Small Rig V-Mount Plate vs Falcam Foldable Cage

We'll be comaring the two foldable cage solutions - Small Rig's V-Mount Battery Plate and Falcam's Foldable Cage. Whether you're a dedicated video shooter or a hybrid shooter, this will help you decide on your next rig investments.
Small Rig V-Mount Battery Plate (Paid Link): amzn.to/3ufHprz
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00:00 - SmallRig vs Falcam Rig
02:02 Small Rig VMount
05:16 My Issues with It
06:38 Falcam Foldable Cage
07:40 Falcam Cage Setup
09:33 Both Downsides
11:03 Alternative Build
11:17 Conclusion
Best Camera Rig for the Sony FX30
• How I Built The Best S...
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[@MikeBSalazar]

Which camera rig setup is ideal for you? If at all?

[@mysticandroid57]

Amazing

[@fillblood3075]

Thanks for the video, finally someone has touched on this topic! Bought myself a Falcam mount and I think it's just incredible. One of the most comfortable cages I've ever used (+ very versatile and will probably last me with more than one camera). The only drawback you noted in the video is the twisting of the camera off the pad. Although the kit comes with a Falcam mount with a stopper, it wasn't quite right for the Fuji XH2. The stopper didn't reach the front edge, and at the back it caught the screen. My solution: I had to saw off a couple of millimetres from the stopper itself so that the screen would close and everything was fine. However, I would like the developers to provide such an option in the future.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thanks for mentioning that. The stopper works with cameras like the Sony A6700, haven't tried it with my FX30 because I use the cage. But I accidentally mounted the stopper backwards and it also caught the screen. The also sell regular plates without the stopper in case you invest on their F38 plates. But I would have done same thing as you and cut that sucker off.

[@choyweide903]

If I remember correctly, the Falcam F38 quick release clamp is actually ALSO a arca swiss plate. You should be able to drop it in to smallrig v mount clamp just like any arca swiss clamp.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Well the one built in the cage is still doesnt fit right on the small rig arca swiss clamp

[@choyweide903]

@@MikeBSalazar I'm not talking about the built in the cage. I'm talking about the EXTRA F38 adaptor you put in between. But I don't think it's low enough to avoid hitting the smallrig v mount quick release button.

[@drexplordinaire]

would you use a 430EXII on the falcam cage? with a magic arm?

[@elJong]

Mind sharing how you connected the F22 Quick Release mount to the V-Mount Plate (then consequently to the top handle??

[@MikeBSalazar]

I used the dual locking f22 part. So it will lock with a regular 1/4 screw f22 and one 3/8 screw f22 plate

[@felipeandjess]

Where is this available? I can't find on their website @@MikeBSalazar

[@felipemvera]

Can you plate the bottom of the half cage in that posistion into a F50 or F38 plate? Do you have enough clearence around the bottom of plate to do so?

[@MikeBSalazar]

In the Vmount style that I have it, it works with the f38 style but you have to mount it “correctly” to use the f50 style.

[@davidbatbold]

I actually use the smallrig v mount plate with my falcam cage. I taped some half inch gaff tape on top of the receiving end of smallrig arca-swiss base and it fills in the gap and works perfectly. Have been using like that for a year, and no issues at all. I take off the tape if someone else with smallrig cage needs to use it Now I’m also trying out the foldable cage with the v mount plate, but the foldable cage starts to get loose with heavier rigs

[@MikeBSalazar]

🤦 I wish I saw this before selling the small rig now 😂 you are a genius my friend. I have only used the smaller vmount batteries but thank you for the heads up. When I use a zoom lens with a collar I have mounted the vmount plate to the base of my FX30 cage since it hangs off and just fits.

[@mysticandroid57]

Is there a video or a pic of what you did?

[@davidbatbold]

@@mysticandroid57 I could share a wetransfer link here if you want it

[@amalabrahambaby4519]

such s legend, Being looking for a solution, It works

[@ChrisA2617]

Hey man. Great video. I'm looking at getting the smallrig V mount plate and I was wondering if you can confirm that the DJI arca swiss plates work well with it. I like the ability to cycle back and forth between a tripod set up and gimbal. My DJI plate is permanently affixed to my cage and at the moment I have 2 DJI 501/Arca swiss plates (1 for the gimabl and 1 for the tripod). But I'd like to add a Vmount battery option so the Smallrig seems to be a good fit. Thanks!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Sorry I didn’t think to try this out. All I know is it’s arca swiss.

[@Eyeofkamau]

I have this and can confirm it works

[@becc12able]

i also use the falcam quick release with the smallrig vmount plate. i did not use the included the arca swiss plate and directly mounted the quick release to the plate, since the quick release is also arca swiss compatible. i just had to use a thin tape to make it more snug.

[@MikeBSalazar]

😭 dang. Y’all some real creatives. I’m clearly not using my gaff tape enough.

[@caspersky6131]

do you hhave a pic or a video of how to fix the issue?

