doubledark
Well-known member
I’m looking for an affordable cage/rail system for a Nikon D7000. Initially tripod mounted but will look to add shoulder use later.
Where do I start?
Thanks all
Where do I start?
Thanks all
cage/rail for Nikon D7000
- Thread starter doubledark
- Start date
Hugh DiMauro
Well-known member
Amazon has fabulous deals on starter kits. B & H is geared more towards the pros and sells high end stuff. On Amazon, just type in DSLR matte box or follow focus and see all the stuff that comes up. You can do the same at B & H as well.
doubledark
Well-known member
willantirocks
Member
I'm a big fan of the smallrig stuff, affordable and customization! http://smallrig.com/ Built this rig up this week:
Michael Carter
Veteran
I don't know that you really need a "cage" for the D7000/7100 - I've shot tons of work with both bodies.
The most important thin is a base plate that won't flex, that lets you get to the battery without tearing down. Most DSLR plates have one linkage between the camera to the rails and to the QR plate. I always had problems with the rig flexing when you have an FF and matte box. So I end up getting a couple different plates and taking them apart and making something that has two sets of "legs" to the rails, fore and aft., and then two sets to the QR plate.
I also have one of the plates pictured below, but ti's too short for a DSLR, works great with my bigger broadcast style camera. The rails all-the-way-through make it really sturdy.
The most important thin is a base plate that won't flex, that lets you get to the battery without tearing down. Most DSLR plates have one linkage between the camera to the rails and to the QR plate. I always had problems with the rig flexing when you have an FF and matte box. So I end up getting a couple different plates and taking them apart and making something that has two sets of "legs" to the rails, fore and aft., and then two sets to the QR plate.
I also have one of the plates pictured below, but ti's too short for a DSLR, works great with my bigger broadcast style camera. The rails all-the-way-through make it really sturdy.
Imamacuser
Veteran
This Fotga baseplate looks pretty good, but I've never used one myself. You'll just have to look for an Amazon or eBay seller who's willing to ship one to the land down under.
Michael Carter
Veteran
That's exactly what I'm talking about - in my experience (and I've got a small mountain of 15mm rail bits and pieces since the D90 and T2i era), you really need fore & aft "legs" to the rails, top and bottom, or the whole thing will flex - say, doing a focus pull and the lens dips a bit. Maddening.
If you can access batteries and cards without having to pull the camera, and the whole thing is sturdy, you're good to go. Get that right from the start and you won't be constantly updating.
Also, look for a baseplate where the camera can be right at the front of the plate. Wait til you have a small prime and can't get the follow focus near the thing… it's back to the shopping cart then.
The other biggie for DSLRs and smaller BMC style cams? Get an adjustable lens support. Since DSLRs have one measly mounting screw, turning the follow focus can make the camera body lift a hair, even from very mild torque. With a lens support, you can "pre-lift" the lens and take up any slack in the mount and in the lens mount. This is especially helpful if you're using lens adapters with any play in them. Yes, you are applying some pressure to the lens mount - if I'm using a giant lens (like an 80-200 or the Nikkor 28-70 2.8), I'll dial in a little lift before the shot, and ease it off after - but I think the mounts can take a fair amount of pressure.
If you still get "bumps" in a focus pull, add a rubber whip to your arsenal - very cheap, and really pretty handy to have - it takes one more level of shock from focus moves (at least using chinese baseplates on DSLRs vs. an Alexa with a $2k FF unit).
The above ideas will help you get a frustration-free DSLR rail setup, and help you do very smooth focus pulls with no hiccups.
doubledark
Well-known member
Hi Michael, I'm not quite understanding what you mean about fore & aft "legs", top & bottom.....could you perhaps illustrate with a photo?
cheers
I had the Neewer Dslr Cage for a little over a year with my d3200. I had to remove one tightening knob to be able to drop the battery out, but i just kept a crescent wrench with me to adjust the rails if I needed to. I gave it to a friend when I got my d750 because they changed the orientation of the battery on that camera. My friend uses his D7200 and it seems to fit it perfect. The fit and finish isn't quite as good as my tilta stuff, but I had no real complaints especially for the price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEWER-Alum...5mm-Rod-RIG-/310969112845?hash=item486734190d
Michael Carter
Veteran
I guess the right word would be a "risers" or supports - fore and aft on the left, just a single on the right. I always had too much flexing with a single vs. a double:
