7D RE: Lightweight cage for Canon 7D II

[Joshua_G]

RE: Lightweight cage for Canon 7D II

This is a similar post to one I posted on the 'Support Gear' forum, which received no replies.

I'm looking for a lightweight cage for Canon 7D II.
So far I found 8 candidates, each weighing under 0.51 Kg (1.2 lb), each costs under $400:

Letus35 Cage ($375, 500g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/904124-REG/letus35_ltm_np5d_cage_canon_7d_5d_mark2_cage.html

Wooden Camera Quick Cage-DSLR, Medium ($400, 484g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/978804-REG/wooden_camera_wc_162800_quick_cage_for_medium.html

Varavon Armor II ($305, 483g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1136630-REG/varavon_am_7d2_ii_armor_ii_camera_cage.html

Motionnine CubeCage ($340, 510g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1165470-REG/motion9_m9cc5d37d2_cubecage_for_canon_5d.html

walimex Pro Aptaris Universal XL ($300, 370g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1040129-REG/walimex_pro_19884_uni_xl_adjustable_cage.html

Hunt DSLR Camera Cage ($175, 400g): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hunt-DSLR-C...Canon-Nikon-/171919438286?hash=item28073271ce

Ikan ELE-DRGFLY DragonFly ($130, 540g): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885073-REG/ikan_ELE_DRGFLY_DragonFly_Handheld_Rig.html

SMALLRIG Quick Cage(Large) ($121, 360g): http://smallrig.com/smallrig-quick-cage-1535-large.html



What I don't know about any of those cages is the ease of operating the camera mounted on/in those cages, including easy access to the camera's controls.

What are your recommendations?
Is there any other recommended lightweight cage?

 

[Bruce Foreman]

My choice was: PNC Gearbox GB-1, $95.00, weight not listed.

http://www.photographyandcinema.com.../products/gearbox-video-camera-accessory-cage

I use a Panasonic GH4 with Manfrotto 577 Quick disconnect adapter (makes the cage a tad heavier) but the whole setup is easily handled with two handgrips. I even use smaller cameras like the Panasonic GX7 on it. Handgrips are just far enough apart to aid in stability.

Be sure to watch both videos on that linked page.

 

[Joshua_G]

Thanks.
What is the weight of the GB-1 cage?

 

[Bruce Foreman]

Thanks.
What is the weight of the GB-1 cage?

I don't know, weight is not listed on that page. Not very heavy, somewhere around a pound I guess. Less if you don't add a Manfrotto 577 quick release adapter like I have. My tripods have Manfrotto heads with 501PL compatible mounts, I have a 577 501PL compatible quick release adapter both on the lower plate of the GB-1 cage and on my SpiderBrace shoulder mount.

So I can go from tripod to cage or shoulder mount in seconds, just slide the camera with adapter plate into place on whatever I'm using.

IMO the GB-1 is the simplest, cleanest, best balanced cage design I've seen yet. And at $95 for the basic cage...

 

[Joshua_G]

Thanks, Bruce.