GH4 Do I really need a cage?

G

gaddster

Active member
Hi All

just waiting for my GH4 to arrive and received my wireless G3 system today.. However, I realised (as i work alone) that i need a solution for managing my equipment for a multi-location project (interviews and small business operating footage).

I will use the GH4, H4n plus sennheiser G3, (not sure if i need the shotgun mic) , may take some slider shots if needed etc.. So I looked at a Fhungen Honu v2 cage to house the camera, g3, h4n etc (not got an LCD monitor yet)

OR

Am I just thinking of something i may need rather than WILL need ??

Any suggestions would be great
 
If you're recording dual system, you can just put the H4N and lav receiver in a shoulder bag and throw a VMP or the like atop the camera for directional and sync scratch track pickup.

So no... you don't NEED a cage. There may be various reasons you might want one, but you can gauge that better than anyone else.
 
Thanks mcbob,

I noticed a few threads saying its best to record straight in to the GH4 but i have always collected the audio from a lab to a h4n and used a mic on top of the camera (to collect some ambience if i ever need it), then sync is post..

Think I will keep the little cash i have left and wait just in case i need something else i.e spare batteries etc ;-)
 
Whether or not you need a cage is up to you.

But I will say that the cage in question is probably one of the more affordable ones out there.
 
If you use the Micro HDMI port often then get a cage or some way to lock the cable. The Micro HDMI and port are fragile. I had one camera break after using it for several hours without a cable lock. It was still in the 30 days window so I got a refund and bought a GH4 with YAGH. The other two GH4's are in the Fhungen Honu v2 cage. I use a micro to full adapter and clamp it down. Last week the adapter started cutting in and out. I thought it was the camera but checked it with new cable and the camera was fine. These ports are trouble.
 
THanks guys

Erik, I think my next purchase could either be a monitor or atomos recorder, although i never realised the price of lenses for the gh4 were so pricey (might need more lenses yet)
 
I have both the Honu (v1) and the GB-1 Gearbox cages. I use them occasionally (put mic on top of the Honu rather than "stress" the camera shoe) but find the limits on the articulating LCD not to my liking. Recently got the Tascam DR60D for audio and tried to use it with the GH3/GH4 in the GB1 but found that setup kept geting in the way. With the camera in the GB-1 and the Tascom on top, again turning the LCD around to the front (I do a lot of work as a one person effort and have to get out in front of the camera and use the LCD for composition) results in one grip blocking part of the image. With the camera on top (where I can get full articulation and unobstructed view) and the Tascam in the cage, mic cables are blocked.

So for now I mount the GH camera on top of the Tascam unit and I have free access to everything. So my "take" on the issue is I do not NEED a cage. However both the GB-1 and the Honu cages cost me only $95 each. Each have useful points and both are "on hand" if a special need arises.
 
gaddster said:
THanks guys

Erik, I think my next purchase could either be a monitor or atomos recorder, although i never realised the price of lenses for the gh4 were so pricey (might need more lenses yet)
Click to expand...
Good lenses are worth it if you are staying with the MFT format. I have carried them over from the GH2 and GH3. Just protect that port if you need to use the Micro HDMI.
 
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