dji Ronin (XL) Multi Test-Shoot/Review!

[Sergei Smolovich]

Haha Sergei,

I mean for the SDI cable

Something like this? -->

I don't get - Why the cable can be a problem, if we get thin cable like on top picture, but with "angle connector" on camera side ?

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Cables are n problem as far as they are put in place so not to disturb the sway of travel of the rig during panning and tilting, otherwise one will find a need to actually limit either way of travel.

But in general the more contained the cables are within the set up the better, and I in fact, while loving Austin's thin LCD cable, would prefer a cable less LCD system, so to move more freely about with the rig, and also this will make swapping mounts form top Handles to any rig much faster and the LCD can then be mounted literally any were, even on one self...

 

[alexandre Chailan]

You right Ketch,

On the FS700 we need more space behind the cam for plugin the SDI cable with the Odyssey. So yes Sergei, it's this cable, the solution I thinked for counter weight didn't work (wrong counter weight to big) so at this time I can only balance the FS700 with small counter weight and use the internal codec, just wait for another counter weight solution or the XL arms

 

[Sergei Smolovich]

I was searching today for the best type of cables, and I found this one from Convergent Design --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...esign_cd_od_sdi_hd_sdi_male_male_cable_3.html

... it's very thin, but unfortunately they don't make the same kind of cable,

but with "RIGHT ANGLE" connector on at list one side.. like this one:

What I see in B&H seems not good ( I don't like "twisted" cables and thick plastic covers on it ) and expensive --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/997268-REG/shape_sh20bn_coil_sdi_to_bnc.html/prm/alsVwDtl

ON e-bay I found short ( 8") one:

I gonna get 2-3 different type of them, and try it, when my Ronin coming :001_rolleyes:

 

[Sergei Smolovich]

Cables are n problem as far as they are put in place so not to disturb the sway of travel of the rig during panning and tilting, otherwise one will find a need to actually limit either way of travel.

But in general the more contained the cables are within the set up the better, and I in fact, while loving Austin's thin LCD cable, would prefer a cable less LCD system, so to move more freely about with the rig, and also this will make swapping mounts form top Handles to any rig much faster and the LCD can then be mounted literally any were, even on one self...

I see a lot of cables here many different type .. seems like they work well :smile:

 

[alexandre Chailan]

Can't wait for theses Xl Arms

Sergei, I bring the shape right angle, at the begining I order the Cinecoil but after 3 weeks to wait i switch to the shape, very good, do the job

 

[Ketch Rossi]

If the cables are long and flexible enough they will work, but they will never let the unit work as well as if there was no cables...

 

[Kyle Messina]

I balanced an fs700 with a zeiss cp.2 and a little added weight on the bottom/back of the camera. Just need an elbow for the SDI so I can send that to the 7Q more freely on the cross bar with a paralinx attached to that.

Oh FS700 users

Well, I balance mine with some weight too, I test with the 17-40 at 17 and Canon 35L & 50L. I can balance but can't use my odyssey because I haven't enough space behind the cam, so Tomorow I will recieve another extra weight (1.6) and normaly I could push the FS700 more in front and having more space behind, for sure more weight but at this time without the XL arms it's the only solution.

Actually, i use the 2 screw under the cam and conter weight with 2 ikan hot shoes (use for holding monitor normally), and it's work, around 285grammes.

Pics with Ronin off :

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Ketch, are you ready soon with the review?

 

[Per von Koch]

Ketch, are you ready soon with the review?

It's a solid piece of hardware. I've been using it every day the past week. Just buy it. But make sure you go regulary to the gym. And get a massage every now and then

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch, are you ready soon with the review?

I was going to wait and have the short we did be done first, and have the review out at the same time...

But do few other jobs piling up and the editor on a real crunch with other jobs, this might still take a while longer...

Good news is that many are getting the Ronin, and so far so good...


I can say again that the unit is build Solid and there is absolutely nothing to not love about the Ronin.

But to give a full review I also need to shoot an other piece specifically designed to use the Ronin in all 3 Modes and in various mounts and gear combo.

So far we used it on land walking, running, and on the back of a car, and on water on a fast riding speed boat.


I really like it, is build solid, and offers a really great tool at a great price, but I will not give a full review putting my name out without having tested the gear fully in all its modes, and I am also currently awaiting on the XL arms replacement and at this point I am also requesting a Production unit or replacement parts for the prototype I have ben shooting with, as to insure my final assessment and in depth review will be as accurate to the units every one else will be getting and has already gotten as possible.

We'll be sure once I have it, that we run the latest software and App combo, shoot the review and set up of the Gimbal and post it.


Till then I see that several are already showing videos on how to, and unfortunately some are not real good at all, and will in fact give a negative view of the Ronin, and confuse and make thing more difficult to the end user...

My review will be as in detail and precise as possible as to offer a precise idea of what the Ronin is and what can do, and how to balance it properly.

 

[NOSA OBAYIUWANA]

Ketch, It will be great if you can do a review on how to balance and connect it with the Ipad app. I am sure I am doing it wrong but I am finding it difficult to set up quickly.

