C300: What are you guys using for stabilization?

S

seanarmada

Well-known member
Hi all

Starting up yet another thread here... I've recently sold off my GH5 and BM Pocket 4K to focus more on my Canon ecosystem of gear. At some point it would be nice to pick-up a smaller camera like an R5/R6 but they just don't seem ready for serious production environments yet.

I've got two C300's at the moment. I've had a director recently ask about using a gimbal for some shots and I feel like I'm in limbo. I own a Ronin-S, which I know can be adjusted to work for larger cameras but I haven't tried it, and it seems like it's not the best solution anyways.

I wonder what you guys are using for this style of stabilization for C-series cameras?

One thought was to invest in the Steadimate-S, which seems like a nice way to reduce vertical bounce and allow for more serious shooting with heavier payloads?

The other option is trying the Zhiyun Crane 3. Not sure if thats any better, and I've heard mixed reviews.

Finally, I wonder if I'm just fooling myself into thinking I can get away with a smaller gimbal at all for a camera like the C300? I don't have the funds for something like a Ronin-2 let alone a steadicam setup.

Any thoughts?
 
You could make smaller gimbals work with bigger cameras - especially with additional, necessary parts - but it's mostly a hassle.

Ironically, a R6 might be the best investment depending on how much you actually use a gimbal. (And you'd have another camera you'd probably end up using more versus another piece of hardware for random jobs.)
 
I have a Steadicam Steadimate for my Ronin S, but was never thrilled with what it could do vs. a traditional Steadicam(not that I’m a Steadicam op). I also felt that I was much less precise with the Steadimate vs. just operating the Ronin in my own hand. The Steadimate is good for taking the weight and maybe a little bounce out, but if you need to really make moves(really low, big elevation changes, big sweeping moves, etc.) it really hampers you. But if you’re doing a lot of long walk ‘n talks, it will save you.

I also just got the new RS2 and it’s much lighter than the original S and has a higher payload capacity(10lbs). All-around, it’s better than the original, except for the sport mode.

I do need to throw my 300 on it and see how well it works. I’ve only had my 5D4 on it, so far.

BTW: the Steadimate does not work with the new RS2. And I don’t know if Steadicam will make a new version, there is really no place(space) to attach their gimbal to it.
 
NorBro said:
You could make smaller gimbals work with bigger cameras - especially with additional, necessary parts - but it's mostly a hassle.

Ironically, a R6 might be the best investment depending on how much you actually use a gimbal. (And you'd have another camera you'd probably end up using more versus another piece of hardware for random jobs.)
Click to expand...

This is a fair point. It really doesn't come up all of the time, and when it does its never for very long shots. Perhaps you're right. Assuming the R6 has reliable DPAF it could be a nice combo.
 
Run&Gun said:
I have a Steadicam Steadimate for my Ronin S, but was never thrilled with what it could do vs. a traditional Steadicam(not that I’m a Steadicam op). I also felt that I was much less precise with the Steadimate vs. just operating the Ronin in my own hand. The Steadimate is good for taking the weight and maybe a little bounce out, but if you need to really make moves(really low, big elevation changes, big sweeping moves, etc.) it really hampers you. But if you’re doing a lot of long walk ‘n talks, it will save you.

I also just got the new RS2 and it’s much lighter than the original S and has a higher payload capacity(10lbs). All-around, it’s better than the original, except for the sport mode.

I do need to throw my 300 on it and see how well it works. I’ve only had my 5D4 on it, so far.

BTW: the Steadimate does not work with the new RS2. And I don’t know if Steadicam will make a new version, there is really no place(space) to attach their gimbal to it.
Click to expand...

This is really helpful information, thanks. I'm a little surprised by the lack of attention the Steadimate has received online, perhaps because it's not the amazing solution we thought it would be.

Can you let me know how it plays with the C300? Jon Roemer also mentioned to me he picked up the S2 and seemed really pleased with it.
 
seanarmada said:
This is really helpful information, thanks. I'm a little surprised by the lack of attention the Steadimate has received online, perhaps because it's not the amazing solution we thought it would be.

Can you let me know how it plays with the C300? Jon Roemer also mentioned to me he picked up the S2 and seemed really pleased with it.
Click to expand...

I was actually really surprised and pleased with the arm, but just as a whole/system it doesn't wow. You have to weight the Ronin fairly bottom heavy, which prevents you from tilting easily and there is no way to lock the pan of the gimbal so it's locked to the body of the Ronin so that you can pan without "gimbal delay"(I've seen set-ups allowing you to physically lock the big Ronin 2's pan axis*). I don't use the joystick to move the camera. I like to physically pan and tilt. And the Steadicam gimbal doesn't spin/pan as freely as a big one. In my opinion its just for carrying a heavy set-up for extended periods and helping to smooth out the bounce from walking when carrying the Ronin vertically(I think when hand holding and walking, holding it at an angle helps to smooth out the bounce a lot).

