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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

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

Thanks Constantine, I'll pick you up on your offer if I can make it... :)

I liked the way the Serene sounds... I hope mostly that it solves the issues of why I didn't liked the Easyrig to begin with... And finally be able to have a solid solution to support a camera package with ease and flexibility int he typo of shots that any Processional Filmmaker likes to be able to take home when using hand gel equipment, and now even more so needed with Gimbals and heavier set ups to support day in and day out.
 
Hi Ketch have you had a chance to mounted any slightly heavier lenses such as the Cabrio's on it.
Also have you had a chance to try any lenses longer than say 100mm on it. I am concidering using a canon version-2 70-200mm between the 100 & 200 mm mark on a small boat in rough conditions to improve my stability. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks for a great thread.
 
Matt Ryan said:
Still no footage from this test?

Ketch, you're killing us it's been a month :undecided:.
Click to expand...


Matt... You are right... But I have said it many times that I would take my time on this one... And I am... :)

I have been traveling across the globe, and won't show anything till I have done it properly, as this to me is a big deal when I have taken the responsibility as Beta Tester for the Company which depends in part on my views and suggestions advises and over all performances statement about the Ronin, so it is important that Beta testing is done right.

So please be patients and I'll make it worth the wait.

Mean while DJI as every one knows has dropped the Bomb lowering the Ronin at $2,999 and this is not it... :)
 
Hi, Guys! Let me get in into RED community.. even I don't have RED camera yet...

I just order Ronin for use it with my Blackmagic 4K camera, and I hope Ronin is "not overkill" for it :wink5:
I try couple Gimbals for my camera, one "DIY" from E-bay, return it and than I try Varavon Birdycam-2 , but don't get any success with any of them.. Blackmagic 4K camera too big for that gimbals, a specially when I try it with my lovely Sigma Art 18-35mm F1.8 lens, ( total weight - 2660g )

...but it's not even full story:
I need to have additional power connection for camera, because Blackmagic cameras don't work without external battery, so I hope it will be enough power for BMPC 4K camera from Ronin battery, as it don't need so much power as RED...
...plus I planing to buy remote follow focus, and I will need a wireless video transmitter to be able to use it by focus puller.. and add a small Matte Box also.. and, of course I planing to get big Schneider CINE-XENAR III EF Lenses too.. :drool:

so, all of this will add even more weight to my setup with Blackmagic...

and, I think I have one more argument for DJI Ronin : in my experience light, small devices ( Cameras and Rigs ) are NOT as stable as a big cameras, even on tripod!, because "big and heavy" have much better inertia of rest and inertia of motion..., if I understand it right

so, this is why I don't think that "Ronin is way too heavy" .. ( and maybe I will get enough money for RED Epic someday ) and I decide to get Ronin ....and would like to know your opinion on my decision :wink5:

( Note: English is not my own language! so, please don't be to strong for it! )
 
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Hey Sergei...

I'm also considering a Ronin and doing a bit of homework since I'm not sure my main camera (Sony F3) will fit. I thought about getting a BMD Cinema exclusively to live on the Ronin and I also plan on getting a video transmitter. One word of caution for you: The Ronin is built to support DJI's Lightbridge. It looks like lightbridge only supports HDMI and composite SD video - neither of which the BMD camera will output.

I'm sure there are other video transmitters that can be used on a Ronin / BMD 4K combo but I'm not sure the lightbridge is going to work. Maybe an SDI -> HDMI converter? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

For now, I might just order it - use my old Canon T2i (with HDMI) and see if the F3 will fit without the XL arms which seem to be not available as soon as the standard version.

Or maybe I'll just buy an Epic. ;)
 
Andrew Wilson said:
Hey Sergei...

I'm also considering a Ronin and doing a bit of homework since I'm not sure my main camera (Sony F3) will fit. I thought about getting a BMD Cinema exclusively to live on the Ronin and I also plan on getting a video transmitter. One word of caution for you: The Ronin is built to support DJI's Lightbridge. It looks like lightbridge only supports HDMI and composite SD video - neither of which the BMD camera will output.

I'm sure there are other video transmitters that can be used on a Ronin / BMD 4K combo but I'm not sure the lightbridge is going to work. Maybe an SDI -> HDMI converter?
Click to expand...