 

[alexandre Chailan]

I balanced an fs700 with a zeiss cp.2 and a little added weight on the bottom/back of the camera. Just need an elbow for the SDI so I can send that to the 7Q more freely on the cross bar with a paralinx attached to that.

Do you have the reference product for the added weight you add ?

I saw on dvxuser another guy who use the Rosette with a bracket and countery weight, 16-35 L + Odyssey and he has the good thing to use the DTAP power for the Odyseey ! Less weight

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch, It will be great if you can do a review on how to balance and connect it with the Ipad app. I am sure I am doing it wrong but I am finding it difficult to set up quickly.

When I'll do the review will be in depth and very detailed as promised, touching every single Mode and getting the Gimbal ready from the case to mounting the camera to getting to work, as if was the first time I was using it, as to be sure that any one viewing such review, will easily be able to get it to work...

Putting it together, balancing it, and controlling it.

 

[NOSA OBAYIUWANA]

That will be brilliant.

 

[Rome Will]

Ketch,

Getting my Ronin- hopefully it will ship today and I'll have it my this weekend! Quick questions since we have the same setup:

1) How are you powering your epic? I was thinking about grabbing a Red Belt Clip so I can use my existing Swtichonix V-Mount batteries, and I won't have much weight added to the rig
2) I am also using Xenon's, with a Bright Tangerine MB...I will use the included 15mm rods, and want to know are the included rods long enough to use with the BT MB 15mm rod support rail adapter, or would you recommend using the step-down clamp to attach the MB to the Xenon lens? I have a Heden motor, but its attached to 19mm lightweight rails through an top mount rail configuration

As always, I really appreciate your time and help with this! Crazy that we have the same configuration...shooting something this fall and the Ronin will be instrumental in the production.

Again, thanks!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch,

Getting my Ronin- hopefully it will ship today and I'll have it my this weekend! Quick questions since we have the same setup:

1) How are you powering your epic? I was thinking about grabbing a Red Belt Clip so I can use my existing Swtichonix V-Mount batteries, and I won't have much weight added to the rig
2) I am also using Xenon's, with a Bright Tangerine MB...I will use the included 15mm rods, and want to know are the included rods long enough to use with the BT MB 15mm rod support rail adapter, or would you recommend using the step-down clamp to attach the MB to the Xenon lens? I have a Heden motor, but its attached to 19mm lightweight rails through an top mount rail configuration

As always, I really appreciate your time and help with this! Crazy that we have the same configuration...shooting something this fall and the Ronin will be instrumental in the production.

Again, thanks!

Hey Rome,

I power DragonM8 on the Ronin either thru the Redvolt on Side Handle or Blueshape 100HD V-Lock Batteries either screwed on to the Top Plate in the back at a low mode or side ways on the camera removing the Side Handle.

Each set up requires different camera configurations as to more properly be able to balance, and not leave the motors with too much slack to pick up, even so as I said many times the Ronin motors are very powerful and had so far no problem picking up any and all of the slack left from at times not been able to perfectly balancing the set up do to a weird or uneven configuration of the camera.

For this I have not worried about much on getting that balance perfect, but when possible I always see what gear I have on it and then choose power accordingly to the needs of the shoot.

Of course I also would not use a V-Lock battery when I know I only am to shoot short sequences of no more then 10/15minutes and the time to take out the Redvolt and replace it was an allowance were carrying the extra weight wasn't.

The Xenon and BT MB are absolutely no problem, and I add to that also the 2 filters, or even a 138mm Circular 1/4 Wave filter.

Mounting the MB to the Xenon it would be best if you go with the clam ons as to reduce even the extra weight of the Swing away mount and rods, no matter what is always good to diminish weight, unless the Ronin is hunting or hooked up on some type of rig and not hand carried, in that case I would go with the MB actually mounted on bottom camera plate as to make lens changes faster.

 

[Andreas Almkvist]

Hi Ketch!

I've used a lot of gimbals but the RONIN seems like a much better solution than all the others...
I currently own an FS700 and the only thing I'm concerned about is when/if they will be making the XL arms?

Great thread and I'm looking forward to the review!

 

[Rome Will]

Andreas,

I asked Ketch the same question. I think he said the arms are still in development, but aren't ready to ship now...but I don't want to speak for him, so I'll let him respond. But, he did say that the current arms are fine for the Red Epic...hopefully, they should work for your configuration.

Ketch,

Quick follow-up question.

I basically want to know if you can hook a belt clip (from Red, the DSMC model) to the Ronin, and still have the functionality? Or will the cord somehow restrict motion? I know some motion (like the flip upside down) won't work, but for all the other basic motions, will the wire connected from something like a belt clip to the camera on a Ronin be good/bad/or just ugly in terms of functionality?

As always, a sincere thank you for your time and contribution! I doubt I (or a lot of other Redusers/other forum watchers) would even be considering a Ronin rig if it hadn't been for your writeup...and the pending review (although you've basically already gave it pretty positive reviews).

Thanks Ketch!

 

[Rome Will]

I found this video while searching the web. I don't know if it's been posted yet, but this makes seems like an easy rig to balance (or at least the initial balancing).

http://youtu.be/aRjTyNnKzBc

Hope this helps...can't wait till I get mine. I know some people still like unboxing pics, so when I get mine, I will snap some and post them.