GH4/GH5 SmallRig cage - help/inspiration for accessorizing and building a handheld rig

[Blue Egypt]

Hi all,

So, I finally entered the world of Panasonic/MFT for my video work a few months ago by purchasing a used GH4. This already came with the GH4/GH3 cage by SmallRig, which is SmallRig item number 1585, I believe. It came with the HDMI cable clamp (1693) as well.

I want to take advantage of what I already have now, and maybe build something around this cage that would be more of a handheld/"run & gun" setup. (I plan on using the GH4 on a gimbal in other cases.) I think what I'm after is a little help and inspiration as to what other SmallRig components I could benefit from and how I'd accessorize such a setup. I find some of the SmallRig portfolio a little hard to navigate. Most of the items that would make up the final setup could then probably be re-used, e.g. if I ever upgrade to the GH5 (or future "GH6") or maybe the BMPCC4K.

So, here are some ideas I've picked up so far and what a potential rig could look like. Ideas and criticism appreciated:

The cage being the basis for my rig features an off-center cold shoe, which I will most likely be using to mount my Rode VideoMicro. One further SmallRig piece that is most definitely going to be part of the final setup is the a top handle (e.g. 1638). This can be used to carry the rig, and will probably also be good for some nice underslung shots. The top of the handle can also mount an external video monitor, which I will likely purchase and which will likely be part of this setup. Depending on what comes with the monitor, an additional SmallRig gadget (like the multi-functional ball head 1875) may come in handy here.

One part I'm still struggling with a bit is whether and how there should be any kind of side handle. I've seen setups with side handles being attached to both sides of the cage. Not sure whether that would even be a good idea. If I go for any side handle, I'd probably want it on the left-hand side of the cage, while still grabbing and controlling the actual camera with my right hand. One of these items may qualify:

SmallRig Aluminum Universal Side Handle HSS2425
SmallRig Universal Wooden Side Handle 2093

So, that's what I came up with so far. I think this could already qualify as a "complete" run & gun setup in some people's book. Am I missing out on anything obvious? I guess, due to the standardized threads, I could even be shopping outside of the SmallRig world? And if I ever decided that shoulder-supported shooting is the way to go, I could throw that very same setup on a 15mm rail support system (possibly via a quick release plate/dovetail) and keep building it from there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Andrew S10]

In my opinion, hand held shots almost always look bad, especially when you're using a small, light camera that lacks IBIS. You should add a few pounds to your rig to minimize micro jitters.

If you're already going to get a motorized gimbal, I think it would make more sense to put the gimbal on a video monopod, that will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Blue Egypt]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your input.

In my opinion, hand held shots almost always look bad, especially when you're using a small, light camera that lacks IBIS. You should add a few pounds to your rig to minimize micro jitters.

Point taken. I do think that all the gadgets I already want to add to this rig at this point in time (cage, 5" on-camera monitor, mic and/or Zoom recorder, handles) will hopefully meet the criterion of adding a few pounds and beefing up the setup. Other than that, I'm counting a bit on the optical stabilization of the native Panasonic lenses (12-35mm f/2.8 & 35-100mm f/2.8) that I will likely be using with this setup. At one point in time, I'll hopefully be able to upgrade to a GH5. (I was eyeballing the GH5S, though. So, the whole "great IBIS" aspect may go out of the window again...)

If you're already going to get a motorized gimbal, I think it would make more sense to put the gimbal on a video monopod, that will give you the best of both worlds.

Understood. Yeah, I was wondering whether I will just end up trying to choose the gimbal over the handheld setup most of the time. However, there may be times when I want to travel more lightly and have a smaller setup. I figured the financial investment of building something around the SmallRig components would be minimal, since I already own the cage and the HDMI clamp now. So, I might as well do it. Any of the none SmallRig components in this rig are something that I either already own (mic, audio recorder) or that I will be purchasing anyway, regardless of what rig I'm using (on-camera monitor, better mic, better audio recorder).

Cheers!

 

[G Dickson]

I am following this with interest as I am probably going down the same route rigging my G9 with a cage, side handle and top handle. Out of interest what external monitor are you considering?

 

[OzRay]

While the camera is somewhat different, the concept of rigging is reasonably applicable to any camera and this is my 'run and gun' rig (which I may have posted before):

.

I do have a top handle, but discarded that a while back as I didn't find it all that useful. Neither of my two cameras use a top handle.

 

[Blue Egypt]

Out of interest what external monitor are you considering?

LOL, you're opening a whole different can of worms here that's probably still going to require a bit of planning. I actually did already narrow it down to a few good options, but the problem at the moment is that I could still go down two completely different roads:

There would be the option to really just get an (affordable) monitor that will make it possible/easier to monitor the shot in certain positions on the handheld setup or with certain configurations of a gimbal-based setup. In this case, something like the Feeelworld F5 (proper spelling banned?) or a similar model by them may have been my weapon of choice.

