GH3 Any word on GH3 cage?

Kindredmachine said:
The 2 cages just showed up and WOW, they are much better than I thought they would be, even at about $550 per cage it was worth every penny. I'll take some photos and write up a full review soon!
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Looking forward to reading your review. Your last cage setup looked pretty tidy to me although a tad bit bigger than the Jake's cage. Can you tell me what the rod attachment was that you used for the mini ballhead to attach the DP6?
 
akivisuals said:
Looking forward to reading your review. Your last cage setup looked pretty tidy to me although a tad bit bigger than the Jake's cage. Can you tell me what the rod attachment was that you used for the mini ballhead to attach the DP6?
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We wanted a rig with a simple, low profile, forward and back tilting head for the miniotor just like the one's found on the RED Epic and Scarlet rigs. This way we can be sure our monitor is always level with the camera. The closest we found that was solid enough to support the weight, (and we searched EVERYWHERE) is the Xtender MM-10. Here's a link...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762026-REG/Xtender_X_MC_100_40_X_MC_100_40_Kit.html

... it bolts into any 1/4 20 hole and you DO NOT have to use the coldshoe mount it comes with. We bolt ours directly to the cage.
 
akivisuals said:
Looking forward to reading your review. Your last cage setup looked pretty tidy to me although a tad bit bigger than the Jake's cage. Can you tell me what the rod attachment was that you used for the mini ballhead to attach the DP6?
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Oh, I see what you're asking now. sorry, we have several different rigs. The 15mm attachment is a coldshoe rod clamp from Xtender, the same company that makes the tilt mount pictured above. Then we just attached a Manfroto ball head onto it...
 
Contacted D/Focus & they are planning on a GH3 Cage, but haven't got their hands on a body yet so who knows how long it might take.

I need as compact a cage as possible, & am in no rush, so will hold off for now.
 
The D | Cages are fantastic, I use them for the GH2! But I should mention that the Dcage is made from different pieces put togeather (sides, top and bottom) and needs tighting every now and then; whereas the Jake Cage is made from one solid block.
 
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Kindredmachine said:
The D | Cages are fantastic, I use them for the GH2! But I should mention that the Dcage is made from different pieces put togeather (sides, top and bottom) and needs tighting every now and then; whereas the Jake Cage is made from one solid block.
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A little drop should fix that!

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I wrote to D|Foucs about a D|Cage for the GH3 and they wrote back very quickly to say that they are waiting to gauge how well GH3s are selling before they decide to build a cage. I'm curious about how many people might be interested? The D|Cage for the GH2 looks fantastic. http://dfocussystem.com/dcage

I also suggested/asked if they'd though of kickstarting one so they could get commitments from buyers before they have to spend the $$ to design and manufacture. Based on what I've seen of their stuff, and their really fast reply, I'd back a kickstarter cage project from them.
 
When I contacted Dcage I offered to pre-pay for 2 cages and they said no, that IF they made a cage, it wouldn't be for quite some time. That's why I went with the Jake Cage. I also contacted, Letus, Gini, ReWo, and they all said they will most likely not a make a deciated cage bur rather something that is more of a "universal" cage. I sure hope some of these companies have changed their mind about that.
 
If the Jake Cage were a little cheaper, I'd consider it. I love that it fits right around the GH3 keeping it all compact, but that means it won't have much life once I'm done with the camera (unless the next GH camera keeps the same form factor and location of buttons, doors...).
 
what are the key demands/requirements of a cage to be used with gh3? 1/4" rigging points?, clamp for hdmi cable?, rod mounts?, Lens support? articulated screen protector which frames and locks the screen into position when hanging out of the side of the camera? etc? list your requirements. I'm gonna start designing something.

In particular would an all in one solution with handle/strap, rod system, etc be more preferable than a simple cage onto which you fix third party rod system etc?
 
richg101 said:
what are the key demands/requirements of a cage to be used with gh3? 1/4" rigging points?, clamp for hdmi cable?, rod mounts?, Lens support? articulated screen protector which frames and locks the screen into position when hanging out of the side of the camera? etc? list your requirements. I'm gonna start designing something.

In particular would an all in one solution with handle/strap, rod system, etc be more preferable than a simple cage onto which you fix third party rod system etc?
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The appeal of a custom cage is that you it'll be small and light without a lot of extra metal or space. At least that's the appeal of it for me.
 
+1 for a slim design. I think the new BMC Cage designs eg from Woodencamera are a good example for this. Tight fit, metal just around the rims of the camera, still enough mounting options. What I really like to see are wooden grips, or at least ergonomic ones.
 
+1 for Wooden Camera! I love their cage for the BMCC. Need to order one of these too once the MFT model get in stock.
 
richg101 said:
I'm gonna start designing something.

...In particular would an all in one solution with handle/strap, rod system, etc be more preferable than a simple cage onto which you fix third party rod system etc?
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I'd want as compact, & form-fitting, a cage as possible. I would not want handles/rods/etc attached permently, rather removable via quick releases. I love WoodenCamera's (& RED's) approach of using NATO Rails, & it be great if yours was compatible. I could see using WC's Top Handle, but would prefer an even smaller version better suited to the GH3's smaller dimensions.

While tricky to design I'd want the LCD to be rotable at least 90* for those times when the camera is used without accessories.

Look forward to seeing, & hopefully purchasing, your design!

Best,
Bern

PS Just did some quick trawling. Are you the prototyper from CCS?
 
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Benjobe said:
I don't see a lot of talk about the TRUSMT cage for the GH2. It seems very form fitting with lots of mounting points, LCD can flip out all the way, and it has a HDMI clamp. Anybody have one and can speak to it's quality? Here's a link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trusmt-DSLR...843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416fe45b7b

Perhaps they would make one for the GH3 if asked.
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Doesn´t look like it lets the GH3s LCD flip out and wouldn´t be sure if the cut out for the battery compartment fits ...

I really hope for a more minimal design with less "metal" on the sides/rear. What I would really like to see is someone coming up with an (optional/detachable) C300ish sidegrip. The C300 is just a charm to shoot handheld.
 
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