SMALLRIG Versaframe Camera Cage for Panasonic GH4/GH3/GH2, for Sony A7/A7II, for Canon, for Nikon, etc - 1630

Having primarily used a full size Panasonic AF101 (I mainly produce business to business videos, promos and documentaries) I recently bought a Panasonic GH4 so I could make the transition to 4K. I own a GH3 and GH2 but I mainly use them for stills and occasionally (with the GH3) as a second camera when shooting corporate events, for close-ups, audience shots etc. I had a fairly minimal rig for the AF101 but decided that I should invest in something specifically for the new GH4, particularly because I knew I would need to mount an audio recorder.I did a lot of research for something that was well regarded, well reviewed and in the middle of the range, budget wise. I specifically wanted a system I could add to over time. When I saw the breadth of Smallrig's range I was immediately impressed. Initially I just bought this item, the Versaframe.On first assembling it I confess to getting a little frustrated, and this is why the single star is knocked off. There are no instructions, or even a single photograph showing how to best assemble the rig. I appreciate it's a generic rig, but I would have hoped for a guide of some sort and perhaps pictures of actual setups on their website. I ended up coming back to the Amazon page to look at the pictures there! Now, you could argue that it's not such a complicated thing and you shouldn't need instructions. However, the way you assemble it, and which positions you use for the bolts, is not immediately obvious, so there is a lot of trial and error involved, and a knack to getting it right. Additionally, as I found out later, how you assemble it is also important when you come to add further Smallrig components to your rig, as I did very quickly. Simple things like the position of the tightening levers will come back and bite you in the bum if you're not careful, requiring you to disassemble and reassemble components so they can be turned fully. This is certainly not a showstopper, but it's a niggle. If you've already built a rig before, you likely won't have any issues, but if this is the first time, you will appreciate a set of clear instructions, even on line. Although I haven't used it, I believe Smallrig has very responsive support.As for build quality, overall I was pleased. I went on to buy more Smallrig components for this rig and for the AF101 and I encountered a couple of problems with screws stripping a little too easily. I'll need to keep an eye on that in the future, and maybe take a few spare screws with me. Generally, though, everything was well engineered and fits together securely. The black powder coating wears quite easily but that's unimportant to me. Having been in this business for many years I don't like equipment that looks like it is being used for the first time! A healthy amount of wear and tear gives a client the impression of a long and successful career :-)Convenience-wise, I never expected a rig to be a thirty second set-up, so the additional build time when I arrive at a shoot is just something you have to factor in. I work overseas seven or eight times a year and I have to break the camera down for travel. Similarly, when working in London, if the project allows it, I try to travel by train (with luggage, as though I was going on a plane) to avoid the traffic and parking nightmares. That means I have to build the rig from scratch, which I guess adds fifteen or twenty minutes to a set-up. I have bought two pairs of Smallrig rails and various other bits and pieces to mount on the tripod, with quick release plates to allow me to quickly swap the AF101 and the GH4 onto the tripod as required. I am flying the GH4 on a Glidecam which also has a quick release plate fitted. Very convenient. I'm also mounting any combination of an Atomos Samurai Blade, Lanparte follow focus, matte box, Sennheiser radio mic receiver, Dedo Ledzilla 2 light (which is fantastic! Never thought I'd buy an on camera LED but this one is brilliant) and Zoom H6 recorder. Rarely all at the same time, I should add! I have just come back from a week working in Menorca and a week working in Denmark and other than some fiddly setup issues I didn't encounter any problems.I've had a chance to put it through its paces on two projects now and it didn't let me down (I'm talking about the full rig, not just the cage). I trust Smallrig's build quality and will certainly buy more from them as I go forward. Something I have rarely done is to do much handheld or shoulder mounted work. An opportunity has arisen with a project that requires just that so I expect I will be looking at the shoulder mount and handles next!Recommended.

It's a great cage for general cameras but if you can find a cage that is designed to fit your camera perfectly, buy it! I was using a Canon 600D and couldn't access the battery compartment when fitted in the cage.

