Zhiyun Crane

I think they just released a newer version of crane2, payload @3.2kg
its abit confusing is it same as the crane V2?
 
they are constantly doing firmware updates. If anything changed, it would only be the packaging to reflect the latest firmware supported on all V2 cranes.

And actually, probably on all V1 cranes, too, as per my knowledge the motors are the same. V2 crane just changed the mounting mechanism and some of the button design and layout.
 
Gee, I have a Crane V2 on the way and now they already have a Crane 2? Ah, it's hard to keep up with new stuff these days.
 
And that "dial" thing on the side of the handle is a follow-focus for cameras that support electronic lens focusing...
 
TheDingo said:
And that "dial" thing on the side of the handle is a follow-focus for cameras that support electronic lens focusing...
Click to expand...

Really? wonder how it works? is the little lens support mount infront is a wireless motor for turing the lens focus ring?
or wifi control over camera body?

any info which body is supported?
 
ph2003 said:
Really? wonder how it works?
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It uses the focusing motor already built in to the electronic lens. I haven't seen any details about which cameras and lenses are supported, but I would guess that cameras that already support remote focusing ( like the GH5 via the Panasonic phone/tablet app ) are a good bet.
 
If this one is just as good to stabilize footage as the original Crane I'm getting one because my Crane V1 has been so useful and I really like the new features this one provides.
 
Nice progression. I wonder how heavy it is compared to V2. Looks like they switched out the circular knobs for the v type. Wonder why as it will make it a little harder to get precision balancing. Wish they made it at a 45 degree slant, but maybe V2.
 
Just saw this on B&H and gathering info, decided to check in here to see if anyone was posting about it. You guys didn't disappoint.

I think the follow focus is a game changer. Manual focus while walking on a gimbal was impossible and if I ever wanted to do a rack, I would turn off the gimbal or remove the camera from the gimbal altogether. If it works well then presumably you could follow focus while walking, or zoom in and grab a rack focus without removing the camera from the gimbal or turning it off and awkwardly holding the camera with the gimbal hanging underneath (or having to own an Olympus lens just to be able to do racks for that matter). Especially for GH5 users with the way the autofocus hunts constantly I think this would be a great relief.

goodgoings said:
Nice progression. I wonder how heavy it is compared to V2. Looks like they switched out the circular knobs for the v type. Wonder why as it will make it a little harder to get precision balancing. Wish they made it at a 45 degree slant, but maybe V2.
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This is a crucial piece of info. According to the product page the Crane 1 V2 is 950 grams while the Crane 2 is 1250 grams. This is quite close to the Pilotfly H2 (900ish) and Came-TV Single (1200ish). Back before anyone had heard of Zhiyun I remember Dave Dugdale doing a review of those two gimbals and the weight difference was one of the factors in him preferring the H2, if I recall. But I will say that I currently use the Came-TV Single and have no problems with the weight, so the follow focus might make it worth it for me.

Here's a prototype video unfortunately only in Chinese but there's a translation in the comment section. Apparently has an ISO wheel along with the focus wheel?

Here's a teaser marketing video.
 
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I just got my V2 Crane and looking how to get hold of a micro USB that can be used to control the camera and at the same time have my SmallHD Focus connected. The Zhiyun Sony cable have angled connectors and I don't think that works with both USB and HDMI connected. Ideas?
 
from the video above they said you can control focus and iso over the crane, and its only support for canon cameras (playing with 5D4 mounted)
maybe they will upgrade the firmware to support sony and pana :(
 
In the midst of color sessions on my latest series. Stylistically we used a number of different cameras for various looks, but I also used my A7S against the Varicam LT for a few lockoffs and stunt shots and we've been able to color pretty closely. I picked up the small Zhiyun crane to experiment with my Sony RX100IV for a couple of action shots. Today we matched that footage in successfully, it was a flat-out run by one of my operators that would have been too fast for a full-fledged Steadicam. I'm still on the fence with the larger gimbals but this little critter did quite well for this application, and my operator picked up the technique within a few minutes.
 
ph2003 said:
from the video above they said you can control focus and iso over the crane, and its only support for canon cameras (playing with 5D4 mounted)
maybe they will upgrade the firmware to support sony and pana :(
Click to expand...

just speculation but I'm sure they will work with pana and sony on release. The follow focus works via a camera cable that controls the af motor on the lens, and right now zhiyun only has camera cables for sony and pana. The video is of an early prototype afterall.
 
That would be disappointing if true. I'm telling my company to hold off on purchasing the crane in the hopes that the crane 2 follow focus works with a gh5. Don't know how long i can hold off the purchase.
 
Wonder why they put so much effort into developing it for a camera that already has pretty good DPAF built in like the 5D MKIV? It's the GH5, A7 variants, Fujinon XT-2, etc. that need this more than the Canons. I have the 80D and the DPAF and face tracking is very usable when flying it on the Crane.
 
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