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

Erik Naso said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT_sYsMiiF0&feature=youtu.be

With a Fig Rig this baby is smooth as butter. Need to do more testing but I can shoot all day with this setup!.
http://eriknaso.com/2014/12/21/nebula-4000-first-impressions-and-hands-on-review/
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Thanks for the tip and the update Eric, you always have great info to share. For those of you who don't want to spend $320 USD on a fig rig there are plenty of options including a couple of simple DIY videos on You Tube.

From top to bottom what is the height on the Nebula?
 
True North said:
Thanks for the tip and the update Eric, you always have great info to share. For those of you who don't want to spend $320 USD on a fig rig there are plenty of options including a couple of simple DIY videos on You Tube.

From top to bottom what is the height on the Nebula?
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It will depend on the camera, and you have to measure it when the camera is pointed down to get the maximum height. With an Sony RX10 it is 11-3/4" (when the eyecup is removed). But looking at how the rig moves, it looks like it will never behave in a way to reach that maximum. When the camera is level it is 11".
 
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HIGHSTEP | Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera on Filmpower Nebula 4000 Lite Stabilizer

HIGHSTEP | Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera on Filmpower Nebula 4000 Lite Stabilizer


CAPTION:

HIGHSTEP is an encounter on the beach with rock climbers honing their craft and hanging out with friends. I was home for the holidays in Orange County, off to the tidal basin at Corona del Mar with my nephew to try out the new Filmpower Nebula 4000 Lite 3-axis brushless motorized gimbal stabilizer. Always on the lookout for compelling character subjects, I ran into these climbers, and their friendly enthusiasm couldn't be missed. This video owes completely to their casual kindness, of course. It was serendipitous to meet them, and to come up with this unplanned film within an hour on December 22, 2014.

No less, I caught some beautiful light flares from the setting sun that you just can't stage. And I thought the stabilizer brought a revolutionary new capability to this sort of simplified backpack shoot, for total elegance of movement equivalent to large-scale productions that require hours of setup time with dolly tracks and jibs. That's the essence of this small camera revolution: it's been only a year since we got 10-bit 4:2:2 RAW capture in a film log color space at such a tiny profile in the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC). It's the perfect match for the Nebula 4000: flying past online nerd fights (you wouldn't believe) over firmware tuning and PID settings, it's buttery smooth right out of the flight case after just a few minutes of physical balancing. I could have pushed the weight limits, mounting a Panasonic GH4, but then would have needed to hook up a heavy Atomos Shogun for capturing video quality equivalent to the BMPCC, defeating the purpose of the Nebula 4000's miniature freedom of movement.

I am grateful to Moby for permission to use his cerebral tune "Look Back In," while Silent Partner rounds things out with their aggressive "Armadillo." Thanks to my nephew Aaron Richter for assisting on camera and pulling together the music. Thanks also to Filmpower for creating the Nebula 4000. And mostly, thanks to the climbers in this film for their inspiration.
 
Trying to decide on a wide lens for my Sony A7s for use with my Nebula 4000 arriving today! I am tossing between Sony 20mm f2.8 pancake and Sigma 19mm f2.8. Any other suggestions? I would like to buy a lens by this weekend. Trying to stay under $400. Thanks.
 
focuspulling said:

CAPTION:

HIGHSTEP is an encounter on the beach with rock climbers honing their craft and hanging out with friends. I was home for the holidays in Orange County, off to the tidal basin at Corona del Mar with my nephew to try out the new Filmpower Nebula 4000 Lite 3-axis brushless motorized gimbal stabilizer. Always on the lookout for compelling character subjects, I ran into these climbers, and their friendly enthusiasm couldn't be missed. This video owes completely to their casual kindness, of course. It was serendipitous to meet them, and to come up with this unplanned film within an hour on December 22, 2014.

No less, I caught some beautiful light flares from the setting sun that you just can't stage. And I thought the stabilizer brought a revolutionary new capability to this sort of simplified backpack shoot, for total elegance of movement equivalent to large-scale productions that require hours of setup time with dolly tracks and jibs. That's the essence of this small camera revolution: it's been only a year since we got 10-bit 4:2:2 RAW capture in a film log color space at such a tiny profile in the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC). It's the perfect match for the Nebula 4000: flying past online nerd fights (you wouldn't believe) over firmware tuning and PID settings, it's buttery smooth right out of the flight case after just a few minutes of physical balancing. I could have pushed the weight limits, mounting a Panasonic GH4, but then would have needed to hook up a heavy Atomos Shogun for capturing video quality equivalent to the BMPCC, defeating the purpose of the Nebula 4000's miniature freedom of movement.

I am grateful to Moby for permission to use his cerebral tune "Look Back In," while Silent Partner rounds things out with their aggressive "Armadillo." Thanks to my nephew Aaron Richter for assisting on camera and pulling together the music. Thanks also to Filmpower for creating the Nebula 4000. And mostly, thanks to the climbers in this film for their inspiration.
Click to expand...

Online nerd fights?

First, you have roll and tilt jitter so get into your PID's and adjust those out. It's everywhere in your video posted.
 
