The SmallRig Advanced Camera Cage Kit for Nikon ZR was designed to protect and expand accessory integration. If you want to add accessories to the new Nikon ZR, then you really need some sort of cage.
Given its target audience and the fact that it is a very small-sized mirrorless hybrid, a lot of users probably want to keep the physical footprint to a bare minimum. I personally don’t like taking small-sized mirrorless cameras and making them as large as a digital cinema camera. To me, that defeats the purpose. In saying that, if you plan on using the Nikon ZR as your main camera, then you may have to go down that path.
Key features
- Full Camera Cage for Nikon ZR
- Arca-Type Quick Release Plate
- Ergonomic Silicone-Wrapped Top Handle
- 360° Stepless Rotating Side Handle
- Multiple 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 Threads
- Integrated Cold Shoes and Strap Slot
- Includes HDMI and USB-C Cable Clamp
- Includes Dual-Head Wrench
The cage kit features a three-point locking system so you can secure your camera to this cage using a 1/4″-20 screw and dual side locating holes for anti-twist stability. This cage kit comes with a top handle and side handle that provide ample accessory attachment options.
Cage Details
- Boasts multiple 1/4″-20 threaded and locating holes for attaching accessories
- 3/8″-16 ARRI locating hole for attaching monitor mounts or top handles
- Cold shoe for mounting of microphones, lights, or other accessories
- Slot for wrist or shoulder straps
Top Handle Details
- Boasts multiple cold shoes as well as 1/4″-20 threaded and locating holes for attaching accessories
- Has two 3/8″-16 ARRI locating holes for attaching monitor mounts
Side Handle Details
- Contoured silicone-wrapped design with 360° stepless rotating capability for comfort and flexibility
- 1/4″-20 threaded hole and a cold shoe for mounting accessories
Included Accessories
- A dedicated HDMI and USB-C cable clamp guarantees secure cable connection for uninterrupted data transmission
- A flat magnetic dual-head wrench and a pair of Allen wrenches enable quick assembly and disassembly
- A NATO rail allows the side handle to be quickly attached and detached from the cage
Weight
The SmallRig Advanced Camera Cage Kit for Nikon ZR weighs in 21.6 oz / 613g. With the Nikon ZR attached, it weighs 1.15kg / 2.53 lbs (no battery or media).
If you want to reduce the weight slightly, you could take off the top handle.
I didn’t find the weight of the cage to make the ZR overly heavy.
Build Quality
The Cage Kit is solidly made and in line with other SmallRig cages I have previously tried. There was nothing I came across that concerned me.
Installation
Installation of the cage kit is very simple. It just takes three quick steps, and you can use the included multi-tool that is on the bottom of the cage.
The Top Handle screws onto the cage, and you can reverse it if need be. SmallRig includes an Allen Key that you can put through the two holes to tighten it down fully.
The included HDMI/USB-C cable clamp attaches easily with one screw.
If you want to attach the handle, you need to first install the NATO rail onto the side of the cage.
Once this is on, it is easy to slide on or remove the handle. The only issue is that if you have the handle relatively strsight you can’t place your camera down flat as the handle is longer than the camera body.
If you want to place it down flat on a table, etc, you need to angle the handle.
You can mount the NATO rail on either side of the cage, depending on where you would prefer to have the handle.
The cage still gives you access to the battery/memory card and all of the controls.
Mounting Points
There are plenty of mounting points on both the cage itself and the top handle. You will find a multitude of 1/4″-20 threaded and locating holes for attaching accessories, as well as four 3/8″-16 ARRI locating holes for attaching monitor mounts (two on the cage and two on the top handle).
There is one cold shoe on the cage, and two on the top handle.
Real World Use
As I previously mentioned, I don’t like mounting a ton of accessories on small-sized mirrorless hybrids. For the way I would use the camera (as a B or C camera), I am most likely only going to attach either a Kinefinity EAGLE HDMI E-Viewfinder Pro Kit or a small-sized monitor. I would also attach a Tentacle Sync E mkII.
For the above set-up I am attaching a Kinefinity NAT rail to the top of the SmallRig cage in order to mount the Kinefinity EAGLE HDMI E-Viewfinder. I am also using a MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder.
For these scenarios, the cage kit worked well.
Can you rotate the screen when it is out? Yes, you can. However, if you want to flip it so it is facing forward, you need to do that before it is all the way out. The problem with the Nikon ZR is that if you have something plugged into the headphone or 3.5mm audio jack, the angle you can position the screen at will be compromised. This has nothing to do with the cage.
Any other issues? Yes. If you are running something like the popular MOFAGE POCO Drop-In Filter Lens Mount Adapter Kit (Nikon Z to PL), then you can’t take a filter out while it is attached to the camera, as the side of the cage gets in the way. It is also difficult to get to the lens release button on the camera body.
I would have liked to have seen SmallRig include some cable management options, because things can get very messy on small-sized mirrorless hybrids once you start adding accessories.
Pricing & Availability
The SmallRig Advanced Camera Cage Kit for Nikon ZR retails for $164.99 USD, and it should start shipping around November 25th.
The SmallRig Basic Camera Cage Kit for Nikon ZR costs $69.99 USD.
The SmallRig Camera Cage with Top Handle for Nikon ZR is $94.99 USD.
Conclusion
Choosing a rigging solution for a small-sized mirrorless hybrid really comes down to whatever personal preferences you may have. Not every solution will work for every person.
The SmallRig Advanced Camera Cage Kit for Nikon ZR is a solid option if you own a Nikon ZR and don’t want to massively increase the camera’s footprint. It works as advertised, and I didn’t come across any glaring issues other than the ones I raised in the review.
