GH4 modified honu cage setup (trying to get an af100 like setup

tacotim

tacotim

Well-known member
Just thought I'd share my setup as i'm replacing my AF100 with the gh4 and I wanted to approximate the functionality of the AF as close as possible. I started with a honu cage and took the right side off so I could still grip the camera normally. This involved cutting the right side of the base off so it doesn't jab into your hand while holding the camera. I also removed the left side and redrilled holes so it could be mounted about 3/8" forward which allows full motion of the flip out monitor. I added a hand strap to the cameras grip. A Juiced link box provides dual XLR inputs. I put a handle on top and mounted a shotgun on the left side. There's an additional cold shoe mount on top of the juiced link box to mount a wireless mic receiver. So far so good in mimicking many of the AF100 features. To me the biggest let down in switching is the loss of the ND wheel. My solution for that is using the magnetic xume adapters and a small pouch of ND filters for quick swap outs.

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Nice! Ive been thinking along somewhat similar lines, with modifying the Honu. Please allow me to pepper you with questions...

-How sturdy is the vertical part with just one bolt attaching it on each end? How about the top plate, any wobble/flex with the right side removed?

-Is that the Honu top handle? If so, how sturdy is it?

-Would the vertical piece interfere with a follow focus, now that it's been moved forward?

-Any plans for adding a loupe or hood to the LCD?

What I wanted to do with mine was move the vertical plates inwards about 8-10mm, so they're flush (or very close) with the cam body. Maybe file/grind the right plate so it's more contoured into the shape of the handgrip.

On the left side I would love to be able to integrate the Varavon loupe that has the swivel support, maybe have the support bracket mount right to the vertical plate instead of under the cam.

For a top handle I need something that runs backwards from the hotshoe/EVF area that is sturdy enough to mount a ~3-4lb counterweight to its far end. This is so the camera is balanced at the midpoint of the grip for low hand-held fisheye shots (action sports stuff).
 
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Answers to your questions Aldolega:

The vertical part is very sturdy, but it still uses four bolts, I drilled new holes that allowed it to mount about 3/8" forward. 4 bolts hold it together, two in the top two in the bottom. Very sturdy once the camera is mounted in it.

It's not the honu handle, it's a no name brand from amazon and it is very solid.

Not sure about interfering with a follow focus as I don't use them.

For now I'm gonna use the evf, I'd like to get a bigger rubber eye piece though.

I think your idea about moving the vertical parts inward is intriguing. Keep me posted on that. For the top handle, the way i have it facing forward feels pretty balanced for skate follow came stuff. Backwards would work too, but then you'd have to remove it anytime you want to use the evf.
 
Is there anyway of securing the cage to the GH4 ' s hot shoe without using that knob? Looks like it'd be in the way of mounting a large item like an Atomos recorder or Tascam mixer to the top. If you'd left the cold shoe from the removed vertical attached to the cage, would it have been in the way of handholding the camera?
 
nice idea! i was also thinking to do something similar.
Will check my cage today :-)

Do you use any anti twist plate here?

What is that strap on the right?
 
In the brief period I had the Honu I used a 5" NATO/Safety Rail from SmallRig. The layout of the threads on top the Honu seem a bit goofy but think I was able to secure it near the back edge.

Not sure their handle would work in this configuration as I was using a NATO mount version.
 
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This is exactly what i've been thinking about too! I love the GH4 grip and hate losing the direct contact with shutter and aperture wheels when i've got it in the cage. Need to dig the hack saw out. I'm also a fan of hand grips and use them when going lightweight and hand held. Its all looking like a C300 but with the lovely GH4 image!
 
The strap is not leather, it's made by case logic. I had to cut off the bottom bracket on the strap and use a metal triangle shaped key ring thing. It attaches to the metal hole on the gh4 body, and then to a hole on the cage (its the hole that one of the anti twist screws is in, i removed the screw to attach the hand strap. The top handle is indeed the small rig one from amazon $40. I used this setup extensively over the last week and I'm really happy with it. I'm rethinking the programming of the Fn buttons, but right now i've got them set to focus assist, peaking, zebras, q menu, evf/lcd. I have the c settings on the dial set to 4k, 1080 60, 1080 96, and M is set up for quick timelapses. Loving so far.
 
The Xume filter adapters are brilliant. I have a set of three ND filters with them and I do the same. Put them in a pouch that hangs of my belt.
 
good solution for the Honu cage!

good solution for the Honu cage!

Moving the hdmi/mic input side of the cage forward is a great solution for allowing the OLED to pivot! BTW, PNC states on their website that this cage may be undergoing an update. Hopefully Fhugen will re-work this part of the cage.
 
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