Thank you so much, paul. i knew there was a way to make this work, but being new to the camera i was lost. Im so thankful to have come across your video. this is exactly what i needed. i bought everything in the video and love the feel of the rig. again, thanks a ton!
I did the same Joseph, I actually thought the 15mm rod attachment was the worst thing about the cage to begin with, but since getting the rods it’s now the main selling point for me. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Paul. I returned the half cage and tried a full cage from 8Sinn. It's certainly built well, but my frustration is that the buttons on the camera right side are a bit hindered by the cage. Yes, you can reach them but you have to reach over or around that part of the cage in the area. Your idea for using a cold shoe for the monitor, keeping it in a lower profile, is what I will do in any event. So I am still feeling my way thru the whole cage concept. All in all, I may go back to the half cage by SmallRig. We'll see...
Man, you nail it! Amazing solution!!! Thanks a lot. Just one quick question... When you attached the monitor and you are with a sony audio handle... how is it going with balance? We are asking because we are trying to find the best solution to have all of these, plus to hang on EasyRig... What do you think, will work? Thanks.. you got a +1 loyal follower!!! Keep rocking!
The Shinobi is really light so it doesn't really effect balance that much at all, especially as you can move it almost to the centre line if using the rods as I show in this other video... ua-cam.com/video/Hlz074Sfs9w/v-deo.html Thanks for following, good luck with the rig setup.
@@PaulJoy Thanks for quick reply. We have Atomos Ninja V+ so probably will be fine... But what about sound recording? You don't have any problem with Atomos fan ? It's close to shotgun, We don't know how is going with Shinobi but Ninja V+ is pretty loud :(
Also, the Shinobi doesn't haver a fan so it's a better choice if all you need is a monitor. But yes, mounting the Ninja V right next to a Shotgun mic is still going to be a potential problem depending on how loud the environment your working in is.
Think this SR half cage isn't now available. The new cage from SR is possibly better, but it loses the top rail option. So may not be as good if you also wanted to add a small follow focus unit (eg Tilta or SR etc). That can still be done but requires an add on base rail set-up.
Let me know how you get on with that handle Sergio, I've reached out to SmallRig to see if they can supply me with some handles to compare as there are a lot of options.
@@PaulJoy Ok, I've had the SmallRig Rotating NATO Handle for a couple of weeks now. It's just perfect, at least for me who shoots a lot of camera in hand. Besides, I bought the Tiltaing Wrist Strap for Right Side to rest my hand gripping the camera, get more stabilization and some protection in case I get hit and the camera doesn't fall to the ground... The SmallRig Rotating NATO Handle allows you to adjust the angle and in my case, with my thumb, I can touch the touch screen to focus. The only problem I find is that it does not allow me to put the grip for the hdmi cable in the half cage... but I will find a way. Highly recommended!!!
Hey Paul, thank you for the review, really great walk through! I'm looking for a solution that can help me mount my fx3 vertically on the dji sc2 (not a big fan of vertical mode on the gimbal itself). What do you think will work better half cage or full cage for that situation? Thank you!
Hi Serge, I’ve not tried that as yet but I’d imagine either will work as you just need a mounting point for a suitable tripod plate on the side. The downsides to the half cage is that you would need to remove the hdmi cable clamp and it could stop you accessing the ports if you need them so a full cage may be better so you can mount the camera battery side down. You could also just mount a tripod plate to the thread on the right side of the camera either with the half cage or no cage at all if you can handle just one mounting point.
@@PaulJoy Great, that was my line of thought as well. Also Smallrig does not have L-Bracket for FX3. Thank you for the advice! And keep creating awesome content.
Watched a million videos on this cage and still cannot find the answer to this one simple question that no one ever touched on. If you place a Rode VideoMic Pro Plus to that cold shoe located on the top left side of the cage, can you still grab the xlr handle (with the smallrig extension) without touching the microphone with your fingers?? Like will there be enough clearance in between the two?
@@PaulJoy hello Paul i have question about the ninja v sometimes the ninja doesn’t show what the camera filming so I can’t record;( do you know why ? Thanks
Thanks very much. I invested in my Miller Solo Carbon Tripod over ten years ago and still love it for shooting video. Other than that I haven't tried any others so I'm afraid I couldn't recommend any out of experience.
