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

It works fine mate because I own one, do you? You seem to be pushing Honu a lot. Do they sponsor you?

Wormzel,

Suggest you pickup new eyeglasses & re-read the thread.

You'd realize I own Wooden Camera's cage, & been critical of Fhugen's (to the point I returned mine). Instead of pushing anyone's product I've discussed solutions from Wooden Camera, Swedish Chameleon, Fhugen, SmallRig, Varavon, Gini, & ViewFactor. In fact I'm going to contact ViewFactor tomorrow & may drive out to their offices to checkout their new cage for my other GH4.

New eyeglasses might also help you read the forum rules. Seems the "For Sale" section isn't working out so you've repeatedly posted sales in the GH forums too. Guess with a history of deceitful C-Mount lens sales, & a generally foul nature, you likely have a very hard time selling most anything to anyone.

Instead of coming here (& BMCuser) to learn, & share, you appear to use it as dumping ground for your rage, & junk.

-Bern

PS that Varavon HDMI clamp is still goofy, & provides little protection to the port, which is why some owners modified theirs.
 
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I haven't seen anything close yet - I need my right hand around the grip, I want something on the other side to protect the screen & cables, a place for mounting gear on top and rails underneath but that's it, anything on the right that impedes my hand in operating the controls is useless to me
 
I had similar requirements, and my solution was to use the honu fhugen cage with the right side removed. I cut the right side of the bottom section off as well so it did not impede the handgrip at all. I also redrilled and moved the left side forward about 1/4" so it doesn't block the rotation of the LCD.

I haven't seen anything close yet - I need my right hand around the grip, I want something on the other side to protect the screen & cables, a place for mounting gear on top and rails underneath but that's it, anything on the right that impedes my hand in operating the controls is useless to me
 
I like the design of Viewfactor's Contineo GH4 Cage. Looks solid and should protect the GH4 from all sides.

...One thing I am wondering about is: What's a good way to secure a field monitor to the top of a cage like this ?

I remember seeing a hinge-mount that bolted to the top of your cage and allowed you to adjust the angle your monitor sits at, but I can't remember who made it ?

Any ideas ?
 
Bern,

I drove out to Viewfactor a month or so ago to show them my GH4 - they did not even have one yet. They said they would invite me back to
check out the cage and do some testing. i emailed a few times and then never heard back. I'd advise not driving out there unless you have a lot
of time to spare - or live really close to Magic Mountain. I don't think they were being deceitful but I do think they should have followed up.
 
I bought the fhugen cage, and it's good value for money - the hdmi clamp works ok. But I found a gini/abc rigs cage (got one for my gh2 already) and bought the coollcd clamp previously discussed. Gini/coollcd combo the best for me - outstanding build quality and the hdmi clamp is just bombproof. Search for abc super cage on eBay if you want to check the cage out. My 02
 
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Bubble,

Button access is concerning. Hoping Hot Rod Cameras get's an early shipment otherwise I may drive out to ViewFactor to checkout the ergonomics.

I saw the prototype in person today. It's very nicely done. Still a little time to get them final version and out the door (but not long) and we'll have them in stock as soon as they start shipping. I'm looking forward to the handles, HDMI clamp and 15mm rod attachments.

As soon as we get a final anodized version we'll take a pic and get it up on the website.

All 1-solid piece of aluminum which means the cage is mighty strong.
 
I had similar requirements, and my solution was to use the honu fhugen cage with the right side removed. I cut the right side of the bottom section off as well so it did not impede the handgrip at all. I also redrilled and moved the left side forward about 1/4" so it doesn't block the rotation of the LCD.

I was actually thinking about trying something like this with the top & bottom connection to the camera it should be pretty solid

Just had a look at the coollcd site and I think that's the way to go
 
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Still a little time to get them final version and out the door (but not long) and we'll have them in stock as soon as they start shipping.

Called HRC yesterday & was told the Contineo wasn't quite ready. Good to hear you like the prototype & can't wait to see the final product.

A few questions:

-Will it be black anodized?

-Is the HDMI clamp reversible so it can be stored onboard when not in use & not block the LCD's rotation? The CAD rendering made it look like the clamp could be rotated 180* so it pointed the same direction as the lens.

-Will any of the parts used on the BMPCC riser/rod attachments be reusable on the GH4 cage?

I'll call HRC again to see if I can get on the waiting list but hope you post availablility here too.

