tvpglabs

Great job! Andrew, did you shoot all the cameras at 30p? If not, can you share what you used to conform the em-1's footage to the other cameras?

For a lot of us the cost of BMD not only includes the wide lens and power solution, but a whole new computer workstation. My Mac isnt that old, but it's old enough that it doesn't have Thunderbolt. Sure you have an option of what mode to shoot in, but only if you have a computer capable of processing the RAW files, otherwise you have a ProRes cam. So add up those items, and I'm left asking myself, am I better off with the BMD and everything I need to make it work or am I better off spending the same money on a FS700? And while the BMD camera appears to have excellent resolution, so do my GH2's and most of my work is for the web so my clients will probably never see the difference after web compression. These are the main reasons why I'm not jumping on the bandwagon...yet.

Cool! I think you should post some pics of the camera in hand to show how the fingers fall against the controls of the camera with your new handle attached.

Plus Rewo isn't making their GH2 cage anymore, so good luck getting one.

[quote name='kirk' timestamp='1343366343' post='14595'] Both rigs miss a HDMI cable clamp and are bulky beyond belief. Why so much air around the camera? ReWo has made a snug cage (and clamp), which surely must protect the camera much better, and be less of a transportation problem :) [/quote] As I said in my initial post, there were compromises, but it's obvious that you didn't read that post, or haven't owned a Rewo cage. I have a Rewo cage, which is very capable, but it doesn't allow the camera to be easily removed from the cage, and tends to get in the way when you're trying to use the camera for photography as opposed to videography. The Berkey System cage is much more flexible. And yes it is bigger, but ultimately there are a lot more mounting points on the Berkey System cage. The Rewo cage loses a lot of those 1/4-20 holes when you add the lugs and handles.

Interesting rig, but it doesn't look right for my needs. I don't see where it attaches to the hot shoe to prevent camera rocking. It uses a manfrotto 501 type system instead of the Arca Swiss system that prevents camera rotation on the GH2 when using a follow focus. The back of the cage looks like it would get in the way of operator having access to the controls on the back of the GH2 (maybe not), and the height of the camera off the rails doesn't appear to be industry standard to be compatible with matte boxes. Other than that, cool concept. Are the rosettes Arri standard?

I had this cage made for me by Berkey System. It uses mostly off the shelf parts except for the custom top plate and a modified baseplate that allows for the use of a Arca Swiss styled mounting system for the camera. The main drive behind this was that I wanted a cage that would allow me to easily remove the camera and use my GH2 for Photography work as well as videography work, or so that I could use the bare camera in a more discreet way if need be. To accomplish all of that, there were some compromises, but overall I'm happy with it because it checks the following boxes: [list] [*][font=inherit][size=3] Camera secured at both mounting screw and hotshoe to prevent flex and rocking when using a follow focus.[/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] Ability to quickly and easily remove the camera from the cage incorporating an Arca Swiss clamp inside the cage which would also solve my next wish:[/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] Absolutely no camera twisting! I hate camera twisting![/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] Easy access to all camera controls, ports, battery door, etc while camera is mounted in the cage.[/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] All holes spaced to the ARRI and RED standard to allow use of professional quality accessories.[/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] A built in rail block that mounts the cage at the correct height above the rails and prevent the camera and the cage from rotating on the rail block. Have I mentioned I hate camera rotation?[/size][/font] [*][font=inherit][size=3] A cage that will allow me to upgrade my camera without having to buy a new cage.[/size][/font] [/list] What do you guys think? [attachment=270:P1050052.JPG] There's more pics and more thorough write up on my blog: http://tvpglabs.com/2012/06/08/my-new-upgradeable-gh2-cage-from-berkey-system/

Looks pretty good, they'll have to bring the breathing down to zero before I open my wallet.

And we're going to have to wait till September for a response from Panasonic?  Anyone else nervous it's going to be too little too late?

Axel, that looks awesome!  Whats the chance of a guide on how you put it together, specifically mounting the arca swiss plate to the rod?