Got My Cage! - Here's My GH2 Setup!

L

larrys

Well-known member
cageweb.jpg

The cage just arrived in time for a weekend, on the street shoot. Here's where I got the cage:

http://marksphototools.com/

It is a fantastic product and very reasonably priced. Totally solid and mounts everything I use when shooting. With this set up, I can shoot double system sound or into the camera and I can now monitor while shooting. I will be using this setup primarily on my monopod for videos I am doing like this:

http://www.vimeo.com/19105017
 
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Thanks, yes, I can't wait to get this outside on my Monopod on Sunday when I do some more street interviews. On the cage I have the Gh2 of course, a lilliput seven inch monitor:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lilliput-7-669G...094?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adebbc076

The Sennheiser ME66 with windscreen:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ME66_K6_COMBO_ME66_K6_Super_Cardioid_Mic.html

The Studio One XLR adapter:

http://www.studio1productions.com/xlr2dv.htm

The Zoom H4n:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600761-REG/Zoom_H4N_H4n_Handy_Mobile_4_Track.html

That's it. And if you watch that video, even without this great cage, the video is very, very stable on the monopod. Oh yes, I also use this with the Monopod:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554100-REG/Manfrotto_361_361_Shoulder_Brace_for.html

It does make a difference!
 
I have to say that has to be one of the most awkward set ups I have ever seen. But if it works for you...

On another note I really enjoyed that positive video you put together.
 
That rig seems to be about right for someone used to working with a monopod as their main choice for stabilization.
 
Yeah, gotta say, looks pretty unbalanced and impossible to operate handheld. Ideally you want a system that can be immediately balanced on your shoulder and your tripod. I'd also consider keeping your lens axis closer to the center axis of your tripod's head since the way you have it set up, panning your rig will move your camera, not just pan it, you may get some unusual looking camera movement during your pans.

You will get a lot more out of your handheld and tripod operating if the camera is balanced properly especially if your tripod isnt as good, because you do not want to be fighting against gravity. Ideally you put the camera on your tripod and when you tilt up or down you can let go and it doesnt move, if it moves, that means you are always having to compensate for varying gravitational forces, you'll be more precise in your moves if you arent fighting additional forces, especially as you come to a stop or when you start. If you have to hold your tripod to point it just a bit up or just a bit down, youll always be limited by the stability of your arm (of course a bit less so with more drag, but then youll be forced to use more drag than you should). And going handheld, balance is even more important since you do not want to be fighting just to hold your camera still, it should just rest on your shoulder naturally or at least not strain you too much when braced against your body if it doesnt contact your shoulder.
 
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vcassel said:
That rig seems to be about right for someone used to working with a monopod as their main choice for stabilization.
Click to expand...

Right if it works great for you forget about anyone else's opinion. If you dont pan and you like to have all your components right where they are, maybe it works great. It just doesnt seem like it would work well for handheld or fluid head work which is probably what most people are thinking about.
 
larrys said:
View attachment 29132

The cage just arrived in time for a weekend, on the street shoot. Here's where I got the cage:

http://marksphototools.com/

It is a fantastic product and very reasonably priced. Totally solid and mounts everything I use when shooting. With this set up, I can shoot double system sound or into the camera and I can now monitor while shooting. I will be using this setup primarily on my monopod for videos I am doing like this:

http://www.vimeo.com/19105017
Click to expand...

Muahahaha, his name is R2GH2. :D
 
Where are you getting those little ball joints to connect all the stuff to the cage?
I see the Monitor comes with one.
 
Yes, I have one other from years ago, here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-492...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1296313421&sr=8-1

And in response to the way the rig is set up...

I am only using this on my monopod, with almost no panning. I will never use this rig handheld, I do not shoot that way. I am using it for a singular and very specific purpose. It's for these little street interviews I am doing as in this video:

http://www.vimeo.com/19105017

Actually, when the rig is on top of the monopod, the monopod is almost directly under the camera, just a little off to the left. With the manfrotto brace, I am getting perfect stabilization. Also, I added the 2nd grip that comes with the cage and this makes the stabilization even better. I shot a little test this morning and I can tell you that for my purposes, this setup is perfect. When I interview, I need to be able to talk to the person and have them look in my eyes and now, with the monitor, I can quickly glance to the left, just for a moment, and check the framing of the shot. I love this.

One other note. Some members of the forum were talking about using the inexpensive $15.00 flash brackets. I had one of those from previous shooting, before I added a monitor to my setup. Those cheap brackets do not hold up to the heavier weight, they are too flimsy and they flex and cause the camera to shake. This is why I knew I needed a very solid cage to shoot in this manner. Also, I did a lot of research on the cages and this cage compared to many others was very reasonably priced and it is super solid. At some point, I will try to get a photo of the rig on the monopod.
 
Larry,

I can't tell from the picture... how does the camera body attach to the cube? I don't see a quick release plate. Is there just a 1/4" 20 bolt that holds it in place? Also I'd like to know why you ended up going with this over the Indisystem cage.

Thanks for any info!

Tony
 
Hey Tony, I have a quick release coming in the mail. Right now, yes, it's attached with a screw that comes with the cage. The reason I bought this one over the Indi model was that I did not want rods. Also, this cage looked precisely like what I needed and I had a long conversation with the owner, Mark, before buying. The customer support was top notch, if I didn't like it, I could return it no problem. Hope all is well with you!
 
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