I use the Varavon Zeus Cage (B&H, Amazon) for the a7R II. Here’s my review:
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What to look for in a good cage
Everyone has different needs. I need my cage to be rock solid to be part of a full rig, mattebox, brick and all. Here are some things to watch out for:
- How rugged is the top handle? Can it be removed?
- Will the top handle allow you to use Sony accessories like the XLR adapter, LED light, etc.?
- Does it have quarter-inch mounting holes (almost every cage has this).
- Does it have cold shoe mounting points?
- Does it have provision for a 15mm rod to mount an EVF? If yes, is it at the right height?
- Does the camera move in the cage, or is it rock solid?
- Is it easy to mount the cage on a tripod plate?
- Is it easy to use the cage in tandem with a lens adapter?
- Does it allow access to the battery and SD card compartments easily?
- Does it allow easy access to the audio and HDMI compartments?
- Does it have an HDMI lock? Does that interfere with the USB or audio usability?
- Can it be gripped easily for still photography? If yes, is there something dangerous that might poke your eye?
- Is it easy to access the buttons and dials on the top?
- Is it easy to access the record button on the side, and all the buttons and dials on the back?
- Is it easy to assemble and remove?
- Is it heavy?
- Is it machined well? Are you getting good value for money?
Notes
I bought the Zeus directly from Varavon, at full price (and I had to pay about 40% extra in customs duty). So far, I’m happy with my purchase, but I wish it were a lot better for the price.
Other cages
Here I list some interesting cages that I think might be worth a look.
Warning: This list is not exhaustive, nor should you expect it to be up to date. Also, if I see cages that I think are not good value for money, I won’t mention them here. Finally, just because I mention them doesn’t mean I endorse them or guarantee they work!