Solid cage

Great little rig and quite configurable/adjustable.

Worked perfectly!

Perfect for the xpro2, was a great purchase

Habe mir den Käfig für meine 700D und die GH4 gekauft. Auf der GH4 passt er perfekt, jedoch nicht auf die 700D, obwohl sie in der Beschreibung als kompatibel aufgeführt ist.Die Kamera ist zu hoch, sodass die seitlichen Streben nicht ganz durch die Bohrung geführt werden können. Außerdem ist die Akkuklappe verdeckt und lässt sich nicht mehr öffnen.Sie sollten beim Kauf unbedingt prüfen ob Ihre Kamera aich wirklich hineinpasst. Ansonsten kann ich dieses, sowie alles andere von Smallrig vorbehaltlos empfehlen :)

Canon EOS 600D ist in der Beschreibung als Kompatibel angegeben, jedoch Passt es hinten und vorne nicht. Akkudeckel ist mit dem Frame nicht mehr erreichbar. Außerdem erschwert der Frame die Übliche Nutzung der Kamera. 1 Stern dafür weil man einfach jede Kamera in die Kompatibilität rein setzen kann die passt ob bedienbar oder nicht spielt keine rolle.

Il prodotto è di ottima fattura realizzato con ottimi matriali e con cura a parte le due viti che fissano la staffetta che fissa l'hot shoe che ho trovato arrugginite (poco male perchè facilmente sostituibili con un paio di viti prese dal ferramenta).Data la sua natura "versatile", speravo potesse adattarsi anche alla Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, ma il vano batteria è ostruito dalla piastrina base (lo sportellino della batteria è piuttosto ingormbrante in questo modello di mirrorless).Mi rendo conto che fare l'elenco completo delle macchine fotografiche compatibili è un problema quindi potrebbe essere utile inserire nelle foto di prodotto anche un disegno tecnico con gli ingombri della parte della piastra base per poi fare le valutazioni in autonomia.Quindi una delle cose da verificare è se il proprio modello di macchina fotografica è effettivamente compatibile a partire dalla possibilità di accesso allo sportellino del vano batteria senza dover smontare la struttura del VersaFrame...Comunque sia è un ottimo prodotto arrivato in tempi brevi e confezionato bene.

Die Vielseitigkeit dieses Cages ist einzigartig. Die Verarbeitung ist sehr gut. Bei mir ist der Cage in Verwendung an Sony a7s und Fuji X-H1. Durch die Vielzahl der Gewinde lässt sich die kamera in jeder erdenklichen Position befestigen oder um Zubehör erweitern.Außerdem ist es möglich die kamera so im Cage zu positionieren, dass sowohl Akku als auch Karte gewechselt werden können.

SMALLRIG Versaframe é un prodotto eccellente, sotto tutti i punti di vista, la qualità dell'oggetto é favoloso, le misure ideale sulla mia GH5, tutto perfetto, continuo a comprare prodotti Smallrig e sono sempre più contento. 1 stella però alla scelta dello spedizioniere: POSTE ITALIANE!!!! Un incubo, ritardi, l'oggetto stava per tornare indietro, recuperato per il rotto della cuffia! SMALLRIG, qualità perfetta però, non potete sbagliare!

I have Canon 650D and this cage blocks the access to the battery cover. The only option to be able to open the battery cover is to install the cage base plate to fully front (blocks viewfinder loupe fittings) and also the right side with only one screw (not so sturdy). However, you can use a battery dummy and usb powerbank, then there is no need to open the battery cover.

Appesantisce la camera ma la rende praticamente blindata e con la possibilità di attaccarci accessori per ogni esigenza.Consiglio l'acquisto.

io l'ho presa per la gh5. e ci entra , si possono smontare le maniglie nel caso una fossero di troppo.

Pour le 600D, j'ai dû retirer la branche inférieure droite pour pouvoir garder l'accès à la batterie sans retirer la cage. On peut ensuite "replanter" cette barre ailleurs sur la cage.

Well made, works as expected.