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Smallrig and Zacuto have presented their cages and accessories for the new Panasonic LUMIX GH6 camera. Both options offer a lightweight design, built-in Arca-Swiss plate at the bottom, countless mounting threads, and more.
The eagerly awaited Micro Four Thirds filmmaking flagship from Panasonic – the LUMIX GH6 – finally got released earlier this week. Make sure to check our launch article with all the specs and features as well as our GH6 Lab Test in case you missed it. As with every new popular camera, third-party companies very quickly start offering accessories for it. A vital accessory that protects the camera body and adds a variety of additional mounting points is the camera cage. Smallrig and Zacuto are among the first manufacturers that offer their cages for the GH6, so let’s take a quick look at those.
Smallrig cage for LUMIX GH6
The Chinese company Smallrig calls its GH6 cage design “Black Mamba”. It is a really tight and minimalistic cage design that provides access to all the controls of the camera and seems like it would feel comfortable for the hand. At the bottom of the cage, Smallrig designed an Arca-Swiss quick release plate for quick switching between tripod and gimbal and so on. The aluminum alloy cage weighs around 180g (6.3oz).
The camera is fixed in the cage with a bottom 1/4″-20 screw and a small M2.5 screw on the side to prevent twisting. Having this side screw, however, means that you will have to remove one of the camera strap rings. The cage has multiple built-in rubber pads to protect the camera and prevent possible scratches. As with other Smallrig cages, there is a magnetic tool neatly hidden underneath.
Smallrig also offers a newly designed “Black Mamba” top handle to go with the cage. The handle offers multiple threaded holes including ARRI 3/8″-16 with locating pins. Furthermore, Smallrig offers an HDMI and USB-C clamp that can be fitted on the cage and protect the connected cables from accidental unplugging or bending.
Another accessory is the 15mm single rod clamp that can come in handy when mounting a follow focus to the side. The last two Smallrig accessories focus on the camera’s display. The company offers a sun hood with a slide-in design which should help with readability in bright sunlight and a screen protector from ultra-clear tempered glass which allows for touchscreen control.
Zacuto cage for LUMIX GH6
The US-based company Zacuto designed a cage for the GH6 that also has an integrated Arca-Swiss mount built into the bottom plate, but it is 90° rotated (the Smallrig cage has the Arca-Swiss plate from left to right). The black aluminum cage from Zacuto is lightweight and compact and it secures the camera with a 1/4″-20 screw at the bottom and two side screws mounted in the camera’s neck strap eyelets. For this cage, therefore, you need to remove both neck strap rings.
The cage features numerous mounting threads, a cold-shoe at the top, and an ARRI rosette on the side that can accommodate accessories such as Zacuto’s Rossette Trigger Handgrip. There is also a built-in Z-Rail (NATO) along the top and side that provides additional mounting points for accessories. The cage comes with the Zacuto hand strap, HDMI strain relief clamp, and a right-angle HDMI adapter.
Price and availability
The Smallrig cage and accessories can be pre-ordered now. The price for the cage only is $99. Smallrig also sells a bundle of the cage, top handle, and the HDMI and USB-C clamp for $169. The sun hood costs $19.90 and the screen protection glass will set you back $9.90.
Zacuto GH6 cage is available now as well. The price for the cage (including the Zacuto hand strap, HDMI strain relief clamp, and a right-angle HDMI adapter) is $295. As with all other Zacuto cages, you can also purchase a complete ACT Recoil Rig with a VCT shoulder plate, handle, EVF holder, etc for $1,450.
What do you think about the new Panasonic LUMIX GH6? If you plan on getting the camera, which cage are you going to use for it? Let us know your thought in the comments section below.
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