Hi Steve. I have this one, it's called the 'Vlogger' by AndyCINE... amzn.to/3fpMhzM Honestly though I've had this a long time and I'm not sure it's the best choice now. I'd probably look at some of the SmallRig options instead as I find the vlogger tends to work itself loose in the cold shoe.
If you like a right side hand stap they really messed up the lower loophole. It doesn't have a notch to allow it to sit flush with a surface and the strap ends up crushed by the rig. This creates an imbalance on any flat surface as well as occludes the battery door operation and change process significantly. Absolute facepalm design flaw.
Thank you so much, paul. i knew there was a way to make this work, but being new to the camera i was lost. Im so thankful to have come across your video. this is exactly what i needed. i bought everything in the video and love the feel of the rig. again, thanks a ton!
Glad it was useful, happy shooting!
Great review and explanation. Like your solution for the monitor mount.
Thanks for letting me know Mark.
Nice solution, I really like the condor blue products. I saw Armando Ferreira doing his rig and really like that solution as well. Thanks for sharing!
Yes I liked the look of those too, unfortunately they are not as easy to find in the UK.
Thank you for the creativity. So useful!
You’re very welcome, thanks for the feedback.
I bought the Smallrig Half Cage and wasn't sure I wanted to keep it. I am reconsidering and will try out this rig.
I did the same Joseph, I actually thought the 15mm rod attachment was the worst thing about the cage to begin with, but since getting the rods it’s now the main selling point for me. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Paul. I returned the half cage and tried a full cage from 8Sinn. It's certainly built well, but my frustration is that the buttons on the camera right side are a bit hindered by the cage. Yes, you can reach them but you have to reach over or around that part of the cage in the area. Your idea for using a cold shoe for the monitor, keeping it in a lower profile, is what I will do in any event. So I am still feeling my way thru the whole cage concept. All in all, I may go back to the half cage by SmallRig. We'll see...
Thanks for the update Joseph. The 8Sinn stuff looks really nice but I too would find it frustrating to not have easy access to the controls.
Thanks, Paul. That’s very helpful. Just as you say, my monitor has been twisting around on the Noga arm. This looks like a great solution. Nice one!
Thanks Keir, yes it works well and I really don't miss using my Noga arms at all, it's super frustrating when they keep coming coming loose!
Excellent. I’ve taken the plunge and copied your set-up to mount the monitor, and bought the handle extension too. Great video, thanks
@@keirmurray9458 Great stuff Kier, have fun and come back and let me know how you get on with it.
Man, you nail it! Amazing solution!!! Thanks a lot. Just one quick question... When you attached the monitor and you are with a sony audio handle... how is it going with balance? We are asking because we are trying to find the best solution to have all of these, plus to hang on EasyRig... What do you think, will work? Thanks.. you got a +1 loyal follower!!! Keep rocking!
The Shinobi is really light so it doesn't really effect balance that much at all, especially as you can move it almost to the centre line if using the rods as I show in this other video... ua-cam.com/video/Hlz074Sfs9w/v-deo.html
Thanks for following, good luck with the rig setup.
@@PaulJoy Thanks for quick reply. We have Atomos Ninja V+ so probably will be fine... But what about sound recording? You don't have any problem with Atomos fan ? It's close to shotgun, We don't know how is going with Shinobi but Ninja V+ is pretty loud :(
@@easyshavemediasolutions ua-cam.com/video/VfPP6bcJR-E/v-deo.html Might help.
Also, the Shinobi doesn't haver a fan so it's a better choice if all you need is a monitor. But yes, mounting the Ninja V right next to a Shotgun mic is still going to be a potential problem depending on how loud the environment your working in is.
How long does that slim battery in the monitor last for you? Great video, thank you!
I've not timed it but it's in the 3 - 4 hrs range. With the slightly bigger NP-F750 the Shinobi lasts over 5 hrs.
Think this SR half cage isn't now available. The new cage from SR is possibly better, but it loses the top rail option. So may not be as good if you also wanted to add a small follow focus unit (eg Tilta or SR etc). That can still be done but requires an add on base rail set-up.
