Gimbal project 2024!

[rob norton]

What about welding a cheese plate to the top of the pipe?

Then just attach the quick release receiver to the cheese plate?

 

[rob norton]

I heard back from RRS and Kessler. I've repeated the smallrig capacity info here so people can see all specs in a single post (all four people on earth interested in this topic). Manfrotto yet to respond but I can't see a non arca future. I've summarised below:

RRS
- When tilted 90 degrees, there will be less of a weight capacity since most of the capacity is with the ballhead and not the clamp.
- 50 lbs is a solid benchmark for any angle you are holding the camera/lens at.

Kessler
- "When the Kwik Release is set vertically, the clamping weight is around 50 lbs. As long as you are within that spec, moven't shouldn't be an issue."

smallrig
"The load-bearing capacity of the 2144B quick-release rod is generally about 8-10 kg.

Under normal use, if the weight of the device does not exceed 10 kg, it is theoretically safe.
However, it should be noted that if it is installed upside down or tilted 90 degrees downward, it is recommended to check the stability of the locking mechanism regularly to ensure safety."

So RRS and Kessler are rated for more than double smallrig's weight capacity, although smallrig will likely be fine too if you don't exceed 10kg.

 

[rob norton]

Yep, looks like you were already thinking along the lines of where I was going with my comment. I see the pros and cons of each of the links you provided.

Agreed, not sure it gets you where you want to be, but might be worth a try on some of the lower cost options. At least they're pre-fabricated and easy to get on hand to give them a go.

Additionally there's plenty of options for vehicle rigging from companies like CineMillled for example. https://cinemilled.com/c/vehicle-rigging-mounting/

Some of that stuff might be handy when it comes to positioning or support?

Modular Speed Rail Starter – 1-1/2 in. - CineMilled

Our Modular Speed Rail Starters allow you to mount any length Speed Rail to our suction cups and rigging products. This give you the freedom to use any length starter Speed Rail you want. Available in 2 sizes. 1-1/4 in. and 1-1/2 in. Speed Rail Starter for 1-1/2 in. Speedrail. CM-3114

cinemilled.com

This would work IF you can add a cheese plate to a few of the threads shown in the middle photo, but you'd have to be pretty lucky for everything to line up.

Or, if one of cinemilled's cheese plates lined up with the speedrail starter threads, you'd still have to get lucky with the quick release spacing to mount to the cheese plate!

I emailed Pedro (cinemilled) to find out more about the starter/cheese plate potential.

Universal Cheese Plate Mount - CineMilled

General purpose small Cheese Plate. 3/8-16 & 1/4-20 threaded holes and drilled to work with our tube clamp kit. **Fits all models MōVI and DJI **Use to mount your MōVI or DJI to our PRO-Ring CM-009

cinemilled.com

Hex Cheeseplate - CineMilled

Our "Hex" Cheseplate, is the plate that we use on both our 6" Round suction cups and the 4.5" round suction cup. (Price is for a mount plate ONLY. Nothing else included.) Features; Slots on each of the edges which serve to slide thru ratchet strap webbing to secure suction cups onto vehicles...

cinemilled.com

I guess I should find the distances between the quick release receiver holes.

 

[morgan_moore]

I guess I should find the distances between the quick release receiver holes.

This is where simple bench work will come in or forming a relartionship with a machinist. A lot of my receivers have holes expanded to slots or additional holes drilled. Often to make the plate marry another device.

 

[rob norton]

I've got 2 smallrig quick release systems so far, which will let me put the gimbal on the tripod, use it handheld, or separate for a smaller set up for spear mode.

Now that I've got a taste for non-manfrotto quick releases, I'm planning on ending up with arca swiss quick releases on:

- rock n roller trolley/cart (probably 2)
- tripod
- monopod
- spear (if project small spear works out then I'll commit receivers to various longer lengths
- gimbal

I'm leaning towards smallrig receivers for nearly all of the above, but think I'd feel better about an above and beyond spec kessler or RRS receiver for the spears.

Below is the gimbal set up without camera. From previous versions, the battery plate is now centred (thank god), and clunky manfrotto quick release replaced with the small rig ones (silver latches), as well as a quick release underneath the camera for wireless receiver.

 

[Grug]

Thanks for reading, let's keep it fun and safe. I'm bracing for a reality check from Charles but am not ready to give up on the dream just yet!

Hey Rob, I might be a bit late to this discussion, but I think it would be well worth you taking a look at the Blackbird "Mantis" system, developed by Brett Harrison down here in Melbourne.

It's it really impressive system for general gimbal movement. Gives you z-axis stabilisation and helps to remove footsteps out of the motion, but unlike the Easyrig/Stabil arm combo, it gives you the freedom to take the gimbal up nice and high (as well as down low).

It's massively more useful than the readyrig too (which I've always found basically useless at removing load from your biceps).

If I didn't already have the Easyrig/Stabil system, I'd be all over it.

A great option to pair with the Tilta Advanced Ring.

 

[rob norton]

Hey Rob, I might be a bit late to this discussion, but I think it would be well worth you taking a look at the Blackbird "Mantis" system, developed by Brett Harrison down here in Melbourne.

It's it really impressive system for general gimbal movement. Gives you z-axis stabilisation and helps to remove footsteps out of the motion, but unlike the Easyrig/Stabil arm combo, it gives you the freedom to take the gimbal up nice and high (as well as down low).

It's massively more useful than the readyrig too (which I've always found basically useless at removing load from your biceps).

If I didn't already have the Easyrig/Stabil system, I'd be all over it.

A great option to pair with the Tilta Advanced Ring.

Thanks Mark,

The blackbird mantis looks really cool! Re z-axis and mantis, the demos look super impressive. DJI's RS4 pro line doesn't even provide that much stabilisation. I think about it more as being smoother than handheld, but potentially still needing work in post, so it's all really just a starting point. Where as something like a movi pro and bigger with rig seems like the only way to go if in camera stabilisation is critical. I don't know why people even pretend like the smaller gimbals are in the same post code.

I agree with everything you said, this post isn't countering any of your points but just another summary in between my other random posts:

I've already sold the tilta ring. Basically my rig has halved the width (fairly close regarding height/depth dimensions), while also being able to mount to a tripod (2 screws for anti twist via the tilta power base vs. either the single screw on the base of the DJI handle, or awkwardly attaching the ring to jibs or sliders) and goes in a case rather than placing in front seat of a car.

Of course for applications like narrative work, the handheld rigging requirements are likely reverse engineered based on the camera package. In my current shooting world, it seems like a mistake to bend the knee to the camera package at the expense of usability. Instead, I've been dialling in a handheld set up that has zero rigging on the body, which can only be achieved with a light enough camera/accessories package. At the moment, it's a canon r5 mark ii, with little amimon connex mini tx and nothing else (plus smallrig pieces, battery, cables and gimbal in photos).

For what I'm shooting, this IQ hit is well worth it to avoid extra hardware, time getting strapped in and connecting to the gimbal, as well as increasing the operating range by being able to go wherever my arms go (obviously can't hold the base of a tilta ring higher than my head though), as well as having a smaller footprint, which can also impact range. Some of the ready rig x movi pro rigs are honestly a metre deep before including the human.

It's important to separate the requirements of the project - we've all seen inadequate set ups where operators are shaking holding up a frame before the camera even starts rolling! If I were overseeing a project like that I wouldn't fall for someone telling me it won't be an issue. I'm going through a huge reevaluation of "cinema" equipment that gets in the way of faster shooting. LMK if you're in Brisbane and you can take the rig for a spin!