Micro Gimbal for GH4, BMPCC, A7s - $699 USD

gh4 and the 18-35 with SB would be WAY to front heavy for this gimbal. The gh4 will fly the 12-35 and that is pushing the upper limits of the gimbal. My 10-18 Sony on the A7s is a really solid combo. It's not just about the total weight. It's about how the weight is distributed (front or back heavy).
 
Kraut69 said:
Dustylense, what is the maximum downward tilt angle of the camera that you have been able to achieve before the gimbal loses its control of the camera?
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I can shoot straight down no problem with the gh4 or the a7s using the packages described.
 
Dustylense, do you have an estimate what would be the maximum distance allowed between the back of the camera to the center of gravity of the camera? (for instance if the GH4+12-35 is the upper limit, what distance does it make here between back and center of gravity)?

Thanks!
 
divide said:
Dustylense, do you have an estimate what would be the maximum distance allowed between the back of the camera to the center of gravity of the camera? (for instance if the GH4+12-35 is the upper limit, what distance does it make here between back and center of gravity)?

Thanks!
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I guess it's tricky. The gimbal takes about 2.2lbs. What is heaviest? The camera you intend to mount or the lens? Lets just say with a heavier lens than the 12-35 I could move the camera back on the sled. But now the pan axis adjustment (or lack there of) becomes a bigger issue because the weight is heavier up front. There is room to mount the camera, but not enough adjustment flexibility to balance the pan axis properly.

Which is why you see the heavier cameras in this photo mounted with small primes and pancake lenses.
Screen Shot 2014-12-15 at 1.24.15 AM.jpg

With the 12-35 and Gh4 the weight is too far forward for the pan adjustment. Hell, even with a pancake I don't even think the weight can be adjusted properly due to the design of the means of how you adjust the Yaw. On the Ronin your have a toothed mechanism to make this adjustment.
Screen Shot 2014-12-15 at 1.31.10 AM.jpg

On the N4000 you have three screw holes to make this fine tune adjustment.
Screen Shot 2014-12-15 at 1.34.48 AM.jpg

There is only so much you can do with how they designed that adjustment. It's not a deal breaker but I would like to see a gimbal like this with the ability to properly adjust the Yaw.

It is what it is. I still don't have regrets buying it. Is a good device. I let my buddy walk around with the N4000 last night and he has never handled a gimbal. He took one shot and lets just say 90% of what he film is very useable.

Now the further back you set the camera payload due to it's maximum weight, the less room you will have for the whole device to tilt forward as the back of the gimbal is going to hit the back of the camera. Off the top of my head with the mounting of the GH4 w/12-35 I's day I have maybe 1.5 inches of room between the camera and the gimbal. So I can't lay it flat like they show in the instructional video as the eye piece of the camera hits the gimbal, if that makes sense.
 

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dustylense said:
I guess it's tricky. The gimbal takes about 2.2lbs. What is heaviest? The camera you intend to mount or the lens? Lets just say with a heavier lens than the 12-35 I could move the camera back on the sled. But now the pan axis adjustment (or lack there of) becomes a bigger issue because the weight is heavier up front. There is room to mount the camera, but not enough adjustment flexibility to balance the pan axis properly.
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Thanks, I'd like to attach a 70D+18-55.
Here's a comparison side by side GH4+12-35 vs 70D+18-55:
http://camerasize.com/compact/#469.377,525.336,ha,t

As you can see the 70D+18-55 is slighty longuer, BUT the weight is distributed much more on the camera than on the lens:
GH4+12-35=560g+305g=865g (1.9lbs)
70D+18-55=755g+205g=960g (2.1lbs)
So the center of gravity is more on the camera body than on the lens, compared to the GH4+12-35.
Thus the 70D+18-55 might not need to be pushed back as much as the GH4+12-35, giving slightly more latitude to rotation.
 
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I wonder how well does it work on longer focal length like oly 25mm 1.8 (50mm) or oly 45mm (90mm) 1.8 on the gh4? or does it work better for wide angle only?
 
Kraut69 said:
Waiting for a ribbon HDMI cable, but here it is with the DP4. The Nebula 4000 lays down nicely when not being used.



View attachment 94333


View attachment 94334
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I got a ribbon HDMI cable, and found I couldn't get anything to work using the above monitor mounting method (the view of the monitor was not always ideal, and the cable tugged and disturbed the gimbal too much).

So far I have come up with this, a Manfrotto quick release mounted to the base of the gimbal handle (atop a monopod for good measure), and I go out with a 1/4-20 stud to an inverted DP4 (to get the HDMI cable input on the top of the monitor). Not thoroughly tested, but the best I've come up with after a couple of hours.


IMG_8584.jpg
 
I tie wrapped an end weight from my Merlin to the back to get better yaw balance, with much better gimbal behavior as a result.

With all the holes available, I can see running a big carriage bolt through the back, and be able to twirl a big heavy nut on it to dial in a very accurate and easily adjustable balance. I can do a very quick 90 deg whip pan, and it comes to rest on the end point perfectly.


IMG_8587.jpg
 
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Kraut69 said:
I tie wrapped an end weight from my Merlin to the back to get better yaw balance, with much better gimbal behavior as a result.

With all the holes available, I can see running a big carriage bolt through the back, and be able to twirl a big heavy nut on it to dial in a very accurate and easily adjustable balance.


View attachment 95008
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Yep, I was thinking the same thing.
 
Here we are with the assembly on a Merlin vest/arm. Used a Glidecam adapter post drilled and tapped on top with a 1/4-20 stud.

Can add more weight if needed by added a second big fat L battery on the back of the DP4.

No real need for the vest/arm probably other than smoothing out walking/running shots a little, as the rig is not too heavy for long hand held shooting really, and the arm/vest adds another layer of hassle.

(setup untested at the moment).

EDIT 12/19/14--No success yet getting a good shot with this setup.



Merlin_rig.jpg
 
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Kraut69 said:
Here we are with the assembly on a Merlin vest/arm. Used a Glidecam adapter post drilled and tapped on top with a 1/4-20 stud.

Can add more weight if needed by added a second big fat L battery on the back of the DP4.

No real need for the vest/arm probably other than smoothing out walking/running shots a little, as the rig is not too heavy for long hand held shooting really, and the arm/vest adds another layer of hassle.
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Would love to see some footage from this.
 
sinapps said:
Would love to see some footage from this.
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Just getting crap so far.

And you have only the yaw axis available.

With the 1/4-20 thread at the top of the handle, really wouldn't be surprised if they are working on a joystick. (EDIT--NOPE, they said no joystick is planned).
 
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Mine arrived but I am having trouble balancing my GH4 and 12-35, get it close but when I turn it on the camera tilts to the left so the horizon is way off level. Guess I am going to have to try the software adjustments any tips?
 
Steve Benjamin said:
Mine arrived but I am having trouble balancing my GH4 and 12-35, get it close but when I turn it on the camera tilts to the left so the horizon is way off level. Guess I am going to have to try the software adjustments any tips?
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The paper instructions that come in the package do mention two calibrations you can perform without going into the software, so I'd recommend trying those first.
 
focuspulling said:
The paper instructions that come in the package do mention two calibrations you can perform without going into the software, so I'd recommend trying those first.
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It's just a sensor calibration and a gyro calibration. Without the Gh4 you will have to enter the PID settings with software.
 
I cant seem to get my Macbook Pro Retina to see the Nebula 4000 via USB to fine tune with SimpleBGC. Downloaded a USB driver too but tried to install. When I double click to install nothing happens. Strange.

I have it fairly well tuned but the roll balance is giving me issues. I think the motor is to strong. Need to get into the PID.
 
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