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

[Ketch Rossi]

An other thing I like to point out now, is the Ronin Stand, which is in my opinion the best out there!

Why?

Well, to star it is built solid, then it is built with a design in mind, and not just trying to make it fold, but making it strong, s to support even the heaviest camera set up on the Ronin XL, the bottom legs and top arms extend out or fold by simply pulling them away form the main column and twisting them in to place till they lock securely, same in reverse is true for folding back away, and this is a smart design too, but what I really love about it is the fact that you can remove the stop arm section and simply insert it on to a C-Stand or Cart equipped with a Steady-cam holder.

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

He he, impatient I see...

Not at all - what makes you say that? ;-)

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Not at all - what makes you say that? ;-)

Ha ha!!

well don't worry buddy... The wait is almost over...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Just enough time for a quick set up of DragonM8 on on Pedro's Ronin with the Schneider Xenon & side handle with Redvolt inside, we didn't bother removing the XL Module... Balanced perfectly in little time... Don't mind the C-Motion Transmitter below the camera, it was just playing around with the idea, but it should no tho there...

Monday will see to test out the full set up, and see how the XL arms perform.

PS: Great seen you again Pedro, and talk about things while playing with the gear.

 

[Will Keir]

Looking forward to a test video and BTS. Thanks for doing this.

 

[Note Suwanchote]

Looking forward to a test video and BTS. Thanks for doing this.

As am I
thanks guys

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Looking forward to a test video and BTS. Thanks for doing this.

As am I
thanks guys

My pleasure guys!!

Just need some more time do to unforeseen forces of nature...

Now I need to absolutely leave for Italy on July the 2nd. Stop in Paris on the third and be in Italy in the 4th... To take care of some very import an impending issues.

I will be sure however, to maintain my promise to bring this community a Multi review test Shoot of the Ronin (XL) as I am the only one in the World to have the XL arms which were built in purpose for me to test their workability and applicability been that as we all know with longer Arms any weight will be exaggerated as the central balancing point moves further away form the body, however this was a request for specific uses, and not for all Manual carrying of the actual Ronin, but supported by a series of Gear.

Either way, I'll be meeting willis at DJI HQ LA tomorrow once more before departing, and look forward to bring some news, pictures and videos from abroad!!

Thanks again to Willis and DJI China for the trust and super fast responding to making a custom longer XL Arms for my tests, truly appreciated and talks volume of a company such DJI and it's Marketing Directors!!


Mean while Peter has been running his thread with some great info and imagery here: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?118200-DJI-RONIN-independent-review-and-in-depth-test

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

I am not sure if this works with the Ronin, but I have not seen a better stand out there. Take a look and notice the clamps that insure the unit cannot fall off the front.

http://cinemaoxide.com/site/product/c-stand-and-tripod-mount-for-movi/

Jay

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Yeah Jay, I agree that the clamp seems a nice and safe idea for certain applications, and might give it a look, but I really love how solid is the built of the Ronin stand.

 

[Björn Benckert]

Thanks for doing these tests. But to me the issue with these gimbals is not so much the flimsy builds, more the fact that the whole concept of holding a rig like this with an epic on it is quite uncomfortable. So to me the only way to go is to use the smallest lens possible together with the lightest and most compact camera setup. the XL stuff for the ronin will (I have not tried this so I just speculate from my experience with other rigs) allow for longer camera setups and heavier lenses and so on.... but if you go that way that means you need to hold out your arms further from your belly at the same time as you add on more weight... which is a combo that really stress the arms of the operator.

So to me the best possible setup is basically a naked epic with smallest remote focus (I love héden), small lenses (would personally picked my geared FD lenses) and then use a Bolt for wirless video and then use the thinest cables possible to feed power to the camera trough the rigs tubes and wear a battery belt that had an easy click in connector to one of the handles. And for operator picture I would prefer a one eyed VR goggle solution. that is feed with power from the same belt and picture from one of the bolt links... Then yes a carbon dragon makes a shit load of difference for these rigs offcourse, as half a kilo down on the gimbal makes huge difference.

so putting the XL battery on there will not really improve anything, it will only make things heavier and put more stress on your arms.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Bjorn - you are such a wimp! ;-)

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Thanks for doing these tests. But to me the issue with these gimbals is not so much the flimsy builds, more the fact that the whole concept of holding a rig like this with an epic on it is quite uncomfortable. So to me the only way to go is to use the smallest lens possible together with the lightest and most compact camera setup. the XL stuff for the ronin will (I have not tried this so I just speculate from my experience with other rigs) allow for longer camera setups and heavier lenses and so on.... but if you go that way that means you need to hold out your arms further from your belly at the same time as you add on more weight... which is a combo that really stress the arms of the operator.

So to me the best possible setup is basically a naked epic with smallest remote focus (I love héden), small lenses (would personally picked my geared FD lenses) and then use a Bolt for wirless video and then use the thinest cables possible to feed power to the camera trough the rigs tubes and wear a battery belt that had an easy click in connector to one of the handles. And for operator picture I would prefer a one eyed VR goggle solution. that is feed with power from the same belt and picture from one of the bolt links... Then yes a carbon dragon makes a shit load of difference for these rigs offcourse, as half a kilo down on the gimbal makes huge difference.

so putting the XL battery on there will not really improve anything, it will only make things heavier and put more stress on your arms.