The ProAim SnapRig half cage is almost an exact replica
Yea, it’s a shame as I can’t see any advantages with the new version and it loses the ability to have 15mm rods integral to the cage.
That cage is the one that I ordered with the SmallRig Rotating NATO Handle. We'll see how everything works.
Let me know how you get on with that handle Sergio, I've reached out to SmallRig to see if they can supply me with some handles to compare as there are a lot of options.
@@PaulJoy Ok, I've had the SmallRig Rotating NATO Handle for a couple of weeks now. It's just perfect, at least for me who shoots a lot of camera in hand. Besides, I bought the Tiltaing Wrist Strap for Right Side to rest my hand gripping the camera, get more stabilization and some protection in case I get hit and the camera doesn't fall to the ground...
The SmallRig Rotating NATO Handle allows you to adjust the angle and in my case, with my thumb, I can touch the touch screen to focus.
The only problem I find is that it does not allow me to put the grip for the hdmi cable in the half cage... but I will find a way. Highly recommended!!!
Excellent..!
I am looking high & lo for this half cage and am struggling to find it.
Seems to be no longer available via Amazon UK for starters.... :|
Yeah I think they updated it with the rod fitting removed which is a shame.
Hey Paul, thank you for the review, really great walk through! I'm looking for a solution that can help me mount my fx3 vertically on the dji sc2 (not a big fan of vertical mode on the gimbal itself). What do you think will work better half cage or full cage for that situation? Thank you!
Hi Serge, I’ve not tried that as yet but I’d imagine either will work as you just need a mounting point for a suitable tripod plate on the side. The downsides to the half cage is that you would need to remove the hdmi cable clamp and it could stop you accessing the ports if you need them so a full cage may be better so you can mount the camera battery side down.
You could also just mount a tripod plate to the thread on the right side of the camera either with the half cage or no cage at all if you can handle just one mounting point.
@@PaulJoy Great, that was my line of thought as well. Also Smallrig does not have L-Bracket for FX3. Thank you for the advice! And keep creating awesome content.
nice
Thanks
Very useful!
Watched a million videos on this cage and still cannot find the answer to this one simple question that no one ever touched on.
If you place a Rode VideoMic Pro Plus to that cold shoe located on the top left side of the cage, can you still grab the xlr handle (with the smallrig extension) without touching the microphone with your fingers?? Like will there be enough clearance in between the two?
With the Rode videomic pro there’s plenty of room to hold it without touching the mic.
@@PaulJoy Thank you 🙏
Hey Paul, It's us again... is there any smallrig replacement for Nitze n54-f5? :)
I'm not sure, they have a lot of products.
Hello which is the best wooden handle for smallrig half cage sony fx3? Thanks
I've not tried any so not really sure, let me know your thoughts if you get one.
@@PaulJoy Hello Paul finally I got this one (MAGICRIG Adjustable Wooden Handle Side Handgrip with NATO )it’s very good.and not expensive
@@dhyaajoda1 Looks good, thanks for sharing.
@@PaulJoy hello Paul i have question about the ninja v sometimes the ninja doesn’t show what the camera filming so I can’t record;( do you know why ? Thanks
Great video, any tripod recommendations for the sony fx3?
Thanks very much. I invested in my Miller Solo Carbon Tripod over ten years ago and still love it for shooting video. Other than that I haven't tried any others so I'm afraid I couldn't recommend any out of experience.
@@PaulJoy ok thanks!
Can you please link to the Vlogger monitor mount you use around the 4min mark, thanks.
Hi Steve. I have this one, it's called the 'Vlogger' by AndyCINE... amzn.to/3fpMhzM
Honestly though I've had this a long time and I'm not sure it's the best choice now. I'd probably look at some of the SmallRig options instead as I find the vlogger tends to work itself loose in the cold shoe.
If you like a right side hand stap they really messed up the lower loophole. It doesn't have a notch to allow it to sit flush with a surface and the strap ends up crushed by the rig. This creates an imbalance on any flat surface as well as occludes the battery door operation and change process significantly. Absolute facepalm design flaw.
Agreed! I don’t use one but I can see that could be an issue.
nice monitor set up thanks
Will this rig fit the fx 30?
Yes I believe so.