DJI RONIN S FULL REVIEW - Finally a Gimbal I REALLY LIKE! 

Yes its finally time to let go of the trusty glidecam. Have you used the Ronin S? What do you think so far?

Matti, please make a best Ronin S settings for different scenarios?!

I watched a ton of these videos on the Ronin S before committing to buying one in September. None of the videos prepared me for the weight of this thing. Most of the videos didn’t mention it or mentioned it in passing, but it is THE biggest thing that will shock you about it. Matti mentioned it again here but in passing really. I was so shocked that on a 4 day shoot where I was filming a Yacht Show all day long each day I didn’t use it for the first two days. This was because I thought it wouldn’t be manageable with my camera and mic on it. I used it the last two days and it was a struggle but the footage was great of course. Other thing to mention is if you are wanting to record sound then you need to put your mic on it, which can interfere with the flashlight and underarm mode. I was switching between a VideoMic Pro and a Sennheiser G4 wireless mic and each time you switch you have to rebalance. I’m going to fit an arm on the side to hold these in future so I don’t have to deal with it. Also remember if you have a zoom lens and you zoom, you will have to rebalance each time. Nobody is talking about this either.

I’ve got the Ronin S. My first ever gimbal and works very easily for beginners using gimbals. It’s heavy, but that’s okay because of the tripod feet allowing you to rest it down. Great vid!

The DJI Ronin S is a good gimbal if you want a heavy duty setup. Moza and Zhiyun are both releasing 2 new gimbals each that look amazing both higher payload and also 2 smaller gimbals for mirrorless. These are available for pre-order on B & H. The new Zhiyun gimbals have the triggers to recenter the gimbal and go to sport mode and also control all the camera settings. You can also lock all the gimbal motors for traveling. The new underslung mode is amazing and also the gimbals can wirelessly transmit the image to your smartphone which acts as a monitor and touch to focus etc. Definitely worth taking a look at before you put out that hard earned cash.

Matti this is a great review and we are ronin lovers and users ourselves! Keep making great work brother!

Matty, would love to see you shoot the same scene with your Glidecam and Ronin and see the difference in both set up time and stabilization quality. Thanx!

I left my trusty Glidecam, slider and even my monopod at home for filming a wedding and the Ronin S did it all with ease!

They see me ronin They hatin' ...

Today's lighting, color grading and everything else looks so satisfying 💘

I'm waiting for zhiyun webill as it looks small and light weight too. Ronin S was too big and heavy for travel filmmaking

I am considering the Moza Air 2 or the Ronin S and so far am leaning towards Moza Air 2. It has higher payload, a bit lighter, all the controlls a lot more accessable via the integrated display - a huge plus, buttons and joystick. The build quality are premium for both of them.

I've been using this gimbal for about 3 months. So far no complaints, it's really good. Just used it with a 950g lens and it worked perfectly.

This gimbal is so heavy it motivated me to go to the gym and put in that arm day grind!

Matti, in your first review you said the cost was $699.00. Where are you finding it for that price? I don’t see it for less than $950.00 anywhere in Canada.

i bought the ronin-s and i have to say it is an amazing gimble. affordable. perfect size. comes with carry case. operates to your needs. super quick to set up. build quality is strong and solid. i also have the ronin-m which ive been using for the past year and of course it is well known that its an amazing gimble as well. it has some qualities that are better than "single hand" gimbles such as tracking forward sohts and running forward. although i think the S will be my new every shoot gimble. battery is amazing as well! i rate it 9/10 simply because the weight is heavy. although its still not a problem.

I've felt the same. Used the Crane 2 for a long while but once I moved to the Ronin S, I actually feel like it became an extension of my arm rather than an awkward piece of metal I'm swinging around like a sword. Solid review, bro!

I completely agree! I've used all kinds of gimbals from large Movis to Glidecams and wasn't ever 100% satisfied .. until I tried the Ronin S! I sold all of my older gear to get one, plus I had money left over for more equipment!

So far the only complaint I have about my Ronin-S is that it is so heavy. I also wish that DJI would release the accessories they promised like HD transmitter, follow focus, other support grips, replacement batteries, and alternate ways of powering the gimbal. Also I shoot with sony power zoom lenses and that side control is great for controlling zoom.

I was about to ask you about the ronin s and how you feel and boom here is this video! excellent as always. I have mine and I'm very happy with it. Maybe share the settings you think are worth tweaking? cheers from Puerto Rico.

Tried to adopt something smaller than my Ronin-M... This was not it. It’s basically a supersized Osmo. Without a Z axis stabilizer, up/down walking motions are exaggerated by this configuration. It’s not a replacement for the Ronin-M.

@ 8:10 right?! And not to mention the side to side baseplate movement ha! Sometimes that's all it takes to get that perfect balance?

When the Gymbal switch to selfie mode it was hilarious......feels like the camera had life and wanted to talk to Matti.

Hey mate! If you're not using the focus wheel how do you focus? And I found that zoom is hard as well because it will change the balance ...