I have it, and it's work with BMPC4K on my Tripod RIG:

Sennheiser_08.jpg


MotorizedSlider_07.jpg


but for Gimbal I would get a small one:

73e794f7-1f22-fb70-81ee-eb82a9e186b9.jpg


and later will get SDI- Monitor ...

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

For now, I might just order it - use my old Canon T2i (with HDMI) and see if the F3 will fit without the XL arms which seem to be not available as soon as the standard version.

Or maybe I'll just buy an Epic. ;)
Click to expand...

You don't have to by $3000 Ronin for Canon T2i dslr! .. what for? ... you can get the Gimbal for it for about $800 on E-bay! :smile:

You better get BMPC 4K at first.. if you are READY to spend a lot of money for good computer... and time to work with 4K DNG RAW from it! :rolleyes:

.. at list you will get Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 11 ( $995) for free :thumbup:

When we get an update, I try RAW and it's fantastic!!! - it close to RED character of image as much as possible:

BMPC4K-RAW_02s.jpg


Original: http://www.sergecinema.com/temp/BMPC4K-RAW_02.jpg


Pro-Res is "OK".. but don't have as much DR as I see it in RAW -

StandTall_06.jpg


Original: http://www.sergecinema.com/temp/StandTall_06_original.jpg


As far as I see - other "budget 4K cameras" don't make it as good as BMPK4K .. I use to have Sony FS-700, but even in 4K RAW it's looks like "video", not like film.. - too much details, primitive color, and "flat" character of image to my taste :(
so I lost my Slow Mo, when I sold FS700.. but I get something useful ! ..before I'll get enough money for RED Epic ...:smile:
 
Looks like you're all set with SDI-HDMI.

You misunderstood my post a little. My primary camera is a Sony PMW-F3. I think it's too long to fit the Ronin unless I get the XL arms. The XL arms aren't available yet so in the meantime, (assuming the F3 is too big - it's very close) I'll use the DSLR until the XL arms become available. I was looking at BlackMagic for its size and I have SOME decent EF glass for the T2i but then it occurred to me - why not just use the T2i? My market is small enough - nobody wants 4k - it's more about the service I can offer. 4k is a harder sell (for now) than good stabilized hand-held footage.

Final goal would be the F3 with HDMI out to Lightbridge.
 
Has there been discussion yet about recommended light weight matte boxes to fly on these rigs? Something light/compact enough but that can also accommodate larger diameter lenses?
 
Andrew Wilson said:
Hey Sergei...

I'm also considering a Ronin and doing a bit of homework since I'm not sure my main camera (Sony F3) will fit. I thought about getting a BMD Cinema exclusively to live on the Ronin and I also plan on getting a video transmitter. One word of caution for you: The Ronin is built to support DJI's Lightbridge. It looks like lightbridge only supports HDMI and composite SD video - neither of which the BMD camera will output.

I'm sure there are other video transmitters that can be used on a Ronin / BMD 4K combo but I'm not sure the lightbridge is going to work. Maybe an SDI -> HDMI converter? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

For now, I might just order it - use my old Canon T2i (with HDMI) and see if the F3 will fit without the XL arms which seem to be not available as soon as the standard version.

Or maybe I'll just buy an Epic. ;)
Click to expand...

If anyone out there is looking for a really affordable high quality HD transmitter with the option to switch between SDI and HDMI input - I would of course recommend our Paralinx Arrow+

http://www.paralinx.net/store/arrow-plus

with our Crossbow HD-SDI module :

http://www.paralinx.net/store/paralinx-crossbow

Both of these will run from the power stage of the Ronin (has USB power for Arrow Alone, or P-Tap power for Crossbow w/Arrow+)
 
Dan Kanes said:
If anyone out there is looking for a really affordable high quality HD transmitter with the option to switch between SDI and HDMI input - I would of course recommend our Paralinx Arrow+

http://www.paralinx.net/store/arrow-plus

with our Crossbow HD-SDI module :

http://www.paralinx.net/store/paralinx-crossbow

Both of these will run from the power stage of the Ronin (has USB power for Arrow Alone, or P-Tap power for Crossbow w/Arrow+)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan will be picking up a Crossbow w/Arrow+ combo for my Ronin.
 
Jeremy Hildebrant said:
Has there been discussion yet about recommended light weight matte boxes to fly on these rigs? Something light/compact enough but that can also accommodate larger diameter lenses?
Click to expand...