*The RS-2 has a Custom mode to individually turn on or off each axis in any combination you want, and I tried turning off the pan axis and using the axis lock to lock it to the movement of the handle/body, but it does not like having the pan axis restricted. I could feel the motor getting hot and I tried blocking it with my hand and it fights it, as well. I think it must still expect/need some sort of feedback from the sensors and the ability to move all the axes to function properly and that's why it doesn't like the axes to be restricted or locked even when they're "off". Which I guess makes sense, because even when they're "off", it still keeps the payload level(unless the roll axis is set to follow). I always thought that if DJI allowed the pan axis to be fully turned off on the original S and you could physically lock it in place, it would have helped with it on the Steadimate.
 
Run&Gun said:
I was actually really surprised and pleased with the arm, but just as a whole/system it doesn't wow. You have to weight the Ronin fairly bottom heavy, which prevents you from tilting easily and there is no way to lock the pan of the gimbal so it's locked to the body of the Ronin so that you can pan without "gimbal delay"(I've seen set-ups allowing you to physically lock the big Ronin 2's pan axis*). I don't use the joystick to move the camera. I like to physically pan and tilt. And the Steadicam gimbal doesn't spin/pan as freely as a big one. In my opinion its just for carrying a heavy set-up for extended periods and helping to smooth out the bounce from walking when carrying the Ronin vertically(I think when hand holding and walking, holding it at an angle helps to smooth out the bounce a lot).

*The RS-2 has a Custom mode to individually turn on or off each axis in any combination you want, and I tried turning off the pan axis and using the axis lock to lock it to the movement of the handle/body, but it does not like having the pan axis restricted. I could feel the motor getting hot and I tried blocking it with my hand and it fights it, as well. I think it must still expect/need some sort of feedback from the sensors and the ability to move all the axes to function properly and that's why it doesn't like the axes to be restricted or locked even when they're "off". Which I guess makes sense, because even when they're "off", it still keeps the payload level(unless the roll axis is set to follow). I always thought that if DJI allowed the pan axis to be fully turned off on the original S and you could physically lock it in place, it would have helped with it on the Steadimate.
Click to expand...

In general is there any improvement in vertical bounce on the RS-2 do you think or is it comparable to the original?
 
beside the C300III I have two R5 and one of them literally lives on the Crane3. I use it on almost every shooting. First thing I do is set up the gimbal so it's ready to be picked up when needed. I am thinking of selling my Ronin1 and the ReadyRig GS as I don't see myself using it often anymore. AF works great and I am way faster. I don't want to put the C300 on a gimbal. What I like about the Zhiyun is the handle.

IMG_1188.jpg

shot in 4 runs in 30mins last summer. 24-105 EF @50mm F4

 
Since DJI has officially authorized Tilta with the development protocols for all the peripheral interfaces, maybe there will be option to lock panorama axis with "mini trinity".

Regarding "mini trinity", can't see the joystick, neither in the promo image nor in the video.

Handheld Gimbal Counterbalance Stabilizer System (Available in November)

A handheld gimbal already improves shots on the go, and with Tilta’s lightweight Handheld Gimbal Counterbalance Stabilizer System it is easier to handle a heavier camera rig for longer and with more ease. Comfortable to wear with waist buckles attached, ease the pressure and weight on your hands and shoulder. Quickly adjust and switch the camera position for high and low angles. Smooth out the vibration from moving quickly and sudden stops. It gives you the smoothest image possible.
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DSC07321-1366x2048.jpg
 
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Clermond said:
beside the C300III I have two R5 and one of them literally lives on the Crane3. I use it on almost every shooting. First thing I do is set up the gimbal so it's ready to be picked up when needed. I am thinking of selling my Ronin1 and the ReadyRig GS as I don't see myself using it often anymore. AF works great and I am way faster. I don't want to put the C300 on a gimbal. What I like about the Zhiyun is the handle.

View attachment 141130

shot in 4 runs in 30mins last summer. 24-105 EF @50mm F4

Click to expand...

I have to say that looks very smooth! It’s just the Crane 3 and nothing else?
 
seanarmada said:
Hi all

Starting up yet another thread here... I've recently sold off my GH5 and BM Pocket 4K to focus more on my Canon ecosystem of gear. At some point it would be nice to pick-up a smaller camera like an R5/R6 but they just don't seem ready for serious production environments yet.

