You have all the elements in place to get a smooth shot but the physical techniques in this video are counter-productive to producing smooth results. The 4th axis bob is very evident in most of your shots. Holding the rig by the dual handles is just re-introducing all of your walking motion back into the system. Go read the art of the streadicam and check out better techniques to operate. You should barely be putting a light touch on the zhiyun apparatus while flying...just the barest of guiding fingers so the entire weight is being held purely by the steadicam arm and completely removed from your bodies motion. Your technique would be tantamount to a professional steadicam operator just grabbing both sides of an Alexa while he's flying it which just re-introduces the 4th axis, sometimes to a worse extent than not even using the steadicam at all. It's just knowledge and practice though so you can only keep getting better and better results so keep on keeping on! (I've had to learn all this the hard way too)
Hey, thanks for the super detailed comment! Yeah, some bob is re-introduced by holding the rig. I had a light grip on it, but if I could control it with even less interaction that would be best. When I was primarily using a Glidecam, I would barely touch it except for pans/tilts, so I def understand that interaction effects the smoothness. I'll have to read the art of the steadicam though, I'm always trying to improve my skills!! The biggest struggle with this setup is the arm swings around a bit and isn't super weighed down by my lighter camera and gimbal, so it requires a little more hand holding per se.
I agree fully with your opinion. Unfortunately, at the moment, these vests don't play too nice with gimbals because they are bottom screwed which seems to be causing unnecessary side to side swaying with just the lightest touch. They are very much imbalanced and just don't react like non motorized glide cams. Im still trying to figure out how to keep this still but it seems like the only way to probably reduce the bounce effect it to have the actual camera closer to the arm of the vest... probably using an adjustable bike clamp to arm vest attachment?
Yeah I know what you mean. When it's on the arm, it still does have the ability to move side to side and up and down, but with your hands on the rig, you can keep it in one place pretty well. Honestly, the best setup for a gimbal right now is probably the Easyrig in my opinion cause it allows it to hang from one spot above the camera.
Honestly I think adding the handle that steadicame sleds have would stabilize gimbals much better than the arm, it wouldn’t do much for fatigue though, gonna see if I can find one and try it out.
I have been a fiend for steady images (floating) since The West Wing. I have the Crane 3 axis and it works well, but I can't use it for long periods. The vest is SO attractive because of that. I wounder if adding mass would help. The extra weight would not be a problem, and it might make things work better.
It was strange to recognize ASU immediately. Shot videos there when I was in college (in the 80s) and went on to work at KAET for 30+ years. Even taught videography at the Cronkite School a decade ago. Keep up the good work!
That's funny! Anytime I recognize a place from a video I always get excited! And dang, you've been doing video for a very long time, much longer than me! A lot of my ASU friends went to Cronkite, so that's cool you taught there. Do you still work for KAET?
I'm in the freelance pool, but they haven't called me in a couple of years. Ironically, my full time job has me working on a series we make that airs on KAET.
Why am I just now discovering your channel??? I was researching using a glide gear arm as a fourth axis for gimbals and you've already discovered the hack! Great channel dude!
Vintage98 those are led lights they used to sell at IKEA, they’re discontinued now but you can get similar light bars from DF DIFITAL FOTO, I’ve done a full review of them
thnak you for this greta tip! just ordered the manfrotto thread adapter. But how can you protect the gimbal in the rain? Is there a solution for? I have to shoot a long event for hours walking and It could rain that day. a plastic foil around the gimbal can work?
Thanks! Ummm that's a great question. I haven't really shot with a gimbal in the rain before. Maybe try wrapping it in some bags and using tape....? Still could be sketchy though if it's heavy rain...OR have someone help you and walk around with an umbrella over your rig. I have done that before.
YoungBlaze there is no lag on the external monitor, it’s very good! You can see how I set up the monitor in either of these videos. Gear used is in their descriptions. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DA7YQ8-L4H0.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TOLmjEqkQ9M.html
The Thanos is a better option. This is something I came up with as a solution, but what they’ve made is designed specifically for gimbal use, so it’s much better and lighter!
@Chadwin Smith would it be worth the trouble and expense to put together a weighted steadicam + electronic gimbal vest support system to cancel out vertical bounce or is the Thanos good enough at that?
Try adjusting the spring tension up and down on the arm to see what makes it the most smooth. When I'm operating it, I still hold the gimbal mostly all myself, the vest is more there to help hold the weight between takes. Tiffen just came out with a really nice adapter for attaching gimbals to a steadicam, I think it only works with the Ronin S though...
Yes, you can definitely do this with the Ronin S. The vest is honestly better for relieving stress on your arms and back during long shoots, it doesn't make your shots dramatically more smooth.
@@chadwin thanks for the respond! I might purchase this as i have back problems lol. Looks like i still have to do ninja walk when wearing this vest haha
Hello sir . I have a Crane 2 and a Glidecam , can i use both of them with that .separately of corse . it is to help me to support the weight of all that gears
You don’t really balance the arm exactly, but you do adjust the tension on the springs so it will hover right in front of you and not drop down or pop up to high
Hi i’m interested in the arm and vest. There’s been a few comments on Amazon about certain parts easily coming loose and some issues with tightening the springs. What are your thoughts on this?
