Gimbal Project 2025!

[CharlesPapert]

Yes, tilt on the Trinity is done with a thumb controller. I believe the system "knows" to interpret a rotation of the post as a request to pan the camera, as can be seen in the video above. But I'm not sure if a standard gimbal has that same knowledge, unless you are able to remap input in the roll axis into a command to pan via software? And are you planning on mounting the gimbal in flashlight mode at the end of your "javelin", or in a standard configuration with a 90 degree bracket of some kind?

 

[morgan_moore]

Im thinking the “spear” is at 45-60 degrees as standard to keep the “sled” clear of the feet and put the camera at “normal” height until specific operator input changes “stuff”

 

[rob norton]

I'm still working through the RED/gimbal build.

But I did use the blkbrd mantis quad tube with easyrig minimax, as well as two extremely cheap Nisi Athena lenses and DJI focus pro.

The combination has been outstanding. Not first AC replacing, but letting a one person band assign much less time to manually focusing.

The boom range of the mantis was so freeing compared to the hard stops of the standard easyrig line. It's taken the easyrig from an unenjoyable support system that was nearly sold, to an almost critical piece of equipment that got me excited about shooting again. This might be more of the honeymoon effect, but freedom on the z-axis for handheld work is quite significant!

 

[morgan_moore]

Ive actually got a job next week! Ill probably operate 'conventionally' - the ring and a borrowed easy rig - as 'the javelin is not functional yet.. slowly getting close!

(the nature of the shoot and flat location make an easy rig feel 'ok')

But ive got all the bit out and took some snaps..

1) the rig in a 'low mode' build, dive weights where the Vlocks will go.
2) aluminium CNC and brass bush gimbal.

 

[morgan_moore]

The Movi pulls some suprising current.

Initial wiring was constantly tripping out. There chunky wires do the trick. they may go up the post in time.

 

[rob norton]

Lol looking good Sam!

Since my last post I put the RED on the rs4 pro with DJI focus pro handle, motor, lidar unit. It's actually not that heavy. Not pro job but it might be doable to avoid the larger support rigs. I'm waiting for ignite digi usb-c cables that are longer than what DJI provides with the focus pro. I'll share photos once they arrive. Mounting RED's7 inch monitor, although handy, doesn't seem like it's worth the fight. The phone app seems like it's really good with low latency (wifi not bluetooth), so I think I'll try to add the phone and run some tests. The good thing about the focus pro is when you see a yellow box you know it's sharp, so less dependency on checking critical focus from a small, low quality phone screen. Again, not ready to shoot the next Fast and Furious movie but should work for my bare bones project.

 

[rob norton]

Just an update, the camera is possible to work with the rs4 pro, while also staying under the gimbal's capacity. Only posting if the random reference ever helps. When asked how heavy the set up is, the answer is about 60 seconds.

Also a huge design oversight, the lidar pro hand grip cannot be used with the rs4 pro, despite the lidar and focus units being able to be plugged directly into the gimbal itself. The handle is really good and it's a mistake to not let it work in this configuration. I could've ran cables to the hand grip, but felt lucky to even get such a large rig working so didn't want to push my luck. Not pictured is the phone, which was used to take the photo. wifi monitoring from the phone was not ideal but still doable.