GH4 Best Cage for the GH4 with locking device for it's HDMI connector.

V

Vardalos

Well-known member
I'm looking for a really well designed cage for the GH4 that includes a locking device for the HDMI connector, your recommendations will be appreciated.
 
Does anyone know if the Letus EVF Knuckle will work with the HONU? I'm coming from using an FS100 with a dedicated Letus MCS Cage and hoping to replicate some of the functionality.
 
Don't know about the knuckle, sorry. My honu arrived yesterday in advance of my gh4 - for the money, it's great. Not sure how effective the hdmi clamp will be though. The clamp is simply a set of jaws that you press together, then lock down with an Allen key - there's no screw mechanism to apply locking pressure.
 
mr bill said:
Don't know about the knuckle, sorry. My honu arrived yesterday in advance of my gh4 - for the money, it's great. Not sure how effective the hdmi clamp will be though. The clamp is simply a set of jaws that you press together, then lock down with an Allen key - there's no screw mechanism to apply locking pressure.
Click to expand...

Please post a pic of the mount/clamp.

thanks
JohnG
 
If possible I'd wait for NAB before ordering any cages. Not that I have inside information...just imagine more manufacturers will jump on the bandwagon.

That said I briefly tested the Honu, but returned it, & ordered Wooden Camera's half-cage.

The Honu's a fine product & the manufacturer a pleasure to do business with, but the cage was a bit too lightweight for my needs, & the layout of the threads could be better. It be a good choice for flying under a drone, or MoVI, but not so great with a handle on top & shoulder rig (with brick battery) below. Even though my shoulder rig is relatively compact, & lightweight, there was just too much flex to the Honu. Under load Wooden Camera's half-cage has some flex, but much less.

My other issue was bulk. The Honu cage is much wider then WC's & when mounted to rails much slower to break-down. My GH3(s) travel often & live in a carry-on backpack, so everything needs to be compact & quick to build/break.

I wouldn't fault anyone from picking the Honu, but Wooden Camera's products are in a completely different league, which is why their often found in camera houses' inventory.
 
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I bet the creator of the Honu is very happy Panasonic decided to keep the same body for the GH4. Should boost their sales a lot.

By the way I agree this cage is stunning! Really a must have purchase for a GH3/GH4.
 
I have the Honu GH3 Cage, and the HDMI lock and handle, hard to beat for the price! Just a couple things to know, on the top of the bottom section, there are 2 hex heads that stop the camera from turning or twisting in the cage when mounted and tightened, these can scratch your GH3/GH4 on the front of the bottom of your cameras base plate. I put 2 small pieces of black duck-tape to cover them. Also, if you have any Mini-HDMI cables that have a 90 Degree angled connector, you will not be able to use the HDMI Lock, The regular straight Mini-HDMI connector works fine with the lock. You also cannot twist the fold out LCD screen of the GH3/GH4 on any angle, as the cage impedes any rotation. You can fold it out to the left about 90% but not all the way. I also wish there was a little more room at the top inside of the cage, it's kind of hard to see and make adjustments to the dial. Trade-offs, trade-offs! It's nice, I use it, but it could use some improvements.:happy:
 
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Thanks for the link Mr Bill, I talked to Erik Bartelt at the Varavon Booth at NAB, but didn't see their cage. I sent him an email this morning asking for details and when it will be available for sale. It looks like a good design, especially the cut-out for the GH3/4 articulating monitor screen.
 
Varavon should replace the cold-shoe with standard 1/4-20 & 3/8-16 threaded holes. NATO rails are becoming the defacto quick release mount for many systems so Varavon should at least make provisions for adding them onboard.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Varavon should replace the cold-shoe with standard 1/4-20 & 3/8-16 threaded holes. NATO rails are becoming the defacto quick release mount for many systems so Varavon should at least make provisions for adding them onboard.
Click to expand...

Looks like there is a 1/4-20 under/inside the cold-shoe, so you might just need a longer bolt for 1/4-20 accesoires, also, looking at the desing, the C100 handle might just slide and screw right in haha.
 
On issue some might have with Wooden Camera's cage is a small lip on the baseplate that pushes against the back of the camera to snug it up & keep it from rotating. This lip could keep the LCD from opening, but is removable.

My GH3's have a small baseplate mounted for attaching Varavon's EX Loupe (now discontinued) so the LCD sits above the lip.
 
I just got the Swedish Cameleon cage (SC:GH3/4). It works really well. Added a custom top handle I made from som spare parts (SmallRig & the hardware store). My plan is to fit an optional Juiced Link Riggy Micro on the the cage to the right of the top handle (from shooters perspective) if te shoot requires good sound quality.

photo 3.jpgphoto 2.jpg
 
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