The RigidPro rig is designed for the G9II nd the S5II with Tilta half cage or Black Mamba cage.
I have both, so go me (not planned, just happened).
Tht S5II made the most sense as it has a fan and the G9II seems so well designed for movement and run-n-gun as is, so of the two, it really did make sense. Perfect endurance cam for interviews, stage productions etc.
I made a little support rig for the GH5s, the G9II was left light and agile, the S5 relegated to stills only, maybe some support work.
It was fine, it made sense but it would not settle for me.
In some ways, other options were left languishing, the S5II, my most capable full frame maybe under utilised.
So, I did this.
Notice anything?
This is the S5, not the S5II and it fits, well kind of, but sometimes wins and losses even out.
It attaches on the base perfectly well, two screws, solid and tight. The centre of balance is fine as shown above, the the weight supported by the handle with very secure anchor points top and bottom, aligned with the solid main block of the rig, so the lack of a joint above the camera is basically irrelevant.
A gap that I felt might have an easy fix, like a plate or space filling washer, something I have plenty of, but no, not to be.
To be clear here also, the camera in this configuration is not going to be used as a hand held rig, it is going to be static, usually manual everything, reliable and capable. If I try hand held, I will be looking for “big heavy camera” micro jitter control, as opposed to in camera stabe.
Given that the whole thing is not super heavy, the balance point is well supported and the cam will not be handled heavily, I do not see a problem other than the strength of the Nato rail handle, rated by Smallrig at 10kg!
The gap?
The gap actually solves an issue.
Running out of real estate even on this large rig, I have been pushed for room for an SSD mount (if using the BMVA), as well as a mic and handle.
This fits neatly, snugly enough to be secure and out of the way.
It gets better though.
The GH5s, my only non-stabilised camera would, it turns out, be an even better fit (so to speak) for the rig. The GH5s is my most specialised video camera option, bought as such, eyes open. It was bought as basically a Pocket 4k alternative to support my growing range of manual focus cinema lenses and is my most video-centric camera (It’s in the “H” you know).
The GH5s fits well, maybe better than the S5, it has a different dummy battery cable-out hole, in the front of the cam instead of the battery door (which needs adjusting to), is maybe better at static interview AF (if used) than the S5 and the lack of any stabe is balanced with the bulk of the kit and it’s intention.
The cage I have for the GH5s is my least inspiring or useful, being a compromise option for the G9 mk1 and GH5 series, something the rig will care little about, but is actually lines up with the RigidPro better than the S5’s and the unlikeable bulk is just a more relaxed surround, so I can run cables through it and the “bumper-bar” is more pronounced, more protective.
The S5 also has it’s small HDMI issues (and fixes that cause their own issues), the GH5s does not, while the GH5s has an older screen and view finder, so less of a hit there. Even the rear button and dial layout seem to be more logical for rig use (more sparse).
Oh, and of course, it is the only cam that does not handle basically the same as any other (S5, 5II and G9II are the same body shape).
The S5 on the other hand was intended to be my “eye” camera, the camera I would follow action with using a deeper eye cup, something I would miss.
Coincidentally, the gap is the same.
As the year progressed, I surprised myself as I drifted back towards MFT format for video.
Low light aside, the G9II, even the older G9’s called me and after buying the Hope glass and the GH5s, things shifted clearly for me. Full frame became more of a stills/video option.
Overheating issues look to be pretty minimal, the GH5s running cleanly and gently, made to purpose, the S5II is in the wings if needed.
The new look kit is now;
G9II for movement and action. basic cage, minimal stuff, touch screen AF, very reliable in that role. This is unchanged.
GH5s is now the “big rig” camera, the interview and video-centric work horse. The G9II and GH5s can share similar glass, so they form the core of the “commercial” kit..
The S5 Mk1 is the “B-cam” for static video and personal projects using cine glass. I get good results from this setup. It can be used with the NP batt option.
The S5II is now the hybrid, filling the role of the G9II as needed, but as a stills cam also. It can also be used with the NP battery bank as the backup to above.
Why?
Because it cannot shoot B-Raw without a paid upgrade (not going to happen), nor All-i, is wasted in a static role, has a half cage that suits hybrid use and the best AF for stills and stabe for video.
It just did not feel right caging it up in the RigidPro rig, where the GH5s feels like it is at home.