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Gimbal talk

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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
What are your guys' thoughts on per say the glidecam type of gimbal vs. an electronic gimbal? What are the pros and cons to each? Where does each benefit? I'm looking at getting one and not sure if it's the right move or not. Electronic gimbals nowadays have gotten very cheap but glidecams are still retaining their value pretty well..

Let's hear your thoughts.
Dec 22 2015 3:30AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
CameraWizWhat are your guys' thoughts on per say the glidecam type of gimbal vs. an electronic gimbal? What are the pros and cons to each? Where does each benefit? I'm looking at getting one and not sure if it's the right move or not. Electronic gimbals nowadays have gotten very cheap but glidecams are still retaining their value pretty well..

Let's hear your thoughts.


Personally I haven't gotten an electronic gimbal because I really don't like the idea of having to have some place to seat it all the time. The company I worked for this summer had a movi and that thing was super light, but still it was annoying not being able to really set it down or anything for fear of knocking the balance off.

Glidecam = less working parts, less easy to break, still useful with dead batteries. I'd say it looks more floaty, the electronic ones tend to look super smooth but not floaty like the glidecam.
Dec 22 2015 4:49AM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
nutz.Personally I haven't gotten an electronic gimbal because I really don't like the idea of having to have some place to seat it all the time. The company I worked for this summer had a movi and that thing was super light, but still it was annoying not being able to really set it down or anything for fear of knocking the balance off.

Glidecam = less working parts, less easy to break, still useful with dead batteries. I'd say it looks more floaty, the electronic ones tend to look super smooth but not floaty like the glidecam.


Agreed with always having to set it down, but I only set it down while inside and you can turn them off I believe and they can lay flat.

My glidecam has taken one nasty hit where I fell on it while skiing, not going to lie but nothing else could take that and I'm surprised even the glidecam took it. (Luckily all my camera gear is under insurance so I'm not too worried about that)

Agreed with the floatyness nothing can really replicate a glidecam to my knowledge.

I personally buy tons of batteries for anything I own. I'd have 2-3 for the gimbal. (I'm looking at a CAME Mini 1 as of right now but not sure)
Dec 22 2015 5:21AM
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Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,465
i like the look of glides better than gimbal shots. take the unrealistic for example. awesome technical filming, but damn its just too "smooth" for me as far as skiing goes. I like the idea to be able to twist, turn and move wherever and however you would like with the cam. unless you are two man operating a movi, i am not a big fan.

and by the way, my glidecam is broken, its in 3 separate pieces held together by duct tape and gorilla glue. still holds my camera just fine and i enjoy it to be a little less "gimbal" like

example is this video i just made. not perfect in anyway, but i enjoy the way i filmed it, broken glidecam and all

802649
Dec 22 2015 8:17PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
nutz.Personally I haven't gotten an electronic gimbal because I really don't like the idea of having to have some place to seat it all the time. The company I worked for this summer had a movi and that thing was super light, but still it was annoying not being able to really set it down or anything for fear of knocking the balance off.

Glidecam = less working parts, less easy to break, still useful with dead batteries. I'd say it looks more floaty, the electronic ones tend to look super smooth but not floaty like the glidecam.


while I agree that its annoying that electronic gimbals are yet another thing to maintain batteries for, not being able to set it down is solved with the movi ring, and is what made me decide on a movi because afaik there wasnt an equivalent for a ronin

phillip blooms pic:


I haven't brought my movi skiing too much but the project I've been working on currently I've been bringing it on the lift with me and resting the ring on my legs has been fine and no more tiring than carrying a glidecam, I balance it once at the bottom and keep it on during lifts and the battery life is more than enough to stay on to avoid re-balance. It definitely couldn't handle fully eating shit with it but its handled the recent heavy snow in Jackson just fine, they're tougher than people give them credit for
Dec 23 2015 12:48AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
ski.the.eastwhile I agree that its annoying that electronic gimbals are yet another thing to maintain batteries for, not being able to set it down is solved with the movi ring, and is what made me decide on a movi because afaik there wasnt an equivalent for a ronin

phillip blooms pic:


I haven't brought my movi skiing too much but the project I've been working on currently I've been bringing it on the lift with me and resting the ring on my legs has been fine and no more tiring than carrying a glidecam, I balance it once at the bottom and keep it on during lifts and the battery life is more than enough to stay on to avoid re-balance. It definitely couldn't handle fully eating shit with it but its handled the recent heavy snow in Jackson just fine, they're tougher than people give them credit for


oh I meant actually like putting on the ground whenever I wanted to, you definitely can't do that ring or not. (ez rigs are key ahaha)

But that's pretty damn neat for the movi, basically a fig rig with 3 axis motorized stabilization? that's awesome
Dec 23 2015 1:42AM
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KellyK
Posts: 1782 - Karma: 715
I think they each have their own uses. The Glidecam is probably the most practical for shooting skiing. They're the most affordable and the they're pretty bomb proof.

