VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! at DVinfo.net

Bruce Foreman · January 6th, 2014, 11:42 PM

I was NOT inclined to go this route. I like keeping things simple, light weight, and minimalist! Besides which most "rigs" and cages were quite expensive. But when I saw the pictures, videos, and descriptions of the FHugen Honu cage specifically designed for the GH3 and on sale for $120 (now on sale for $99.99!) i went for it.

Used it once so far with a Rode VideoMic on top (never wanted to trust that weight on a camera shoe) and it was everything claimed.

Link to Photography & Cinema's web page with their "cages" is below, for the above look for the Honu Cage.

Then I got an email on one of their other cage products that seemed more generic and flexible, having just acquired an OLy OMD E-M5 for it's 5 axis in body image stabilzation I ordered the basic model of their "BearBox" cage, the GB1 for $95. With the 1 1/2 inch vertical extensions removed I liked the balance with the E-M5 mounted. The just right spaced 2 handgrips coupled with the E-M5 IBIS made for excellent control of handheld "jitters".

Then I put the 1 1/2 inch extensions back in, put a Manfrotto 577 quick release on the inside surface of the bottom plate so I could instantly mount either the GH3, the OMD E-M5, or any other camera I might want to use with it

Two other "kits" are available. One with a 15mm rod adapter, and one with the rod adapter and a top mounted carry handle.

GB1, GB2, & GB3 - Be sure to watch the videos on both the Honu Cage and on the GearBox series.

Photography and Cinema - Store Camera Cage

Noa Put · January 7th, 2014, 01:37 AM

Zacuto has a similar Zwiss Cage for sale but it's almost 10 times the price if you include the top handle... I like the hdmi clamp they made for the gh3, I only wonder if my varavon loupe would fit, I can see the lcd panel can open but probably won"t allow the varavon loupe to slide over the lcd. Great cages for very low prizes indeed, thx for sharing

Bruce Foreman · January 10th, 2014, 01:22 AM

Since I use the Manfrotto 577 quick release system compatible with the 501 and 701 heads (everything uses the 501PL camera plates) a Hoodman Hoodloupe with 3x eyepiece fits easily on the back with no other hardware. With the 501PL plate on the bottom of the camera, slide the EVF cover up a bit, fit the bottom edge of the Hoodloupe against the bottom of the LCD, position properly, then while holding the loupe in place pull the EVF cover down against the top of the Hoodloupe..

The loupe is held in a secure "friction" "jam" fit and because it is made of firm rubber there will be no damage to anything.

To remove, pull it off.

This works only with the GH3 as far as I know.

Bob Richardson · January 11th, 2014, 07:14 PM

I would just LOVE to see a cage like this tailored for the GH2. Obviously they started with the GH3, which is currently on the market, but there's a LOT of GH2 enthusiasts out there and the camera is very useful and not going away any time soon. Could be a market worth exploring.

Bruce Foreman · January 11th, 2014, 08:35 PM

The only cage "tailored" to anything on that site is the FHugen Honu cage for the GH3. I have one and it's pretty good with the GH3 as it should be, however I'll mostly be using the GB1 even with the GH3.

The Gearbox (GB1, 2, and 3) series will work just fine for the GH2. As a matter of fact, the second video on that GearBox page shows (very briefly) a GH2 held inside where it would mount.

If no quick release is used, I would remove the 1 1/2 inch risers and mount it directly. Handling "balance" should be just right.

If a quick release was used the "risers" would probably need to be in place. This is the way I have mine configured.

Noa Put · January 12th, 2014, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Richardson

I would just LOVE to see a cage like this tailored for the GH2.

It seems that with a simple modification you can use the cage with the only issue that you can't open the battery door:

Leon Kolenda · January 15th, 2014, 12:40 AM

I also have the FHugen Honu cage, and it's pretty nice. I also got the top handle and the HDMI support, but beware, you can't open the LCD panel all the way out, the HDMI adapter restricts it. not a big deal for me, as I use a 7" ext. monitor.It's a very nice cage.

