Looking at rig building for a video camera can be a hobby in itself.

Stills shooters have really only one choice. Add a battery grip or not? After that, straps, hand grips etc are a minor consideration, that seem to sort themselves out.

Video on the other hand is a whole different matter.

Handling

I started with an ill-advised hot shoe top handle. This looked to be the best basic addition and for some things it is, but after one serious use I discovered it was a sword with two edges and a dark secret.

My camera is not overly heavy (G9 with 12-40), but extended use of a hot shoe handle is likely problematic (read horrific when viewing some peoples 2kg+ kits). The reality is, hot shoes are not designed to take the weight of a camera and lens, only the weight of a flash on top, and that is with downward pressure on the joint, not from the joint down.

After using the top handle, I also found the whole thing a bit disorientating. If you use your left hand, then your right has to focus. If you use your right, the left has to start/stop shooting and control the bulk of features, which is not where the buttons sit. A third hand maybe?

Looking at the process I decided a left side handle could work.

Both hands holding the camera, both hands able to run functions as needed, both hands individually able to take the kits wait and the whole thing seems more stable especially when not moving.

The issues here are low angle shooting (handle), focus ring access (un-obstructed left side) and run-and-gun shooting (handle).

For run-and-gun and low angles the handle makes more sense and is an acceptable compromise when the shot is set up and only a movement needs to be controlled.

For focussing, a big left side handle becomes a handling inconvenience so I need a decent compromise (see below*).

A cage?

A cage allows for both the above as well as other options and some protection. The whole thing starts to get pretty full-on from here, but you can remove the bits you do not need.

For top handles, I have the existing Smallrig cold shoe 2165c with a $7 cold shoe foot adapter (handle easily removed) and a lower profile/more secure 1446 rubberised screw-in coming (very cheap for a Smallrig).

The cage is a Niceyrig. This is half the price of the G9 dedicated Smallrig, takes any Panasonic and has a slightly better design for the rig I am building.

Focus

It struck me after ordering a Smallrig Gimbal handle “L” bracket as a flexible generic left side handle, that the handle may make focussing difficult, so I cancelled it. I like the current feel, so adding in a long and large side only handle might be a retrograde move.

Not feeling the need for a full blown follow focus control on a 15mm rail solves a lot of problems. The 12-40, 25 old Pen and 17mm lenses all have true linear manual focus and good throw (the 45 does not, but is a little long for subject chasing anyway). M43 gives the shooter a DOF edge also, so wide open focussing is not as hard.

This means reaching the lens barrel with my left hand and that hand acting as a camera cradle is still favoured, but how do I do a left side handle if needed?

I am going to try a Smallrig mini top handle 2821, set at an angle (exact angle to be decided when I actually get the gear, but I am thinking slightly forward at the top or bottom like a medium format camera handle), screwed into the side of the Niceyrig cage. This handle has two moveable screws allowing me to use the two rows of off-set 1/4” threads on the cage as I need. The handle is smooth, relatively small and quite tall for a top handle, hopefully allowing for a decent angle and enough clearance to be out of the way.

It will be strong enough to hold the camera left hand only and project out far enough to provide a little protection for the screen, while cradling the wrist, then act as the left hand stabiliser.

Bit random, but the only offering outside or a rosette handle for angled options.

Viewing

This needs addressing after my field trip the other day. The sub-3” screen on the camera is fine for most things except in strong light. I was tempted to get a decent monitor (Neewer or Freeworld 7”), but to be honest, it may be a misguided purchase. I am aware of my habit of going fully “belt and suspenders” (other wise known as “over the top”) with most things and I just don’t want to be that guy who “looks the business”, while not being able to actually “do the business” by overcomplicating things.

If I am using the camera in a fluid environment with a large screen, the dynamics of viewing, holding and focussing all change and not for the better. Suddenly you are talking unwieldy shoulder or monster hand rigs. There is also the issue of introducing a different screen to the one on the camera, so a new set of “interpretation parameters” would be required.

The camera eye piece is still most viable for bright light shooting, especially on a tripod, but only if the kit is kept to sensible dimensions. I may chase up a large, soft eye cup for the eye piece if used often, but they do get in the way of the the screen.

The only real issues I have with the small screen is viewing distance (top handles effectively push it away) and bright light. I have ordered a Niceyrig sun shade for the screen, which may fix the light issue for $13au and the distance thing is more a potential and avoidable problem than a real one. I would also prefer a flip back screen, but you get what you get.

Hoods

My lenses all have efficient hoods. The whole mat box thing would look fully lush, but is not practical for me (see monitors above) and my kit only just fits in my biggest bag as it is.

If my filters included more than the odd ND, I would likely go into a full mat box and filter holder rig, but that is unlikely at this point.

Lighting

I have a single on camera light, the Neewer 176 and it is fine. The T-Bar or rear cold shoe on the cage can do this. My slowest lens is f2.8, my fastest 1.8. This is plenty for most subjects.

All other lighting is self standing.

Sound

This gets more complicated.

The Zoom H1n and H5 are both cumbersome on a rig, but do-able.

The H5 will likely be mounted separately if XLR mics are fitted and these are always going to be used in a static setup.

The smaller H1n will be used for boomed/on camera mini shotgun and LAV mics or on its own.

If I use the H5 with its own shotgun, it will likely be on a tripod and any of the cage, unused handle or T-Bar cold shoes can take it. If I use it with the X/Y capsule on the move, than I will have the same options as above as needed.

*

So, where do we stand at this point, taking into account this is all mostly untried (most still coming);

• The Cage with mini top handle angled on the side provides two handed operation without blocking other functionality.

• The side handle may also add stability to focus handling and protection for the flip screen.

• The cold shoe or screw in top handles provide either a more secure, or easier to dis-assemble option or can be skipped all together.

• The handles, cage and T-Bar offer up to 6 cold shoes for accessory mounting while removing any strain on the camera.

• Most work with the G9 will be static, using the OSMO for Gimbal moves, so more than enough options, I hope.