Which Gimbal are you all using?

[Mark Kuroda]

Hi all, thanks so much for your many responses to my previous posts, been super useful with dialing in my kit. So I have another question for you all, which gimbal are you all using? I previously had a Ronin-S but the battery hits the back, so before just running out and getting the RS2, thought I would ask your opinions. Thank you ahead of time!

 

[TYLER STOOKSBURY]

I've used the RS3 Pro a bunch and its great. I've noticed with some heavier lenses I can still make contact with the battery if i need to shift a bunch of weight that far back.

However, a good idea is to get one of the dual grip options and mount a V-Mount on there and power your camera off D-Tap. It gets some weight off of the motors.

 

[M Harvey]

I just started working with the RS3 Pro about a month ago. I am still figuring things out about how to use it effectively, both in terms of my technique and equipment, but it’s been pretty good so far.

The heaviest lens I’ve mounted so far is a Zeiss Milvus 35 f1.4, which weighs approximately 2.5lbs. The weight is extended a little further out front by a Nikon adapter. I don’t know if I could have balanced it with batteries on the back (I don’t own the shorter Canon BP-955), but I did remove the vmount on back and run a dtap cable from a vmount in a belt pack—which is kind of a mess—, and I’ve also successfully put a small vmount below the sled with a Tilta replacement sled that provides vmount power.

I haven’t found a great monitoring solution, but a 5” on the briefcase handle will do the job.

 

[Omar Saad]

I've been using the RS2 since last year. The set up was actually a lot easier than I anticipated. I power the camera from the standard BP-955s and shoot on primes... hasn't been an issue. Overall super happy with it, just wish I had waited a few months longer and been able to grab the RS3 with the lidar autofocus.

 

[Brian Timmons]

I started out with the RS2- Pro and it worked well enough. The payload was normally my Komodo powered by BP-955s with Canon EF lenses like the Canon 17-55 or a Tokina 11-17. I had to attach counterweights to get heavier lenses like the Sigma 18-35 to balance properly but for the most part it seemed to work well with Komodo.

I monitor with an iPhone Pro Max. I keep the rig pretty basic.

Unfortunately, that RS2 Pro snapped (Roll arm broke) while getting a Cooke S2 Panchro lens on it.
I doubt it was the weight of the lens alone that did it but more likely me over loosening the lock knob for the Roll arm.

I replaced the RS2 Pro with the RS3 Pro.
There is a noticeable difference between the 2 models where the RS3 Pro stabilization is generally smoother and it seems to keep roll balance better.
The roll seemed to drift a bit on the RS2 Pro.
The RS3 Pro is also a bit easier to balance likely due to the new arm design providing more space to move a camera forward and backward.
The back of the Komodo with the BP955s would hit the arm on the RS2 Pro requiring the use of counterweights to get proper balance with some lenses (like the Sigma 18-35 mentioned above).

The RS3 Pro does not have that problem with the slightly bigger arm and the extra space making balancing easier particularly with a front heavy rig.

Whatever you get, try to get the DJI replacement warranty. While their gear is good I'm unsure of the durability.

Hope the above helps.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Michael von Hirschheydt]

I use a DJI RS3 Pro too. With bigger Lenses the batteries may collide with the arm. Despite that everything gets pretty heavy, too heavy to operate it over a longer time. I recommend a V-Mount battery with belt clip holder. Standart DTAP cables for Komodo are too short. You can use an extension cable (Wooden Camera) or build one urself according to your needs.