GH4 GH4 + Blackbird Stabilizer?

F

filmguy123

Veteran
Anyone used this? How does the weight of the GH4 with just a basic wide lens and rode mic on it hold up and balance? Too light, just perfect... ?

Should I expect better or worse results with the BBStabilizer + Gh4 than with my BBS + AF100?
 
I use this configuration frequently and have no problems balancing the unit. Naturally, you'll be using minimal counterweights at the bottom.

Using the Blackbird, I've balanced the GH4 using the Lumix 7-14mm, the SLR Magic 12mm, and a heavy combination of the Voigtländer 25mm and SLR Magic Anamorphot.

My only observation is that with an overall lighter load and counterweight, there's less interia. The rig will be more susceptible to wind and some types of roll than you're used to with the heavier camera.
 
I have a blackbird. It's a well engineered, well thought out unit. Weight is your friend. Like any other stabilizer it takes time to learn. You can use a steadicam vest and arm with it(Merlin model).

I think you need the full kit with the blackbird bag. There's several addons, like the table mount that you really have to have. Watch the videos and see if it's right for you.
 
I have the blackbird! Just wondering how the trade off is... weight helps with inertia and stable shots (means AF100 is better on the rig), but fatique would seem much better with a GH4 - how is the stability comparatively? We talking much better results on AF100 or just slightly better results on AF100? Meaning the Gh4 would thus be a win for less fatique
 
Well, I think the weight issue is one a lot of people don't get. There's no question you're more stable with more weight. I had to use my 14-140 lens with my gh2 to get the blackbird to settle down. Everything disturbs a stabilizer, rock in the path, if you leave the lens cap on(rebalance) wind, brush branch, etc. But I can't support a bmcc or af 100 for more than a few seconds- no way take after take. That's why I got a vest and arm. It's the same issue with gimbals, like the ronin is absurdly heavy, with any camera its damn heavy. That's why they recommend an easy rig.

There's no easy answer. Anyone with any stabilizer will tell you how fatiguing it is, you have to carry weight delicately. I can't say if a gyro makes it easier on the small muscles, in that you don't need to be a human damping system, or if they make carrying lighter load less squirrely and more stable. Don't have one yet. I hope so.
 
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