[@JakeGraves]

@@MaxRovensky ​ I have three teeth + the bottom edge on the hook, four teeth on the button, and twelve teeth on the gear. Can on you confirm what it should be? I can't quite make it out from the video. I have slightly better results by increasing the gear to 105%, but it still seems like something is off.

[@MaxRovensky]

@@JakeGraves that sounds correct 🤔 Can you DM me on Instagram, I can help you troubleshoot but youtube comments are super inconvenient for this 😁

[@BryceDearden]

A very very cool idea but no strain relief on the camera body side and having to forgo strain relief for the HDMI would make me very uncomfy

[@lumixS5M2]

Thanks for video. Is the external SSD work on S5ii or only s5iix?

[@goddyab]

Only Lumix S5-iix has the USB-C To SSD Recording Option, I have Lumix S5-ii it does not have that Option.

[@MaxRovensky]

I know the S5II has some features unlockable via a paid firmware upgrade but I don't think SSD recording is one of them

[@goddyab]

@@MaxRovensky true

[@lumixS5M2]

@@goddyab a shame s5ii :)

[@Ahmadzamil_]

Can we get a helios 44-2 rehousing??

[@MaxRovensky]

As soon as I get my hands on one - yes, I'll make one :)

[@Ahmadzamil_]

@@MaxRovensky could u please make it happen fast

[@sylviofleurimond1236]

Hello Max. Do you think you can print me a 3d copy for my Helios 44-4 and my vintage lens auto Chinon 135mm f2.8 Please? I'm working on filming my first feature film and I'm looking for a nice vintage look in the beginning of the movie. I would great appreciate it.

[@ElectroOverlord]

Funny you give Sony love in the same Conversation about Proprietary Cables. I have not bought anything from Sony since the 80's over it.

[@MaxRovensky]

Oh sorry, I thought my facial expression was clear, I'm now very not pro-Sony I used to passionately recommend their cameras to everyone I know but I can't bring myself to do it anymore. They're just straight up bad now. Might do a video on why I'm switching later, idk 🤔

[@Hotglue995]

Airship 🚀

[@MaxRovensky]

🚀🚀🚀

[@nelsonbustamante8756]

Are you thinking of selling an assembled one? I’d buy from you:) thanks!!

[@MaxRovensky]

I can neither confirm nor deny 🙈 But maybe But also maybe not But stay tuned

[@dimitrimoonlight]

The links you attached have errors😅 can you provide right one again please🙏

[@MaxRovensky]

Which links are broken? I just tried every one and they seem to work for me 🤔

[@dimitrimoonlight]

@@MaxRovensky sorry, I use the other browser they opened 👍

[@MauriceBurke]

That website does not exist. Wish I could attach a screenshot

[@MaxRovensky]

Just checked, working fine for me 🤔

[@Shahaaim]

Will this work for Sony FX3?

[@MaxRovensky]

I don't think Sony supports direct to SSD recording 🤔

[@MaxRovensky]

Okay, I just double checked it. The FX3 has the same issue that my A7SIII did (which is understandable since it's the exact same goddamn camera with software locked features) But no apparently none of the Sony consumer cameras and their low end “cinema line"support recordings directly to SSD because they want you to buy their CF-A media One of the many reasons I've switched

[@Kaotix_music]

the FX3 *does not* support SSD recording straight out of camera.

[@RastaHenkie]

Only way I know is to get a Ninja V monitor and then record to SSD. You can make the SSD smaller by placing it in a Andycine LunchBox.

[@Shahaaim]

@@MaxRovensky exactly my thoughts, but since the title was "SSD Mag Recording System for Any Camera" I was a bit confused maybe there is a way but I don't know it yet.

[@alexeypankov1999]

AIRSHIP

[@MarkKidsley1989]

shame sony dont let you rrecord via usb c

[@MaxRovensky]

One of the many reasons I'm abandoning Sony They've lost the plot a few years ago and I don't see an improvement coming any time soon 😕

[@zapa1pnt]

The thumbnail says "You can make this". Yes, as long as you are into 3d printing. 😖😖

[@MaxRovensky]

There's likely an affordable 3D printing service wherever you live, you can send them the STLs and they'll print it for you :)

[@zapa1pnt]

@@MaxRovensky: Well then, that is Not making it yourself, is it?

[@MaxRovensky]

@@zapa1pnt I mean you still get to assemble and got glue it 😁 If someone else makes the Lego blocks, you're still building the Lego castle yourself 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Chrismitchellstudios-com]

Great idea and video, Thanks for sharing. I'm about to order the parts and wanted to clarify. The link for the heatsinks has 3mm & 6mm high ones. It's a bit hard to tell in the video which ones you used. Again thanks for sharing a great idea.

[@MaxRovensky]

3mm ones 🙂

[@Chrismitchellstudios-com]

@@MaxRovensky Cheers. I'm going to make 4x Mags and the 4x Bay for my laptop. That way I can shoot tethered photos and have desktop PC-type storage at home. I may even try and put a Mount on the laptop rear for increased storage on the go.