Cages&Rigs
FAQ
What Is a Camera Cage and Why Do You Need One?
A camera cage is an aluminum protective frame fitted around your camera body. It shields your gear from impact drops while adding multiple 1/4", 3/8", and cold-shoe mounting points to attach top handles, monitors, microphones, and magic arms.
What Is a Magic Arm Used For?
A magic arm is an articulating extension arm with dual 360-degree ball heads on both ends. Controlled by a single wingnut locking knob, it allows you to position monitors, fill lights, or wireless audio receivers at any custom angle on your rig.
What Is a Super Clamp Mount Used For?
A super clamp (or crab clamp) is a heavy-duty locking clamp that grips onto round pipes, tripod legs, handlebars, or flat table edges. It turns any structure into a mounting point for magic arms, cameras, or lighting accessories.
Ball Head vs. Fluid Head: What's the Difference?
Ball Heads: Compact and fast to adjust in any direction with a single locking knob. Best for mounting monitors, lights, and quick static camera positioning.
Fluid Heads: Use internal hydraulic fluid to deliver smooth, controlled pan and tilt movements. Essential for video tracking, smooth pans, and cinematic filmmaking.
What Are 1/4" and 3/8" Threaded Holes Used For?
These are the industry-standard mounting threads used across all camera gear:
1/4"-20 Threads: The standard size used for light accessories, monitors, magic arms, and small cameras.
3/8"-16 Threads (often with Arri Locating Pins): Larger, heavy-duty threads designed for mounting heavy top handles, tripod baseplates, and cinema gear to prevent twisting.
Top Handle vs. Side Handle: Which Do You Need?
Top Handles: Best for low-angle underslung tracking shots and carrying heavy camera rigs securely between takes.
Side Handles: Provide a comfortable two-handed grip for shoulder or chest-level filming, helping stabilize handheld micro-jitters during movement.
