Stumbled on this! +1 to SmallRig. For value, check: - SmallRig MD3990 XLR Handle Extension: better balance.
- Niceyrig Camera Cage for Sony FX30: super budget-friendly. Both fit ur XLR handle tbh...

In my experience, the SmallRig Cage for Sony FX30 / FX3 4183 ($65) is basically the best budget move. It fits the XLR handle perfectly and wont block your audio. - Side handle: SmallRig Side Handle with NATO Clamp 3813 (~$35)
- Built-in: It has NATO rails on the sides already. NATO is actually pretty stable if you tighten it right. It’s way cheaper than rosettes and faster for events. gl!

Hey! Congrats on the FX30, it’s such a sick camera. I totally get the struggle of balancing that XLR handle with a rig... > Specifically, I’m wondering if anyone has experience with a cage that works seamlessly with the Sony XLR top handle? Honestly, for run-and-gun wedding stuff, ur gonna love the Tilta Full Camera Cage for Sony FX3/FX30 V2. It’s built like a tank and has a modular top plate designed specifically to clear the Sony XLR unit without any jank. Comparing options, NATO is nice for quick teardowns, but for all-day stability, Arri rosettes are SO much better. I use the Tilta Left Side Wooden Handle Type VI and it feels way more ergonomic. If u want a more minimalist vibe, the 8Sinn Cage for Sony FX3 / FX30 is also excellent and keeps the weight down. Basically, Tilta is best for mounting a heavy monitor, while 8Sinn is better if u wanna keep it light. gl! 👍

^ This. Also, i have spent way too much money on cages over the years trying to find the perfect balance between weight and mounting points. Performance-wise, a heavy rig really kills your wrists by the third hour of a wedding reception. Honestly, you should check out the DSLR Video Shooter channel on YouTube or the CineD rig database—they have some great minimalist rig breakdowns specifically for this camera line that focus on keeping the XLR handle functional without things getting too bulky. Been thinking about your setup and i have a couple questions tho. How are you handling power for those long wedding days? If you are planning to stick a big battery on there later, it totally changes which side handle or cage setup makes sense for the weight distribution. Also, are you mostly shooting handheld or do you need to hop on and off a gimbal quickly? That usually dictates whether you want a NATO rail or something more fixed for stability... just trying to get a feel for the workflow.

TL;DR: Don't skimp on the cage tolerances if you want that XLR handle to sit flush—the market is flooded with clones right now but the fitment varies wildly between the budget and mid-tier brands. Totally agree with the points about the XLR handle clearance being the dealbreaker. I spent like three weeks doing market research before I finally settled on my current setup. Honestly, the price gap between the entry-level stuff and the premium "boutique" brands is pretty insane for the FX30 right now. I actually ended up trying a super cheap no-name option first because I thought a cage is just a piece of metal, right? Huge mistake!!! The machining was slightly off so the top handle felt wobbly even when it was tightened down all the way. I eventually switched to a more reputable mid-range brand and the difference in the screw alignment and the finish was night and day. It’s wild how much the market for this specific camera has grown lately—it feels like every week there's a new "modular" system being launched. Just watch out for the ones that try to do too much; sometimes a simpler design is way more rigid for all-day wedding work tho.

Hey! Man, the FX30 is such a blast, right? I'm still figuring out my perfect setup too, but like, after using mine for a bit, I've noticed a couple of things that become *really* important over the long run with a cage. I think a lot of people focus on just the mounting points at first, but it's the little day-to-day stuff that starts to annoy you. Not totally sure about specific brands, but I've heard you wanna really check if the cage:
* Allows easy battery swaps. This sounds simple but some cages totally block the door and it's super annoying during a long wedding day.
* Has good cable routing options. Like, do your HDMI and mic cables get in the way of your hand or screen?
* And honestly, what about the grip material on the handle? For all-day shooting, a super grippy but comfy material makes a huge difference, especially if your hands sweat a lot. I'm pretty sure a good cage makes your life easier, not harder, so just keep those little practical things in mind for the long haul! Good luck with the build!

Saved for later, ty!

Im still pretty new to the FX30, but Ive been obsessed with the technical specs and I noticed something you might want to watch out for. When you start building your own rig, you really have to be careful about the torque you apply to those mounting points on the camera body. Since the FX30 has those built-in 1/4-20 points, its tempting to just screw everything directly in, but honestly, if the cage isnt machined with perfect tolerances, you risk stripping the threads or even putting too much stress on the internal frame if the load isnt distributed right. A few things I’ve been worried about while doing my own setup:
* **Static vs dynamic load:** Does a heavy monitor on a cold shoe put too much leverage on the top plate during fast movement?
* **Thread depth:** Some DIY screws might be too long and could actually bottom out against the camera body if youre not careful.
* **Heat dissipation:** If the cage is too bulky or blocks the intake/exhaust vents, does the fan still work right? I’m not 100% sure yet, but I think focusing on how the cage distributes weight is just as important as the mounting points. Just a heads up so you dont accidentally damage your new camera!