Peter Sagnia hey! I haven’t personally had any issues with parts coming loose or the springs. It may just be the unit people bought. Overall it’s been pretty solid and sturdy.
Chadwin, Great video. I have the same setup with the only difference being that I am using an A2000 gimbal. I have found that by using the steadicam in conjunction with the Gimbal seems to introduce all sorts of jerky movements that are otherwise absent when holding the gimbal by hand. I find it extremely difficult to get smooth shots. What techniques are you using to eliminate movements along the vertical (z) axis of body/steadicam being introduced into the gimbal and ultimately the camera? Also, any tips on balancing the arm? Most of the information I can find involves balancing/adjusting when using a sled with counterweights.
Mark hey thanks for watching! That’s cool you’re running the same setup. Honestly it’s not a perfect setup but it does the job. I balanced the arm by tightening the spring to where the gimbal would sit directly in front of my at hand holding height. Then when I’m filming, I hold the gimbal itself with my arms and don’t rely on the vest/arm much. I mostly use it to relieve my arms when carrying the gimbal for long periods. It does help stabilize some but not nearly as much as I was hoping.
I bought the Manfrotto 5/8” Stud to 3/8” Thread Adapter as advised by yourself . The 3/8 " does not fit underneath then Zhiyun Crane 2 . Are you sure you quoted the right thread measurement ?
Yeah, the Zhiyun Crane 2 should have a 3/8" thread natively on the bottom, but you may have the adapter in there right now that makes it 1/4 20". Have you checked to see if you can remove that small thread adapter?
This is very nice, I am currently using a Crane 2 with a Easyrig and it helps a lot with the muscle strain, but the up and down motion remains. One question, can you tilt the the Gimbal as to look up or down in follow mode with this rig? Or are you limited to using the joystick for that?
That's awesome man. I haven't tried this setup on an easy rig yet, but I've really been wondering how it would work. That's interesting that it still gets a lot of up and down motion. The arm does help get rid of a lot of that movement, but it's not perfect by any means. You have to rely on the joystick to adjust your tilt, because otherwise you're awkwardly leaning back or forwards to make it follow. Panning is fine though!
Thanks for sharing this neat idea! One question: once you mount the ronin-s on the steadycam arms, can you actually let it go? Or would if fall down? Technically the steadycam arm should hold it upright... right? Thanks already
For sure, thanks for watching man! Yes, you can let go of the rig and it will stay upright in place with the Ronin S on it. It may sway out away from you or towards you depending on your hips and how you're standing, but it will not fall down. The spring arm counteracts gravity well.
Yeah, I see what comment you are talking about on Amazon. However, it will work with the Crane 2 or any other version of the Crane as long as you get the Manfrotto adapter I also linked to. That's how it attaches to the arm.
You might be able to find a way to rig the ronin m to a steadicam, but this setup won't work. You'll have to mount the ronin upside down and use some sort of clamps/brackets to hold the handles to the arm.
11th Child Studios hey thanks for watching! Yeah, it’s still not perfect....you will see some shake or bobbing still, especially when full on sprinting.
Handheld is never, ever going to be perfect! But look at pros using the $5k steadiCam with an Arri Alexa. It's good enough. TechnoCrane is the best, but...
I am Ivan Stan lol 😂 do you even lift bro? For the most part I agree. However, once you fully rig out your gimbal with a monitor, follow focus, wireless teradek, a v-mount battery and any other accessories, it gets pretty heavy! Having the rig for all day shoots has saved my back many times.
@@chadwin yeah if you put all that then you should get a vest, i think using a mechanical gimbal (steadicam/glidecam) with one of electronic gimbals like ronin or movi mounted on top might be best idea in that case to allow movement freedom...
Akshay Jose it’s actually a nice tight fit with the adapter. There is still some up and down play in the footage with this rig though cause it’s hard to get rid of completely when running.
Yeah, that would be really nice. I believe DF Digital Foto has made something like that now ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ngTJIWh87tM.html
Chadwin Smith I actually stumbled apon that video shortly after watching this one. Thanks for the content! Was glad they updated the updated the design closer to the professional stedicams. Can’t wait to see what products are to come!
@@chadwin just want to build myself up before an official proposition but I've been following you for a while, so you're definitely someone I want to work with in the near future.
Whoa. You could combine that with 4th/Z axis stabilized dual hand grips like this AirFlo thing I just saw on the ScottyMakesStuff channel, then even your hands and arms wouldn’t cause any bounce either, your camera movement would be insanely smooth. This AirFlo thing here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cLlLguT1kj4.html *edit: just saw your video of the digitalfoto ares z axis stabilizer, yeah something like that with this body rig. Wonder if the base gimbal could be quick released in some way, so you could pop it off and get those regular and low angle gimbal shots. Annnnnywho...