 

[Björn Benckert]

I tried something similar. It's useless. Try to run with it and see what happens. The things is that those long springs kind of enhance the shake from your body so that only works as long as you are on rolerskates or standing still. A steady cam works much better as the distance from the fixed point on your body to the camera can be held much shorter and the shakes then becomes much less prominent....

So to me a steadicam with a roll and tilt gimbal is much better.... or just a good steady cam op.

This setup also cuts off most of the benefits of a hand held gimbal... you can not hand it over to a second operator if you fly over tables or such and when you are strapped in you are very much... strapped in letting go of the rig between takes and such is quite messy. So again super lwo weight or steady cam is to me the only two viable options...

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

lol.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Thanks for doing these tests. But to me the issue with these gimbals is not so much the flimsy builds, more the fact that the whole concept of holding a rig like this with an epic on it is quite uncomfortable. So to me the only way to go is to use the smallest lens possible together with the lightest and most compact camera setup. the XL stuff for the ronin will (I have not tried this so I just speculate from my experience with other rigs) allow for longer camera setups and heavier lenses and so on.... but if you go that way that means you need to hold out your arms further from your belly at the same time as you add on more weight... which is a combo that really stress the arms of the operator.

So to me the best possible setup is basically a naked epic with smallest remote focus (I love héden), small lenses (would personally picked my geared FD lenses) and then use a Bolt for wirless video and then use the thinest cables possible to feed power to the camera trough the rigs tubes and wear a battery belt that had an easy click in connector to one of the handles. And for operator picture I would prefer a one eyed VR goggle solution. that is feed with power from the same belt and picture from one of the bolt links... Then yes a carbon dragon makes a shit load of difference for these rigs offcourse, as half a kilo down on the gimbal makes huge difference.

so putting the XL battery on there will not really improve anything, it will only make things heavier and put more stress on your arms.

My pleasure Björn!

Yes, as I said earlier in this thread, the XL version of the Ronin is to be used for specific needs, which some include the hooking up the Ronin on to a Hook off a Helicopter's Roof while I am seated on the side edge with open doors, an other is to have it also Hooked on the the Roof of an Open SUV while riding it from the back, similar set up with a 4xWheel drive Vehicle and other Machinery, same can be used when set up with a Crane etc.

Otherwise the fact that it will further push away the set up good 3"+ off the body will indeed make it much heavier then it is and stress not only the strength of one's Arms, but also Shoulders, Lower Back and Wrists, so NO, the XL is not for Hand Held use...


@Constantine... LOL!!!


But there are of course several possibilities out there, besides the expensive Walter's systems, more similar to the Easyrig... Which btw Constantine, does your Serena have a way to be used with this?

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

sorry Ketch couldnt stop my self on that one, as I run over it on the net...hahahahaha.

I could make your suggestion happen Ketch, but I wont because I have great respect for Johan the original inventor of easyrig,

also...I dont like this one...

so I hope you understand...

regards.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I always understand... I might no always like it, but always understand...

I actually haven't tested this one, just a different approach and at half the price it will get some attention... But again, no idea how and if it will work as it should.

 

[Frederic Sturm]

Very grateful you are doing these tests, keep up the great info!

My personal take on this (as a Steadicam Operator) - just put it on a Steadicam Arm and Vest, as it really
does stabilization-wise what a steadicam Sled does, i.e. axial stabilization -if it's better, worse, or just different
suited for this surely depends on the perspective- whereas at lateral and vertical movement, the combination
of a Steadicam arm and Vest have quite a track record. It's what I'm planning to do, and now, even more so,
I can't wait to get mine and start trying it out.

Thanks Ketch!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Yes Frederic,

Steady operation is going to also be a possible application for the Gimbal, some will do better then others, all will depend largely also on accessories, and from what I hear there will be lots coming for the DJI Ronin.

What I am setting up our DragonM8 for is also inverted mounting so that when operating inverted mode the imagery is not to be flipped on post nor on monitors, mainly because I see no reason to have to do extra work in post if a certain series of shots will all be shot in that mode only.

It really only takes few minutes to do, so why not?!?

While I can't wait to show BTS pictures of the various set ups I intend to test, and some footage, hope you guys are patient while I travel across the globe and get things set up in Italy...

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

direct mount on a steadicam arm and vest will be problematic in just about everything . The only thing that will work well in that will be the perfect horizon.

Someone already discovered that and posted, but not many people actually paid any attention on his post. But lets see what you guys will discover, and its nothing to do with having 3 or 4th axis..or a better or worst arm and vest..if you look at steadicam mechanics its there and it makes perfect sense...being a steadicam op and a mechanic designer I know this from the very start.

the only thing that makes more sense is to mount it on a steadicam sled 1 or 2 axis or even 3, no matter what still limitations there for the total requirements needed .

But at least it works better , and though control of the camera moves arent as easy with the follow mode and this combination , its usable. But you will find out sooner or later as many are ready to give it a go.

No matter what have fun with it.