Hope you get to try the weebel lab it looks a bit more advanced than the Ronin S, James Mathews was very impressed.

I am thinking how about putting a little tiny slide rail on the camera platform with a little tiny knob，to ballance it, once you are done , you can lock it .

I think its time I bust out my Gimbal finally, first I embraced the mobile gimbal, next dslr gimbal

I love the new Premiere feature. Sad I missed this one. I'll definitely be here for the next one!

So NEED one of these. It would really help up my video game. Thanks for the review. Travel More! Worry Less!

The Ronin-S is a whole lot of Gimbal for the money. The build quality is really slick. I.E. the rubber handle and the quality of the motors are really good. It's a really high quality product. I don't like the contact points where you adjust the knobs to balance it, it's quite tricky to slide the arms in and out as you balance the camera. It's such a pity they didn't make them smooth. Also, it weighs a bloody ton!

I have to say, out of all the videos on the Ronin S, I think this one is the best so far 👊🏻

Great review Matti! Don't have a gimbal yet but I'm pretty much sold on this one! Also, I think it would be a really cool idea if you made a video on how you make your RU-vid videos! Not as much as filming/editing them, but how you come up with an idea, plan it, and turn it into a video. I think something like that would be pretty awesome, like behind the scenes style. Awesome video man!

Great to see Peter McKinnon in the iconic scenery of Moraine Lake

there is something definitely wrong with your Crane 2. It shouldn’t shake like it does in this video. Have you set motors power to maximum? My footage with Crane 2 is as smooth as your with Ronin-s. However, I would personally switch to Ronin-s ))

I use the Zhiyun crane v2 and it works great for me

Want to buy one so bad but I'm not sure how Ill use it. Maybe just nice time laps shots. Definitely on the list though

A number of gimbals are coming out in a few weeks that are supposed to be "Ronin S killers" - The Moza Air 2, and the Weebill Lab. I'd love to see you check those out.

I've had a Ronin S for a while now, but still struggling with the walking thing. Maybe I need to adjust the settings, or my walk!

you need to compare this with zhiyun new gimbals

I have the Ronin-S and really enjoy using it. I don't use it enough, though to be honest, you could say that about all my gear... Time to get out and shoot some more video!

Hey Matti, could you please do an episode showing how you set up the autofocus with 6D MkII? How do you use the autofocus as you are changing shots and target. Thanks.

How do you sharpen your videos? It looks so crispy!

I must suck at balancing, bc my Ronin s the horizon always works it’s way crooked, but the double trigger tap brings it to center

Right now you can't control the GH5 focus and start/stop as there's a major glitch in their firmware. Check DJI forum for all the cases.

Nice one. Take of the focus thingy and get the weight down in the process

I feel that the focus wheel will come in handy for smartphone gimbals, and using it with mobile phone filming. Once smartphones are able to optical zoom over greater distances without degrading the image quality, it'll be much easier to just turn the wheel. I mean, you can't turn a ring on a lens for a smartphone.

I’m using Moza Air with 6Dm2 and R and don’t have any issues with it

I love my crane 2, not sure why you had those issues with your but mines works like a charm , plus I’m a canon user so having the controls right on the gimbal vs touching the camera is so awesome! And I can’t do that with the ronin, but it’s just a tool and what works for me works for me!!!

Was going to get this but the back order is still too long here in oz Not sure why everyone is getting these when all they have is small camera an lens Save you’re back and just get a crane plus I picked one up for half the price as a ronin s and got me a sigma 16mm and very happy

Buying myself a Ronin-S tomorrow, unrelated to the review but it definitely didn't hurt!

It was fun to be here for the premiere! Thanks for the video Matti.

I noticed on my Ronin S / A7III with Zeiss 55mm / I’m getting some bounce and weird tilt movements when looking up. This is a really light setup and when I put a heavier lens on it things seem to smooth out. Still needs firmware fixes

Unless you are loading the Crane 2 up, they are basically the same. Most people aren't working with 1dxs, which the Ronin does work much better for.

Im buying one today :)

Would love to know your personal settings you have when you use it...

Thank you for this video Matti. I’ve been borrowing the zhiyun crane 2 from my college to use and sometimes the footage would look shaky despite me being super careful with my walking technique and now I know, it could be the gimbal and not me. Also like you mentioned, the zhiyun can sometimes turn your camera on their own which ruins the shot completely and it leaves me frustrated a lot of the time. Thank you for clearing that up.

Is it still worth having ?

its not hard to balance bro and the focus wheel is amazing for lone shooters

if you dont use the focus wheel what do you use?

y'all gotta check out the new Zhiyune Crane 3 lab

Hi, I just bought this, but I have a EOS D77. Can you tell me how cable connect this with D77. Also what are the benefits of cable connect?

