MID49 has a range of accessories and kits for the Canon C80. The Canon C80, a smaller compact camera body similar to a fat mirrorless rather than a boxy cinema camera, works much better with a cage to mount accessories like a monitor, audio receivers, and wireless video TXs. Without a cage, you are very limited to what you can add.
The Mid49 Base Kit, which retails for $750 USD, is in for review. This kit gives you many mounting options without making the C80 heavy. The cage itself is relatively light and well-machined.
I generally like form-fitting cages that follow the contour of the camera, but I can see the advantages of the MID49 frame design. It adds more mounting points, increasing your options. Yes, it does make the camera a bit larger overall, but it’s not an issue as I believed it would be. Again, the numerous mounting options for devices are excellent.
A Standardized ARRI Mount Rant
It is worth mentioning that standardized mounting hardware is a must. The ARRI Accessory Mount with anti-twist pins has been the standard for the most part. This comes in two sizes. 3/8″ and 1/4 20″. Many years ago, cages and accessories didn’t offer ARRI-style mounts, so hardware would twist loose without the pins. Especially frustrating was Articulating Magic Arms. They just unscrew over time, no matter how tight you crank it down.
Now, all cages offer a few of the ARRI mounts peppered where they will fit, but unfortunately, they are not all to the ARRI specification, instead, companies used the design but not the specifications from ARRI, and this makes them incompatible with each other’s products. Sure, they will fit their cages, but that is not a good design. I have several monitor mounts that don’t fit the ARRI standard, and it’s frustrating.
To date, we have the Sony, SmallHD, and random SmallRig and Tilta versions. These are the big players, and it can be frustrating when you think a piece of kit will work. The SmallHD version is particularly frustrating as it’s hard to find a monitor mount that fits. They place the pins closer to the socket. SmallHD has changed the pin design to work with older SmallHD mounts as well as the ARRI on the ULTRA 5 and newer models. I can’t confirm when the change was made, but I’m pretty sure it’s the latest models.
I can attest that higher-end companies such as Mid49, Bright Tangerine, and Wooden Camera follow the ARRI Standard to a T and are compatible with other products that do so.
C80 Kit Options
For the C80, you have three kit options: a Base Kit for $750, a Base Kit with Audio Breakout AB-4 for $925, and a Mid Kit for $995.
Mid49 offers several à la carte options if you want to build your own. Go to the MID49 Canon C80 section to see all the possibilities.
The Base Kit for Canon C80 is an excellent start. It includes the essentials: a baseplate with 15mm rod mounts, a dovetail quick-release plate to mount on your camera support, and a top handle that is much better than the Canon version with many mounting points.
Base Kit for Canon C80
For this review, I will focus on the C80 Base Kit. The kit includes the following:
- MID49 Upper Cage for Canon C80
- Top Accessory Rod
- Hot Shoe/Accessory Thread/Rosette Adapter
- 2 x Lens Adapter Support
- 3 x Rubber Cap
- Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- MID49 Baseline Core 15mm LWS Baseplate (0″ Platform Height)
- MID49 Baseline ARRI-Compatible Dovetail Mounting Plate
- MID49 Arca Top Handle
Product Weight: 29.2oz (830g)
Product Dimensions (WxLxH): 5.21 x 7.2 x 10.26in (132 x 183 x 261mm)
Upper Cage for Canon C80
The Upper Cage has two 1/4-20″ and three 3/8-16″ ARRI mounts on the left and one of each on the right. The handle has an ARCA-SWISS base and locks in securely. It includes a pin to prevent accidental loosening that pushes in to release the handle. It’s safe and easy to adjust the position for balancing when using the handle.
One of each is on the front of the Upper Cage. A 1/4-20″ and 3/8-16″ ARRI mounts.
I like the space. It’s not overly large but gives you enough options for placements. Obviously, you can’t use all the mounts at once, but you can find a good position.
The Upper Cage includes a 15mm rod mount with a combination hot shoe, ARRI 3/8-16, M4x20, and the Canon mic hole pattern for attaching the C80’s original microphone shock mount. I generally don’t use a camera-mounted microphone, but if I need to, I have more than just the stock Canon mount option available, and I can all together ditch this for a standard 15mm rail. Nice options!
A special 1/4-20″ recess at the end of the rod holds the Audio Breakout AB-4 Canon C70/C80, an optional add-on that converts the camera’s two mini XLRs to standard, full-size XLRs. I need to get this, as using full-sized XLR cables with an adapter puts a lot of stress on the mini XLR connector.
