I have been preparing for a possible article on the very first feature film to be shot on with the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S video camera and have been researching some of the other gear the director used such as an 8Sinn camera cage, handle, rod and Metabones support.
8Sinn GH5/GH5S cage version 2 with Scorpio top handle and new provision for mounting wrist strap and remote cable
The first version of Polish accessories maker 8Sinn did not include two eyelets for wrist straps nor provision for attaching a remote release cable to the cage-clad camera’s remote port.
Until Panasonic officially announced the GH5, I was unaware of 8Sinn, a Polish camera accessories maker, and from what I saw of their products at their website, I was impressed.
I have yet to see or try any 8Sinn accessories in real life, though, so anything I write about their products is tempered with that fact.
The first version of the 8Sinn GH5 camera cage looked intriguing with apparently high quality design and manufacturing, but the reason I did not follow up on that initial impression was it lacked provision for easily attaching camera straps and the Panasonic DMW-RSL1 remote release.
Camera cages fall into either of two camps, body-hugging wrap-around ribbons or squarer protective enclosures with makers of the latter type including Seercam and makers of the former type including 8Sinn, MovCam, SmallRig and a host of other companies around the world.
The prime virtue of body-hugging wrap-around ribbon cage designs is that they allow the cage to be attached 24/7, for use when shooting stills or video, when handheld or tripod-mounted, triggered via shutter release button or remote remote cable.
The ability to attach camera straps helps ensure better grip and security against dropping, and so I always attach two or three Peak Design camera straps to every camera I own or borrow.
Peak Design Clutch and Cuff, and Panasonic DMW-RSL1 Remote Shutter Release
Peak Design CL-2 Clutch Camera Hand-Strap
Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap (Charcoal)
Panasonic DMW-RSL1 Remote Shutter Release
Those three Peak Design camera straps are Clutch, Cuff and Slide Lite, with Clutch and Cuff permanently attached to every camera whether caged or not, and with two Slide Lite straps in reserve when I am covering events in the time-honoured two-camera, two-lenses documentary photographer manner.
I keep two Peak Design Anchor Links attached to each camera’s camera left strap attachment eyelet for when I need to attach a Slide Lite, and have slightly different Anchor Link attachment arrangements depending on the cameras’ and cages’ specific designs.
None of the Motion9, Seercam or SmallRig cages I have currently are equipped with strap eyelets so I sometimes must resort to attaching Anchor Links via the now discontinued and rather oversized predecessor to the slimmer, neater Peak Design Anchor Mount.
8Sinn cage for GH5 and GH5S, version 2, with wrist strap eyelets and remote cable access
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage with two wrist strap eyelets and provision for remote release cable attachment between cage and camera.
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage with two wrist strap eyelets and provision for remote release cable attachment between cage and camera.
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage with two wrist strap eyelets and provision for remote release cable attachment between cage and camera.
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage with two wrist strap eyelets and provision for remote release cable attachment between cage and camera.
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage with two wrist strap eyelets and provision for remote release cable attachment between cage and camera.
The 8Sinn cage for GH5 and GH5S, version 2, with built-in eyelets and CNCed indent for remote release cable access is an elegant solution for attaching Peak Design Clutch and Cuff, and the Panasonic DMW-RSL1 Remote Shutter Release as well as third-party alternatives.
8Sinn cage for GH5 and GH5S, version 2, complete kit
8Sinn GH5/GH5S Cage version 2 with two eyelets for camera straps and provision for attaching remote release to camera’s remote port.
8Sinn Top Handles Extension Adapter for Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter.
8Sinn Top Handle Scorpio works equally well as a top handle as a camera left side handle.
8Sinn 15mm Universal Rod and Metabones Support
8Sinn Universal Lens Support 15mm
Whether assembled into a complete cage-based rig for GH5 or GH5S, audio adapter and Metabones-adapted non-native lens, or something much smaller, version 2 of 8Sinn’s GH5/GH5S camera cage is an intriguing choice given it has now solved the two problems found in version 1 and I hope to see and try it out for myself sometime soon.
Header image concept and quick hack by Carmel D. Morris.
Panasonic DMW-BGGH5 Battery Grip on Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5, a necessity for photography or moviemaking in my opinion. with the GH5 and GH5S, though most cages are unfortunately not designed to accommodate it.
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Panasonic DMW-BGGH5 Battery Grip – B&H
Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter – B&H
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera – B&H
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera – B&H
Peak Design AL-3 Anchor Links – B&H
Peak Design Anchor Mount – B&H
Peak Design CL-2 Clutch Camera Hand-Strap – B&H
Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap (Charcoal) – B&H
Peak Design SLL-BK-3 SlideLITE Camera Strap (Black) – B&H
8Sinn to the Rescue: Panasonic Lumix GH5 and GH5S Camera Cage Updated with Wrist Strap Eyelets, Remote Cable Access I have been preparing for a possible article on the very first feature film to be shot on with the…
