Smallrig cage for R7 questions ???

I was just watching a video review by Wild Alaska of the Canon R7.

https://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Aluminum-Release-Threaded-Formfitting/dp/B0B6NW2XJS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2MX759346PNPD&keywords=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7&qid=1677346924&sprefix=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.304cacc1-b508-45fb-a37f-a2c47c48c32f

He mentioned that he had added the Smallrig cage to his R7, and that it added 1/2 or 3/4" to the bottom right of his grip, for the R7. Heck yes ! For $100, I'm in ! But looking at the different photos available on Amazon, it doesn't look like it adds anything to the part of the grip where I would need it ? Anybody own this cage for their R7, and can confirm or deny this ?

Oh, also, I always like to add a hand strap on the right end of my camera, and so I'm curious if the small rig cage makes it possible to attach a hand strap on the right bottom corner ? It looks like their might be a threaded bolt hole on the bottom right, where a loop adapter could be added ?

Chris Wolfgram wrote:

I was just watching a video review by Wild Alaska of the Canon R7.

https://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Aluminum-Release-Threaded-Formfitting/dp/B0B6NW2XJS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2MX759346PNPD&keywords=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7&qid=1677346924&sprefix=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.304cacc1-b508-45fb-a37f-a2c47c48c32f

He mentioned that he had added the Smallrig cage to his R7, and that it added 1/2 or 3/4" to the bottom right of his grip, for the R7. Heck yes ! For $100, I'm in ! But looking at the different photos available on Amazon, it doesn't look like it adds anything to the part of the grip where I would need it ? Anybody own this cage for their R7, and can confirm or deny this ?

Oh, also, I always like to add a hand strap on the right end of my camera, and so I'm curious if the small rig cage makes it possible to attach a hand strap on the right bottom corner ? It looks like their might be a threaded bolt hole on the bottom right, where a loop adapter could be added ?

Both my R5 and R6 are equipped with Smallrig cages which multiply the fixing points for straps and add two additional grips on the left and on the top. They add 1/2" on the bottom. However the right hand grip is not improved because the little finger gets no additional support.

My Smallrig cages don't limit the movement of the swivel screen but then you cannot turn the camera into portrait positing without an additional adapter piece

Phylloxera wrote:

Chris Wolfgram wrote:

I was just watching a video review by Wild Alaska of the Canon R7.

https://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Aluminum-Release-Threaded-Formfitting/dp/B0B6NW2XJS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2MX759346PNPD&keywords=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7&qid=1677346924&sprefix=black+mamba+cage+for+canon+r7%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.304cacc1-b508-45fb-a37f-a2c47c48c32f

He mentioned that he had added the Smallrig cage to his R7, and that it added 1/2 or 3/4" to the bottom right of his grip, for the R7. Heck yes ! For $100, I'm in ! But looking at the different photos available on Amazon, it doesn't look like it adds anything to the part of the grip where I would need it ? Anybody own this cage for their R7, and can confirm or deny this ?

Oh, also, I always like to add a hand strap on the right end of my camera, and so I'm curious if the small rig cage makes it possible to attach a hand strap on the right bottom corner ? It looks like their might be a threaded bolt hole on the bottom right, where a loop adapter could be added ?

Both my R5 and R6 are equipped with Smallrig cages which multiply the fixing points for straps and add two additional grips on the left and on the top. They add 1/2" on the bottom. However the right hand grip is not improved because the little finger gets no additional support.

That sucks, but I'm sure your right, as it doesn't appear to give any additional grip in the one spot that it needs it, for ones little finger (on the front right bottom corner) from the photos either ☹️

I don't know why the Wild Alaska guy says that it does ???

I'm wondering if he has a different model ? Going to try to clarify this with him.

Jack Calypso wrote:

I'll add that I have the SmallRig half cage for the R5, and I like it a lot.

Would you mind expanding a bit on that ? What do you like about it ?

I'd think it would give the body a bit of protection from bumps and bangs... And it looks kind of cool.