The ARCA Swiss dovetail slot on top accepts the ARCA Top Handle. An optional ARCA Top Plate 114mm ($45 USD) can be used instead of the handle, adding several more mounting points.
The 15mm accessory rod provides additional mounting for the optional AB-4 XLR adapter. The lower ARCA Swiss dovetail attaches to the included baseplate, and the lens support adapter attaches to third-party lens adapters like Metabones.
Baseline ARRI Dovetail
The Baseline ARRI Dovetail is the lower ARRI mounting plate that interfaces with the Baseline Core. I’m not a big Dovetail guy, but it is the preferred plate in the professional space. The good news is that it’s really nice and can be adapted with your tripod’s QR plate for fast mounting. If you already use the ARRI Dovetail systems and have a longer plate, you can slide the Baseline ARRI Dovetail onto it. As I mentioned, Mid49 uses the ARRI standard, so it will work flawlessly with other ARRI Dovetails and mounts.
ARCA Top Handle
The ARCA Top Handle is nice. It is very light and just big enough. It slides into the ARCA-SWISS slot and locks down. You can adjust the position of the handle as well, which is very helpful for balancing the rig depending on the heft of the lens. The camera handle has 1/4-20″ and 3/8-16″ with ARRI locating pins and M4x20mm threaded holes, plus two hot shoe mounts. Mid49 includes the M4x20mm threaded holes all over the cage for mounting their accessories, such as the 15mm rail mount.
I like the handle a lot. I generally don’t use them as they make the camera taller than I like, especially when you mount a monitor on top. I prefer to remove the handle and put the monitor as close to the body as possible. Since the handle is easy to remove, it will also fit in a camera bag better, as most cameras with the handle attached are tricky to fit.
I added a 15mm rail mount to the handle so that it could be used with a Mid49 monitor mount. I will discuss this further in the review.
Baseline 15mm LW (Core)
The Baseline Core 15mm LW (0mm Platform Height) holds two 15mm rods at 15mm lightweight spacing when combined with the camera dovetails. The rails can pass through and extend to the back of the baseplate for more 15mm rail mounting options.
The 15mm LW baseplate uses an ARCA Swiss camera dovetail interface on top to mount to the camera. The Upper Cage includes a built-in ARCA-SWISS plate. An ARRI standard dovetail interface on the bottom to mount to a tripod or camera support. Both are popular standards. However, I’ve been moving to Manfrotto-style camera plates lately since I purchased the Sachtler FloTech tripod with the Sideload quick-release plate. If I’m not using the baseplate, then I need to add the Manfrotto QR or put an ARCA-SWISS QR on the Sachtler.
Upper Cage for Canon C80 $350.00
Another option, if you don’t need rails or a top handle, is the Upper Cage for C80.
Upper Cage for Canon C80 Includes:
- Top Accessory Rod
- Hot Shoe/Accessory Thread/Rosette Adapter
- 2 x Lens Adapter Support
- 3 x Rubber Cap
- Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Product Weight: 15.5oz (438g)
Product Dimensions (WxLxH): 5.2 x 7.2 x 6.4n (438 x 132x 162mm)
Optional Right Side Bracket for Upper Cage
With most cages, the entire camera is caged in, but the MID49 design has the right side open. I like that I can access the C80 grip without the feel of a cage in my hand, but there are times when extra mounting options are needed, and that is where the Right-Side Bracket comes in handy.
I need to be able to use the side Rosette for the C80 grip, plus I have the Canon 24-105 f2.8 Z Lens and the Canon ZSG-C10 Zoom Grip. I attach this with a Tilta adjustable Rosset that works really well to get the right angle so your wrist isn’t in an awkward position while shooting, and you have access to the media slots.
Mid Kit for Canon C80 ($995 USD)
If you want it all, the Mid Kit is the ticket.
Mid Kit for Canon C80 is an accessory kit that includes:
- MID49 Upper Cage for Canon C80
- Top Accessory Rod
- Hot Shoe/Accessory Thread/Rosette Adapter
- 2 x Lens Adapter Support
- 3 x Rubber Cap
- Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- MID49 Baseline Core 15mm LWS Baseplate (0″ Platform Height)
- MID49 Baseline ARRI-Compatible Dovetail Mounting Plate
- MID49 Arca Top Handle
- MID49 Arca-Type Top Plate (4.48″)
- MID49 15mm LWS Rod Bracket
- MID49 Audio Breakout AB-4 for Canon C70 & C80
- 2 x MID49 15mm Rod (9″)
Product Weight: 42.0oz (1192g)
Product Dimensions (WxLxH): 9.0 x 7.2 x 10.26in (228 x 183 x 261mm)
The Mid Kit for Canon C80 retails for $995 USD.