I love mine and funny it’s the weight I like, I think that helps make it more smooth

I love my ronin s. Way better than the glide cam. I don't think it's really that hard to balance because once you have it balanced its good. I also love it because with the 24-70 you can zoom in and out and it doesn't affect the gimbal at all whereas the glide cam would be thrown completely off balance. I don't think the weight is an issue at all because you have both hands to distribute that weight. With a glide cam it's one arm holding all the weight. I've shot an entire wedding with it and it worked like a charm. While both are different tools and help you get certain looks I think my ronin will my go to for almost everything.

I just got it and the balancing Stuff was so hard I called a friend to help, I Don’t know how I will deal with it. I thinking maybe it was better to buy gimbal for iPhone ... but the quality will not look good enough I guess ,any Thoughts? Great video !

Hi Matt! Do you use any kind of make up for your skin to keep the shine down?

I'm dropping a FS5 on it in two weeks. Still figuring out which lenses and extras I need to balance that combo. It didn't work with the Ronin MX though..

Can’t wait to open mine when I get back from this deployment!!!!

Also coming from the Crane 2 to the Ronin S and am much happier. While the Crane was nice because it had the ability to adjust your camera settings on the Gimbal itself via the wheel dial, I found the Ronin S much easier to use, smoother, and the motors never went wonky on me like they have on the Crane. Nice review, just found your channel and will be following going forward.

I own this as well and I'm currently looking for a much more effective way to transport this tool. What has worked for you?

Please can you do a set up video, there are a few out there but so far I have not had the same experience with mine, I have had it for about 4 months now and I still have problems with the horizon going off and occasionally it will bounce, even when it is sitting on a table top on the stand. Driving me mad as I want to like it and I want it to work like everyone else. I end up using my Crane 1.2

DJI equipment is so well made. Does look heavy, but still way more practical than a glide-cam. Dope review

its really cool, but im still in love with the ronin m.... if there is a ronin m 2 ill buy that

I never thought you'd switch away from the glidecam! I hope DJI gives you a few Ronins to give away for your next video, haha!

I agree. Awesome gimbal, but annoying to balance. Great video.

Hey Matti ! random question, filming most your shots, like your examples/ cutaways. do you shoot it all in autofocus or do you use manual focus? which do you prefer to use most ? thanks

Zhiyun Crane 3 would outperform Ronin-S if it uses stronger motors. In China, those motor providers are open. The gimbal manufacturers just pay more to get better products.

Do you would say that the S does make same results like the Ronin M? and How are you focusing? the follow focus isnt avaiable right? like the crane 2

Great video! How does it break down? will it break down so it can travel in a rolling case without lugging another case? How quickly can you set it up? (not the balancing but the putting it together?) Thanks!

What are your settings for the ronin? Not sure if you are working on a video for this

So Matti between a Movi and the Ronin S which one would you go with? Still the Ronin S?

Hey buddy, I have dual IS stabilisation on both my camera and lens on my Panasonic GH5 - do you suggest I leave this on when connected on this gimbal or turned off? Thanks!

Hi Matti. Great video. I love it also but I have a small issue with it and maybe you can explain? I make sure it’s balance and get excellent when using the app to calibrate. For some reason after a minute it will tilt. I haven’t come across any videos explaining this issue. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, any tips will help before reaching out to customer support. Thank you and love your channel.

Great review :) What LUTS were used for those sample footages ?

Great review! Everything about this gimbal looks perfect to me... except the form factor. Realistically, as a travelling filmmaker, is this a burden to tear down and transport without the case? E.g. throwing into a backpack without any issues?

I have sony a 7iii, i dont have flip screen. If I want to add additional screen, how do i go about

Good job Matti. I think I'm gonna get the Ronin S too.

Must be awesome if you are making the switch! That really says something!

can this gimble take remote focus gears and V-Block battery weight in addition to the BMPCC4K and a long lens? can you still balance it?

Great video Matti, just bought the ronin, so excited!

How do you pack it when you travel? Do you use the case it comes with?

Thank you for the good advice ! I am looking right now for a Gimbal ... what you think about weebill lab?

If weight and Balancing are really the only issues, then that's a pretty good gimbal!

Can you do a review on some settings for different shots...

Please share your Ronin s settings Matti.

did you balance the zhiyun crane 2 properly? I get no jitters with the sony a6300 and the Blackmagic PC4k. I have the Ronin S, but its more of a back up when the Zhiyun Crane stops working

I’m staying «old school» for now. 🤐 Have a cheap ebay glidecam copy, it works, but takes FOREVER to balance. Therefor I have just ordered the Glidecam HD 4000 after watching a lot of reviews, including yours. 😊 Keep it up. 👍 You are a great inspiration for my Norwegian outdoor channel.

HEY Matti got a question off topic but yea where did you get that raincoat from Banff video with Peter for the B-roll challenge oh yes Ronin S my go gimbal but still I use the Ronin M for some production, that upper handle use for the low mode that is what missing in the S

The Ronin-S was recently recommended to me by a camera store. In the last few days its price (on the Ronin website) has dropped by a whopping $170. Is it due to be superseded?

Awesome review ;) What do you think about the ronin m ?

wow.... this one is fantastic. I would love to get one.