But it doesn't address either of the two things I really need, 1) to give my little finger something to hang onto, and 2) allow a spot for the bottom of a hand strap to attach to ☹️

Messier Object wrote:

as an aside . . .

are you aware that, unlike its large bodied 1D predecessor, the R3 doesn't have a strap anchor point on the bottom RH end of the base. And that's despite the fact that Canon has designed the BG-R10 for the R5/6 with the anchor point.

Wow ! No, I was totally not aware of that ! If I had bought that camera, I'd be really upset, and thrown off by that.

Presumably the R1 will be the same - no anchor point.

And that might be a camera I would someday own.

I think I know the reason. The anchor point is recessed some 6mm and that takes up space within the battery compartment of the battery grips - space that designers didn't want to concede on the R3

Could be, in which case, I'd say they need to come up with something external then.

I'm with you on the hand grips. I have three gripped Canon DSLRs and two Olympus mirrorless, all with battery grips and hand straps. So I too am waiting for a good solution for the R7

peter

Yes, me too. But also, I can't help but brainstorm trying to figure out a solution in my own. I'm not much of a fabricator. Wish I had the tools for it. I'm very tempted to order that little grip extension they make for the R, to see how close it is, and if it could be modified to work with the R7 ?

And another even loftier thought... I bet if you took the R7 and that grip extension for the R to the right person (with the right equipment) and said, "Look, here's the problem... Now if you could make something that works, maybe you could sell 5000 of them" ???

I know a guy who could absolutely do this, as he has already done it for dozens of previously unmanufactured parts.... But all car audio related, and I think the guy is completely swamped as it is.... Not to mention, he probably makes more money with YouTube....

Jack Calypso wrote:

Chris Wolfgram wrote:

Jack Calypso wrote:

I'll add that I have the SmallRig half cage for the R5, and I like it a lot.

Would you mind expanding a bit on that ? What do you like about it ?

I'd think it would give the body a bit of protection from bumps and bangs... And it looks kind of cool.

But it doesn't address either of the two things I really need, 1) to give my little finger something to hang onto, and 2) allow a spot for the bottom of a hand strap to attach to ☹️

I like the attachment points and that it's not as chunky as many cages. I often attach a SmallRig aluminum handle with hand strap to it, but it's impractical to stick it in a bag like that.

Thank you. I've actually considered that. And TBH, I don't often carry my camera in a bag (in the field anyway). The first time that I do, I'll be guaranteed to miss the coolest bird of the trip lol

Edit: Well, I started looking as closely as possible, at the Smallrig cage again... and then at those top handles. And TBH, I have been carrying my R7 more without even holding it, but rather, with it attached to my birding lens, which is attached to my tripod. So, I think the SR cage with one of those top handles would make the camera / lens combo MUCH more secure to hold / carry, when putting it on, or taking it off the tripod... Or, whenever I was carrying it without the tripod (not really very often)....

Plus, its Amazon Prime, so SUPER easy to return if I am not 100% satisfied

So, I'm ordering it now to check it out. Probably 50/50 whether I will keep it or not.

Edit 2: So I just noticed that the Cage does have a top and bottom attachment place for a hand strap ? Seems like it would be way too narrow to get my hand through, but of course I will try it. I decided not to order the top handle yet, until I was 100% sure I was keeping the cage in the first place. We will see I guess. I have to believe this will be one of those things that comes with a whole list of positives and negatives .... So I will just have to weigh all of those and see...

Cotswolds wrote:

Jack Calypso wrote:

I'll add that I have the SmallRig half cage for the R5, and I like it a lot.

It's a shame they don't do a half cage for the R7 - I don't need the full cage but it could be an excellent L bracket with the addition of an Arca plate that doesn't impede the viewing screen

With the price Canon charges for accessories, I'd think they would design and sell 27 different pieces, every one of them with about a 2000% profit margin. Like > Yea, we don't care if you buy our $1500 camera, instead of our $6000 one. We will just sell you $4500 worth of accessories lol {not really, but just to make a point} Just seems like Canon is leaving a lot of money on the table, for aftermarket companies to jump in a take ? I don't see the sense in that. Hmmm.

