CAGES
The BMPCC is such a small form factor that I would highly recommend a cage to keep it safe. There are a number of cages available but I wanted to highlight the ones that seem to be the most popular or at least the most recommended.
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Viewfactor Contineo Cage - $100.00 USD
This cage is really nice and at $100 USD, its a hell of a bargain. The major downside I see to the Contineo product is that when you start adding on accessories like a top handle, cable protector, plexiglass LCD protector etc. it starts to get pricey quick. On the plus side, the cage surrounds your camera on five sides and you can add the aforementioned plexiglass LCD protector for a solid all the way around solution. One really cool feature Viewfactor offers is the ability to have custom laser etching performed on this cage. Nice to commemorate the starting of business or a gift etc.
This cage is really nice and at $100 USD, its a hell of a bargain. The major downside I see to the Contineo product is that when you start adding on accessories like a top handle, cable protector, plexiglass LCD protector etc. it starts to get pricey quick. On the plus side, the cage surrounds your camera on five sides and you can add the aforementioned plexiglass LCD protector for a solid all the way around solution. One really cool feature Viewfactor offers is the ability to have custom laser etching performed on this cage. Nice to commemorate the starting of business or a gift etc.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/6483720.jpg?250)
Ikan Elements Plus Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Kit – 15mm Model: ELE-P-BMPCC - $365.00 (retail) $159.00 (refurbished)
This is the cage I went with. I wanted an Ikan Tilta so very badly, but the price was just too much. Ikan sells refurbished items that come with full factory warranty so I felt comfortable buying this for $159 instead of $365. My only real regret is that I don't feel the camera is truly protected as it would be with the Contineo pictured above, but once I started factoring in accessories with the Contineo, it became less and less of a deal but I plan to pick up just the cage at some point. Its just too good to pass up and Ill feel better if my BMPCC is ensconced in aluminum. That said, this cage is very solid and extremely well constructed. The BMPCC slides into a channel on both top and bottom and it locks into the cage with two large thumbwheels on top and bottom. The handle has a pushbutton lock to allow you to swing it forward or back depending on balance requirements. No tool needed for that.
This is the cage I went with. I wanted an Ikan Tilta so very badly, but the price was just too much. Ikan sells refurbished items that come with full factory warranty so I felt comfortable buying this for $159 instead of $365. My only real regret is that I don't feel the camera is truly protected as it would be with the Contineo pictured above, but once I started factoring in accessories with the Contineo, it became less and less of a deal but I plan to pick up just the cage at some point. Its just too good to pass up and Ill feel better if my BMPCC is ensconced in aluminum. That said, this cage is very solid and extremely well constructed. The BMPCC slides into a channel on both top and bottom and it locks into the cage with two large thumbwheels on top and bottom. The handle has a pushbutton lock to allow you to swing it forward or back depending on balance requirements. No tool needed for that.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/5178909.jpg?250)
Ikan Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Tilta Rig Model: ES-T13 - $440.00 USD
To me, this is the epitome of what a BMPCC cage should be. Not only does it look sharp, its functional and includes everything you need for studio or field shooting. Most importantly, you get a nice HDMI cable protector. Ikan is an odd company...they have different cages and the HDMI protector is almost a must-have for the BMPCC as its notorious for being 'fiddly', fragile and expensive to have repaired, but they don't offer any way to protect the HDMI with their other cages. This changes here thankfully. The price is a bit steep, but you don't have to purchase any expensive accessories to make it complete (Hey Viewfactor are you listening?) What you see here is what you get.
To me, this is the epitome of what a BMPCC cage should be. Not only does it look sharp, its functional and includes everything you need for studio or field shooting. Most importantly, you get a nice HDMI cable protector. Ikan is an odd company...they have different cages and the HDMI protector is almost a must-have for the BMPCC as its notorious for being 'fiddly', fragile and expensive to have repaired, but they don't offer any way to protect the HDMI with their other cages. This changes here thankfully. The price is a bit steep, but you don't have to purchase any expensive accessories to make it complete (Hey Viewfactor are you listening?) What you see here is what you get.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/6160303.jpg?250)
Movcam Body Cage for BMPCC MOV-303-2102 - $147.00 USD
Another pretty basic cage. Quite a few people like the Movcam products.
Another pretty basic cage. Quite a few people like the Movcam products.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/3972962.jpg?250)
Varavon Armor Pocket Cage with Handle for BMPCC A-BMPCC SET - $148.00 USD
Another good option is this cage...note the cable protectors built in. Reasonable price too.
Another good option is this cage...note the cable protectors built in. Reasonable price too.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/7142071.jpg?250)
D|Cage: BMPCC - $149.00 USD
D|Focus System has a pretty nice cage. Sadly though, for $149, this is all you get. You have to spend another $149 to get rail mounts. For $300 I think you can do better, but this is just another option. This cage also has an option for HDMI cable protection.
D|Focus System has a pretty nice cage. Sadly though, for $149, this is all you get. You have to spend another $149 to get rail mounts. For $300 I think you can do better, but this is just another option. This cage also has an option for HDMI cable protection.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/248346.png?250)
Wooden Pocket Cage - $99.00 USD
This wins the minimalist "cage" award. Wooden products are typically high priced and this is no real exception. To property equip this with rods, HDMI cable protection and a handle will increase the cost significantly. If you just need something to mount to your BMPCC, this might do. I think there are better options though.
This wins the minimalist "cage" award. Wooden products are typically high priced and this is no real exception. To property equip this with rods, HDMI cable protection and a handle will increase the cost significantly. If you just need something to mount to your BMPCC, this might do. I think there are better options though.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/3574540.jpg?250)
Kamerar Pico Cage for BMPCC -$170.00 USD
2nd Place in the looks department is this cage. Beautiful design and I like the three hotshoe mounting points in addition to all the 1/4" holes. You get what you see here for the price including an HDMI protector.
2nd Place in the looks department is this cage. Beautiful design and I like the three hotshoe mounting points in addition to all the 1/4" holes. You get what you see here for the price including an HDMI protector.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/6/0/50604659/6569589.jpg?250)
Fotodiox Pro Pocket Cinema Sharkcage - Skeleton Housing Protective Cage Case - $324.00 USD
Fotodiox looks to have a solid offering for a cage. Its well built and comes with the features you would expect, including full protection for all cables. A bit pricey, but it looks to be very good quality. The cage comes with everything you see here.
Fotodiox looks to have a solid offering for a cage. Its well built and comes with the features you would expect, including full protection for all cables. A bit pricey, but it looks to be very good quality. The cage comes with everything you see here.