Just pre-ordered the R1 for a big wildlife doc in October and I'm honestly buzzing. I'm torn between the Tilta cage and the SmallRig one, mostly cause the SmallRig is way cheaper but Tilta looks so solid. Also stuck between getting the Ninja Ultra or just a basic Video Assist monitor. Which combo works best for the R1?
Whoa, pre-ordering the R1 already? Youre definitely living the dream. For a big wildlife doc tho, I would suggest being cautious with the budget rigging. Ive used the SmallRig Camera Cage for Canon EOS R1 for lighter setups and they are okay, but honestly... for a flagship body, the Tilta Full Camera Cage for Canon EOS R1 Black is gonna feel way more robust. You really dont want your handle wiggling when a bear shows up or while you are hiking through thick brush. For the screen, the Atomos Ninja Ultra 5.2 inch 4K HDMI Monitor is a beast for codecs, but make sure to grab high-quality cables. Ive seen rigs where the HDMI port takes too much stress and basically ruins the day. The Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5 inch 12G HDR is solid too, but be careful with the weight... it gets heavy fast during long handheld stints.
TL;DR: Go with the Kondor Blue Canon EOS R1 Cage and SmallHD Ultra 5 High Brightness Monitor. 3000 nits is basically mandatory for wildlife. Anything less and you wont see a thing outdoors.
The R1 is gonna be absolutely amazing! Are you prioritizing weight for mobility or do you need the extra mounting points for a more complex audio and power setup?