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December, 2024

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Electronic glidecams (BLDC gimbals)[MoVI]

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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
Has anyone worked with brushless DC gimbals such as the MoVI or, has anyone tried assembling their own?

I've been doing some research and you can get parts kits that include BLDC motors and the the entire gimbal frame that requires assembly for around $350 bucks, see ebay link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Carbon-Fiber-3-Axis-Brushless-Gimbal-Handle-Camera-Mount-Stabilizer-5D2-5D3-/181350900225

And then add on your controller and firmware board and sensors ranging between $20-80 bucks more depending on a few options such as a joystick or bluetooth to make use of the android app to calibrate the gimbal in the field, see ebay link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AlexMos-Firmware-Simple-Brushless-Gimbal-Controller-W-IMU-3-axis-Module-3RD/131152454173?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.RVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D6437160821611490817%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D20131017132637%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D271416112833

Then add a cheap battery and charger and you're pretty much set for around 500 bucks, which is in the price range of a new HD2000, AND you get to feel like a kit on Christmas assembling your new LEGO kit

This would require basic circuit knowledge to follow pin outs on the boards for motor, sensor and battery connections, as well as soldering experience for both the board and motor leads, then heat shrink your wiring harness and make it look all pretty.
Apr 24 2014 4:15PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
Yeah, I'm a big fan of this, providing you're willing to get stuck into the programming/tuning side and invest a load of time getting it perfect, I don't see why not. It would make buttery smooth footage.
Apr 25 2014 10:38AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,049
Yeah, that would be dope, you should make one and if it works sell them.
Apr 25 2014 11:30AM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
Only experience I have is using them on drones for filming, they are pretty sick though. And when you are trying to work with any programming for them there are a lot of super helpful people on online forums that can help out!
Apr 25 2014 4:43PM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
The pre build boards are already programmed, and as far as I know fully self calibrating, then there is a simple app that let's you set the parameters on your Android phone.
Apr 27 2014 8:01PM
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1337
Posts: 31061 - Karma: 29,366
check out cheesycam, i remember they had an article/review of one of the ebay ones that looked legit as fuck
Apr 27 2014 8:10PM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
The one on cheeseycam is only a two axis gimbal, and it's several hundred more then the DIY option
Apr 27 2014 11:49PM
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DopeNZ
Posts: 131 - Karma: 123
Got one last week, had a few test days with it, i got a Came 7000 and seems to be pretty good construction, took a bit of head scratching to get the electronics tuned, but it is going good now.

More stable than my XR-2000 (But i aint no eheath behing the wheel) and is nice to be able to steer the camera with follow mode.

Also, i sold my glidecam for more than half what i paid for the gimbal so it works out pretty cheap too.
Apr 28 2014 8:18PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I think I'll be building/programming one this summer (from a kit) as a little project to do outside of work. Just need to do some more research on the controllers and decide how I will use it/what to put on it
Apr 28 2014 8:28PM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
DopeNZGot one last week, had a few test days with it, i got a Came 7000 and seems to be pretty good construction, took a bit of head scratching to get the electronics tuned, but it is going good now.

More stable than my XR-2000 (But i aint no eheath behing the wheel) and is nice to be able to steer the camera with follow mode.

Also, i sold my glidecam for more than half what i paid for the gimbal so it works out pretty cheap too.


that one looks pretty good for adjusting the cameras Centre of ballance, a lot better then the gimbal I posted. But it's also several hundred more.
I'd like to find a first hand review of the one I posted, so I need to do some more digging.
Apr 29 2014 5:53PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
I've ordered some carbon tubing, a 32bit Alesmos controller and some motors, watch this space.
May 8 2014 10:33AM
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JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
Threads for when I may have some time to get into a project like this!
May 8 2014 1:55PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
recently got the m10 at work, it's an amazing tool but finicky as all hell, and using one for skiing is not a single operator job
May 8 2014 4:27PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
Dan.recently got the m10 at work, it's an amazing tool but finicky as all hell, and using one for skiing is not a single operator job


What's awesome about the alexmos controllers is the follow mode that mades the camera follow the direction of the handle, making it useful for work without an AC.
May 8 2014 7:00PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
BlackcountryBillWhat's awesome about the alexmos controllers is the follow mode that mades the camera follow the direction of the handle, making it useful for work without an AC.


movi does that too, and very well, it's quite intuitive. go take two 8 pound weights and hold them in front of you for a run while skiing, and you'll know why you need someone else. using an easy rig or glidecam vest takes that weight and moves it to your back, but even then you're gonna be hurting real hard after a few hours of shooting.
May 8 2014 7:13PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
32bit Alexmos controller just arrived!

May 11 2014 9:17AM
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TaranItUp
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 802
BlackcountryBill32bit Alexmos controller just arrived!



2-axis or 3-axis? I have only set up a 2-axis martinez board.
May 11 2014 8:03PM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
Stud_Muffin2-axis or 3-axis? I have only set up a 2-axis martinez board.


32bit 3axis
May 12 2014 4:08AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
Stud_Muffin2-axis or 3-axis? I have only set up a 2-axis martinez board.


