EVA1: Finding a Gimbal for the EVA1

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Erik Wittbusch

Well-known member
Hi,

as I do lots of handheld shooting lately, I like the idea of getting a gimbal for the EVA1.

I know that there's the Ronin and other Pro Gimbals in a similar range, but the EVA can be stripped down so quickly.
With less than 2kg it should be possible to handle it with a single handed gimbal.
I plan to use either the small Canon 24/2,8STM or 24/2,8 IS USM lens and later another longer lens, too.

I have also done some research already.

There is a Crane 2 from Zhiyun, which can load 3,2kg but may not be strong enough.
Then there is the new Ronin S, that is not on the market yet.
I don't know other GImbal in that range.

Any recommendations welcome!
 
I would reccomend to check this video:

EVA is light but physical dimensions are different story. You can maybe use it somehow, but you will never get same range of motion like with mirrorless camera. There is even problem with Ronin M in the video. So you will need at least some counter weight.

I am running around with small gimbal quite often and I have to say, that I would not want use with bigger camera like EVA or C200.
 
Holding a camera like the EVA 1 or C200 on a single handed gimbal or even a double hand gimbal means you can possibly go perhaps 5 minutes or less before the shakes set in. The more shakes, the harder the gimbal has to work to off set them and the less smooth and fluid your movement will be. Not to mention as the Lactic Acid builds in your muscles, you will become more and more sore in your arms, shoulder and back as time goes on. There is a reason why all but the smallest and lightest Stedicams went to vests, supporting a load held away from your body is not a very good way to ensure smooth, steady shots after just a few minutes.
 
I’ve done several shoots with my Letus Helix and the EVA1 and it has been great. Way easier then flying my Ursa Mini. Let me know if you want to see pictures.
 
Hi,

I have seen it already.
The EVA plus a long and heavy lens does make some serious problems to balance.
That's why I want to use a very small and lightweight lens.

The Ronon MX is just to big for me.
The Crane 2 seems to fit okay'ish.

What I want is a system I can use for my doco setup and therefor needs to be set up quickly.
I don't like the footage from the small sensor cameras mixed up with S35 footage, especially Osmo or comparable cameras.
 
Erik Wittbusch said:
Hi,
What I want is a system I can use for my doco setup and therefor needs to be set up quickly.
I don't like the footage from the small sensor cameras mixed up with S35 footage, especially Osmo or comparable cameras.
Click to expand...

If you will find good solution, please, share it here. I am considering EVA1 because of weight. I would love to have just one system, as you mentioned. Now I have gimbal setup and normal setup.

One thing to consider is AF. Respectively no AF on EVA1. AF is very handy, especially with 24mm on S35.
 
AF would be a nice touch, but I won't let some automatic decide what's gonna be in focus in a documentary - no way...

On a 24mm there's easily enough DOF to be in focus even in a slight distance variation while following a talent.
That's how I handle it.
 
Could you add a dual handle grip to the Crane 2 and run it in inverted mode?

The payload capacity of the crane 2 should be enough where dropping a normal lens on the front, then adding a touch of weight on the rear of the camera should not be a problem... I would *think*?

Agree on how heavy the load gets. I weight lift on the regular and even the Crane V2 with a GH5 and m43 lens gets heavy for any sustained period. It helps if you can constantly hand off to someone, rest, or set down. But if you're doing coverage and want to shoot for 20 minutes with this and keep it smooth and steady as you walk around that gets difficult even on a lighter setup.

I haven't tried this, but I do want to attempt with my EasyRig MiniMax. They sell a serene arm and puppeteer for the EasyRig series (though I don't believe those are even compatible with my lighter duty MiniMax?). However, while that full setup is better, I want to test this with the stock setup. I can't imagine it would be WORSE than going handheld?

But by the time all this complexity is done with, it also begs the question: why not a GH5s on a gimbal with the iPhone or iPad app running for remote control of AF or electronic manual focus, using the new AF hack with 25p / 179 degree shutter, conformed in post to 24p, if you don't need perfect audio sync for an elongated period of time?
 
I was at an EVA1 recently and they demoed Tilta’s new G2X. It’s a single handed gimbal with an 8lb weight capacity. They had an EVA1 mounted with a Zeiss CP2. It worked really well and didn’t feel too heavy to operate for a decent amount of time. It can be configured with their Nucleus-M focus system, which seems like an ideal setup. Here’s more info:

https://www.newsshooter.com/2018/03/01/new-gravity-g2-g2x-compact-handheld-gimbals-tilta/
 
puredrifting said:
Garage made Easy Rig?!?? Weird that this is a thing, seems like a camera of any weight would be pretty squirrely at the end of a free floating fiberglass rod but I guess you wouldn't know until you try?
Click to expand...

