GH5 Cages

[Orangenz]

GH4 Honu cage works but SD card door blocked, hotshoe blocked. https://youtu.be/Gk47iiY6Vdw?t=4m32s

Smallrig GH5 cage pre-orders (50% off for first 100 apparently) http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-Cage-for-PANASONIC-Lumix-GH5-1965.html  <= price check

8Sinn GH5 cage with that smooth right handle and astronomical price  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs4RDl8iVtg

CAMETV GH5 cage with the cold shoe on wrong side http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/31/first-look-at-the-came-tv-gh5-cage/ 

[ntblowz]

I pre-orderd the Smallcage GH5, for $44.50 its no brainer, and handle works well with the XLR adapter which all other cage miss it.

[Orangenz]

3 hours ago, ntblowz said:

I pre-orderd the Smallcage GH5, for $44.50 its no brainer, and handle works well with the XLR adapter which all other cage miss it.

Yeah I have a feeling it was your comment I read somewhere that prompted me to get one too. Smaller is better!

[photographer-at-large]

Another from Chrosziel:

http://www.4kshooters.net/2017/04/03/new-chrosziel-cage-for-the-panasonic-gh5/

[arson519]

yeah but when is smallrig releasing that cage

 

[Matt Holder]

anyone know if the Varavon GH4 cage will fit the GH5?

 

[Orangenz]

The smallrig cage has arrived. They will need to alter the design a little as the cutaway for the left side strap holding lug is not enough. The left strap lug on the camera touches the cage. I will need to get the dremel out. I'm not sure how they managed to get that basic dimension wrong. Otherwise it's a pretty sweet little cage, very light. Really very nice to hold as all corners are nicely rounded off. I'll have to get some accessories for the cage though. By itself it's a bit limited. 

I had a closer look at the hdmi cable holder that came with the GH5 and don't think I'll use it. It is the lightest bit of plastic you've ever seen. 

[Fritz Pierre]

9 hours ago, Orangenz said:

 

The smallrig cage has arrived. They will need to alter the design a little as the cutaway for the left side strap holding lug is not enough. The left strap lug on the camera touches the cage. I will need to get the dremel out. I'm not sure how they managed to get that basic dimension wrong. Otherwise it's a pretty sweet little cage, very light. Really very nice to hold as all corners are nicely rounded off. I'll have to get some accessories for the cage though. By itself it's a bit limited. 

I had a closer look at the hdmi cable holder that came with the GH5 and don't think I'll use it. It is the lightest bit of plastic you've ever seen. 

 

Yes...I never use my GHx cameras without a robust HDMI clamp...one of the ways of turning the camera into a more pro version of itself...

Still waiting for the Lockcircle to release so I get an idea of the price....it ships with it's own hdmi clamp that brings the cable out  oriented towards the back of the cam instead of the side...a bit better for shoulder mount I suppose

[Phil A]

So what did people settle for by now? I'm considering getting a cage so I can mount a quick release plate via 2 screws but also to occasionally mount accessories like a field monitor, video mic or a top handle.

Looking at the market currently has a bunch of stuff but some prices are just silly for what a cage does (is it so expensive to CNC a piece of aluminium?) or badly fitting.  These seem to be the currently as of this post available cages I could find with a link to their product page (of existing) and a subjective opinion:

8Sinn http://www.8sinn.com/index.php/8sinn-gh5-cage.html - Around 199 $ for just the cage alone (ends up at 220€ in Europe).

CameTV - 298$ but comes with a riser for rod and a top handle.

Chrosziel http://www.chrosziel.de/neu-system-700-gh5/?lang=en - 295€ for cage and top handle, has an integrated Manfrotto compatible dove tail

JTZ DP30 - Minimum configuration is the cage with a top handle, riser with rods. Very modular as camera to cage, cage to riser and riser to base plate have quick release connections (looks more Arca Swiss than Manfrotto though?). Difference to other cages is that the cage has electronic connections with camera and top handle (and optional hand grip kit, etc.). Starts at 359€.

Lockcircle https://www.lockcircle.com/store/?p=robotskingh5 - Half-cage alone is already 439€, 539€ for full cage.

Movcam - Looks like a copy of the slightly earlier released 8Sinn cage, also roughly same price it seems.

Seercam http://seercam.com/shop/cube-gh5/ - Starts at 250$ for cage only. Has an integrated dovetail for their optional rod riser.

SmallRig http://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-dslr-cage-for-panasonic-lumix-gh5-1965.html - I had the A6300 cage and that was great for the money but this one seems to fit rather poorly on the grip side. Is it comfortable to hold it? Also got mixed reviews regarding access to the top control buttons. 89$

Tilta https://tilta.com/shop/tilta-panasonic-gh-series-cage-es-t37/ - 350$ and comes with cage, top handle, rod riser, screw-on rod holder and HDMI clamp. Camera mounts into the cage via quick release plate.

