You should *definitely pop up the app* to adjust the response settings on the Crane 2. This made a big difference for me getting away from that "robotic response" to adjusting the angle.
I hear what your saying Parker, of course, I agree most of your scenarios each one had its pros and cons. But overall the crane is better. The glidecam is more natural but less professional looking.
my experience with the crane 2, is not smooth in panning or tilt, and yes i had big problems to balance a blackmagic camera, i found teh Moza air works more smooth and i can hold a blackmagic, ah is cheaper and come with a dual handle to use with heavy setups , same payload than crane 2, much better deal to compare with the glide cam
Jake Kamensky Sled type of stabilizer has been used for ages, for example Steadicam, I don't know what you're talking about regarding less professional looking. Crane/Electronic Gimbal is great for ease of use and overall comfort, less worrying about stuff, but I found the footage it produce mostly a little bit bouncy and lacking in natural panning, I'm pretty sure in future they will address this issue and come up with the solution.
ages ago i worked with big steadicam setups, then for my own projects i got a glidecam about 7 years ago, then 3 years ago started to work in my professional projects with Movi, then to a similar but cheaper DJI ronin, then to zhiyun crane, and then moved to Moza Air, working more smooth than zhiuyun crane gimbals and more features was a real upgrade from zhiyun , i do not miss that steadicam expensive and big setups or even the DJI ronin, with a mirrorless camera i get same results(much more options) than with older systems but now i bring in my backpack everywhere (this is a big big plus) you can check on my channel some of my work done with moza air
I prefer the look of the glidecam in almost every test. It just looks more natural in its movements. Plus there's something more satisfying about having to develop the skill to glidecam properly.
I just love the look of the Glidecam so much more in most scenarios. The slight imperfection, lack of motorized feel, and organic nature of the footage keep drawing me back to trying to master the Glidecam, even though it's a lot more difficult. I have one of the original cranes, and I just don't love it as much as the Glidecam. I also love that you can't (easily) break a Glidecam. It can work in harsh weather, it can get thrown around in the trunk of your car, and sit on the ground and still work just fine.
This comparasin is awesome, and I appreciate the effort you put into this project. I kind of reminded me of trying to compare a manual vs. automatic transmission. Anybody could walk up and argue one is superior to the other, but it would be subjective. Not only does it matter what you are trying to o do, it has a lot to do with your skills. In many places the glidecam won due to it's versatility... but that success had a lot to do with it being in *your* hands. You are like a 10 out of 10 handling a glidecam; I'm probably a 5 out of 10. :) The crane would likely yield better results for me in my hands, because I'd benefit from the "automatic transmission" in this case. In other words, the robot helps, but only up to a certain point. After that, human skill is required.
PRIVATE PRIMATE it's true that how it's used is more important than the tools itself, but the tool does impose limitations on what is possible for the user. Look at the race at the beginning of fate of the furious, it's oversensationalized action shots but still conveys a good message about the importance of the driver and not the car, but if you took the car Dom was in and placed it against a Koenigsegg one:1 in a straight line race for 2 miles then Dom would probably lose. You can't exceed what the tool is capable of, even if you're using it in ways nobody ever imagined before, and gimbals and manual steadies have a greater tendency to give certain kinds of shots. Even taking into account incredibly skilled users who can create unheard of great shots with either one, how many people do you think there are that have the skill to get rid of that robotic look of the gimbal shots, and how many people do you think take the time to learn all the tips and tricks to using a glidecam? Just because one is capable of exceeding expectations does not mean it is the norm or what everyone should be trying to do. That's why even though yes it is a tool, it's also a look that the tool gives each shot.
The reason the glide cam looks more natural isn't because the gimbal is stabilizing the footage too much, it's because the manning and changes in angle look more robotic and aren't smooth like it is on the glide cam.
Great review! To the point, informative and fair. I'm looking at the Ronin DJI 2, but they're taking forever with it. Might have to get a Zhiyun crane 2 in the interim.
Thanks for making this, Parker. It's frustrating to see review/comparison videos that waste so much time talking about the product itself rather than seeing it in action. You and your crew got straight to the point and it certainly solved questions I had about both products. Thanks!!!
Steadycam has the cinematic feeling if you ask me. Specially, when you do following shot or guide shot. The Gimbal maybe good for commercial shooting when you need super smooth footage.
“Natural extension” means you have more control as a videographer. This is hugely important for a professional photographer because you don’t have to “fight” your gear. I liken it to putting your camera in manual mode. You just have to know how to use it. Once you learn, you get much more than if you put it in auto mode. Plus, you don’t have to charge the glidecam. Most of us already have enough batteries to worry about keeping full.
Great, great, great comparison. I know you love your Glidecam because you've used it for a million projects, but I still feel like you were very unbiased and have a fair opinion of both.
Looks like it's a bit of essential to have both depending on what environment a project gets filmed in and what style you need. Definitely going to get a glidecam since i just discovered my gimbal made a live show I shot recently look sort of dead/boring because it was too stable in the footage despite moving around to keep it interesting.
he can use a 10lbs glidecam with a huge dslr mounted on it way better than me with my gopro on a tiny gimbal in terms of footage stability. i have all the respect in the world for this man.
I wonder if those dislikes can do a video better than this. I've used both a glide cam and a gimbal. This is by far the best showcase of the two i have seen online. Thanks.
Really nice video, Parker! Thanks for that! The quality is very good and you show us every possible usage of these stabilizers :) I really like my Glidecam and now I know if I could need a Crane for my upcoming video-projects, ... or not :D Greetings from Germany, Phil
PunkBrian There are glidecam copies that are just as good just a little bit above 100$. And you don't really need a 6K$ camera to get cinematic look, 1-2K would get you great results as well.