I want to be able to get one of there Loops, but none of them will fit with the cage. Supposedly they are working on one.

January 6th, 2014, 11:42 PM	#1
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! I was NOT inclined to go this route. I like keeping things simple, light weight, and minimalist! Besides which most "rigs" and cages were quite expensive. But when I saw the pictures, videos, and descriptions of the FHugen Honu cage specifically designed for the GH3 and on sale for $120 (now on sale for $99.99!) i went for it. Used it once so far with a Rode VideoMic on top (never wanted to trust that weight on a camera shoe) and it was everything claimed. Link to Photography & Cinema's web page with their "cages" is below, for the above look for the Honu Cage. Then I got an email on one of their other cage products that seemed more generic and flexible, having just acquired an OLy OMD E-M5 for it's 5 axis in body image stabilzation I ordered the basic model of their "BearBox" cage, the GB1 for $95. With the 1 1/2 inch vertical extensions removed I liked the balance with the E-M5 mounted. The just right spaced 2 handgrips coupled with the E-M5 IBIS made for excellent control of handheld "jitters". Then I put the 1 1/2 inch extensions back in, put a Manfrotto 577 quick release on the inside surface of the bottom plate so I could instantly mount either the GH3, the OMD E-M5, or any other camera I might want to use with it Two other "kits" are available. One with a 15mm rod adapter, and one with the rod adapter and a top mounted carry handle. GB1, GB2, & GB3 - Be sure to watch the videos on both the Honu Cage and on the GearBox series. Photography and Cinema - Store Camera Cage

January 7th, 2014, 01:37 AM	#2
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! Zacuto has a similar Zwiss Cage for sale but it's almost 10 times the price if you include the top handle... I like the hdmi clamp they made for the gh3, I only wonder if my varavon loupe would fit, I can see the lcd panel can open but probably won"t allow the varavon loupe to slide over the lcd. Great cages for very low prizes indeed, thx for sharing

January 10th, 2014, 01:22 AM	#3
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! Since I use the Manfrotto 577 quick release system compatible with the 501 and 701 heads (everything uses the 501PL camera plates) a Hoodman Hoodloupe with 3x eyepiece fits easily on the back with no other hardware. With the 501PL plate on the bottom of the camera, slide the EVF cover up a bit, fit the bottom edge of the Hoodloupe against the bottom of the LCD, position properly, then while holding the loupe in place pull the EVF cover down against the top of the Hoodloupe.. The loupe is held in a secure "friction" "jam" fit and because it is made of firm rubber there will be no damage to anything. To remove, pull it off. This works only with the GH3 as far as I know.

January 11th, 2014, 07:14 PM	#4
Bob Richardson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 178	Re: VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! I would just LOVE to see a cage like this tailored for the GH2. Obviously they started with the GH3, which is currently on the market, but there's a LOT of GH2 enthusiasts out there and the camera is very useful and not going away any time soon. Could be a market worth exploring.

January 11th, 2014, 08:35 PM	#5
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! The only cage "tailored" to anything on that site is the FHugen Honu cage for the GH3. I have one and it's pretty good with the GH3 as it should be, however I'll mostly be using the GB1 even with the GH3. The Gearbox (GB1, 2, and 3) series will work just fine for the GH2. As a matter of fact, the second video on that GearBox page shows (very briefly) a GH2 held inside where it would mount. If no quick release is used, I would remove the 1 1/2 inch risers and mount it directly. Handling "balance" should be just right. If a quick release was used the "risers" would probably need to be in place. This is the way I have mine configured.

January 15th, 2014, 12:40 AM	#7
Leon Kolenda Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC USA Posts: 147	Re: VERY Inexpensive Camera Cages! I also have the FHugen Honu cage, and it's pretty nice. I also got the top handle and the HDMI support, but beware, you can't open the LCD panel all the way out, the HDMI adapter restricts it. not a big deal for me, as I use a 7" ext. monitor.It's a very nice cage. I want to be able to get one of there Loops, but none of them will fit with the cage. Supposedly they are working on one.