Thoughts on a cage for your Z

[Clovishound]

I got my check for my contest winnings this week and I want to spend it on something photo related. It's only $75, so no 600mm F4 lenses or Z9 bodies. I've considered something like the small rig cage for my Z7ii for a while. I hesitated because the arca swiss mounting incorporated in it is the wrong orientation for my gimbal head. However, it occurred to me that since I got a ball head for macro and landscape work, I only use the gimbal for my long lens, which has an arca swiss plate mounted on the lens foot.

Just not sure there would be much benefit for me with the cage, other than it looks cool. I currently don't attach much of anything to my camera.

What say you? I know several out there use and love the Small rig, or other brand cages.

Other ideas for gear will be entertained. I don't mind adding a little to the $75 for something that makes sense.

 

[BF Hammer]

I'm not sure of the benefit of a full cage in still photography over a L-bracket for Arca Swiss mounts. I thought the cages were more for video work.

That said, the Z5 L-bracket I use (and it's the 2nd bracket I bought for it) matches the base contours and extends the height in a way the hand grip can engage your pinky finger for support. So it benefits me holding and on tripod.

 

[nikonpup]

Get an L-bracket. Check YouTube videos for info.

 

[Blue439]

I must admit I have never understood what a “cage” would be for. Maybe if one has a lot of accessories to set up in very close proximity to the camera body and needs more real estate to attach them...? But otherwise?

 

[Clovishound]

I wasn't really thinking about a cage vs an L bracket, but an L bracket might be a better fit for me. I guess the major thing I was looking for was input from folks using one, as to what they like about it. I see a lot of folks who really like their cages/brackets and have wondered if one would be right for me. The Smallrig came to mind as they are quite popular.

 

[Blue439]

I wasn't really thinking about a cage vs an L bracket, but an L bracket might be a better fit for me. I guess the major thing I was looking for was input from folks using one, as to what they like about it. I see a lot of folks who really like their cages/brackets and have wondered if one would be right for me. The Smallrig came to mind as they are quite popular.

Then I can give your my thoughts on that, as I always use an L-bracket. Its sole (but essential) purpose is to allow you to quickly, easily and securely switch your camera from landscape to portrait orientation when shooting on a tripod. Even if you use a ball head, flipping it all the way to the side to shoot in portrait orientation might make the whole setup unbalanced, especially if your payload is on the heavy side. Using an L-bracket will keep the center of gravity where it needs to be.

And when you use a geared head like I do, it is always long and painful to orient the head so that the camera is flipped in portrait mode, so the L-bracket is really very helpful.

As for models, I use the orange “Zelda” (below), as it was developed by the British, Stagsden-based company Three-Legged Thing together with Nikon especially for that camera model. They make good stuff, generally, and they have generic models for other cameras, of course.

If I didn’t use a tripod and a geared head for most of my photos, then I wouldn’t need an L-bracket. I’d use a simple Peak Design Basic Plate (also below) that fits on the clips either on my photo backpack’s shoulder strap, or on my belt clip, and allow me to store the camera securely (ah, that satisfying “click!”) when I want. It’s what I do when in “travel” configuration.

 

[BF Hammer]

I must admit I have never understood what a “cage” would be for. Maybe if one has a lot of accessories to set up in very close proximity to the camera body and needs more real estate to attach them...? But otherwise?

My understanding is somebody shooting video often has an external mic, some constant lights, external monitor, and possibly a video gimbal that all need an attachment point. The cage gives that and takes the load off of the body which may not be built for that.

I adopted L-brackets after I discovered that a standard quick-release plate is difficult to tighten-down enough. A heavy, long lens which can apply a lot of torque on that screw can overcome the friction of the plate against the camera base and you just watch the thing droop down in portrait mode. That and the tripod is much better balanced using the L-bracket for portrait shots which can be a big deal if the wind is blowing and you are using a lighter hiking tripod.