C300: What Gimbal Do You Use? Pros/Cons/Would you buy again?
- Thread starter mizzar
- Start date
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Zhiyun Crane. But with a Canon 80D, not the C100/300 obviously. It's a specialized tool for me, just use it for a little accent here and there so the 80D suffices. If were buying for my C100, Letus Helix Jr. Aluminum.
Would the Helix Jr work well with the C300 (specifically the mark II)?
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Not sure, research weight capacity at the Letus website and figure out if the way your C300 MKII is outfitted, with the lenses you would use, if it falls within the weight capacity. People here have C300 MKIIs kitted out to weigh 25lbs with a big cine zoom, brick batteries, rods, etc. and people use C300 MKIIs with a small light lens, small battery only, just depends on how you have it outfitted.
Discovering these use cases was the purpose of the original post.
cpreston
Veteran
I have a Ronin, Ready Rig, Cinemilled Pro Ring, and Zacuto grip extension for attaching the C100 handle to the Pro Ring. I tend to run with an 18-135 STM lens while toggling autofocus. I love the thing for any type of b-roll. I can run for half a day without fatigue or needing to set the camera down, and the rig feels like an extension of my body. I can track smooth 135mm closeups and get very smooth walking shots without almost any bob. The Ready Rig and pro-ring are the key, but you can get a Ronin relatively cheap and I've never had any problems with mine.
I was unable to get the C300 Mark II balanced onto the Jr. The C100 Mark II just barely made the cut. It's not so much the weight as it is the physical size of the camera requires the larger gimbal.
Thanks a bunch
You say the pro-ring is key, what do you consistently find that it allows you to do that otherwise would be difficult? I'm aware they make it easier to hold over your head while shooting but are there additional benefits you've found? Thanks again
Ahh, great to know! Thank you!
cpreston
Veteran
The pro ring puts the vertical center of balance at the pivot point of the rig attachment. It is similar to the Helix design and the new movi design. This allows you to tilt the camera without putting any extra force on your wrists. The proring also allows you to attach more equipment to the rig and, if you remove the gimbal and insert the stationary mount, you can use the ready rig like a more dynamic Easy Rig.
I would be very interested in seeing that. Did a quick search and couldn't find anything. Was it its own thread or buried in an unrelated thread? haha
puredrifting
Major Contributor
If this isn't the one, it was a Slavik thread. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?351546-C300-Mark-II-on-a-gimbal
Perfect thanks!
You have to move up to the Helix Standard to use the C300 or C300II. And yes, that handle solution works awesome, just used it with a 35mm f/2 IS, shooting 60p, and was able to ride the AF toggle while holding the Helix. Got up and close to the subject at f/2, as a solo operator. Except an umbrella holder. 
You have to move up to the Helix Standard to use the C300 or C300II. And yes, that handle solution works awesome, just used it with a 35mm f/2 IS, shooting 60p, and was able to ride the AF toggle while holding the Helix. Got up and close to the subject at f/2, as a solo operator. Except an umbrella holder.
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This looks really promising. How do you attach the handle like that? I have a C300 Mark II. Do you find it easy enough to pilot without an easy rig type setup? I don't see one in the picture.
I've shot with the Movi and Ronin before and the Ronin can get really heavy really fast. How does he Helix compare?
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Full details on the handle mod on our blog - http://www.geardads.com/camera-gimbal-letus-helix-canon-c300-c100/
The Helix Standard/C300II combo is a little easier than the Movi or Ronin, because of the way you can hold it close to you and at a regular arms' height, but it's definitely not as easy as the Helix Jr/C100 combo which I've used often and for long periods of time without sweat. Maybe because I'm not a big guy but I can't hold the C300/Helix for that long, I think here I held it for 20 min. An Easy Rig would help but then you have to get the Helix 4th axis, and then the Easy Rig, and a Flowcine Serene, and a Puppeteer, and all told it's like another $10k!
