Today we are taking a look at several products from Falcam including two types of cages and different handles, a backpack clamp, and two types of quick releases.
Falcam
Today, we’re looking at different accessories from Falcam that include a cage with handles, a foldable half cage, two quick-release systems, and a backpack clamp. The beauty of Falcam’s design is the ecosystem that makes everything compatible and easy to work with.
Concept
Falcam uses three different quick-release sizes (F22, F38, F50) that can work together to expand with different needs and accessories. The small F22 quick-release system is for cage accessories, allowing quick changes and adaptability.
The medium F38 size is for camera baseplates. It’s compatible with Arca Swiss but has a release button to quickly change from small tripods to gimbals for example. For heavier setups, Falcam uses the F50 plate.
The utility of this design is integrating all three size mounts in the same plate to attach accessories, rig out the camera, and mount it on a smaller or a bigger tripod, depending on the size of the resulting rig.
FX3/FX30 cage
This triple-use plate is integrated into the cage for example. This is a cage for the FX-3/30. It has 3 points of contact and comes with an optional top plate that doesn’t cover the camera’s hot shoe. The cage features ¼” mounting holes with locating pins on the sides and the top, plus F22 mounts on all 4 sides.
There is also an extra cold shoe on the bottom left and the bottom corners feature integrated F38 plates, also compatible with Arca.
It’s kind of a backward Arca since it fits on the base, but it’s mounted perpendicular to the head. It works on a photo ballhead, but it’s not great for a video fluid head, since you can’t tilt. It can come in handy in a pinch, though.
The Falcam FX3/FX30 cage with handles
Handles
Our kit has a top handle and a side handle (either side) and an extra mushroom handle. This one is interesting, because it’s minimalist, but can be used in a variety of mounting configurations.
Because the top handle and its base are both F22 quick-release, it can actually be removed from the base and mounted as a vlogging handle. This top handle also comes with an extra mounting plate, so it can easily become a side handle in a pinch.
The mushroom handle adds an extra point of contact for lens control, and can also be quickly changed to the bottom mount as an extension or an extra support.
There’s no cold shoe on the top handle, but you can easily add one to any of the five ¼” mounting holes with locating pins.
The whole kit works really well. The only thing that we’d ask to change is the cage’s right-side brace, since it’s too close to the memory card door, and you can’t take the card out with the handle mounted. The good thing is that it‘d be a very easy re-design since this brace attaches with two screws.
Backpack clamp
Falcam’s F22 quick-release system makes this cage modular and the multi-size integrated release plate adds compatibility for the F38 backpack clamp. This clamp features a clamshell design with an adjustable internal failsafe and a metallic latch.
This design allows for a two-way mount and features a locking release. It’s also compatible with Arca plates, but in our tests, only shorter plates will lock securely.
Transformer cage
Another interesting accessory with this same multi-size integrated plate is this transformer half cage. It’s a foldable cage with multi-angle locks and a two-way F38 quick release. It also features F22 connectors on all three sides, a cold shoe, and ¼” mounting points with locating pins.
This half-cage is actually very impressive. The locks are solid and are rated for a payload of 4.5kg (9.92 lbs), which means there is a variety of ways this can be useful in mounting extra accessories to the side and above the camera.
It can actually be extended and used as a vlogger handle or as a rifle stock for extra support. Maybe Falcam can make a larger version of this with some push-action locks that can transform into a shoulder mount.
The transformer cage is a great accessory. It’s portable and can add lots of functionality very quickly. Its multi-size integrated quick-release plate is also compatible with the larger F50 base.
Future shoulder-mount cage setup?
F50 quick-release base
This is a heavy-duty base geared for big setups. It can be used as a camera release or as a head release to quickly change from a tripod to a slider, for example.
This base is solid and the lock is really strong. It’s a single-handed loading operation. The base comes with different locking screws and optional stoppers. As a bonus, there is a handy bubble level.
Falcam offers two versions of this base. The long version uses a Manfrotto-style plate. Just for fun, we tried mounting the multi-size plate onto a Manfrotto head, and it certainly fits. Good to know, in case you’re ever in a pinch.
The 501-style quick-release long base
The square version comes with a proprietary F50 plate, but the two plates are also interchangeable. The advantage of the square plate is two-way loading, allowing vertical shooting on a 90-fluid head.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Falcam quick-release multi-size ecosystem is very versatile and can quickly add extra accessories and functionality to any setup. These products are really well-designed, easy to use, and feel very secure. The best part, because of the modular build, accessories can be added on for extra functionality or replaced for easier use.
Building crazy rigs with falcam parts
Pricing
Here are links for purchasing all the products in this video:
- F22&F38&F50 Quick Release Camera Cage (for FX3/FX30) V2 2823A – $100.
- F22 Quick Release Side Hand Grip 2565 -$73.
- F22 Quick Release Top Hand Grip 2550 – $78.
- F22 Quick Release Mushroom Handle 3040 -$40.
- F50 Long Quick Release Kit 3227 – $88.
- F50 Square Quick Release Kit 3224 – $60.
- F22&F38&F50 Quick Release Foldable Half Cage Kit C00B3809 – $87.
- F38 Quick Release for Backpack V2 F38B3802 – $60.
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