Tag Archives: 3 axis stabilizer

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There is a plethora of hand held gimbals for Smart Phones today, but just in case you were looking at the Zhiyun Z1-Smooth-C, I just happened to have one sent over and here's a video overview and test using the iPhone 6s.

The Zhiyun Z1-Smooth-C gimbal is easy to calibrate through a computer system, or without a PC. The trick is to remember the sequence of positions you need to flip through, and finding a level surface to do this. But once you're calibrated it should be fine.

I can't confirm this, but by looking at the build and how it feels, I don't believe this has any encoders. This is something all gimbals are starting to introduce, and possibly because this uses it's own software it may not be supported yet.

The Zhiyun Smooth is a pretty straight forward system to get up and running, and it's nice that it does fold completely flat for travel. It can support smartphones with screens as large as 7" inches, which includes the iPhone 6 Plus. You can find the product available (here).

zhiyun-tech smooth gimbal smartphone iphone
find-price-button Zhiyun Smooth-C 3 Axis Smart Phone Gimbal

And just in case you're interested in the Moondog Labs Anamorpic Lens for iPhones, you can find below.

moondog labs anamorphic lens adapte iphone 6 s
find-price-button Moondog Labs 1.33x Anamorphic Lens Adapter for iPhone

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In my first review I mentioned the CAME-ACTION Gimbal could not mount a GoPro LCD BacPac because of the short screws. But I did mention I believed it was strong enough if we could find longer screws. Because people were asking, here's a demo of the CAME-ACTION GoPro Gimbal (with Encoders) supporting the weight of a GoPro with LCD BacPac and ND Filter.

It still works perfectly and is able to stabilize all this extra weight. Checking the website, there are less than dozen left. Hopefully it's not something that goes out of stock and you have to wait weeks for another batch, so if you're still deciding, this is a great GoPro gimbal and it's possible to support all your GoPro accessories.

came-tv action came-action gimbal encoders
VIEW-ITEM CAME-TV GoPro 3-Axis Gimbal with Encoders

Here's an adapter you can use for Painter's Poles if you want a cheap extension for your GoPro. find it (here).

painters-pole-adaptersa1501-view-2-2
find-price-button Seaport Digital Painter's Pole Adapter with 1/4-20 Male Thread

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The recent advancements to support 'Encoders' in the SBGC firmware is now opening up the doors to more stable and more efficient 3-axis gimbals stabilizers. Although we've seen dozens of GoPro gimbals in the past, the first GoPro Gimbal to take advantage of the newly support feature is the CAME-ACTION.

Encoders are such an advanced option to have with SBGC gimbals, that other gimbals without encoders almost feel outdated already. Almost like comparing the old 8-bit SBGC controllers to the 32-bit controllers. It really does make a significant enough difference. So here's an overview of the CAME-ACTION gimbal and why I think it's the most advanced Gopro hand held system to date.

The way the front bracket has been designed, this system does not support the LCD or an extension battery BacPac, but the GoPro can be powered and charged through the gimbal batteries for longer run times. A 1/4-20 thread under the handle makes it convenient to add on top of a monopod or extension pole for extra high or low shots. The new CAME-ACTION GoPro Gimbal with Encoders is available now at https://CAME-TV.com (here)

came-tv action came-action gimbal encoders
VIEW-ITEM CAME-TV GoPro 3-Axis Gimbal with Encoders

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To date there are still only a couple of single handed pistol grip styled 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizers designed to support cameras like the Panasonic GH4, Sony A7s, or even Canon T4i. The first ever and possibly still most popular one available is the Nebula 4000 from Filmpower. Here's a quick interview from the Camera Motion Research booth during our NAB 2015 coverage.

Although the Filmpower Nebula 4000 Gimbal can be found around the world, USA residents should visit Camera Motion Research. They may be the only USA reseller of the Nebula 4000 gimbal. You'll benefit from their fast shipping, quality customer support, and domestic shipping if you ever have to deal with warranty issues. Even if you have just basic questions about the Nebula 4000, you can contact Camera Motion Research over at their website https://camotionllc.com (found here).

nebula 4000 3 axis gimbal stabilizer camera motion research
find-price-button Camera Motion Research Nebula 4000 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

NAB 2015 Platinum Sponsors

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Here's a step by step balancing video I shot when the CAME-MINI Gimbal first arrived at the studio. The first camera I attempted to balance was the GH4 + 12-35mm F/2.8 Lens. Without tool-less adjustments and a super compact frame, balancing a camera for the 'first time' may take at least 10-15 minutes.

Now that i've had CAME-MINI Gimbal for more than a week, it's pretty much everything I expected. Feels like great build quality, works very smooth, super portable, lightweight, and compact. But of course with such a compact gimbal, you'll naturally run into limitations of what camera and lens you can actually use. Even though the front mounted frame can be removed to support a slightly taller camera, and a larger lens, this doesn't mean this will be the ideal gimbal for that setup.

CAME-MINI Gimbal
find-price-button CAME-MINI 3-Axis Gimbal GH4/A7s/BMPCC

Now i'm sure there will be people attempting all types of heavy setups, and maybe you can prove me wrong, but my general recommendation is that if you have to use a lens adapter this is probably not going to be a good gimbal for you. If you're working with a GH4 | A7s | BMPCC body with a lightweight native lens (that you don't have to swap often), the CAME-MINI Gimbal makes for a great compact stabilizer.

Unlike the even smaller handheld systems, this is of course a 32 bit Dual IMU Sensor gimbal. So it's got all of the latest and greatest firmware for stability and PID tuning. If you have to travel with a more compact size, the entire top handle can be removed from the lower frame, the top handle can be removed, and the side handles can be removed as well.

A video posted by Emm (@mrcheesycam) on

A photo posted by Emm (@mrcheesycam) on

The system uses 18650 Batteries, and while I thought this might be a task to get spares, I purchased this set of 18650 Ultrafire batteries + 2 chargers, and they work perfectly. The system runs for about 1 hour on stock batteries, but my set of batteries have double the capacity and i'm hoping they will run for about 2 hours.


find-price-button UltraFire 18650 Batteries with Chargers

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The following video is an example of how I choose to configure the different profiles available when using the Alexmos Basecam 32 Bit Gimbal Controller. This is not unique to the Tiyaga MIni Gimbal i'm using, as you can apply the same techniques to your CAMETV 32 Bit Gimbals or Varavon Birdycam Stabilizer.

With the Joystick installed, I can remain static and allow the gimbal to perform Pan or Tilt moves much like a tripod with a fluid head. Or I can enable 'Follow Mode' to which I control the Pitch and Tilt simply by maneuvering the handles. One profile allows me to disable follow mode completely so that I can track a subject straight on without drifting. I'm also able to calibrate the entire gimbal on location without the need of software by reserving Profile 4 & 5. My long press option is reserved for Inverting the Gimbal Frame which can be handy when I want to place the handles below the camera and when not using a monitor.

Here's a rundown of the different profile settings i'm using.
Profile 1: Follow Mode ON Pitch + Yaw
Profile 2: Follow Mode ON Yaw | Pitch OFF
Profile 3: Follow Mode OFF Pitch + Yaw
Profile 4: Calibrate ACC (sensors)
Profile 5: Calibrate Gyros
Long Press: Invert Gimbal Frame

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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

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