Our handy rig for the Pocket 6K

2020-03-07

Hundreds of different Blackmagic Pocket 4K/6K rig configurations can be found online. In truth, every filmmaker will have their own preferences, and what works for one person in a given situation may not work for another. In this article we present our own configured rig, tailored to our preferences and working style. We had several goals in mind:

stable and handy
easy to switch from handheld to tripod or slider
self-powered, but not based on V-lock batteries for the sake of portability
looks good :)

Our configuration is based on the following components:

SmallRig 2203 cage — relatively affordable and versatile, allowing extensive expansion
SmallRig 1674 baseplate — mounted on the bottom of the cage for attaching follow focus rods; under this plate we also have a Manfrotto 502-standard plate, enabling quick mounting on the Sachtler FSB6 head or on a slider with a Manfrotto-standard head
2 x SmallRig 2093 Universal Wooden Handle — enables stable handheld shooting
Tilta TA-BTP-F970-G power plate — powers the Pocket from an NPF 970 battery; on this battery you can comfortably work for 1.5–3 hours depending on format. The plate has an added advantage: besides the 12V output for the Pocket, it has a second 7.4V output for powering the Tilta Nucleus Nano wireless follow focus motor
Follow focus — we use either the standard Fotga DP500III with crank, or the Tilta Nucleus Nano
SmallRig 1842 — top monitor or wireless transmitter mount
Tilta MB T15 — handy matte box mounting directly on the lens
Lanparte CP01 shoulder pad — a great additional support when holding the camera by the handles

Working with this setup is genuinely enjoyable. The rig is heavy enough for stable shots, yet light compared to V-lock-based rigs. It is not ideal for very long reportage shots and similar work, but for music videos and the like it is perfect.