FS7: Which brushless gimbals work well with the FS7?

Oh Wow, I just watched the video. The Devin Graham solution for the Glidecam is pretty awesome how you can quickly flip it and balance it. That was the major problem with the traditional Glidecam.

I might switch back. There's so many horror stories on the Facebook Ronin page about it just not working on a shoot.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Oh Wow, I just watched the video. The Devin Graham solution for the Glidecam is pretty awesome how you can quickly flip it and balance it. That was the major problem with the traditional Glidecam.

I might switch back. There's so many horror stories on the Facebook Ronin page about it just not working on a shoot.
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I was very certain that it will be the same Glidecam as HD4000 just with some minor tweaks and "Devin Graham" name on it but when I watched the video just out of curiosity I was just like you: "WOW!" :O
This was the first one I've watched:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUz3Iw_SaR0
second was directly from Devin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs-mfsE_DO8
 
I watched that video and I did feel he was a bit bias, but he does have good points. Unlike what he says, the Ronin is very easy to operate solo aside from the need for the stand.

However, I really miss the Glidecam's ability to quickly pan and tilt. With the Ronin, it's always a delay.

Also, low-angle on the Glidecam is always harder because it's very hard to see the monitor. The Ronin is nice in that you can mount the monitor to the handle bars so you always have a clear view of the action. But the Devin Graham is HUGE improvement in that you can just flip it.

I'm wondering if you can mount a 7Q somehow to the Glidecam Suit just so you can always see the monitor, even in low mode (Believe me, it's tough on a Glidecam in low mode to see the LCD).

I'm seriously tempted to switch back just because the Glidecam has no electronics.
 
Tom's hands on Glidecam DGS with FS7
http://getdeluxe.co/glidecamsigseries/

How about turning a rod down when working in a flip mode and keeping LCD under the camera? That could partially solve a problem.
Looking at the pictures it doesn't seem that there are any mounting points on the arm itself. I can see some holes on a vest (they could be screwable).
 
sure there a pro and cons. And the biggest Pro in my eyes on every system is: practice.
This is my FS7 Ronin "as light as possible set up" SEL 16-70z, SmallHD on top, thumb controller, straps for Atlas Camera Support
Once it's balanced and you only have to adjust it a little it will take 5-10 mins until you are ready to shoot.

Con of the Ronin:
- it's heavy, without support you get exhausted very quick. With support you have to practice practice practice to avoid bouncing.
- the case looks impressive and gives great protection but it's 23kgs over all. I just hauled it up to the 5th floor without elevator. *gasp
- it's way more expensive than the glidecam

I still have to practice a lot..

btw don't forget that Devin and the German guy are way more experienced with the glidecam

2015-11-19-FS7_Ronin.jpg
 
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Hi,
what is the total weight of your rig ? My Hélix rig with FS7 is 6.7Kg, i hope to reduce weight at 5.7Kg with power v-mount battery on my belt. Or setup an FS5 rig at 4.5Kg. Thank you.
 
Ronin itself has 4.2 kgs
FS7 as shown with 16-70z plus SmallHD with single LP E-6 3.0kgs
 
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alohype said:
Hey, Clermond, what is that SDI cable that you have over there? Looks lovely
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it's a 50cm Belden Brilliance® DigiTruck® 179DT
I bought it some years ago with an Atomos Blade.

Afaik Convergent-Design sells similar cables too. 50cm is just a little bit too short
 
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Ronin with extension arms works great for me! Not many issues with balancing or the software bugging out on me. Like all things, it takes practice with the setup and making sure your settings are how you like them (via the DJI Assistant app), but once you get that nailed down it works like a charm!

Here's a couple shots of my setup both overslung and underslung. No complaints here!
 

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TMHiggins said:
Ronin with extension arms works great for me! Not many issues with balancing or the software bugging out on me. Like all things, it takes practice with the setup and making sure your settings are how you like them (via the DJI Assistant app), but once you get that nailed down it works like a charm!

Here's a couple shots of my setup both overslung and underslung. No complaints here!
Click to expand...

looks great! What support are you using?
 
