• Blog
  • Leica Reviews
  • Black & White
  • Street
  • At the Pier
  • Desert
  • Contact
Menu

Jeff Mellody

  • Blog
  • Leica Reviews
  • Black & White
  • Street
  • At the Pier
  • Desert
  • Contact

Jeff’s Leica Blog

All things Leica and related. Reviews and information to make you a better Photographer.

new blog banner.jpg
cage.jpg

SmallRig Cage for Lumix GH-5

February 8, 2019

After a positive experience with SmallRig products for attaching an Atomos Ninja V to my DJI Ronin-S I decided to go with their modular system for my Panasonic LUMIX GH-5 video setup. The LUMIX GH-5 is a versatile camera that takes great still photographs but has a reputation for being high quality camera for video shoots.

cage-8.jpg

I have decided to just put together a basic kit and then just add parts as needed. The camera is is enclosed in a SmallRig #2049 cage. This is the basic cage that everything else is attached to. It is attached to the camera with a 1/4-20 screw that attaches to the camera tripod socket. The cage wraps around the camera but allows access to all of the dials and buttons of the camera. There are both 1/4-20 and 3/8th holes around the cage for attaching accessories. Everyone has different ways that they like the camera set-up so it is kind of a Lego builders fantasy.  

cage-6.jpg
cage-3.jpg

My first addition to the camera cage was something called a Nato #2172 rail. This has a beveled edge for sliding attachments on to the rail that are then locked into place. The rail is permanently attached with screws. A monitor attachment that I use to attach my Ninja V to my gimbal is attached to the Nato rail so that I can use it for recording the highest quality video that I can get from my camera. I just slide the lever to unlock it from the rail on my gimbal and slide it onto the rail on the top of my camera. What a great design. 

cage-4.jpg
cage-5.jpg
cage-7.jpg
cage-2.jpg

Next I attached a Wooden Nato Side Handle #2187 to the side of the cage. This grip has a cold shoe on the top and a couple of mounting holes. I attached a RØDE Videomic Pro Plus to the cold shoe on the top. Now I can record high quality sound and video on the go. The grip is attached to the NATO rail that is built-in to the side of the cage. The grip can be attached to either side of the cage because the arm can be attached on the left or the right side of the grip. Very handy. There is even a hex wrench stored in the top of the grip for working the screws. I might even get another grip for the other side for more stability for when shooting handheld. 

cage-9.jpg

This is my basic set-up for run and gun video. I plan on adding a rail system on the bottom so that I can expand the camera for more formal shooting. I will be able to add a pull focus system, a Matt box, a shoulder pad, and a platform to mount a battery system for extended shooting sessions. And all I have to do to shoot with the gimbal is strip items off the cage and mount the camera on to the gimbal for steadycam work. 

I am so impressed with the quality of the SmallRig products. Everything fits perfectly and there is no flexing or loose fitting joints. It is a rock solid set-up. As my camera changes I just get the appropriate cage and reuse everything on the new camera. This has been a great investment and it makes shooting so much easier.  

← Leica Q2 is comingLeica Lens Repair - Over 6 Months →
  WHAT'S IN MY BAG

  WHAT'S IN MY BAG

Jeff's Leica Blog RSS

Leica Reviews

Leica Gold Set

Leica Gold

Leica T Review

Leica M (240) Review

Leica M8 Review

Leica M10 Review

ARCHIVE

  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (2)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (3)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (10)
  • April 2019 (10)
  • March 2019 (7)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (2)
  • December 2018 (5)
  • November 2018 (9)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • September 2018 (5)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • January 2018 (3)
  • December 2017 (6)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (3)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (3)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (2)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • July 2016 (6)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (1)
  • April 2016 (4)
  • March 2016 (3)
  • February 2016 (3)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (3)
  • November 2015 (5)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (2)
  • July 2015 (2)
  • June 2015 (4)
  • May 2015 (6)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (5)
  • February 2015 (5)
  • January 2015 (6)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (1)
  • October 2014 (8)
  • September 2014 (18)
  • August 2014 (20)
  • July 2014 (19)
  • June 2014 (13)
  • May 2014 (22)
  • April 2014 (19)
  • March 2014 (3)
Scrivener. Y'know - for writers.

copyright Jeff Mellody 2013-2020

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Don't worry, I won't send many.

We respect your privacy. It will never be shared.

Thank you!