GH4 Cages for GH5

Bern Caughey

Bern Caughey

Veteran
Seems many of the Cages available for the GH4 will not be compatible with the GH5 so it be good to compile a list of the various options that will.

Here's a start...

8Sinn
http://www.8sinn.com/index.php/supported-cameras/panasonic-gh5/8sinn-gh5-cage.html

LockCircle's "Robot Skin"
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/27/lockcircles-robot-skin-panasonic-gh5/

SmallRig's #1965
http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-Cage-for-PANASONIC-Lumix-GH5-1965.html

CAME-TV
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/14/came-tv-panasonic-gh5-cage/
 
I'd like to hear from experienced cage users which one of those looks the best and why. Some of them look over designed and heavy.
 
My needs for a are relatively humble, so prefer a solid, but lightweight, & form fitting cage. As long as I can attach a Monitor/Recorder, & eventually the XLR adapter, I'll be happy enough, so pre-ordered the SmallRig #1965. Right now it's just $45 plus shipping, so if a better option comes along I can always ditch it.

Perhaps when the full 4:3 sensor readout firmware gets released I'll shoot some anamorphic & will need LWS rods, but that's an outside chance, & SmallRig has solutions.
 
Paul F said:
Some of them look over designed and heavy.
Click to expand...

All of these are made from aircraft aluminum so the weight is very minimal. Like Bern I like a really solid cage that allows me to bolt on a monitor and audio gear, but still small enough that I can leave the cage on my camera when I store it for transport. With my GH4 I use a small but very strong ball-head to bolt a 7 inch monitor to the top of my camera, and the ball-head allows me to position the monitor at almost any angle I want. ( articulated arms are usually not small enough or strong enough for me, as I want everything bolted to the cage to be rock-solid, so when I pick up the cage to take it to the next location I don't have to worry about anything shifting )
 
With the GH4 I attached a Cold Shoe onto the side of the Cage, & hung a 5" Recorder/Monitor from a small Manfrotto ballhead. Went thru two of the Manfrotto's before realizing they weren't up to the task, & switched to Wooden Camera's Ultra Arm. I already owned the arm for use on other cameras, & added a "Ultra Arm Ball with Hot Shoe" foot for use with Cage's cold shoe.

https://www.woodencamera.com/ultra-arm-mini-monitor-mount-1-4-20-to-3-8-16-p/240400.htm

https://www.woodencamera.com/ultra-arm-ball-hot-shoe-p/233000.htm
 
Ultimate GH5 Cage System

Ultimate GH5 Cage System

There's some new stuff that has just gone live-

Rushing to get it done, and there's much more info and features to share. We are now officially launching the ultimate cage for the GH5, some of you know it from the secret/soft launch with about 2 full years of field testing, the Kung Fu Cinema System.

info is far not 100% up to date, and we are light on text explaining all details and features, but for those who know what they want the moment see it- you can order now. There's limited stock of everything right now.

Will also work with the Panasonic GH-Series, Sony A7s, A7sII, A7rII, Blackmagic Pocket... and many, many more. There's also a special support for Metabones adapters, Hot Rod PL adapters and discounts for adding a Hot Rod PL mount to any of the kits.

All parts and pieces will be available individually so you can craft a custom cage experience. The Kung Fu Cinema system is available exclusively at Hot Rod Cameras.

We are hosting a Sigma cine lens event here tomorrow and just moving into our new building and with all the GH5 madness going on, I won't have a chance to update it until I have a moment to come up for breath.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Seems many of the Cages available for the GH4 will not be compatible with the GH5 so it be good to compile a list of the various options that will.

Here's a start...

8Sinn
http://www.8sinn.com/index.php/supported-cameras/panasonic-gh5/8sinn-gh5-cage.html

LockCircle's "Robot Skin"
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/27/lockcircles-robot-skin-panasonic-gh5/

SmallRig's #1965
http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-Cage-for-PANASONIC-Lumix-GH5-1965.html

CAME-TV
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/14/came-tv-panasonic-gh5-cage/
Click to expand...

Take a peak at this review of the Came-TV unit. No go with the audio piece.

https://vimeo.com/210752591?from=outro-embed
 
Got a shipment notification for my 8sinn cage yesterday. It's coming from Poland so I'll report back once it gets here. Definitely a bit more expensive than I would like, but I love the design.
 
MurtlandPhoto said:
Got a shipment notification for my 8sinn cage yesterday. It's coming from Poland so I'll report back once it gets here. Definitely a bit more expensive than I would like, but I love the design.
Click to expand...

Does the 8Sinn have a HDMI support?