[@becc12able]

@@caspersky6131 yeah I can take a pic for you

[@jandzoe9249]

I am looking for a cage to work together with my Peak Design Micro Clutch which also comes with an Arca Swiss plate. Do you know if Falcam Foldable Cage could work with the Micro Cluth either with either Falcam or Peak plate?

[@MikeBSalazar]

Ooo. That’s a good idea to try if you could replace the peak design plate with a falcam. But may not work well because that plate has bigger hole and locking mechanism. But no matter what you need a falcam plate.

[@DahReignMan]

How secure is the mounted battery? I find that if I wiggle my battery, it inevitably slips off the SmallRig v-mount. Is this by design?

[@MikeBSalazar]

I can’t confirm if small rig meant for their vmount to be easily detached but I have had a battery or two become loose once or twice. Not often though.

[@CharlieVN]

The issue it’s falcam, that’s why as much as i like that system, it’s non standard, i stayed away….. not totally since i had to own to figure it out. It’s like half a mm smaller than standard arca and that’s a problem for some quick releases

[@MikeBSalazar]

I had gotten away with just tightening my arca swiss clamps until only this point 😅 the only arca swiss accessory that doesn’t work with f38 system that i encountered

[@Francisfphoto_]

Does the plate that comes with the foldable cage attaches directly on a arca Swiss tripod?

[@Francisfphoto_]

I mean, the plate that gets connected to the camera

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yes!

[@maxvorobey1316]

Did you ever consider combining both the smallrig vmount plate with the falcam foldable cage for a rig that gives you easy access to your camera in the event that you need to take videos and photos? great video!

[@MikeBSalazar]

I didn’t since the Falcam cage on my FX30 gives me more functionality than my Foldable cage. But thats nice thinking out the box there.

[@speakstruth7742]

Hey Mike. Will the Smallrig vmount plate allow the screen on the A6400 to flip up at all?

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yeah, the vmount plate adjustable.

[@speakstruth7742]

@@MikeBSalazar I was worried about the clearance b/c the in and out adjustability said 1.4" while the screed length of the a6400 is about 2".

[@skinny-dog]

I'm also trying to do the same thing now. I plan to combine the Falcam F38 Plate with Falcam's Cage and Smallrig V Mount Plate and fill in the gaps with tape. I don't use Arcaswiss Plate. Will the height of the battery release button be an issue then?

[@skinny-dog]

If that doesn't work, can I attach the SmallRig VmountPlate directly to the Falcam Cage? I may need to fill in the gaps with tape.

[@MikeBSalazar]

I ended up doing this and it worked out well.

[@skinny-dog]

When VmountPlate and F38Plate are combined, will the monitor and battery release button interfere?

[@MikeBSalazar]

I used gaff tape and it worked out.

[@MikeBSalazar]

I haven't had any troubles.

[@danielarmstrong2144]

how do you find the weight distribution with the v mount on the foldable cage like that? it looks like it would be very lopsided with a top handle. doesn't look comfortable to use at all

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yeah it is definitely awkward. I can only justify it when I leave it on a tripod. Handholding it i pretty much tuck it to my chest for stability to overshadow the lopsidedness. Otherwise I recommend that top handle configuration.

[@danielarmstrong2144]

@@MikeBSalazar so the folding cage just doesn't work with the v mount plate? Like it doesn't fit in the arca Swiss slot on the v mount plate without an adaptor?

[@MikeBSalazar]

@@danielarmstrong2144 correct. Other people in the comments using gape tape to make up for the gap.

[@ChoaYeon]

Not ideal but for the SmallRig you can under the lock and make it pinch more so it locks on to your falcam arca that’s what I did. Falcans arca seems to be slimmer when it comes to locking from what I noticed

[@MikeBSalazar]

Make it pinch? Others said they used tape. So far it hasn't loosened up on you?

[@yeeisme]

I have a question for you, does that folding cage have enough clearance to be used as a top handle?

[@maxvorobey1316]

I have one, it depends on the height of your camera. I have a Lumix g9 and it doesnt quite have enough space to comfortably get my fingers in there for it to be a top handle. But with a shorter camera it just might be enough!

[@yeeisme]

@@maxvorobey1316 thanks that is really helpful, I have the FX30 which is about an inch shorter than the Lumix G9 so it might work for me.

[@joeumali7375]

i opted for the smallrig plate as it allows me to go directly from the battery plate to the rs3 pro w/o having attach/remove the arca swiss plate for the gimbal.

[@MikeBSalazar]

That’s a good idea. You must got arms of steel though haha

[@joeumali7375]

@@MikeBSalazar i've been working out. i'm huge. 😂 not gonna lie; i'm worn out by day's end if i'm doing a lot of handheld stuff. otherwise, it's not too bad.

[@Awthentik]

having the battery on the right of the camera like that presents way too many balance issues for me.

[@MikeBSalazar]

When on sticks, it's not bad, but if I'm going handheld, I've just been put the V-Mount on the top handle.

[@nyambe]

Bro, foldable cage does not look as solid, I am sure it is

[@MikeBSalazar]

Once you lock it in it is. Balance isn’t great if you use it for a v mount though.