C100: Best Gimbal System for c100ii?

John Foundas

John Foundas

Well-known member
Looking for some suggestions and advice on a gimbal system for the C100ii?
Something functional, and relatively "hassle free" for set up/balancing and not over the top $$$.

Thoughts? Experience?
 
Letus Helix Jr. set-up is EASY!!!

It's all geared to FS5 but some info about how it's done on the link below. Same principles for any similar sized/weight cam of course...the C100 MkII should be only a bit heavier than the Sony FS5.

http://www.shootingimage.co.uk/MoreInformation/SonyPXWFS5/LetusHelixJr.html

I'm sure you'll get other suggestions but I think the Helix Jr is a quality bit of kit - and very user friendly. I'll never touch my Merlin Steadicam now I fear!
 
I'm the new guy on the block and do mostly weddings, so my feedback is coming from solo wedding experience. If you are a solo operator, do not go with a motorized gimbal such as the Ronin or Movi. In reality they require two people to operate because the gimbal can only be put on a stand. You need to carry both the Movi and Stand anywhere you go unless you don't mind putting the gimbal down on the ground or maybe carry the stand around in a backpack. Otherwise, you have to walk all the way back to the stand to set the thing down when it gets heavy or if you need to pull the camera out. You could also tough it out and hold it with only one hand but it's really a huge time sink, not worth it for solo jobs.

I am much happier with a mechanical gimbal, Glidecam DGS.

Edit:
The Helix JR looks promising if you can actually set the thing down without having to carry a stand around.
 
Beeboop said:
I'm the new guy on the block and do mostly weddings, so my feedback is coming from solo wedding experience. If you are a solo operator, do not go with a motorized gimbal such as the Ronin or Movi. In reality they require two people to operate because the gimbal can only be put on a stand. You need to carry both the Movi and Stand anywhere you go unless you don't mind putting the gimbal down on the ground or maybe carry the stand around in a backpack. Otherwise, you have to walk all the way back to the stand to set the thing down when it gets heavy or if you need to pull the camera out. You could also tough it out and hold it with only one hand but it's really a huge time sink, not worth it for solo jobs.

I am much happier with a mechanical gimbal, Glidecam DGS.
Click to expand...
Ahhh, but you see this is one of the reason's you should research motorized
gimbals. The Helix Jr. (which has been recommended in this thread, for example,)
does NOT need a stand like the Movi and the Ronin. There are a couple others
that also do not need stands to balance. Don't paint them all with the same brush.
 
I'm def going to NAB this year to poke around.
Gimbals will be on the top of the list.

Gotta be some offerings for solo ops that come with ease of set up and functionality
 
alaskacameradude said:
Ahhh, but you see this is one of the reason's you should research motorized
gimbals. The Helix Jr. (which has been recommended in this thread, for example,)
does NOT need a stand like the Movi and the Ronin. There are a couple others
that also do not need stands to balance. Don't paint them all with the same brush.
Click to expand...

Yesh! I just noticed that and that's why I put an edit in my post. I had the Ronin M and hated it because of the huge time sink. That thing gets heavy and impossible to use the quick release plate because you have no where to set the thing down when the stand is in another room or the back of the room. With the Glidecam DGS, I can use the quick release plate and set the DGS down practically anywhere.

Edit:
Another problem I had with the Ronin M is that the software and motor can break during a live event. On a few occasions the Ronin M would spin uncontrollably or the axis would stay at strange tilt angle. This made me realize that these things can actually break or wear down after a while. Also, DJI customer support is nonexistent. Probably will never buy anything DJI related again.
 
Last edited:
alaskacameradude said:
Ahhh, but you see this is one of the reason's you should research motorized
gimbals. The Helix Jr. (which has been recommended in this thread, for example,)
does NOT need a stand like the Movi and the Ronin. There are a couple others
that also do not need stands to balance. Don't paint them all with the same brush.
Click to expand...


I have a full Size Helix and a C300 mk2 which is a combo I frequently use. Once you have a good camera configuration and have the balance set up properly on the Helix, it's takes a 10 to 15 minutes to be up and shooting which is reasonable. I have been very happy with the results the Helix Gimbal has gotten me with the C300 and C 300 Mk2 . A really nice side benefit to this. Gimbal is that you can set it down on any flat surface and it is far more compact to travel than a traditional steadicam rig, which I also have quite a lot of experience with. The wifi connectivity and smart phone app that the Helix uses for set up is really the icing on the cake. Set up and fine tuning with the app over wifi is a breeze.
 
Question: Anybody tried the C300mk2 on Helix Jr? Or is that pushing the weight and size too far for the Jr?
 
I've been using a standard magnesium Helix (i.e. not the Helix Jr) with my C100 Mark II for some time now, and it is an excellent stabilizer. I'm very impressed with the performance of the stabilizer and the types of shots I can get. The weight isn't too bad and, as has already been pointed out, it does not need a stand - just set it down. Once the Helix has been initially balanced and the correct settings set in the software, it is subsequently very quick to attach the camera in the field and be ready to use it. Letus support is tremendous if you run into any problems. They have an interesting video showing how to balance a C100 on a Helix Jr at http://letus.net/how-to-balance-a-canon-c100-on-the-letus-helix-jr/

I strongly encourage anyone considering a stabilizer to check them out.
 
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I had the helix jr. in a case completely set up with a Kessler kwik release on it. I set it up to balance with the camera (A7s) at the full forward position on the plate so that I could take the camera off and then reposition it to the same position immediately. I can travel with this set up, pull it out of the case stick a camera on and be filming in 30 seconds. Can't get better than that for solo ops!
 
Helix Jr. paired with C100 mk1 keeps popping up, but how about the C100 mark ii?

Anyone using it on Helix Jr. without any problems? I don't have any dealers anywhere remotely close to go and test it out myself, but if everything works ok, a friend could bring one over from the USA.

Other than Helix Jr. I'm seriously looking at the Ronin-MX, but also can't find 100% if the EVF will clear in all movements. Anyone using that combo?

Thanks!
 
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