I had my doubts about this setup but am glad I decided to purchase it. I mount this cage on a tripod with my mirrorless reflex camera inside. I use a large round spirit level taped to the top and a hot shoe adapter in the corner if I ever want to record video with a mic. It is strong and durable, well made and comfortable to use. When mounting an adjustable ball head between a tripod and a cage, you can get some flexibility by loosening the ball head just a little so it's a little tight. This way you don't have to constantly move your tripod to frame your shot, especially in tight or small spaces.