32bit 3axis
May 12 2014 4:08AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
KrazyistKarlThe one on cheeseycam is only a two axis gimbal, and it's several hundred more then the DIY option


Hm I was looking into this, and the gimbal you linked only supports 1500 grams which is around 3-4 pounds... that's probably why it's relatively cheap
May 22 2014 5:00AM
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-AM-
Posts: 162 - Karma: 116
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but CAME makes what looks to be a nice brushless gimbal. Compared to the movi which retails at like $5,000 +, its a steal at $850. My question is, has anyone here actually used one? I've compared footage and it still looks pretty solid.


http://www.came-tv.com/came7000-camera-dslr-3axis-brushless-gimbal-stabilizer-p-472.html
May 22 2014 4:39PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
-AM-Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but CAME makes what looks to be a nice brushless gimbal. Compared to the movi which retails at like $5,000 +, its a steal at $850. My question is, has anyone here actually used one? I've compared footage and it still looks pretty solid.


http://www.came-tv.com/came7000-camera-dslr-3axis-brushless-gimbal-stabilizer-p-472.html




it says you need to buy the control board and battery separate so it will probably be around $1000+ to get the rig operational.

I'm interested in getting the DJI ronin rig when its out in late june. it can carry a 16lb camera package and looks like it could be better than the movi m5 and m10, and its under $5k. the movi m10 is $15k and max payload is only 10lbs
May 22 2014 7:14PM
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-AM-
Posts: 162 - Karma: 116
Rdwagner2it says you need to buy the control board and battery separate so it will probably be around $1000+ to get the rig operational.

I'm interested in getting the DJI ronin rig when its out in late june. it can carry a 16lb camera package and looks like it could be better than the movi m5 and m10, and its under $5k. the movi m10 is $15k and max payload is only 10lbs


Ahhh totally missed that. I guess its still cheaper than the movi though. On a side note, I saw this a while ago and was absolutely blown away. Truly amazing stabilizers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDv2OYKICoc
May 22 2014 8:09PM
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DopeNZ
Posts: 131 - Karma: 123
-AM-Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but CAME makes what looks to be a nice brushless gimbal. Compared to the movi which retails at like $5,000 +, its a steal at $850. My question is, has anyone here actually used one? I've compared footage and it still looks pretty solid.


http://www.came-tv.com/came7000-camera-dslr-3axis-brushless-gimbal-stabilizer-p-472.html


I got one, 950USD shipped to NZ, shipping took 4 days (over a weekend and a public holiday too) seems pretty good so far, but havent given it too much use/abuse. Build quality is sweet, but i just wish they used some thumbscrews instead of allen key bolts...
May 23 2014 7:13AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
Wow this thread got a bunch of good responses, great to see. I had a promising job interview today, so fingers crossed I'll be back at work and will have some more disposable income to devote to this project.
May 27 2014 2:29AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
BlackcountryBillI've ordered some carbon tubing, a 32bit Alesmos controller and some motors, watch this space.


nutz.Hm I was looking into this, and the gimbal you linked only supports 1500 grams which is around 3-4 pounds... that's probably why it's relatively cheap



@blackcountrybill what are you using to connect all the carbon tubing? Could you link me your source for parts


@nutz thanks for sharing that tid bit of info. Guess I'll have to try and find one rated for more weight. Another reason it's so cheap is there is no wiring harness. It's just BLDC motors and the frame
May 27 2014 2:37AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
KrazyistKarl@blackcountrybill what are you using to connect all the carbon tubing? Could you link me your source for parts


I started with a cheap gimbal kit and the intention of modifying it a lot, I'm going to join the carbon joints I need to with Permabond-pt326 followed by wrapping the joint in wetlay 25mm carbon tape and use heat shrink release tape to force excess resin out. Like this:



I've printed a load of parts for it including housings for the IMUs, LiPo monitor, the electronics box, a mount for the monitor and one for the mic. I've got to print a battery mount next week but that's all that's left to do.

It's now built and balanced with the cables routed and just needs tuning now!



There are more pictures here if people are interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/will_derrick/sets/72157644958106135/
Jun 1 2014 8:45AM
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BlackcountryBill
Posts: 955 - Karma: 577
I finally got to play with my one! Still learning how to drive it hence the pretty bad framing but I'm super happy with how it's working.

I shot this last night, the PIDs still aren't perfect but it's getting there!

I know the focus is off in a few of the shots, it got knocked at some point and I haven't got my monitor set up on the gimbal for peaking yet.


https://vimeo.com/98819076
Jun 21 2014 4:02PM
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joris.blanc
Posts: 914 - Karma: 6,584
BlackcountryBill


There are more pictures here if people are interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/will_derrick/sets/72157644958106135/


Look pretty awesome !!
Jun 22 2014 10:33AM
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DopeNZ
Posts: 131 - Karma: 123
Selling mine, gonna build one from scratch. make it most badass...
Jun 24 2014 1:26AM
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messplay
Posts: 4483 - Karma: 1,066
I have the m5, m10 and recently acquired the BIG BERTHA s1000 octocopter. Also have a few phantom 1 & 2's. Aerial is the new shit. Getting so much work with these.
Jun 24 2014 4:29PM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
Just going to bump this as motivation to order some parts. Was busier then expected this summer and spent a lot of time on the road traveling around, but things should settle down in the fall and give me some time to work on this project
Aug 16 2014 2:01AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
New Gimbal sytem up and going on kickstarter. It looks awesome.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1499947228/bw05-camera-stabilization-with-kinetic-remote
Nov 23 2014 5:52PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
Here are some photos from the Eryn Allen Kane music video I was gimbal operator on over the weekend.
I can't release any footage until the final video is released to the public and I have the directors okay.
If you have any questions about the setups or about getting into gimbal operating I would love to help out.
We had the DJI Ronin with Red Epic, Red Pro Primes, Redrock MicroRemote Follow Focus, and Paralinx Arrow Plus video transmitter, flying handheld and mounted to the Chapman Stinger Jib 24ft on the Chapman Hybrid dolly!

Nov 25 2014 1:22PM
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