STRATUS Cage Kit for Panasonic GH5

The STR-GH5-KIT is a bundle of products which includes a form-fitting camera cage, a follow focus system, and a 15mm lens support system.

The frame is shaped to accommodate the Panasonic GH4 and GH5 Cameras. The cage comes in three main parts: the top handle, the base, and the camera frame.

The top handle mounts directly to a true NATO rail, with two hard stops to keep it from sliding off of the rail should it come loose. There are 40 1/4-20 mounts on the top handle when it is bare, but the grip can be covered with Ikan grips or, if custom grips are needed, can fit most bicycle handles. A 15mm rod can also be inserted into the end of the handle and held in place with a 1/4-20 screw through one of the many mounts. a cold shoe mount is located at the front of the handle, near where it connects to the frame’s NATO rail.

The base is simple and sleek, with mounts for two included 15mm rods (200mm long) and both 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting points for tripod quick release plates. The locking knobs are large and solid and have a kipping function that allows tightening even when the knobs are partially obstructed. The base locks to the frame with an Arca-Swiss style connection, and there are hard stops on either side to allow safe horizontal positioning.

The camera frame is shaped specifically to the Panasonic GH4 and GH5-style body, with cutouts on top for button and dial access. Room has been made on the left and right sides of the cage for access to memory card slots, A/V inputs & outputs, and remote port access. There is also a cutout on the bottom of the cage over the battery port, allowing for quick swaps without having to unmount the cage. The cable clamp on the left side of the cage is positionable and universal and can be used to support cables nearly anywhere on the camera’s left-hand side. Finally, the Arca-Swiss style base connection is also compatible with many types of photo tripod quick-releases, which means that is can be mounted to a photo tripod instead of the tripod quick release plate if it is removed from the base.

The STR-GH5-KIT also includes the Stratus 15mm follow focus system. The hard stops are set with screws in red and blue aluminum rings. To set a stop, simply tighten the screw on the desired band, and then do the same with the other band to set a hard focus range. Stops can be completely removed by removing the screws or, to keep from losing pieces, the user can simply disengage the stop itself and flip it off of the handwheel. The STR-FF comes with a .8 pitch lens gear and a 13″ long reusable lens zip gear, also with a .8 pitch.

The included static lens support is set “static” because it attaches to a non-rotating portion of the lens it is supporting, but it has 7/8″ worth of vertical positioning to allow it to offer support to a lens from a variety of positions. One of the 15mm rod mounts on the unit is also open and angled to allow the unit to be placed directly onto the rods from above, as well as slid on from the front.

Please note that Stratus Follow Focus is not compatible with the Nikon D850.