Thanks,
Bern
 
I bought the fhugen cage, and it's good value for money - the hdmi clamp works ok. But I found a gini/abc rigs cage (got one for my gh2 already) and bought the coollcd clamp previously discussed. Gini/coollcd combo the best for me - outstanding build quality and the hdmi clamp is just bombproof. Search for abc super cage on eBay if you want to check the cage out. My 02
Hi Mr Bill. I just got my Gini rigs cage in an it seems to be missing a QR plate that connects the cage to the rails/tripod mount. Did yours come with come kind of a quick release plate or were you able to find one that works for it? Thanks in advance.
 
I would avoid the Gini rigs/ABC rigs cage AT ALL COST!!! First there is the issue of no QR plate to mount the rails to the cage(might just be an oversight), but this isn't the real issue. While I was assembling it(it came in pieces) i noticed that the sidebars did not fit flush with the bottom piece. I tightened the screws as much as I could, but they wouldn't seem to tighten fully. The cage is a bit wobbly. Then I looked at the Gini778 feedback on ebay and there was negative feedback about this cage. The negative feedback said: [TABLE="class: FbOuterYukon, width: 100%"]
[TR="class: fbOuterAddComm"]
[TD]GH4 cage has poorly placed bottom holes. In Korea not US. Ebay refunded. Avoid.[/TD]
[TD]Buyer: l***l ( 97
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)
[/TD]
[TD]Jun-25-14 06:33[/TD]
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[TD]

Then I checked the position of the screw holes on the bottom of the cage and the negative feedback ebayer was right. I couldn't get a simple railblock mount to center on the lens, rendering any rail based lens support for telephoto lenses useless(or any zooms such as the Sigma 18-35). It won't be as big of an issue with a Follow Focus or an adjustable matte box, but I religiously use lens support for my long and big lenses.

This is probably the worst piece of gear I've ever bought and I want to make sure that no one on here makes the same mistake. I bought it weeks ago, so I'm not blaming anyone here, and it's my own stupid fault for not reading the feedback. It's probably best to wait till the trusted manufacturers come out with a cage and spend the extra bucks. I haven't tried the Fughen but it just looks janky. I know I'm new here and this may seem negative, but I'm just trying to be helpful. [/TD]
[TD="class: addl, colspan: 4"]
  • Follow-up by l***l (Jul-02-14 06:43):
    Can't center the lens on rails with the mounting holes. Offset. Design flaw.


[/TD]
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I bought my cage from eBay, and it was described as the ABC super cage for the gh4. Also had to assemble mine, but the build is great. Mine came with a qr plate, camera riser with tripod screws on the base, and 15mm rods. There seem to be two versions of this cage floating around -we seem to have bought different versions. Like I said, I'm really impressed with this one.
 
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I bought my cage from eBay, and it was described as the ABC super cage for the gh4. Also had to assemble mine, but the build is great. Mine came with a qr plate, camera riser with tripod screws on the base, and 15mm rods. There seem to be two versions of this cage floating around -we seem to have bought different versions. Like I said, I'm really impressed with this one.
Nope that's the exact same one I bought(even says abc rig.com on it). It was missing the QR plate but came with all the other parts so there is no way to mount the rails and the riser to the cage, further rendering it useless. Gini778 is the seller. They sell a version without the riser/rails, but we bought the exact same one. I suspect their QC isn't up to standards as just a few millimeters is a wrong direction can change everything. My whole cage is now loose and the screws are as tight as they will get. Have you also tried using the rails with a lens support?

Are ebay links not allowed on here? I'll post the link to the auction so people know which one to avoid...UPDATE! In the time that I opened an ebay case they've since taken down the version with the rails, but still sell the plain cage.
 
What I have found is that there are chinese knock off OF the chinese knock offs out there.

I bought the Aputure Magic Rig for my GH4. I decided to go with a seller who had a slightly cheaper price (couple of bucks). The guy kept delaying shipment and making excuses etc... He kept telling me that he had made an error with Chinese postal service and they were a pain in the a$$ to deal with once they screw up. He was basically waiting for the Chinese post service to return the item so he could reship it...I didn't believe him and gave him a deadline, long story short, he refunded me my money.

I decide to order off a guy with a better ebay rating. The product arrives without issue and as ordered. About a week after receiving the unit I ended up getting the shipment from the original seller I tried to buy it off of. I open up the package, first of all it's not even in the proper packaging. The whole build quality was a step down from the first unit I received and it was basically unusable. They had basically knocked off the Aputure Magic Rig only using even crappier parts. I was blown away.

Im not saying that this is the same as your experience but it may have been. Gini Rig has been around for a while and generally has favorable reviews.
 
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