Red Epic + DJI Ronin weigh issue

[Adam Penney]

I'm currently prepping a film and I want to run our Red Epic on the standard DJI Ronin but my issue is that it looks like we will be using Red Pro Primes, which I'm sure you all know, are very heavy. I will have the ability to power the camera via Red Volts instead of the V-mount batteries when it is on the Ronin, but i'm still worried about weight.

Has anyone used such a heavy setup on the Ronin before? How did it work out?

 

[Tom Bostick]

That could definitely be difficult, at the very least I would imagine you will need to slide the plate all the way to the back, and may have to add counter weight to even make it feasible.

which focal lengths will you be using, and what else will you be attaching to the camera?

 

[Mario Gonsalves]

I have had heavy loads on the RONIN, we usually push the motors to 80 in the app. We also have the extended arms & pan extension to make balancing easier. We always do test runs as well to mark in the best settings for each lens/body setup so you don't lose time doing that on set.

 

[Ned Wilson]

Buy a battery plate mount from Small Rig (about 40.00 USD), mount it to the crossbar, mount your AB or V mount to plate and then float a D Tap to Epic cable to the camera (Not so cheap about 200.00 USD - Aerial Pixels has them). You'll have no problems balancing. Also, I recommend using Cinemilled pro baseplate with weights in the rear. This keeps the rig shorter and eliminates need for installing extension arms. Get the lightest matte box set up possible. Wooden Camera has an inexpensive solution as well as Bright Tangerine. Do not go the redvolt route. Real POA. Don't last long. Not enough pounce per ounce.

Mounting the battery to crossbar also lets you power your monitor and wireless TX.

Another method is use Ronin Power distributor to power camera. Make sure you have the 4300 mah batteries. You'll get about half an hour to 40 min. You'll just need a load of Ronin batts to get you through the day (At least 8).

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Check out Cinemilled stuff - https://cinemilled.com

They make extension arms for the Ronin. Good stuff and will help you balance the camera.

 

[Pedro Guimaraes]

I'm currently prepping a film and I want to run our Red Epic on the standard DJI Ronin but my issue is that it looks like we will be using Red Pro Primes, which I'm sure you all know, are very heavy. I will have the ability to power the camera via Red Volts instead of the V-mount batteries when it is on the Ronin, but i'm still worried about weight.

Has anyone used such a heavy setup on the Ronin before? How did it work out?

Yes I have used them in the past.

No problem with CineMilled arm and pan extensions. I even used the red brick in the back so no need for special batteries. Full tilt down possible.

https://cinemilled.com/shop/ronin-arm-extensions/
https://cinemilled.com/shop/ronin-pan-arm-extension/

Like Ned mentioned you can also buy the PRO dovetail and add counterweights, https://cinemilled.com/shop/ronin-pro-dovetail-kit/

but going this route might limit your tilt angle and you might have to add quite a bit of weight if you don't have the arm extensions.

I prefer to add the extensions as it doesn't limit my tilt and it doesn't add "dead" weight. Also you can run your normal batteries right on the back of the camera and you dont need to buy or rig any mounts on for the battery on the handle bar. Not to mention dealing with thick power cables going from camera up to the handlebar. The other advantage is the camera is self powered and self contained......so you can just slide it out of the Ronin and be in studio mode on a tripod right away.....with no re-configuring.

But in the end each solution can work better depending on you needs etc...


......and by the way I have gone heavier!