It's almost as if a Costco employee took his dog fishing after work, and then after a few beers (and no bites), found some inspiration to solve the big problem of lugging around his 5lb camcorder all day. The dog must have been stoked that his leash got re-purposed.

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I've personally never been a big fan of operating with a camera held out directly in front of my chest (or stomach) -- for no other reason than that it feels so much better on my shoulder or on a shoulder mount rig. But if I needed to hold the camera in front of me, I 'm sure my arms would get tired, and that anything that transfers some of the weight directly to my hips would be helpful. I can see that this easy-rig type of support might be useful if I were trying to hold a gimbal system out there.
But the question still exists -- who has tried what gimbals with the EVA1?
And the other half of the question -- when on a gimbal, what kind of focus rig have you been using?
 
What might work well is the Crane 2 (3.5kg load) on the Rod 1 with a two handed attachment. People are making fun of the Rod 1, and who knows until someone uses it, but if you look at his video, the two handed gimbal setup he has looks pretty well thought out. Sure, it looks a bit goofy, but so does the Easyrig. While you can't move up and down a lot like the Easy rig (which is a major feature), you can re-position the straps.

The Crane 2 now has a remote control focus option.

Two thumbs up for Rod-1 using a guy that looks like a camera operator, not some guy off the cover of GQ.
 
Paul F said:
What might work well is the Crane 2 (3.5kg load) on the Rod 1 with a two handed attachment.

The Crane 2 now has a remote control focus option.
Click to expand...

Has anyone actually tried the Crane 2 follow focus with the EVA1? This connects to the camera using a cable? Would the camera recognize the protocol?

I had been hoping that using the WiFi ROP app with the EVA1 might be a solution, but in looking at the functions I only see a control for the 'one touch auto-focus' - which would definitely not work for pulling focus on a typical move in or out...

Wondering if WiFi focus control is something that might be enabled in future firmware????

EDIT: From the version 2.0 release materials:
"In addition, remote operation is now available through 3rd party wired controllers that will allow focus, iris and zoom control of Canon Compact Cine Servo zoom lenses (18 to 80mm and 70 to 200mm). Remote operation of these lenses will be available wirelessly through the EVA ROP application. Interval recording (timelapse) is now available for both LongGOP and ALL-I."

Are these the only lenses expected to have remote focus? I have a feeling that they're too massive to properly balance the EVA1 on small/normal gimbals.
 
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The follow focus is external. A motor is attached to the gimbal that drives the lens focus ring (manual lens). It comes with a wireless remote. I'd check out some reviews to be sure it is smooth and reliable.
 
Can EVA 1 owners chime in here also? Here's my question, if you were rigging your EVA 1 on this ROD 1 or an EasyRig for that matter, the stock LCD is pretty useless for exteriors, isn't it? So does that mean you would also have to add a larger, heavier and brighter Small HD or other monitor to be able to see what you are shooting and to be able to judge focus? I've ran into this with the LCD on the C200, it is too reflective. But if you up the luminance contol and brightness while adding a Hoodman H400 though, the C200 screen becomes surprisingly usable for exteriors other than if it is being hit with direct sunlight or if the reflections are being overbearing. Is the EVA 1 screen the same or is it even dimmer? Anyone shooting daylight exteriors with the EVA 1 screen and nailing focus and composition because you can see what you are doing? I've only played with the EVA 1 in a dark interior, have never used it outside in daylight. Is the EVA 1 usable outdoors only with the addition of an EFV?
 
puredrifting said:
Is the EVA 1 usable outdoors only with the addition of an EFV?
Click to expand...

I haven't been called on to shoot exteriors with my EVA1 so far. First half dozen days have been interior or studio, as will be the next nine days I'm scheduled with it. But that said, I can't imagine trying to do exteriors using only the LCD viewfinder. However I've felt that way about every camera with an open LCD screen. I've been playing with some rigging configurations for my old Zacuto EVF in case I do need to go outside. The camera is light enough that I can shoot handheld for long stretches with either of two shoulder mount configurations I carry (one of them including a handheld teleprompter rig) - so I wouldn't be thinking of an easyrig setup unless I were doing a gimbal (the topic of this thread.)
 
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