What cage system works with a Speedbooster?

D

digifruitella

Active member
This prevents me from purchasing a cage system. I've been thinking about buying the Walimex Universal set but can't test this in any shop since it's not carried in any camera store near me, and by looking at pictures and videos I can't really tell if it will really work together with the SB.

As you know - a SB usually has its own mount attached - which prevents the GH4 from being attached directly to any plate unless you attach it to the SB's mount which is about half an inch longer from the base of the camera... I want to know how this affects attachment to a cage system. I don't use my GH4 with anything but non-Panasonic lenses so the SB stays on at all times but I need a cage...and right now I can't decide with what to go because of this issue.

Anyone who uses a Speedbooster and a cage - please respond. Will I run into a problem with every cage if I have the SB on? Is there a workaround, etc.

Thanks
 
Here is the cage I use the most.

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

A great value at $95 for the basic cage, there is plenty of room to mount most cameras. I use a Manfrotto quick release to attach the camera, just slide it in and lock. I use the RJ focal reducer (similar to Speed Booster) in Nikon to mft mount, no tripod "foot" on it, and nothing to interere with mounting the camera.

Be sure to scroll down the whole page and watch the two videos demonstrating this cage.

I also have the Honu cage made for the GH3/GH4 but I rarely use it anymore, I find the GB - 1 much more flexible.
 
I have a cage like the one Bruce listed and it's great as an "any camera" frame, but I see what you're getting at - it's that FOOT on the bottom of the Metabones that gets in the way.

OK, so we have to look REALLY close at all the pictures of cages to make sure that the bottom screw that goes into the bottom of the GH4 is CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE EDGE of the bottom plate of the cage so that the Metabones foot won't hit it.
Some will, some won't.

But if you put a quick release plate on the cage first then you just align the release plate to the edge of the GH4 body. (As Bruce said.)

Here is a link to that same cage WITH a quick release plate and RAILS and a bunch of other stuff too all for $149.
This is the one I got because although it's bigger than a "GH4 Cage" it allows me to put my GH2s, my Canon 6D, and my Blackmagic Cinema camera on it all with no adjustments.

It's a really solid piece.
http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/Camtree-Hunt-Quick-DSLR-Camera-Cage.html


EDIT: But you know...as great a cage as it is...now that I look more closely the actual quick release plate might still not let you mount the GH4 close enough to one edge to avoid the Metabones foot. (I use the Mitakon speedbooster - no foot.)

Dang! What a PITA!
Let me go unpack my rig and see exactly how close I get the bottom edge of the GH2s to the edge of the plate...
 
Last edited:
The SpeedBooster's foot is removable.

I have Walimex, & Wooden Camera, cages. Neither fits a SpeedBooster with the foot attached.

Have read Viewfactor's cage fits the Speedbooster & the base sits exactly level with the SpeedBoster's foot so both can attach to the same camera plate, while Hot Rod Camera's Kung Fu Kit, & LockPort's BirdCage, have provisions to actually support the SpeedBooster.
 
Yeah stupid me, I didn't double check that the "mount" could be removable... I can live with that. Now I can finally get that Walimex.

Quick question for you Bern as you own it yourself... I'm thinking of getting the Action Set... however I don't like the soulder mount - or at least I want to be able to customize it with one of those "butts" that are like in any rifle/machine gun that I can be able to press up against my shoulder like a rifle. I've seen one of those, but I forget what 'system' that was or what the name of the part is to be able to attach to the rods.

First of all, would that be possible to do on a Walimex, and second of all - where would I get this "butt" part.

Basically I'd like to be able to have this on the Walimex. Notice the rear element pad.

tumblr_inline_mnvpmkjR9v1s1taa8.jpg
 
digifruitella said:
Yeah stupid me, I didn't double check that the "mount" could be removable... I can live with that. Now I can finally get that Walimex.

Quick question for you Bern as you own it yourself... I'm thinking of getting the Action Set... however I don't like the soulder mount - or at least I want to be able to customize it with one of those "butts" that are like in any rifle/machine gun that I can be able to press up against my shoulder like a rifle. I've seen one of those, but I forget what 'system' that was or what the name of the part is to be able to attach to the rods.

First of all, would that be possible to do on a Walimex, and second of all - where would I get this "butt" part.

Basically I'd like to be able to have this on the Walimex. Notice the rear element pad.

View attachment 103132
Click to expand...
That's a rhino rig, but its stock seems to attach in a non-standard way, I myself have been looking at something like that, you could buy and ebay/cheap gun stock rig like this http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Stabilizer-Support-Cameras-Camcorders/dp/B005MRXPE4

Or rig it up and use Kamera's chest pad, which is what I'd do: http://www.kamerar.com/collections/rigs-stabilizer/products/shoulder-pad

Hope it helps,

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top