Varavon https://varavon.com/products/zeus-gh5-cage?variant=40977115270 - Cage only incl cable clamp comes for 219$.

Zacuto https://store.zacuto.com/gh5-cage/ - Comes with a hand strap and is going to cost you 495$.

...and then there are of course all the generic cages and half cages that are just a aluminium square to mount your cam into or are two plates connected with 15mm rods for height adjustment.

You could say there is something on the market for everyone, different form factors, features and prices points (~ 90 - 500$ for the cages alone). What is important though: not all of the cages allow to use the XLR audio adapter on top, especially when using the top handle.

I really like what Tilta and JTZ DP30 are doing by having the camera mount into the cage on a quick release plate. This allows you to quickly take the camera out of the cage and slap it onto a gimbal where even the small weight increase of the cage might be a deal breaker. On the other hand there is something to be said for really form fitting cages like 8Sinn and Movcam.

[Fritz Pierre]

I bought the LockCircle with the Multiport lock and focal plane pin (for tape measure)...the workmanship is nothing short of amazing!

[Fritz Pierre]

GH5 cage by LockCircle

[jonpais]

I want the GH5 just for the LockCircle cage alone! Like the way they spell 'focal plain'. ?

[Fritz Pierre]

1 hour ago, jonpais said:

I want the GH5 just for the LockCircle cage alone! Like the way they spell 'focal plain'. ?

I know...even corrected it in an email to them...but ahh!!...the Italian design is so good...the cage fits so closely, that the camera strap buckles had to come off and it has to be assembled around the camera...truly a 2nd skin, and incredibly robust craftmenship...good eye Jon!!?????

[buggz]

Okay, that's it.  I want this LockCircle one, spelling errors and all!

*8^)

Seriously, this does look nice and will do what I need.

 

[Fritz Pierre]

It's also feather light with Titanium fastening Pin and focal plane location on both sides of the camera...only cage to offer this I believe!!...and it seemlessly integrates with any rails/handles monitors you may already own!

[Brother]

I got the 8Sinn with basic top handle, been working great for my run and gun needs.

[Phil A]

On 6.8.2017 at 6:46 PM, Brother said:

I got the 8Sinn with basic top handle, been working great for my run and gun needs.

 

Saw the pictures of your rig on Flickr, nice. Can't wait for after market eye-cups for the GH5 to come out. The LCD viewfinder way makes imho no sense, seeing how the EVF has quite a bit higher resolution (1.6 vs 3.6 mio pixels)

 

Noticed that the Movcam cage has a pretty neat quick release with a hole in the middle so you can unmount the camera without removing the quick release from the cage. Alas, it seems it is a Movcam specific quick release, according to the product Q&A on BHphoto, so that's a no go. Does anyone know if it's a one off or actually Arca Swiss or so?

[Fritz Pierre]

I tend to shy away from quick releases in cages...if everything in the alignment is not locked off solid, the FF will move your lens and camera as you pull focus, and then the shot is ruined...I've even abandoned magic arms, because I can't stand the play in them and how the 1/4 20 fastening wheel suddenly loosens up and your VF or monitor goes flopping to one side or another.

[jonpais]

35 minutes ago, Fritz Pierre said:

I tend to shy away from quick releases in cages...if everything in the alignment is not locked off solid, the FF will move your lens and camera as you pull focus, and then the shot is ruined...I've even abandoned magic arms, because I can't stand the play in them and how the 1/4 20 fastening wheel suddenly loosens up and your VF or monitor goes flopping to one side or another.

So true, Fritz! I think I even PM'ed you once about how I regretted the lack of a pin for DSLR style cameras like you find for camcorders to keep the camera from twisting. No matter how well I fasten the camera with a quick release, there will always be a little wiggle, however slight. Ditto for the magic arm or friction arm holding the monitor to the cage. I'm always having to reposition it. Then as you say, there's the follow focus, which can make everything go out of wack. Best to have a matte box that locks onto the lens so there are a couple points of contact, preventing the camera from moving while pulling focus. The cold shoe mounts on the camera and cage can also be a risky way to affix lights and microphones: a while back, though I always secured my Saramonic mixer to my G85 as best as I could, one day the unit went crashing to the ground, along with two Rodelink receivers. Then there's the handle that comes with my cage - no matter how well I tighten it, there's always some play, which drives me bonkers. And I already mentioned how I'd never trust a piece of junk like the Gorillapod for supporting my camera, let alone a GH5. 

[Orangenz]

On 09/08/2017 at 4:22 AM, Phil A said:

Saw the pictures of your rig on Flickr, nice. Can't wait for after market eye-cups for the GH5 to come out. The LCD viewfinder way makes imho no sense, seeing how the EVF has quite a bit higher resolution (1.6 vs 3.6 mio pixels)

 

This is a good eye-cup, note my suggestion in the jpg for elongating the right side. In other news, there is a smallrig quick release coming soon. Pre-order 50% off at the moment.  

 

printable eyecup.pdf