SHAPE Rigging Solution for the Sony FX6 Released

News

by Jeff LochFebruary 15^th, 2021

Canadian third-party accessories manufacturer SHAPE has just released an entire rigging solution for the Sony FX6. The complete kit consists of a cage that includes a top plate/side plate/bottom plate, a 15mm lightweight rod adapter, a controller top handle, a push-button viewfinder mount, a remote extension handle, a 19.5V output D-Tap power cable, and a V-Mount/Gold Mount pivoting battery plate. Of course, you can buy every part separately. Let’s take a closer look at this SHAPE all-in-one solution for the Sony FX6!

The Sony FX6 was announced in November last year, and if you missed it, you can take a look at our in-depth review here. This camera, which can almost “see” in the dark is slowly starting to get in customers’ hands.

As usual, accessories manufacturers are getting their solutions on the markets to expand the camera’s usability. After the Sony FX9 and the Sony a7S III accessories, SHAPE just released its full rigging solution for the Sony FX6.

SHAPE Sony FX6 Cage

Let’s start with the core of this system, which is the SHAPE Sony FX6 Cage. This cage consists of a top plate, side plate, and bottom plate.

The top plate attaches to your camera via four screws. Like all of the other components, it is made of lightweight, robust CNC machined aluminum and fits around the native Sony FX6 top handle.

The SHAPE top plate gives you many 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads with Arri standard anti rotating holes. Also, there is a threaded hole to insert the FX6 sensor pin and the FX6 viewfinder cable clamp that comes with the camera.

Next is the side plate that attaches to both the right top and bottom plate. This side plate offers three 3/8″-16 and two 1/4-20″ mounting points with locating pins. Also, there is one rosette attachment.

The last component of this SHAPE Sony FX6 cage is the bottom plate attached to your camera via two screws. The bottom plate has numerous 1/4″-20 and 3/8-16″ mounting points to secure your own quick release to it. However, the bottom plate is natively compatible with SHAPE’s 15mm baseplate for the FX6.

SHAPE FX6 15mm Baseplate

This lightweight 15mm baseplate is designed to match the Sony FX6 optical center and adjust all your accessories to the correct height. All you have to do is slide the baseplate in the bottom plate, lock it in place with a screw, and you’re ready to go.

I like this low-profile and non-proprietary design, which means you can attach the quick release plate you want at the bottom of the baseplate. The baseplate also comes with a pair of 15 mm rods that are 12” long through the length of the baseplate.

SHAPE FX6 Controller Top Handle

If you want to expand your rig further, a controller top handle is available. This handle attaches to Sony’s original top handle via a bracket and looks like a natural extension.

Thanks to SHAPE Push-Button technology, you can quickly flip the controller top handle up or down to suit your needs. It has multiple 3/8″-16 ARRI-style threaded holes to attach more camera accessories to your rig.

A wooden finger grip is made from Canadian maple on the vertical handle, which is a nice touch.

SHAPE FX6 Push-Button Viewfinder Mount

The viewfinder mount that comes with the FX6 is great, but for shoulder rig operation you’ll probably have a hard time getting it in a comfortable shooting position. To solve this problem, you can add the SHAPE FX6 push-button viewfinder mount that allows you to set your screen at the perfect angle.

The Push-Button viewfinder mount is designed with a 15 mm rod and 2 Push-Button for horizontal, vertical, and transversal adjustments. These adjustments allow for 360-degree rotation. Also, the rod clamp with ratchet knob allows you to slide the bracket for a perfect viewfinder distance adjustment.

Remote Extension Handle and Cable

A shoulder rig is not complete without a way to relocate the handgrip that comes with the camera. The SHAPE remote extension handle is a 5.6″ variable-length (11″ when fully extended) adjustable handle designed that allows you to reposition the FX6 remote grip.

This handle easily mounts to the FX6 using an ARRI style rosette connection and knob screw on one side and a native Sony grip connection on the other. The arm also features SHAPE’s Push-Button technology to adjust its angle quickly and easily.

It comes with a 10″ long coiled male to female LANC extension cable that connects the remote grip to the camera body, maintaining full functionality after relocation.

V-Mount/Gold Mount Battery Plate and D-Tap Cable

Last but not least, SHAPE released two battery plates for both V-Mount and Gold Mount users. These plates attach to the SHAPE FX6 top plate via two screws.

Thanks to the Push-Button system, you can tilt the battery plate up and down for easy access to the rear connector and allows BP-U Battery hot-swap.

The pivoting battery plate gives you one D-Tap Port with a protective digital fuse.

An optional D-Tap Power Cable for the Sony FX6 is also available and provides/regulates the power output to 19.5V, so your camera receives the right amount of juice.

Price and Availability

All products are available now. The SHAPE Sony FX6 cage retails for $263/€277 without the 15mm baseplate that is $198/€209, but a bundle with both products is available for $399/€421.

The push-button viewfinder mount is $263/€277. The pivoting battery plate retails for $347/€367 and includes the D-Tap cable that you can purchase separately for $87/€92.

Finally, the controller top handle is $307/€324, and the remote extension handle will cost you $351/€370.

For more information, please visit SHAPE’s website here.

What do you think about these rigging accessories from SHAPE for the Sony FX6? Did you already receive your camera? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!