I just got my R6 Mark II last week and I'm honestly terrified of dropping it or scratching the finish while I'm out in the field. I have a wedding gig coming up in two weeks here in Cleveland and I really need to get a cage setup pronto so I can mount my Ninja V and a side handle. My logic was to just grab the standard SmallRig cage since everyone uses them but then I saw a few reviews saying the newer Black Mamba version for the R6II blocks the dial near the shutter button or makes it hard to press the record button? I dont know if those people just have big hands or if its a design flaw but now I'm overthinking it.
Then I looked at the 8Sinn stuff because it looks so sleek but man its pricey once you add the top handle and shipping. I'm trying to stay under $180 for everything because I already spent way too much on lenses this month. Is the Tilta one any better? I read that their mounting points are sometimes proprietary or weird with other brands. I just want something that feels solid and wont wiggle when I'm moving around during the ceremony. My biggest fear is the top handle loosening up while I'm doing low shots. Does anyone actually use the SmallRig handle with the Arri locating pins or should I just stick to the cold shoe mount? I'm stressing because I need to order this by Friday to make sure it gets here in time for my prep day...
Get the SmallRig Camera Cage for Canon EOS R6 Mark II 4159 and a SmallRig Top Handle with ARRI Locating Holes 2165C. ARRI pins wont wiggle like cold shoe mounts do.
I was in your exact shoes right before a shoot last month. Ended up going with a mix and match setup because I was trying to stay cheap too. I've been super satisfied with how it handles.
Just jumping in here. Before you pull the trigger on anything, are you planning to pack the camera down flat in your bag between locations, or will it stay fully rigged up the whole day? I ask because I learned the hard way with my current setup. I bought a cheap cold shoe handle for my first big event, and during a fast transition, the vibration from walking literally backed the screw out. The monitor tilted fast and almost cracked against the camera body. Since then, I only trust locking mechanisms. For wedding days, you should consider: