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

[Jerry Hattan]

Willis - you're my new best friend! Thanks for not only taking time to respond, but posting pix of the proof -

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Okay, here are few pics of our first Test-Shoot with our friends at Cine5K with fellow Reduser Luigi Valtulini and colleagues... I'll be waiting to give a full review once we do few more Test-Shoot with other gear and camera set up combination, and also bring to you a tone more BTS pics, and finally a nice series of Videos and a really in depth Video Review.

But for now I like to say this, I absolutely LOVE the Briefcase mode!!

The Xenon with the Bright Tangerine VIV Matte Box works just beautifully on the Ronin!!

The thin cable for the Red LCD by Austin Glass from Slackline Films, makes working on the Gimbal with a RED LCD a great experience!!

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

I like where this is going. Looking forward to se the outcome.

 

[vincent van schijndel]

I am going back to Germany no question, only need to find pout were exactly in Germany I will be, possibly multiple locations.

as close to the center of holland as possible would be awesome

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I like where this is going. Looking forward to se the outcome.

Glad you do Joel...

While is taking me a little longer then expected, I will ultimately fill this thread with so much info and variety of goodies that I am positive will make any one interested in the Ronin, an extremely happy read!

as close to the center of holland as possible would be awesome

Copy that Vincent, but at this time I have yet to get final location/s were I will need to be at for carrying on some planned Lens business, let's hope is closer to every one interested...

 

[Jonathan Burt]

Hi Willis,

Do you know if the Ronin will be able to fit the Sony FS700 with the regular arms or will I need to get the XL arms?

Many thanks

 

[vincent van schijndel]

Glad you do Joel...

While is taking me a little longer then expected, I will ultimately fill this thread with so much info and variety of goodies that I am positive will make any one interested in the Ronin, an extremely happy read!



Copy that Vincent, but at this time I have yet to get final location/s were I will need to be at for carrying on some planned Lens business, let's hope is closer to every one interested...

no problem, i totally understand if you get in our direction i will try to catch up, if i can't make it it is not that big of a deal, then i will just have to wait til we receive them as a dealer

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hi Willis,

Do you know if the Ronin will be able to fit the Sony FS700 with the regular arms or will I need to get the XL arms?

Many thanks

The FS700 should work just fine, as it is back heavy, and the long camera plate can be screwed on either at the back end or front end accordingly beofre even go balancing the system, with the XL arms there will be NO camera that can't be balanced on the Ronin XL, even the Alexa.

no problem, i totally understand if you get in our direction i will try to catch up, if i can't make it it is not that big of a deal, then i will just have to wait til we receive them as a dealer

I will be posting updates both here and on my social media channels as to allow any fellow Reduser interested in the Ronin to say hi and come see it in action.

 

[vincent van schijndel]

just started following you

btw, do you think an sony f5/f55 is going to fit without the xl arms with a proper lens etc?

 

[Ketch Rossi]

just started following you

btw, do you think an sony f5/f55 is going to fit without the xl arms with a proper lens etc?

Thanks Vincent!

Yes there will be n problem in balancing those camera either... The XL, in the length I tested, was in 3" and at that length even an Alexa could be balanced on it, so there is no other camera that should be left out of a Gimbal, the Ronin is going to bring something new to the game, however I believe that upon my first tests with the XL mars, there might the a different length offered for different cameras, as to insure that the length that the camera center of gravity seats from the horizontal distance form the body is kept as short as possible, and of course again, the longer the XL arms the bigger and longer the camera set up the heavier it becomes and this screams for alternative assisted mounts by any means of upper cable hunting or steady mounted, or Segway... But to do some of this the system needs to be in inverted mode.

I'll go in to detail in my final review, and by then I'll have a serious amount of BTS photos and few BTS videos as well as some nice Ronin footage to show.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

And I am pretty impressed by the team at DJI for their new Intro vid of the Ronin... Bravo... Now I have to work much harder to make my video review...

 

[vincent kardasik]

And I am pretty impressed by the team at DJI for their new Intro vid of the Ronin... Bravo... Now I have to work much harder to make my video review...

Yes, DJI are really good on how they communicate on that product!

 

[Scott Pultz]

Is there any footage shot and shown in 24p? The slow mo looks cool, but I want to see some 24p footage too

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Is there any footage shot and shown in 24p? The slow mo looks cool, but I want to see some 24p footage too

What we shot in Switzerland in a quick few minutes test will also be slow motion, and possibly few shots in 25p.

But the next Test Shoot will be all done in 24p.

 

[vincent kardasik]

Ketch,
I know you're working hard to deliver us a good review and I can't wait to watch it but I have a burning question regarding the Ronin which I already asked Peter on his thread.
On its specs Ronin weights 9lbs so 6lbs more than the Movi which you have extensively use.
Don't you think the Ronin is way too heavy? I know how physical it is to operate the Movi when running with it for hours so I'm really worried about these 9lbs...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch,
I know you're working hard to deliver us a good review and I can't wait to watch it but I have a burning question regarding the Ronin which I already asked Peter on his thread.
On its specs Ronin weights 9lbs so 6lbs more than the Movi which you have extensively use.
Don't you think the Ronin is way too heavy? I know how physical it is to operate the Movi when running with it for hours so I'm really worried about these 9lbs...

Ok Vincent,

you rase a serious and an honest question here, so I'll answer it honestly!

The Ronin is indeed on the heavy side, but there is also a reason for it, well actually two of them...

1) The Ronin costs less then 1/3 of the price of the Movi... This means that the construction of it, is mostly Metals, not Carbon Fiber... This helps keeping the costs down tremendously.

But I would not trade the Ronin for the Movi, or any other Gimbal I have so far tested, simply because the Ronin can sustain and fly easily even the heaviest configured Red Epic/Scarlet camera, and an array of other cameras form other manufacturers, for me is important that a tool does not limit me in what camera configuration and accessories I can make use of for my shoots, and for this I love the Ronin.

I also run a fully loaded Epic with Cine Lenses and Matte Box with filters add Focus Motor, Wireless Monitoring and you do get up there with the weight, I'll also do a precise weight analysis of each camera set up used on the Ronin and share it in my in depth review.

I believe that the weight on the Ronin will cut down by Carbon Fiber parts, and or lighter more expensive Aircraft aluminum alloys composite and such, but this, should it come to be, will add costs of production either if coming as a different version of the Ronin in the future, or by simply upgrading parts of it as they become available, either by DJI should they choose to do so, or my third parties.

At the end of the day, what every one needs to understand is that running a Gimbal without any assistance form any other support, will only allow for short shots sequences, and not long ones, no matter the weight differences form the Movi or the Ronin neither can be run for extended periods of times, as the position in which force one to extend their arms off their center of the body is unnatural and will cause body fatigue...

What I love about the Ronion however is that it's Briefcase mode allows to carry it just like, well, a Briefcase, and that mode allows for far more extended shots sequences as it does not tired one's body as much, and switching form left to right hands is also quick, safe and a great option...

Now when in need of eye level shots, the support is also better then when shooting in standard mode, and I also happen to like this mode better andy ways, as I prefer to shot eye level instead of the standard Gimbal, and I will in fact show how I prefer to mount my camera for those shots.


At the end of the day, one must choose it's gear accordingly.

Some will choose the Ronin because is so inexpensive for what it offers, for it's different Modes, for the load capacity and Cine style camera rigging with ease, and for the company behind.

Some will choose the Movi as they might not care to spend over 3 times, and might not need to carry heavier loads or longer heavier lenses.

Some will choose other options for different reasons...

However there is a big difference in choosing without having tested the gear with similar set ups, and choosing after having done so...

I am lucky in that I have had first look at several Gimbals, including the Movi, which btw I also absolutely need to say that it is an incredible piece of gear, just too expensive, and not the right tool for the type of camera set ups I need to fly, as well as the shooting Modes vs the Ronin.

Again, I'll be sure to go in detail on the extended form onset video review, but not for a little while longer, as I want to be sure to have a great deal of footage to choose form and carious set ups used in various scenarios before I do that, so that I can offer a truly in depth review that can easily serve as a decision maker for any one not familiar with any Gimbal, and or wanting to know if the Ronin is truly the right Gimbal for their use.

 

[vincent kardasik]

Ok Vincent,

you rase a serious and an honest question here, so I'll answer it honestly!

The Ronin is indeed on the heavy side, but there is also a reason for it, well actually two of them...

1) The Ronin costs less then 1/3 of the price of the Movi... This means that the construction of it, is mostly Metals, not Carbon Fiber... This helps keeping the costs down tremendously.

But I would not trade the Ronin for the Movi, or any other Gimbal I have so far tested, simply because the Ronin can sustain and fly easily even the heaviest configured Red Epic/Scarlet camera, and an array of other cameras form other manufacturers, for me is important that a tool does not limit me in what camera configuration and accessories I can make use of for my shoots, and for this I love the Ronin.

I also run a fully loaded Epic with Cine Lenses and Matte Box with filters add Focus Motor, Wireless Monitoring and you do get up there with the weight, I'll also do a precise weight analysis of each camera set up used on the Ronin and share it in my in depth review.

I believe that the weight on the Ronin will cut down by Carbon Fiber parts, and or lighter more expensive Aircraft aluminum alloys composite and such, but this, should it come to be, will add costs of production either if coming as a different version of the Ronin in the future, or by simply upgrading parts of it as they become available, either by DJI should they choose to do so, or my third parties.

At the end of the day, what every one needs to understand is that running a Gimbal without any assistance form any other support, will only allow for short shots sequences, and not long ones, no matter the weight differences form the Movi or the Ronin neither can be run for extended periods of times, as the position in which force one to extend their arms off their center of the body is unnatural and will cause body fatigue...

What I love about the Ronion however is that it's Briefcase mode allows to carry it just like, well, a Briefcase, and that mode allows for far more extended shots sequences as it does not tired one's body as much, and switching form left to right hands is also quick, safe and a great option...

Now when in need of eye level shots, the support is also better then when shooting in standard mode, and I also happen to like this mode better andy ways, as I prefer to shot eye level instead of the standard Gimbal, and I will in fact show how I prefer to mount my camera for those shots.


At the end of the day, one must choose it's gear accordingly.

Some will choose the Ronin because is so inexpensive for what it offers, for it's different Modes, for the load capacity and Cine style camera rigging with ease, and for the company behind.

Some will choose the Movi as they might not care to spend over 3 times, and might not need to carry heavier loads or longer heavier lenses.

Some will choose other options for different reasons...

However there is a big difference in choosing without having tested the gear with similar set ups, and choosing after having done so...

I am lucky in that I have had first look at several Gimbals, including the Movi, which btw I also absolutely need to say that it is an incredible piece of gear, just too expensive, and not the right tool for the type of camera set ups I need to fly, as well as the shooting Modes vs the Ronin.

Again, I'll be sure to go in detail on the extended form onset video review, but not for a little while longer, as I want to be sure to have a great deal of footage to choose form and carious set ups used in various scenarios before I do that, so that I can offer a truly in depth review that can easily serve as a decision maker for any one not familiar with any Gimbal, and or wanting to know if the Ronin is truly the right Gimbal for their use.

Grazie mille Ketch!
Your feedback is really helpful and I'm more than happy that you took the time to reply.
This forum wouldn't be the same without you, can't wait to see more

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Grazie mille Ketch!
Your feedback is really helpful and I'm more than happy that you took the time to reply.
This forum wouldn't be the same without you, can't wait to see more

Piacere mio Vincent!

And thanks for the kind words, I love this community and at any chance I get I also love to go out of my way to test and share informed opinions on gear.

More is coming, a TONE more in fact as I continue to set up different TestShoots and such, so stay tuned, just be a little patient as I am a one man band with a load of traveling to do this Summer while back in Italy, and in the middle of it all accommodating the Test of several pieces of gear, of which the Ronin seats right at top of it...

 

[alexandre Chailan]

Hi Ketch, thanks for sharing theses infos Could you let us know the size of the xl arms please ? I am fs700 owner thats why

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hi Alexandre,

It's my pleasure!

The XL arms I tested were of 3" longer then the standard ones, and would definitely fit the fs700, but I actually believe that even the standard arms might be able to balance/fit this camera as well as several others, just need to test, and I will do so as opportunity presents itself, including cameras such as the Alexa, all Canon and Sony flavors too.