sooo i totally get the struggle with the a6400... honestly that flip-up screen is such a pain for rigging lol. i spent way too much time looking for something that didnt make the camera feel like a brick while traveling. basically, i would suggest looking at the SmallRig Camera Cage for Sony A6100/A6300/A6400 2310. it's usually around $40 which is a steal tbh compared to some of the premium brands that charge double for basically the same piece of aluminum. one thing to be careful about: even with a cage, if u put a big mic on the top shoe, ur not gonna see that screen. i ended up getting the SmallRig Cold Shoe Relocation Plate for Sony A6100/A6300/A6400 2334 to move the mic to the side. it makes a huge difference and keeps things lowkey for travel. now about that arca-swiss base... most budget cages like the 2310 dont actually have it built-in (they just have 1/4" threads), so u might want to consider adding a SmallRig Arca-Type Quick Release Plate 2146 to the bottom. it adds a tiny bit of height but keeps ur rig compatible with most tripods. if ur really on a budget, Neewer Camera Cage for Sony A6400 is another solid pick that often goes on sale for around $35. just make sure to tighten the screws every now and then cuz they can wiggle loose after a long flight. honestly, for the price, u cant beat the fit of the smallrig... it just fits the body perfectly without blocking the battery door. gl with the build!

Seconding the recommendation above for sure! Ngl I had a pretty annoying experience when I first started rigging my a6400... I bought this overpriced custom bracket that promised "full access" but unfortunately it blocked the mic jack. Total waste of $60 and I was so disappointed. Since then, I've been way more cost-conscious about my gear. If you wanna save some cash while traveling, I highkey recommend checking out the UURig C-A6400 Camera Cage. I picked mine up for about $32-35 and it's basically identical in quality to the pricier brands. It features the Arca-Swiss plate integrated into the bottom, so you dont need extra plates for ur tripod. Plus, it has a cold shoe mount relocated to the right side so it wont block that flip-up screen. Honestly, save your money for lenses... budget cages like this do the job perfectly fine. 👍

Adding my two cents here... Just curious tho, what lenses are you planning to pack for your trip? If you're using something front-heavy like a Sigma 16mm f1.4, the balance on a compact Arca-Swiss base becomes super important for safety, especially on lighter travel tripods. I’ve done a fair bit of market research on these because I’m honestly a bit paranoid about cheap machining damaging the camera body or stripping threads. If you want something super reliable, check out the Nitze Camera Cage for Sony A6400 TP-S01A. It's a sleeper hit. Very slim profile and the tolerances are usually much tighter than the entry-level brands. It feels like a part of the camera, basically. Another solid pro-level option is the Tiltaing Sony a6400 Kit A. It’s a bit pricier, but the build quality is top-tier. It's definitely the more "cautious" choice if you're worried about drops or bumps during travel. Both leave the screen and battery door completely free, but the Nitze is probably the winner for keeping things as compact as possible. Tilta's finish is nicer tho.

+1

Exactly what I was thinking

Nice, didn't know that

🙌

I totally agree with the point about machining tolerances. If ur doing professional work, even on a budget, you dont want a cage that has play or flex when youre pulling focus or using a gimbal. I actually ran some stress tests on torsion resistance and thermal dissipation during long 4K recording sessions on my travel rig. One option that often gets overlooked but performs SURPRISINGLY well for the price is the MagicRig Camera Cage for Sony A6400. Its basically a fraction of the price of the big names but the CNC work is precise enough that the Arca-Swiss base locks into my plates without any wiggle. Here is why it works for travel:

• Integrated cold shoe is positioned far enough left to clear the flip-up screen if you use a slim mount.
• Solid heat sink effect which actually helps the a6400 with its known overheating issues during long takes.
• Plenty of 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting points for a top handle later. Honestly, for under thirty bucks, its the best performance-to-price ratio I have seen in this category. Just make sure to check the screw tightness after ur first flight since vibrations can sometimes loosen the side lock... definitely a sleeper hit for budget shooters.

Can confirm