John Friedman said:
in response to vladwolodarsky

I've been reading here and there where people think the AF on the A7S is "s*%t." Using a wide angle lens is certainly the preferred way to shoot with a small handheld gimbal, but I have been impressed with how the Sony 35mm f/2.8 has performed with this gimbal and the AF of the lens. While testing out the stabilizer I shot footage inside a BJJ school to try and get a feel for how the AF would work with the Nebula 4000 Lite. The AF is center point only while you have the camera in Movie mode, not Manual. I'm providing a few links of the footage I have so if you're interested you can clearly see the AF in action. I shot the majority of time in APS-C mode and in 1080 60p at 1/125sec. My reasons to shoot in APS-C was to get in closer to my subjects, avoid the look of wide angle, and in particular; eliminate rolling shutter as much as possible ...which the A7S notoriously suffers from. As a matter of fact, I used the Sony 35mm in Full Frame mode and could clearly get rolling shutter whereas in APS-C mode it was reduced considerably and pretty much unnoticeable. I also shot this footage with just the camera and stabilizer, no other attachments. It was difficult for me to frame my shots exactly the way I want, and being limited to center point AF made it even more challenging because of the way I normally compose my shots. I've since decided to shoot with my DP4 attached to the Nebula 4000 and came up with a suitable mounting solution I'm happy with.

footage 35mm at f/2.8 AF
http://youtu.be/hU02J4tVte8

various compilation test clips (all shots were AF)
http://youtu.be/olKTv5I--Qs

same clips in slow motion
http://youtu.be/m9HGJRav7jU
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Thanks man! I really appreciate it!

AF is surprisingly good and useable. Even your 60 fps stuff doesn't have much of a bob. Did you shoot in inverted mode?

Also, I see what you're saying about shooting in APS-C mode to reduce rolling shutter. So then your zeiss 35mm turns into a 56mm field of view. For me it looks like the ideal lens package for the a7s on a nebula 4000 is a sony e-mount 10-18mm and the zeiss 35mm e-mount all shooting in apc mode. Thanks again!
 
focuspulling said:
Nope. Last. Merry Christmas! Smile today!
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YEP!

Throughout the entire video. Just face it. But that opening track shot is where I see it completely. Just look at the cliffs. Then in all sorts of other shots. Just too many to list. At 2:11? Whats going on there? Not enough power? YEP.
Let's see a 2 minute uncut walking straight no post stabilized video with your settings??????
 
My unit arrived eight days after placing the order. I can confirm that the purchase link Dustylens posted (that appears to be different from others out there) works and that the company delivered the item promised.

How well the unit is built -- no one knows. They could all break in a month -- so -- the smart guys out there will wait some time until purchasing. It "feels" solid -- but that means absolutely nothing.

I messed with it for the first time a few hours ago. After a half-assed balancing that didn't come close to the instructions (and, obviously, no messing with the software as of yet) -- it created images that looked better than handheld anything with the GH4 and Olympus 12mm f/2 MSC lens. So -- I think these pioneers (like Dustylens) are entirely correct that this is not some piece of junk. I'll report back in a week or so, and perhaps with some sample footage.

The form factor is what separates this from all the other gimbals -- and it is my hope that the other competitors "get it." Aside from the fatigue issue is the "stealth" factor.


Also, the "wi-fi" or whatever remote control "app" for the GH4 make it functional -- focus point, exposure, etc. So -- at this point the GH4 appears to be the best option for this stabilization device.


My concern with the Blackmagic Pocket camera is the crop factor. A 12mm lens on the BMPCC is the equivalent of a 35mm lens -- and for any stabilizer (Steadicam, Glidecam, etc.) that's a world of difference between a 28 or 24mm equivalent.


I thank all of you pioneers and reviewers for your work. If this device really can be made to work -- it's a "game changer" in a way the "Movi" really wasn't. It's a big deal. The issue is -- can this thing be made to work in a way that exceeds a traditional stabilizer, arm, and vest.

Erik Naso said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT_sYsMiiF0&feature=youtu.be

With a Fig Rig this baby is smooth as butter. Need to do more testing but I can shoot all day with this setup!.
http://eriknaso.com/2014/12/21/nebula-4000-first-impressions-and-hands-on-review/
Click to expand...

Mr. Naso -- I entirely understand the logic with the "fig rig." The problem is that it defeats the entire form factor advantage of this device. I respectfully assert that the real challenge is getting this gizmo to work as a one hand device.
 
Mr. Gupta
this is merely an idea to get a little more performance from the Nebula 4000. In fact the only reason I tried it was because I have a Fig Rig. A DIY approach will also work. As for why using an add on? it makes this device even more versatile. What the heck is wrong with that. At this price point nothing comes close. If you can get the performance you need without adjustments or add ons great, but nothing wrong with any creative ideas to squeeze out more from any production tool. Add the fact that fatigue comes in pretty fast when using one arm and bumps smooth out too. Yeah I guees I should do push ups for a month and get some roller blades too. Oh wait that's an add on.
 
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I have never had a desire for a fig rig, but see some utility to it in relation to the Nebula 4000--especially down low walking shots holding the rig one handed at the top of the hoop.
 
It would be comical, but I'm sure you would get some great results with a Nebula 4000 and an EZ Rig.

Btw, this is some of the best balanced footage I've seen and he didn't touch the software.
 
I haven't played with PID yet, and I cannot do that straight out pointing move he is doing, so gotta get to that point ! My respect for this product just increased.
 
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Kraut69 said:
I haven't played with PID yet, and I cannot do that straight out pointing move he is doing, so gotta get to that point !
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I hear that! My nebula 4000 is in the mail and I am studying up on it before it arrives. I was watching the video manual last night and it looks like properly balancing this gizmo looks insanely meticulous.
 
vladwolodarsky said:
I hear that! My nebula 4000 is in the mail and I am studying up on it before it arrives. I was watching the video manual last night and it looks like properly balancing this gizmo looks insanely meticulous.
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If you ever owned a Steadicam -- the Nebula balancing is easy as hell. As others have mentioned, once you learn the process -- it's not that bad.
 
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