How to Balance 3 Axis Brushless Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer

• • 11 Comments

Earlier I tested the CAME 5000 stabilizer with a Panasonic GH3 (found here). These new stabilizers work best when your camera is perfectly balanced. There was no instruction manual on how to properly balance a camera on this stabilizer, but I think i've figured it out.

So here's a very quick follow up video on how to balance a camera on a 3 Axis Brushless Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer. I'm just using a DIY Frame with a bunch of 15mm Rails, clamps, and friction arms to hold up the Gimbal. However you manage to hold up your stabilizer, try to keep it as level as possible before starting your balancing steps.

Now that I think my camera is balanced much better, i'll have to take her out for a spin again. In case you're just dropping in on this article, you can see my first test run (with an imbalanced camera) at the following article: First Impression – CAME 5000 3-Axis Brushless Motor Gimbal Video Stabilizer

[Tip] This tutorial is not limited to these motorized gimbals for video. If you're a photographer working with a large lens, the procedures found in the video can also be used to balance Photography Specific Camera Gimbals (found here via eBay).

Photo Lens GimbalCamera Gimbal

11 thoughts on “How to Balance 3 Axis Brushless Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer”

  2. Emm

     Post author

    @Rabby - Balancing is the same for most stabilizers,, there's plenty on the web. They all show slightly different methods, but all good tips to absorb. Practice is really the key element. Make sure your camera isn't too light when used with vest systems.

  3. Rabby

    Hi Emm,

    Took a plunge. Just bought the Came Vest/arm + Stabilizer kits. I am all in...the whole shebang, Hahaha little bit of worried at the same time, since I have never really used one, got a long ways to go.

    Can you please recommend a Sturdy Stand for the Docking Plate?
    You had a tutorial on balancing right, I think I remember..

    Thanks again
    Rabyoung

  5. Bernardo

    Not habing adjsutment for the balance is really a setback, you'll notice this when ii are paning while pointing up or down.

    I recommend everyone to use the "silk dq-10" mini quick release adapter, it's affordable, super compact and lightweight, you won't regret it, I use it with my Besteady one and a gh3+14-140 lens

    When y balance the tilt y do it with the lens set at a 30mm focal range, that way when I'm shooting I can move between a 14mm and 50mm range without having to readjust the balance, the motors can compensate balance without a problem even if it is not perfectly balance at 50mm or 14mm. Zooming was one of my main concerns before purchasing the gimbal but this solved it and I was able to shoot an entire wedding with it.

  8. Emm

     Post author

    @Rabby - If you have an idea of your camera build, you can add a QR adapter on this device and go flying right away. It's only when you have to change your configuration you will have to rebalance everything. There is a lot to worry about with these new Gimbals, electronics, motors, batteries, wiring, etc. For those Vest + Stabilizer kits I don't see a lot going wrong. If you're not experienced in Gimbals (like me), perhaps you should wait to see what other options are available in the coming months. For the vest systems, you really can't go wrong and you should have consistent results.

  9. Rabby

    Thanks Emm,

    For the detail explanations, Yes the design is not as easy to set it up fast when you have a client looking over you, but it'd be doable, I hope they will address these issues in their next generations.

    I am still debating whether to buy this or the Came Video Steadycam Vest Arm you mentioned few months back. Since I have never used any kind of Stabilizers before. I know its gonna take some time to get good at.

    The FlyCam Nano from India, never really worked well, it's right now collecting dust.:))

    This seems bit more manageable. Any ADVICE?

  10. Matt

    Thanks for doing this Emm. I'm not in the market for this sort of thing (yet) but I still find it interesting and it's probably something I'd look into at some point. Anyway, just appreciate you blazing the trail and detailing your experience.

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