I used to own a gimbal (still technically do) but I ditched it and now I have the DGS Glidecam and a vest/arm system. I am learning it, but I love it a heck of a lot more than the electronic gimbals.
The slightest breeze throws the Glidecam off, plus changing lenses may have only taken 45 seconds, but to swap cameras on a Glidecam takes a REAL long time. I just started using a Crane 2 and swapping cameras only takes a few minutes. I record the witness mark settings with each camera setup, then quickly apply them when swapping. I write them on white gaff tape and stick it to the C2 handle. The robotic movement of the C2 can be adjusted by the motor settings. That helped keep the motor actions lighter and more fluid. Excellent comparison piece though. Thanks!
I own a crane v2. Love it. I have never used a glidecam but I do like how it’s kind’ve in between handheld and a motorized gimbal. It’s a nice balance and definitely a nice natural look. Nailed it Parker. Definitely no “winner” just different tools for different applications.
I respect your opinion, but a glidecam is oldschool and a complete pain in the ass to use compared to the gimbals these days much less the crane that works right out of the box. Yes you have mastered it but there is no comparison for someone just starting out or who has never used a glidecam. Hope your not offended but that is the truth and yes I have used both many times. I would NEVER suggest someone to buy a glidecam when the Crane is cheap and works pretty flawlessly even if you do not balance it correctly.
Eric Knorpp I got your point,but for me,the Glidecam is easier to hold and operate and the crane makes me tired quickly and makes my hand very inflexible .. I don't know why .. even the DJI Osmo is pain in the "hand" for me .. I love my Glidecam HD4000
Eric Knorpp Witch one would be better for the cannon 80D? I'm worried about the camera and lenses to be to heavy as it's right around the max payload for the crane
I understand your point, but I feel like when beginners struggle through the outdated/obsolete/manual gear, they stop to think about what they're doing more often than with newer gear that thinks for them. Here's an example; give a newbie a gimbal and tell them to film a short action sequence. They run around after the talent and get average results instantly. Now give another newbie a steadicam and repeat. They would notice that the steadicam itself does a pretty shitty job (after around an hour of setup) if they just run after the talent. So they find a different route to follow that gives them the right results while giving a better feel to the shot they did not expect. My point; By using old gear you learn to work things the hard way which is commonly slower and more tedious. However it also forces you to think about your shot in more depth than most young filmmakers and photographers do. Not planning ahead gets amateur results, and with tools that do the thinking for you the creativity plummets to cliches. By all means once you know your stuff use the easier/faster gear to get the desired results quicker, but I think learning the hard way is the best way.
You can adjust the smoothness and the speed of the movements with the Zhiyun App. Most issues that he had when comparing could have been fixed by tweaking the settings.
Your content is the best. You give us so much information and explain it well. I just stumbled across your channel this morning and I’ve been watching all day. Thank you
Just wanted to ask if you'll then be looking to the Ronin S as it has a sport mode where it will follow your movements a lot faster. This was shown on iphonedo's video and it moves REALLY fast and is still perfectly stable. This would work a lot better than for live action stuff, the parkour thing and sports stuff :)
I only hav one problem with the video's from iphonedo. (Look at all his video's) The tests are always very positive when he recieved a a new toy for free from a company. When he had to buy one himself he has much more critisisme. Look at his "tests" from the DJI Osmo's mobile (1 and 2) he never ONCE mentions the problems there are when using an Iphone!
That was an INSANELY comprehensive and well done review! One of the best comparison videos I've ever seen! Would love to see you do a review like this once the DJI Ronin-S comes out as it seems that gimbal's sports mode would take care of the shortcomings you experienced with the Crane 2.
Probably not the only one.... but I would say that steadicams have been used for decades in cinema so your perception of what is cinematic will be based off movies that use traditional steadicams that provide a fluid natural motion.
This is exactly what a comparison video should be! The products are well-tested, you show plenty of test footage, you show the operator using the equipment, and all the tests are real-world scenarios. Well done, and thanks!
Its so funny that every time the Glidecam wins, its the natural extension of Parker's arm. It looked like because of Parker are way more experienced with the Glidecam, so he wanted to make it come as first.
Anyone can become experienced with the glidecam. It's not the products fault that people may not chose to use it properly and that is something he addresses indirectly in the video when he talks about which is easier to use and requires less skill.
Dude! You have years of experience with the Glidecam. The Crane hasn't even been out that long. I don't have the skills you do with the Glidecam style stabilizer so most of what you did with it is impossible for me to get right on a first try. I own both and most of the time I can't use the Glidecam just because I don't have the time to learn to use it on the job. Have to get a good shot on the first try. My wide shot a music video for me the other day and she has never used a stabilizer before in her life. She could get some decent stuff with the Crane. But she wouldn't have even begun to get anything right with the Glidecam. I admire your Glidecam skills, but most of us don't have those.
Glidecam is good for shots with people, giving a feeling of presence while the Crane is good for still life shots like the one at 3:55, you know these smooth introductive shots to locations in movies.
GREAT comparison of both stabilizers! Excellent and subtle opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of each in different situations. Thanks for the super-perceptive demo!
Glidecam wins for me by far. So much more versatile. The shots might not be quite as smooth but it looks so much more natural, organic n engaging. The crane is just too smooth.
I originally bought the glide and loved it. A few weeks later, I bought the crane and loved it. But now I can see myself going back to the glide for situations I just can't film with the crane. Just like an artist has many brushes.