Matt Ryan said:
Bright Tangerine Misfit is your best bet. Small, compact, light, clamp on with an optional swing away arm. This is definitely the #1 option.

There is going to be a special sale on them in August!

http://www.brighttangerine.com/product-landing/misfit/18
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As Matt said... :)

Sporting the BT VIV here... This shot was taken before the filter trays went back in, but we used two.

10386946_1491373071103363_8736641319012260297_o.jpg
 
How are you driving the focus without wireless gears?
 
In absence of any focus gear on a camera positioned in such a way were even manual focusing is no possible you go back to the keep a fix distance trick, if shooting wide open, and coordinate with talent and operator to walk/run at same speed as to maintain distances at a constant fixed space... Otherwise put a wide at infinity and shoot at that distance in order to have it in focus...

But this are exceptions of course...

For this kind of set ups there are really two things that are absolutely necessary...


A) Focus Motor

Which this can be controlled either by the Operator via a joystick or by the Focus Puller...

If the Later then the second one come sot an even more important play...

B) Wireless Monitoring

Which in my perfect set up would be a 3 way....

One for the Gimbal Operator, one for the Focus puller, and one for the Director.
 
Getting my Ronin this week. Now, just one question. Since there are no reviews at all, have I done the right thing? Is it great? Just answer that please :)
Somehow I get the feel that you and Peter are under an embargo and cannot post it until it is released. And usually...that is not a good sign...
 
Per von Koch said:
Getting my Ronin this week. Now, just one question. Since there are no reviews at all, have I done the right thing? Is it great? Just answer that please :)
Somehow I get the feel that you and Peter are under an embargo and cannot post it until it is released. And usually...that is not a good sign...
Click to expand...

Despite what a single Reduser might like others to believe, DJI's NDA is like any other NDA I have signed over the years, including that with RED, what they are designed for, is to give the company do process while developing a product and get assistance by the enduser/tester, as to insure that the end product goes in to final production with any improvement made during the Beta testing process, and of course primarily it is designed as NOT to give away any privately discussed details and or any company's secrets shared and or NOT give any unfair advantage to the competition as the product might wish to be the first to be introduced in the industry with certain capabilities...

Other then that, DJI has absolutely NOT said anything about NOT posting reviews for the Ronin... And while I can not speak for Peter, I can do so for myself and I can say that my reason for not having my full in detail review of the Ronin, is due to the fact that as I have said before, I like to shoot as much as I can and with different set ups before I do so, as to insure that I'll give the best review I can to assist any interested or already in possession user the best guidance and information about it.

I had to exchange my first unit, literally N.1 unit, and now I have unit N.3 and the XL arms were left with that first unit and awaiting my second XL kit.

The tests done so far by us, the Beta Testers, have helped shape the final design of the Ronin, which is different then what has been seen so far, by little, not by a lot, but hose few improvements are done in critical areas, and have improved the Ronin by a lot...

Software wise I am about to receive the last firmware update as well, and then go shoot and test it all over again... At this time I still have the original, actually one of the original designs as DJI went thru several designs on some parts, and swapped them out as they sow fit in order to see which ones were better, and they have done great job at that, copying out as a company that it is not afraid at building things to test and trow them out if they don't work out as planned, and build new ones, allowing to arrive to were they are now...

What I can say is that I can't wait to receive the Production unit... Even so the Prototype unit I have is great already, I just can't wait to be shooting with the Production unit simply to see those improvement in action.

So what I mean to say is that you should not worry too much at all, you have made a good choice by ordering the Ronin, and you are in the hands of a great company, which to add, even so it is a Chinese company, and some have head not so positive experiences in the communication with Chinese companies, DJI is about to change that drastically.


So, be happy with your purchase choice, and await your unit... You'll love more then one thing about it... :)

As for my review, it will be forthcoming, along with pictures and videos and you'll love it!!
 
Per von Koch said:
Getting my Ronin this week. Now, just one question. Since there are no reviews at all, have I done the right thing? Is it great? Just answer that please :)
Somehow I get the feel that you and Peter are under an embargo and cannot post it until it is released. And usually...that is not a good sign...
Click to expand...

Cool, i felt like its so early i would be a beta tester almost. Will wait and se what you think about it. I wish you could usie it upside down (dont remember what they call it) but still have the camera at the right way, not hanging upside down.
 
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