Clermond said:
looks great! What support are you using?
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I prefer not using any support. I've used an easyrig a handful of times but I don't like the look it gives. I feel like the operator is in less control and the image can look somewhat bouncy depending on how much weight is on the ronin (i.e. wireless follow focus, heavy cine lenses, etc.).

My preference is to just have a two man team on the ronin - someone to handoff the rig to after the shot is done. I also mount the ronin on a c-stand when I can so I don't have to bend over as much haha. Overslinging the camera on any long take helps tremendously as well for fatigue (if the shot calls for it).

Plus this way you can eat as much craft service as you want without paying the consequences :happy:
 
Here a way i found to mount directly fs7 on Hélix basic plate. That run very well too!
20151126_222349.jpg
I did a test today with Hélix and FS7, that run well. I have to tweak a little hélix software to improve some settings.
HelixFS7.jpg

Here is the link to vidéo test (light was poor, end of cloudy day not perfect for Slog3 and cine ei @800iso):
https://vimeo.com/147251795
 
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I've used the ronin and fs7 together a handful of times over the last 3 months for a reality show. We don't have the extension arm so we've been limited to really small primes. We mostly use the voightlander 15mm paired with the fs7s larger battery to help distribute weight to the back. it takes a bit of extra time to completely strip the camera of the XDCA module, shoulder rig etc, but with this setup I can JUST get enough clearance at the back of the camera so that it will balance correctly.


The only problem I've run into is that the camera is a bit top heavy [even completely stripped down]. A lot of people can probably get away with having fs7/ronin combo a bit top heavy however, this show calls for a lot of tilts where we're looking almost straight up. The motor was giving out on me so we had to add some bottom weight.

I've found that adding velcro to the bottom of the ptap output on the ronin and attaching a sync box is just enough bottom weight that i can balance it perfectly. My sound guys like that too. The small fs7 battery has worked well for me in place of the sync box if need be.
 
Omniview Tech has some pretty good selection of Gimbals

Omniview Tech has some pretty good selection of Gimbals

Ben Scott said:
I'm led to believe that the FS7 (with top handle removed) will work very well with the DJI Ronin if you get the DJI (or 3rd party) arm extensions.

Just wondering about any other success people have had with other systems, from the higher end MOVI and DEFY types to the cheapy Came-TV or now MOZA systems.

Obviously any example footage would be great to see too.
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I was searching for months looking for an inexpensive system preferably under 2000 that could Cary my FS7. After testing a bunch of gimbals I found a company located in Toronto Canada called OmniView Tech.

They set me up with one of their custom Gimbal. I haven't been happier there system is very stable and it can carry my FS7+Lens+follow focus system and I have my monitor on it too. The best part is the battery is standard lipo so with a 6000 Mah battery I got 8 hour run time which was perfect for days were I don't have time to charge and no need to carry bunch of batteries with me.

Www.omniviewtech.ca
 
DaCameraGuy said:
I was searching for months looking for an inexpensive system preferably under 2000 that could Cary my FS7. After testing a bunch of gimbals I found a company located in Toronto Canada called OmniView Tech.

They set me up with one of their custom Gimbal. I haven't been happier there system is very stable and it can carry my FS7+Lens+follow focus system and I have my monitor on it too. The best part is the battery is standard lipo so with a 6000 Mah battery I got 8 hour run time which was perfect for days were I don't have time to charge and no need to carry bunch of batteries with me.

Www.omniviewtech.ca
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Could you share more detailed experience? It sounds like advertising for a company which is a dealer for various brands like Came, DJI, MOZA, MÖVI etc.. ?
 
FS7 run very well on classic hélix, i better setup hélix with good settings and the newer hélix firmware maximize angle you can reach (upper and lower). I installed vmount batterie on my belt to powered all the rig (fs7+small hd501) you have additional power plugs option on hélix to power follow focus etc. I worked several days with that rig without problem (5 hours on same v mount batterie). i bought an a7RII+batis 25mm to have better AF when need it . This combo works crazy well for AF, far better than Fs7 and you can modify speed into A7RII menu for tracking and AF.
 
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