gimbal vs dolly/crane/sliderd

A

aras

Active member
I would like to know what your thoughts are regarding using a combination of dolly slider and crane vs gimbal stabilizers so popular lately.

I understand that all have their pro's and cons. But would like to hear your thoughts about this and whenyou think a gimbal can replace a combination of the others with some skills operating these gimbals properly

Thanks
 
These are all different tools for different applications.

Could you be more specific about what you'd like to know?
 
Yeh i know it is kinda stupid question maybe.

Gimbal is steadicam in a new jacket. My personal opinion is that it cant replace dolly...slider and crane shots. Simply because someone is walking with this device and it will look different not as smooth and less controlled.

But i wonder do some of you with more experience than me think that you can make most of the shots normally done with a small crane, dolly or a slider.. with a gimbal? I have briefly used a ronin and well i could't see the hype but then again i am not good at handling it. Cranes and dollys are perfect for what they do, while having the disadvantage of not being able to use them on the fly like a gimbal.

Cant you make shots as smooth as you would with a dolly with a gimbal stabilizer?
 
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Like a slider no.
Like a dolly maybe, if you learn to walk perfectly balanced, smooth like a cat and train your biceps like Arnold.
Like a jib yes, but more like a cheap one that bends a little on the H axis.

Anyway you will impress your clients and there is always the chance to add some stabilization in post.
 
Gimbals and steadycams don't really come close to simulating a dolly, slider, or a jib because they lack the totally controlled line of movement.

Sure, maybe you can pull off one or two shots that look like a small jib or dolly - but that's the exception, not the rule.

Generally speaking - steadycams mare for getting tracking or follow-along type shots where building the dolly or placing a crane just doesn't fit. Or takes way too much time.
 
Can it replace those tools, no. However it can get you like 80% of the way there, and during some shoots that will be all you need specially when its run and gun or you have a tight schedule/one man crew. It wont replace them but in a sticky situation it can somewhat get you in the right direction.
 
Thanks i wanted some reassurance about this. because i am investing in better tripod head etc to support my jib better. The cost of those are at least comparable to one of those brushless gimbals. I have a steadicam and don't use it that much and from what i gather and one brief experience gimbal wasn't that much superior to a steadicam and it is quite bullky.

Thanks for your input
 
The problem with gimbals is people THINK they're equivalent to Steadicams. They're not. AND producers want to use gimbals for "forever" or loooong continuous meandering takes instead of specific shots with a defined beginning and end(happens with Steadi sometime too, but much more manageable). I was involved on a shoot a few months ago where I was brought in as the "DP" with my F55(I'm not a DP) and there was an op for the gimbal. It SHOULD have been a Steadicam and dolly/slider shoot for what was being done. I felt sorry for the Ronin guy. Poor SOB earned every penny they paid him for the day. I almost wanted to give him some of my money since I only picked the camera up ONCE besides shooting the interviews and I was using stix for those.

I think you'll get much more use, and money better spent, on a GOOD tripod head.
 
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