ReelFilmGeek
Well-known member
can someone explain to me what the differences of these two things are or are they just different names for the same thing?
Fig Rig vs Cage
- Thread starter ReelFilmGeek
- Start date
Michael Carter
Veteran
A Fig Rig is a brand name - invented by director Mike Figgis. it's a hoop with a crossbar for the camera, and has accessory mounts available. You use it by holding it like a steering wheel. About $300. I've used one, sometimes dug it, sometimes not. Best with lightweight cameras. There are all sorts of knockoffs on ebay - the cheap ones use black irrigation tubing over flexible copper pipe. They can be a little twisty.
With a Fig Rig, you just really, really need (at least) a trigger for the camera. Remote focus and zoom is pretty handy too.
A cage can be... about anything, but usually a set of rails with a baseplate for the camera, a QR for the tripod, and various combos of 15mm rod or other materials that surround the camera in a box to protect it and attach accessories. They often have a top handle for carrying the rig. One could attach shoulder mount gear or use it on a tripod.
Never really got the cage thing personally (and I shoot a fair amount of DSLR). Seems like a "pimp my camera" contest around here when it comes to cages, but I suppose all that real estate for monitors, batteries, mics, etc is appealing to many. All depends on your shooting style. I'm more focused on a DSLR rig that can go in and out of a case without disassembling anything. With rails, matte box and FF that's a pretty big case! With a cage it could conceivably be even bigger.
With a Fig Rig, you just really, really need (at least) a trigger for the camera. Remote focus and zoom is pretty handy too.
A cage can be... about anything, but usually a set of rails with a baseplate for the camera, a QR for the tripod, and various combos of 15mm rod or other materials that surround the camera in a box to protect it and attach accessories. They often have a top handle for carrying the rig. One could attach shoulder mount gear or use it on a tripod.
Never really got the cage thing personally (and I shoot a fair amount of DSLR). Seems like a "pimp my camera" contest around here when it comes to cages, but I suppose all that real estate for monitors, batteries, mics, etc is appealing to many. All depends on your shooting style. I'm more focused on a DSLR rig that can go in and out of a case without disassembling anything. With rails, matte box and FF that's a pretty big case! With a cage it could conceivably be even bigger.
thekreative
Veteran
Same feelings. The figRig has worked for me in the past when a steadicam wouldn't ( too many people). And a cage isn't something I need. I try to have as little on my DSLR setup as possible and everything I need fits on my rails.
wgzn
Veteran
though in use, they CAN be used for similar purposes. they are two completely different things for completely different uses.
a fig rig is designed (supposedly) for better ergonomics and smooth movements.
a cage is designed to provide camera protection and add accessory connection points
you can add grips to a cage setup and make it SORT OF work like a fig rig. but the only way to make a fig rig work like a cage is to stick a cage rig on it
i own and or use both from time to time. a cage is pretty simple and can be adapted very easily to mount to a shoulder rig or tripod. but a fig rig, being a circle. is kind of clumsy when not in use. unless you have rods on it or some gear that you dont mind leaning on something.
the thing about a fig rig is in certain situations its awesome. but its one of those things where you have to have been in that situation to understand why.
but a cage is pretty simple and can be easily adapted to a variety of needs.
long story longer: i dont know anyone who uses a fig rig on a regular basis. but i know lots of people who's rigs are built around some form of cage.
a fig rig is designed (supposedly) for better ergonomics and smooth movements.
a cage is designed to provide camera protection and add accessory connection points
you can add grips to a cage setup and make it SORT OF work like a fig rig. but the only way to make a fig rig work like a cage is to stick a cage rig on it
i own and or use both from time to time. a cage is pretty simple and can be adapted very easily to mount to a shoulder rig or tripod. but a fig rig, being a circle. is kind of clumsy when not in use. unless you have rods on it or some gear that you dont mind leaning on something.
the thing about a fig rig is in certain situations its awesome. but its one of those things where you have to have been in that situation to understand why.
but a cage is pretty simple and can be easily adapted to a variety of needs.
long story longer: i dont know anyone who uses a fig rig on a regular basis. but i know lots of people who's rigs are built around some form of cage.
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cage setup or rig used to be a rounded rectangular or square fig rig, with multiple mounting options used in action sequences and some shoulder mount setups.
but recently some 3rd party manufactures started to label cheese plates that wrap around camcorder, to either protect the camera and/or provide multiple mounting points for accessories. they are not a cage setup or rig, but 3rd party accessory providers just used a known concept or label for something else that does not provide all the features of cage rigs.
but recently some 3rd party manufactures started to label cheese plates that wrap around camcorder, to either protect the camera and/or provide multiple mounting points for accessories. they are not a cage setup or rig, but 3rd party accessory providers just used a known concept or label for something else that does not provide all the features of cage rigs.
ReelFilmGeek
Well-known member
Alright cool thanks for the info guys! part of the reason I was asking is because I have a DIY fig rig I built out of some pipes but its a giant heavy rectangle. It's nice and all but its heavy and I was thinking of getting this cage (I use a T2I) and was wondering if it would work also as a fig rig without adding to it. I was thinking it probably wont because its so small and the handles are close to the camera.
http://www.photographyandcinema.com/products/gearbox-gb-2-video-accessory-cage-w-15mm-rod-adapter
http://www.photographyandcinema.com/products/gearbox-gb-2-video-accessory-cage-w-15mm-rod-adapter
Erik Naso
Veteran
They are two diffrent things.
I used a Fig rig for several spots because I needed to shoot at a hard angle so holding the wheel was so much better than handheld and handheld was my only other option. The Fig Rig smooths the shots out, and with a lens that has imagae stabalization it works even better.
I shot a review check it out.
http://eriknaso.com/gear-talk/manfrotto-fig-rig-camera-stabilizer-review/
I wouldn't but a rig into the Fig Rig because it would be way to heavy to operate. I stripped the camera down but ysed a DP6 on a noga arm with a supplied 1/4 20 on the Fig Rig.
If you need a more fluid shot it works pretty well.
I used a Fig rig for several spots because I needed to shoot at a hard angle so holding the wheel was so much better than handheld and handheld was my only other option. The Fig Rig smooths the shots out, and with a lens that has imagae stabalization it works even better.
I shot a review check it out.
http://eriknaso.com/gear-talk/manfrotto-fig-rig-camera-stabilizer-review/
I wouldn't but a rig into the Fig Rig because it would be way to heavy to operate. I stripped the camera down but ysed a DP6 on a noga arm with a supplied 1/4 20 on the Fig Rig.
If you need a more fluid shot it works pretty well.
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