Caleb Pike of DSLR Video Shooter spent over a decade testing top handles before designing his own. The result is a three-piece modular system built with SmallRig and DreamRig: a base, a handle, and optional extensions. The handle is not yet in production. SmallRig and DreamRig are gauging demand before committing, so pricing is unconfirmed.
How It’s Built
The base mounts to any cage using slots positioned front-to-back and left-to-right, fitting most bolt patterns with multiple mounting options per cage. Two ratcheting 15mm rod clamps are built into the base, letting users mount gear like focus motors on top of the camera without having to readjust that gear every time the handle position changes. The rod clamps double as cable management points. Caleb designed the rods to pass through the base with clearance for the hand, so the rods don’t interfere with the grip.
The handle attaches to the base via an Arca-Swiss quick release, adjustable forward and back, and locks in place with a red lever. Two pull pins allow the handle to be installed or removed from the base. It has two distinct sides: one flat side for butting against a monitor or mounting a cheese plate, and one tapered side suited to audio gear or reaching over a lens. The handle can be installed in either direction and reversed for pack-down. Grips are a walnut-look wood, chosen after multiple prototype rounds with SmallRig, and are interchangeable; Pike says he is developing additional grip options.
Bolt-on extension blocks can be added to either end of the handle for extra reach. ARRI anti-twist locating pins run throughout the system, making it compatible with SmallRig monitor mounts and other ARRI-pin gear. Users who don’t want the quick-release base can bolt the handle down directly through its center slot.
Featured Specifications
- Modular three-piece system: base, handle, extensions
- Dual ratcheting 15mm rod clamps with pass-through rod clearance
- Arca-Swiss quick release with tool-less lock lever
- Reversible handle with two functional sides (flat and tapered)
- ARRI anti-twist locating pins throughout
Full Specifications
- Universal mounting base with front-to-back and left-to-right slots, fits standard cages
- Two integrated ratcheting 15mm rod clamps, also usable for cable management
- Pass-through 15mm rod design for hand clearance
- Arca-Swiss dovetail quick release, compatible with third-party Arca-Swiss clamps
- Tool-less red lock lever
- Two pull-pin safety pins for handle installation/removal
- Reversible handle, flat side for monitor/cheese-plate mounting, tapered side for audio gear or extended reach
- Extended slide travel, balances setups from small primes to large cinema lenses and matte boxes
- Walnut-look wood grips, interchangeable, additional grip styles in development
- Three finger positions, sculpted ergonomic grooves
- Direct bolt-on option via center slot, bypasses quick-release base
- ARRI anti-twist locating pin holes throughout
- 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads
- Bolt-on extension blocks, either direction, for added reach
Pricing and Availability
Pricing is “to be decided,” Caleb said, noting he’s still finalizing numbers with SmallRig. Availability depends on demand: SmallRig and DreamRig have the design ready but haven’t committed to production. Pike is asking viewers to comment on the video and contact SmallRig directly to signal interest, and to watch both his channel and SmallRig’s social media for updates.