However, there was also the other consideration of investing into something really good and something that doubles as a recorder, in which case I probably wouldn't waste any time searching for alternatives and messing around with questionable solutions, but would just shell out for the Atomos Ninja V and be done with it. This would allow me to tap into the full potential of my GH4 when it comes to bit depth/colour space and better codecs, and I would be able to continue benefiting one I make the upgrade to a GH4.

One option for a monitor that I was considering and had heard very good things about was the SmallHD Focus 5". However, it was already pretty pricey for just being a monitor, to the degree that it was worth considering upgrading to the Atomos instead. And then, just the other day, the best price for it that I could find just went through the roof for whatever reason, after being on a much lower level for a while. So, now, with the price meta search engine I'm using, the best deals I can get on the Atomos Ninja V are literally slightly cheaper than the best deals I can get o nthe SmallHD monitor. So, between these two devices, it's now a no-brainer...

I suppose the only thing that I'm already pretty sure about, as you can see, is the fact that I'll be going with a 5-incher.

 

[Blue Egypt]

Out of interest what external monitor are you considering?

P.S.: As far as the affordable options go, there are a bunch of them out there. Just had another look. These include the some other bigger names of the photography after-market equipment manufacturers like Viltrox, Aputure and Neewer as well. So, it's maybe worth taking a look at:

If I decide to go down the low-cost road, I'll probably have another look at this video as well. However, at this stage, it almost seems more likely that I'll just burn a bit more money and go for the Atomos.

 

[G Dickson]

Many thanks indeed for your thought on monitor/recorders. Very helpful. I too am leaning towards just biting the bullet and going for the ninja v. Make full use of 4K 60 from my G9 as well as any future camera. What also attracts me is the fact that I can then film in codecs far better suited to editing as transcoding larger projects is getting a bit tiresome... To be able to just edit off an SSD from the ninja sounds good to me.

Thanks again.

 

[Blue Egypt]

Yep, that pretty much mirrors my thinking. However, should you decide to skip the whole recording part and just go with a (budget) monitor after all, which is an option that is still on the table for me as well, you should also consider this one here as well, in addition to the ones mentioned in my previous post and the linked video:

ANDYCINE A6 (Plus)

LOL, I'm starting to think I have to go with the Ninja V now, just because I wouldn't even be able to decide between all the good budget options in the monitor-only range... :-D

 

[dantastical]

I agree with others that have suggested a gimbal, they're very affordable and will make more difference to the quality of your footage than anything else.

I've recently gone in basically the opposite direction to you, to try and get a lighter setup, abandoning my cage and anything else I can, and switching to a lighter gimbal (Ronin S > Weebill S).

 

[apekkpul]

My minimal rig (for BMPCC 4K)

• SmallRig half case
• SmallRig top handle (I have also a side handle but currently I don't use it)
• SmallHD 7" monitor with a magic arm (after long hesitation I decided to go for 7")
• Rode VideoMicro
• ArcaSwiss plate for RRS BH-30 ballhead that I used with a Manfrotto Monopod (and sometimes with a tripod)

I use my GH5 without a rig since the dual.IS2 is really good when I use PL 12-60 and PL 50-200mm lenses (you cannot move the camera too much).

 

[robertfel]

Have you checked Caleb's videos on his handheld and shoulder rigs?

Lots of good ideas there. I used them for my rigs. I can move the top handle to become the left side handle if needed.

 

[Blue Egypt]

I definitely want to start using gimbals, but I think these are two different use cases for me. There are times when I just want to be able to walk around and shoot handheld, without bringing the gimbal. I figured for those times I want a little extra support rather than just using the camera body (especially since I'm just on a GH4 for now and can't benefit from IBIS yet). Since sticking some little SmallRig gadgets onto the cage isn't going to be a big financial investment, I figured I might as well toy around with that.

For a gimbal, I just picked up a used Ikan Beholder DS2 really cheap recently. Will start playing with this and see how it works for me. This is an older model, but did get pretty decent ratings back then. It's just a gimbal cut down to the basics, though, without offering me all kind of neat extra features I could expect from more modern models. (I hope the previous owner hasn't beaten the crap out of those motors yet and it's working as it's intended to. Alas, as a gimbal noob, it would be hard for me to know whether the gimbal isn't working quite as it should, whether it needs adjustments or whether I'm just not operating it correctly.) I also had my sights set on the Weebill S as a likely option. Seems like a good choice. Naturally, another few options were on the table (Crane 2, Ronin SC, even Ronin S) and have presented themselves since (FeiyuTech AK2000/AK4000, Moza Air 2). So, this is gonna be another can of worms...sigh...

Who knows, maybe I like the results of the gimbal so much, I will *always* bring it, especially if I go for a lighter option like the Weebill S. But, again, the investment into the little SmallRig bit & pieces is going to be so small, I won't lose any sleep over it in the end.