But the Helix is definitely more user friendly for the casual gimbal shooter who's not paid to hold it all day on a commercial shoot. Having the ability to control the camera with the handle is super nice, and the right hand also controls the gimbal tilt, so you don't need an accessory toggle (which are never that great at smooth motion anyway). Here you can go from feet (in the 90 degree briefcase mode) to chest to face in one move, tilt up or down slowly, get the shot and be done.
I am looking forward to trying the Canon 18-80 with this setup too, since you can also control the servo zoom from the handgrip.
The Helix Standard/C300II combo is a little easier than the Movi or Ronin, because of the way you can hold it close to you and at a regular arms' height, but it's definitely not as easy as the Helix Jr/C100 combo which I've used often and for long periods of time without sweat. Maybe because I'm not a big guy but I can't hold the C300/Helix for that long, I think here I held it for 20 min. An Easy Rig would help but then you have to get the Helix 4th axis, and then the Easy Rig, and a Flowcine Serene, and a Puppeteer, and all told it's like another $10k!
But the Helix is definitely more user friendly for the casual gimbal shooter who's not paid to hold it all day on a commercial shoot. Having the ability to control the camera with the handle is super nice, and the right hand also controls the gimbal tilt, so you don't need an accessory toggle (which are never that great at smooth motion anyway). Here you can go from feet (in the 90 degree briefcase mode) to chest to face in one move, tilt up or down slowly, get the shot and be done.
I am looking forward to trying the Canon 18-80 with this setup too, since you can also control the servo zoom from the handgrip.
Thanks so much! Can one add all the 4th axis stuff later if need be?
I think I'm going to go ahead and get this thing. I really have been looking for an alternative to the Ronin and this looks very compelling. I'm seeing on this site (http://www.letus35.com/Letus-Helix-Mg/) that it is on sale for $3,500. Has that been the price for a while or is that new? Also, what upgrades are worth getting now? There are a lot of options to choose from.
Thanks and take care!
Mark Smith
Veteran
"But the Helix is definitely more user friendly for the casual gimbal shooter who's not paid to hold it all day on a commercial shoot. Having the ability to control the camera with the handle is super nice, and the right hand also controls the gimbal tilt, so you don't need an accessory toggle (which are never that great at smooth motion anyway). Here you can go from feet (in the 90 degree briefcase mode) to chest to face in one move, tilt up or down slowly, get the shot and be done. "
I have a Helix and 300 MK2 . I have shot longish takes - 10minutes or more at a crack shooting characters walking through crowds in mid town manhattan without an easy rig. Disclaimer- I also compete in triathlons and strength train a couple days a week, so I have some advantage from that on the operating side. For me that's about the max without an easy rig or some other support gear. For me, the Helix is the spice for a shoot. I'm not in it to be a gimbal operator per se, but rather the gimbal allows me to throw in a moving camera dimension rather easily. The C300 with its auto focus capability with EF lenses is really an essential piece of the puzzle with gimbal operation. Load up a 24,35, 50 EF prime and you can do some really good moving camera work with the Helix & C300.
I have a Helix and 300 MK2 . I have shot longish takes - 10minutes or more at a crack shooting characters walking through crowds in mid town manhattan without an easy rig. Disclaimer- I also compete in triathlons and strength train a couple days a week, so I have some advantage from that on the operating side. For me that's about the max without an easy rig or some other support gear. For me, the Helix is the spice for a shoot. I'm not in it to be a gimbal operator per se, but rather the gimbal allows me to throw in a moving camera dimension rather easily. The C300 with its auto focus capability with EF lenses is really an essential piece of the puzzle with gimbal operation. Load up a 24,35, 50 EF prime and you can do some really good moving camera work with the Helix & C300.
This is good perspective. I too will be using it for "spice" rather than an all day, every day kind of affair. I most certainly am not a triathlete so that's something for me to consider (since I could get a Ronin and a Ready Rig for around the same price).
Have you ever used a Ronin? If so, can you compare the two?
Also, you mention primes at the end. I was hoping to use it with the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III, which is a decent amount larger/heavier than a prime. I know a prime would be ideal, but will the 16-35 even work? (If not, I need to buy a new lens too! Which I would prefer to avoid).
Thanks for your help and insight!