The Ultimate Sony FX3 Cinema Rig

Building out our Sony FX3 rig was a major goal of ours this year at Bunker Hill Media. After a lot of time, research, trial and error we feel really confident that this is one of the best FX3 cinema rig builds out on the market for a great price. This is a great build if you’re looking to keep your costs down but not compromise on build quality and capability. This rig has given us total confidence that we’ll be set to capture the content we’re after.

We have waited 3 months to do a blog / post about this because we wanted to make sure that we really loved everything we put on this list.

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Here is the breakdown:

• Camera Hard Goods:

  • Sony FX3 ($3814.95): This is an obvious one!

  • Sony FE 16-35 MM f 2.8 GM lens ($1984.96): - this is the link to the Pro Starter Bundle. If this is your first lens, we’d recommend getting this since it comes with some ND filters, a case, rocket and a few other items you’re going to want with a kit anyway.

  • 8Sinn Cage ($135): The 8SINN cage provides an added layer of protection to your FX3, and is a key building block in this rig. The Rigid.PRO Cinerig Base (see next product) is specifically designed to work with the 8Sinn cage, making it an absolute must for this build. It is worth noting that this cage is compatible with the FX3’s included audio handle, which is essential not only for this build, but even in situations when you may not be utilizing the full rig.

  • Rigid.PRO Cinerig Base ($391): This is the base that will transform your FX3 into a true cinema camera. Designed specifically for compatibility with the 8Sinn cage and the FX3 audio handle, the Rigid.Pro Cinerig Base is one of the only “cinerig” solutions available that allows you to utilize the FX3’s built-in audio capabilities. It also features a d-tap splitter with 4 outputs, allowing you to use the v-mount battery of your choice to power multiple accessories at once (more on this later).

• Power Solutions:

  • Smallrig V-Mount Battery ($279): The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery is compact yet powerful, ensuring that both the Sony FX3 and our Hollyland monitor stay powered throughout long shoots. It’s crucial for on-location shoots where power sources are scarce, and eliminates the hassle of having to change batteries throughout the day.

  • Kondor Blue D-Tap to USB-C Power Cable ($34.99): This cable connects the v-mount battery (via the d-tap splitter) to the USB-C input on the Sony FX3, allowing you to directly charge the battery without need for a dummy battery. We love this solution, because it allows us to keep the battery door on the FX3 shut. Please note that any d-tap to usb-c cable must have USB-C PD functionality to avoid damaging your power system.

• Monitoring + Mounting Solutions:

  • Hollyland Mars M1 Enhanced Monitor ($499): The Hollyland Mars M1 Enhanced Monitor offers wireless video transmission with minimal latency, ideal for real-time monitoring by directors or crew members not in the immediate vicinity of the camera setup. The monitor can be mounted on the rig itself (we mount it on top of our Smallrig handle) or combined with a Hollyland M1 Mars Transmitter to give other crew members a remote view of the shot.

  • Kondor Blue HDMI Monitor Cable ($14.99) and D-Tap to DC Monitor Power Cable ($17.99): These cables ensure reliable connections and power supply to the monitor, crucial for uninterrupted video feedback.

  • SmallRig Side Wooden Handle Grip ($79.99): We actually purchased this handle back in 2021 and have used it on almost every shoot since. It just so happened that the handle worked seamlessly into this build.

  • Kondor Blue Monitor Mount ($54.99): The Kondor Blue Swivel Tilt Monitor Mount (NATO Clamp Version) provides a secure and adjustable platform for monitors, essential for achieving the perfect viewing angle. This mount is perfectly compatible with the SmallRig handle, and features a NATO clamp that the monitor can easily slide in and out of.

  • Monitor NATO Mount ($34.99): This mount attached to the bottom of the monitor, ensuring that it is secure and that any monitor twisting is presented during movement. This is an easy piece to forget to purchase but is NECESSARY to add on if you’re doing this monitor build.

• Cable Management:

  • Mondo Ties (5-pack) ($19.99): These cable ties help manage and secure wiring around the rig, maintaining a clean and organized setup which is essential for reducing accidents and equipment damage. Obviously we got the blue ones because they’re sweet!

• Audio Equipment:

  • Deity S-Mic 2S ($319.00): A high-sensitivity, low-noise shotgun microphone that captures clear, directional sound, enhancing the audio quality of productions.

  • Spacer (4) ($9.99) and Short XLR Cable (2) ($16.99): These accessories are vital for mounting the microphone securely and connecting it to the camera or audio recorder without excess cable slack.

Well folks that’s about it. Thanks for being here! And here is a little more jargon for SEO.

At Bunker Hill Media, we've meticulously assembled our rig to handle everything from corporate videos to dynamic outdoor shoots. Each component was chosen for its reliability, performance, and ability to integrate seamlessly into our workflow, ensuring that every production is not just completed but crafted with the highest quality. We have prioritized reasonable cost, ease of setup/breakdown, and, obviously, quality and reliability of the components.

This rig not only enhances our capability to deliver top-tier content but also demonstrates our commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology to tell stories in the most impactful way possible. Whether you're a fellow videographer planning your gear setup or a client looking for high-quality video production services, understanding the intricacies of a professional cinema rig like ours can provide insights into the level of detail and quality you can expect from Bunker Hill Media.

This is a quick video of our rig! Of course we have our Ikan teleprompter on board this rig so it looks a little larger than usual - but you get the idea!