I just looked at the photos of the cage on the Smallrig website.  I looks like it would be possible to create a handloop of leather or nylon strapping  that makes a complete ring, attached with bolts/capscrews to two of the four threaded holes on the right end of the cage (or all four of them for more security).  There isn't a lot of real estate to work with other than there.  The loop at the top looks like it replaces the camera's strap loop that becomes unavailable with the installation of the cage.

The length of the strap should obviously be adjusted to fit comfortably around the hand and to make it easy to slip your hand through it in the field.  I'd guess about 9-10" would be good for most people.  If I was making it, I'd use a piece of belt leather - it would be stiff enough to retain it's shape, further facilitating slipping your hand into it.  Leather also has the advantage of not fraying at the bolt holes.  You can and should 'cauterize' them (as well as the ends of the strap where it's been cut to length), but over time, they'll still fray.  Good size washers should be used with the fasteners.  They're a good idea with either material, but essential with nylon.

I'd look for stainless steel allen-head capscrews and washers.  They're pretty readily available and they make a neat installation that will be immune to rusting in rainy conditions.  It would also be a good idea to use reversible Locktight (blue, I think) on the threads to avoid them working loose and causing you to drop the camera.

If the position of the threaded holes is too far from the top and bottom of the camera for your tastes, causing the handloop to separate from the body more than you'd like, you can add a batten of strap aluminum.  You'd sandwich the strap between the batten and the cage.  The length cou;ld be adjusted to taste, but it shouldn't be any longer than the height of the part of the cage it's being attached to.  You can start out with that length and shorten it if it proves too long.  If you use the batten, the washers are unnecessary and the concern about nylon fraying becomes irrelevant.

I hope this helps.

Steve Hamlin

verino55 wrote:

I just looked at the photos of the cage on the Smallrig website. I looks like it would be possible to create a handloop of leather or nylon strapping that makes a complete ring, attached with bolts/capscrews to two of the four threaded holes on the right end of the cage (or all four of them for more security). There isn't a lot of real estate to work with other than there. The loop at the top looks like it replaces the camera's strap loop that becomes unavailable with the installation of the cage.

The length of the strap should obviously be adjusted to fit comfortably around the hand and to make it easy to slip your hand through it in the field. I'd guess about 9-10" would be good for most people. If I was making it, I'd use a piece of belt leather - it would be stiff enough to retain it's shape, further facilitating slipping your hand into it. Leather also has the advantage of not fraying at the bolt holes. You can and should 'cauterize' them (as well as the ends of the strap where it's been cut to length), but over time, they'll still fray. Good size washers should be used with the fasteners. They're a good idea with either material, but essential with nylon.

I'd look for stainless steel allen-head capscrews and washers. They're pretty readily available and they make a neat installation that will be immune to rusting in rainy conditions. It would also be a good idea to use reversible Locktight (blue, I think) on the threads to avoid them working loose and causing you to drop the camera.

If the position of the threaded holes is too far from the top and bottom of the camera for your tastes, causing the handloop to separate from the body more than you'd like, you can add a batten of strap aluminum. You'd sandwich the strap between the batten and the cage. The length cou;ld be adjusted to taste, but it shouldn't be any longer than the height of the part of the cage it's being attached to. You can start out with that length and shorten it if it proves too long. If you use the batten, the washers are unnecessary and the concern about nylon fraying becomes irrelevant.

I hope this helps.

Steve Hamlin

That's what I did for my R6/R5 cages:

Cotswolds wrote:

I don't really need the full cage for my R7 - looking around Smallrig make a half cage for the Sony A7 and it looks ideal for my purpose - it gave full screen clearance on the YouTube review for the Sony photographer

A bit of a long shot but does anyone know if the Sony half cage would fit OK on an R7 - the cameras seem broadly the same size or even has a local retailer where they could try

Any input welcomed as my issue is getting full screen movement with an L bracket

I looked the SmallRig cages for the R7 and decided on the Camvate half cage for about 1/3 of the price. It's sturdy, and allows full movement of the screen, so I'm happy with it. One minor quibble is that, when mounted, the top rail of the cage is not 100% parallel with the top of the camera. It's a small but noticeable problem that wouldn't prevent me from buying it again. Amazon currently has it for 25% off what I paid for it last year.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGKYR96P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title