The Audio Breakout AB-4 (Canon C70/C80) is a nice addition, which adapts the camera’s two mini XLRs to standard, full-size XLRs. I like that the C80 has mini XLR inputs, but they can be tricky to adapt. The body is so compact that it would be impossible to add full-size inputs. The Mini XLRs are fine for adding wireless receivers as they keep things clean and tight, but if you run an XLR cable with a mini XLR adapter, the weight of the cable pulling down on the small input makes me nervous. Here is where having the Audio Breakout AB-4 comes in handy, and you can position it on the other side of the camera.
The TWIST Mount
Mid49 has introduced the TWIST mount with their new EVF/Monitor mounts. This new design is fantastic as it uses friction, making it very easy to adjust and hold in position. The TWIST system mounts to a 15mm spud that is similar to a 15mm rail, only short, and has a slight lip that pops into the receiving mount. This lip prevents the TWIST mount from coming off, even when it’s not locked down.
I purchased the system as the C80 doesn’t have an EVF and requires a bright monitor or external viewfinder to make the camera usable in all environments.
Single 15mm Rod Clamp (M4 x 20mm) 
To mount the system, you need a 15mm rail mount. I purchased the Single 15mm Rod Clamp (M4 x 20mm) that I attached to the handle with two M4 screws that are 20mm apart. Mid49 uses this mounting style on other parts of the cage and accessories, so you have many mounting options.
The Double-Sided NATO Rail attaches to the 15mm rod and uses friction to adjust the position and hold. Safety pins are on each end to prevent accidental accessory removal. The TWIST Mount EVF Knuckle has a NATO clamp on one end and a variable friction 15mm mount on the other.
If your monitor or EVF has a mounting tap on the side, you can use a Spud and insert it directly into the TWIST Mount EVF Knuckle. The variable friction design allows the monitor to tilt, and you can move the monitor up or down on the NATO rail and reposition the 15mm rail low or high, depending on your viewing needs—all without loosening the thumbscrews. I love it!
The Right Angle Spud Adapter allows monitors without side mounting points to be adapted to the TWIST Mount system. It includes three lengths of 15mm rod with the TWIST groove on the end: 50mm, 100mm, and 150mm. You can also attach a spud to the side of an EVF and directly insert it into the NATO clamp.
I like having so many mounting options. Being able to use either an EVF or monitor with a Spud attached makes swapping them out fast without having to use hex wrenches or screwdrivers. It’s a Spud life!
Choose the right Spud screw type for your monitors mount. Mid49 has a compatibility chart that shows several mounting types for different monitors and EVFs. Attach it to the top or bottom of your monitor, choose the appropriate rod length, and install it into the TWIST Knuckle. Done! And it holds very well while keeping it adjustable without unlocking it fully. The friction feature is very good. It holds the heavy SmallHD ULTRA 5 without issue.
Fun fact: The SmallHD ULTRA 5 has updated ARRI mounting points that are also backwards compatible with the former SmallHD mounts, which have the pin locations closer to 1/4 20″.
What I like a lot is that you can quickly disassemble the monitor mount in several ways. Take the handle off, and the whole thing goes with it, or remove the rail from the mount. The spud is very fast to unmount, so you can use a different monitor quickly. It’s all done toolless.
The TWIST Mount Monitor Kit with an ARRI Accessory and SmallHD Spud.
Final Thoughts
I like this cage! It’s loaded with ARRI mounting points and doesn’t add much weight to the camera. Since I have so many options, I can easily add my accessories. I generally don’t use a camera handle because it makes the rig too tall, but the MID49 handle is nice, compact, and loaded with mounting points. Plus, it comes off the cage quickly. I might add the right-side bracket in the future, but for now, I feel I don’t need it. It’s nice knowing I can still grow with this cage system.
It is impressive how quickly Mid49 has designed and brought so many products to market. They are priced very well and have strict compatibility, so they fit right on your devices and cameras. Kudos to Ryan and Elizabeth Schorman for what MID49 has become. I’m sure we will soon see many innovative products that will make our lives with cameras easier. I love the TWIST system and look forward to new products with this creative design.