After receiving the GH5 I realized the SmallRig 1965 illustration shows the HDMI support in the wrong place, & unless that's changed it will be a fail. Haven't tried it yet but the HDMI support that comes with the camera is a plastic POS that won't last long in a professional environment.

Looking at SmallRigs site again I realized their rods supports are not great either, & I wouldn't use them to support anamorphic PL lenses, or even modestly heavy lenses.
 
I can report that the Fhugen Honu 2 cage ( https://photographyandcinema.com/products/honu-gh3-video-cage-kit ) is not completely compatible with the GH5. The media card door cannot fully open. Also, the GH5 is taller than the GH4 so the shoe mount bolt barely fits (I had to remove the bottom tightener to make room).

IMG_3040.jpgIMG_5989.jpgIMG_6886.jpgIMG_7244.jpgIMG_9834.jpg

I am hoping that Fhugen makes a v.3 that's fully compatible with the GH5 because I love this cage on my GH4s. It's got a great HDMI clamp that I cannot find on any other system.
 
Bern Caughey said:
My needs for a are relatively humble, so prefer a solid, but lightweight, & form fitting cage. As long as I can attach a Monitor/Recorder, & eventually the XLR adapter, I'll be happy enough, so pre-ordered the SmallRig #1965. Right now it's just $45 plus shipping, so if a better option comes along I can always ditch it.

Perhaps when the full 4:3 sensor readout firmware gets released I'll shoot some anamorphic & will need LWS rods, but that's an outside chance, & SmallRig has solutions.
Click to expand...

I also bought the pre-ordered the SmallRig #1965 and the SMALLRIG Monitor Cage for ATOMOS Shogun Inferno. :)
 
Benjobe said:
I can report that the Fhugen Honu 2 cage ( https://photographyandcinema.com/products/honu-gh3-video-cage-kit ) is not completely compatible with the GH5. The media card door cannot fully open. Also, the GH5 is taller than the GH4 so the shoe mount bolt barely fits (I had to remove the bottom tightener to make room).

View attachment 122454View attachment 122455View attachment 122456View attachment 122457View attachment 122458

I am hoping that Fhugen makes a v.3 that's fully compatible with the GH5 because I love this cage on my GH4s. It's got a great HDMI clamp that I cannot find on any other system.
Click to expand...

I have that same cage. I don't like how it blocks the top controls even on the GH4. I would assume on the GH5 they would be even harder to reach/see.
 
MurtlandPhoto said:
Got a shipment notification for my 8sinn cage yesterday. It's coming from Poland so I'll report back once it gets here. Definitely a bit more expensive than I would like, but I love the design.
Click to expand...

Gotta say, I really like that the edges are smoothed out. I hate holding my smallrig cage for gh4 handheld beyond a few minutes since the edges are so pronounced. On sticks, it's been great.
 
joe12south said:
I have that same cage. I don't like how it blocks the top controls even on the GH4. I would assume on the GH5 they would be even harder to reach/see.
Click to expand...

Yes, the controls are harder to access on the GH5 with the Honu 2 cage. But I don't have much trouble accessing the controls on my GH4s with the cage. If Fhugen redesigns the cage to be a bit taller to fit the GH5 (and proper access to the media cards) then that would work for me.

I looked at the 8Sinn cage and I do its form-fitting design with a smoothed edge for gripping. But IMO they sacrificed function for form. There are so few mounting holes and only one shoe mount. And with its thin & spare coverage it doesn't protect the body much from a fall. Plus the cost is a bit much compared to other options.
 
I have the Honu for the GH3/GH4 with the HDMI clamp, I've used it a few times but don't like it much. I've had trouble getting to a couple of things (like the remote port) without having to pull the camera out to hook something up. If I list my GH4 for sale this cage will go with it for free.

I like the Axler (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...4_professional_cage_for_panasonic.html?sts=pi) except for the bottom part with the rails (don't use that feature), I would have preferred a flat bottom plate. So I don't really use it.

The one I do use when I need a cage should handle the GH5 fine, design is simple, plenty of space on the top plate with plenty of both threaded and "pass thru" holes for attaching cold shoes, arms, monitor, or whatever. I keep it simple. Watch the video(s) on the page here when you scroll down. Price is $95, or $135 with rails, or $180 with rails and a top handle. I stayed with the simple cage for $95.

https://photographyandcinema.com/co.../products/gearbox-video-camera-accessory-cage

I have a Manfrotto 577 quick disconnect mounted on top of the bottom plate (as they show in the video) so I can slide anything in and out with 501 compatible plates and I've used GH3's, a GH4, GX7, and G7 on it. It's incredibly flexible for me.
 
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