I've got two C300's at the moment. I've had a director recently ask about using a gimbal for some shots and I feel like I'm in limbo. I own a Ronin-S, which I know can be adjusted to work for larger cameras but I haven't tried it, and it seems like it's not the best solution anyways.

I wonder what you guys are using for this style of stabilization for C-series cameras?

One thought was to invest in the Steadimate-S, which seems like a nice way to reduce vertical bounce and allow for more serious shooting with heavier payloads?

The other option is trying the Zhiyun Crane 3. Not sure if thats any better, and I've heard mixed reviews.

Finally, I wonder if I'm just fooling myself into thinking I can get away with a smaller gimbal at all for a camera like the C300? I don't have the funds for something like a Ronin-2 let alone a steadicam setup.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Mirrorless + gimbal is better than bigger camera + gimbal. My main cameras are the C200 and C300 MKII but when I need to use a gimbal, the tiny lightweight X-T3 on the Crane 2 is so much easier and more flexible than trying to fly
the C200 or 300 MKII. While the X-T3 isn't an exact match with the Canons, if I shoot Eterna, it matches BT709 on the Canon's pretty closely. I am a lousy colorist and even I can get them pretty close. The Fuji has more sharpness even with
the sharpness turned down but clients have all been pleased with the look and the match when using the X-T3 and Canons in the same show.

Personally, unless you are doing a bigger budget show with enough crew and time to re-rig your A camera onto a gimbal and then off, mirrorless is the way to go. I don't like the overheating problems of the R5/6 so I would consider the X-T3 or 4
but you would probably be fine with the R5/6 if you were only using it here and there for the occasional gimbal sequence. I find flying a big heavy camera on a big heavy rig to be too much hassle for too little payoff.
 
Same same. I run an R5 on the Ronin RS2 and I'm tickled with it. Generally I'll use the RF 35mm f/1.8 but it works great with the 24-105 as well.

I haven't yet had the R5 overheat on me... but I also don't shoot much 8K with it.

I really wouldn't want to run my C300 MkIII or C200 on a gimbal. It's just too much weight to be useful without a LOT bigger setup with a vest and the like. The big setup would be fine for a lot of productions, but not really for the stuff or way I shoot.
 
jbregar said:
Same same. I run an R5 on the Ronin RS2 and I'm tickled with it. Generally I'll use the RF 35mm f/1.8 but it works great with the 24-105 as well.

I haven't yet had the R5 overheat on me... but I also don't shoot much 8K with it.

I really wouldn't want to run my C300 MkIII or C200 on a gimbal. It's just too much weight to be useful without a LOT bigger setup with a vest and the like. The big setup would be fine for a lot of productions, but not really for the stuff or way I shoot.
Click to expand...

Seems like a winning combo! I'll look into it more.

Do you find shooting in 4k vs 8k reduces the strain on the camera re: possible overheating?

TBH I have no need for 8k, I doubt I'd ever use it.
 
Yeah, at 4K 30 (not in the "HQ" mode) I don't think it really overheats at all. I've also shot bursts of 4K 120 and never got to shutdown... and a few bursts of 8K because "why not?"

The R5 isn't a camera you roll on for an hour... at least it isn't for me.
 
It doesn’t overheat in 4K 25/30 standard mode at all. I shoot all day in that mode and often forget to turn the camera off. For me the quality is absolutely okay. 4K60 and 4K 120 hasn’t HQ mode and surprisingly people who rate the standard 4K as too soft like the high speed modes ;).
The real downside is the codec which doesn’t play back fluid because there is no hardware decoder for these H265 10bit 422 files atm
 
Clermond said:
beside the C300III I have two R5 and one of them literally lives on the Crane3. I use it on almost every shooting. First thing I do is set up the gimbal so it's ready to be picked up when needed. I am thinking of selling my Ronin1 and the ReadyRig GS as I don't see myself using it often anymore. AF works great and I am way faster. I don't want to put the C300 on a gimbal. What I like about the Zhiyun is the handle.

View attachment 141130

shot in 4 runs in 30mins last summer. 24-105 EF @50mm F4
Click to expand...

I bought the Pro Combo package, which among lots of other things, comes with the "briefcase handle" arm. Granted it doesn't have any electronic controls, but it is nice for low angle shooting and it pops on and off super fast. And I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but I think, in some way or another, the gimbal may be aware when the handle is on, because there is a gold contact pin on the briefcase arm that looks like it lines up with one of the contacts on the side connections of the main body.
 
New gimbals pop up every 4 months. Each new one is lighter has higher payload and better algorithms.. the Crane 3 has to do the job for a while still.
 
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