I started shooting with a Feiyu G4 GoPro gimbal last season. The things are amazing for follow camming. It frees you up to focus on your skiing and allows you to get way crazier shots than a bigger/more technical rig.

We picked up a Ronin last spring and it's awesome. The drawbacks are that it's heavy and bulky. I really only break it out for serious productions. It definitely has a different aesthetic than a glidecam but it's amazing in the right application.

My advice, think about your needs and how you're going to use the equipment and make a purchase based on that.
Dec 23 2015 2:16PM
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SkiLefley
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 954
I have used both within the last 6 months for both skiing and non skiing filming. Decided to get rid of the Glidecam go with the Ronin M. It is somewhat a pain in the ass on chairlifts and such, but I am really liking that Ring design. It is sick but I honestly get scared with the Ronin on hill. A glidecam seems much more easier and more maneuverable on hill. Just gotta get used to the Ronin for myself. Off the hill tho, the gimbal is so sick and I love it. All in all, it really depends on what you plan on shooting. I went with the gimbal more for what I do off the ski hill.
Dec 23 2015 3:13PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
Hows the Ronin M do on the ski hill? Like I am really tempted to pick one up
Dec 23 2015 3:39PM
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Dub_Digital
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 636
I didn't read everyones responses, but if its for skiing I would stay away from electronic gimbals. I have both, and I wouldn't take my gimbal anywhere near snow or moisture (mine has lots of exposed electronics. Not to mention you would have to either power off you gimbal on the chair or keep it on (both of which are shitty options)

The only tine I would use a gimbal on the mountain would be if you have a private park shoot and you can use your gimbal stand. If your spending a lot of money on a gimbal the last thing you want to do is get snow in the electronics.....I say this because I do a lot of filming at Bear Mountain (mainly snowboarders that hate skiers), and this happens to me all the time; I'll be filming the homies, and some asshole snowboarder sprays me with snow totally encasing my camera and fucking up my shit...If I used gimbals at bear, I guarantee it would be broken by now

Hope that helps!
Dec 23 2015 3:45PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
Dub_DigitalI didn't read everyones responses, but if its for skiing I would stay away from electronic gimbals. I have both, and I wouldn't take my gimbal anywhere near snow or moisture (mine has lots of exposed electronics. Not to mention you would have to either power off you gimbal on the chair or keep it on (both of which are shitty options)

The only tine I would use a gimbal on the mountain would be if you have a private park shoot and you can use your gimbal stand. If your spending a lot of money on a gimbal the last thing you want to do is get snow in the electronics.....I say this because I do a lot of filming at Bear Mountain (mainly snowboarders that hate skiers), and this happens to me all the time; I'll be filming the homies, and some asshole snowboarder sprays me with snow totally encasing my camera and fucking up my shit...If I used gimbals at bear, I guarantee it would be broken by now

Hope that helps!


depending on what model you have it's a lot more durable then you're giving it credit for. I have had my movi (which has exposed electronics on the back) almost fully covered in wet heavy mt hood snow when the rider I was filming ate shit in front of me, I have used it in decent snowstorms, and would even feel comfortable taking it out in light rain. It's a great piece of equipment that's meant to be used, not babied
Dec 23 2015 5:34PM
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SkiLefley
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 954
Its super sick, I really would not recommend taking it out in the crazy hectic time of the day on the hill. Really try to take it out when theres not a shit ton of people haha. Other than that its sick on hill really durable. I trust DJI and I know its meant to be used
Dec 24 2015 9:04AM
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Dub_Digital
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 636
ski.the.eastdepending on what model you have it's a lot more durable then you're giving it credit for. I have had my movi (which has exposed electronics on the back) almost fully covered in wet heavy mt hood snow when the rider I was filming ate shit in front of me, I have used it in decent snowstorms, and would even feel comfortable taking it out in light rain. It's a great piece of equipment that's meant to be used, not babied


Interesting, I mean, I have seen production companies like Brain Farm take their gimbals out in all kinds of conditions. The "knock off" I have has a plethora of exposed wires on the back, and I'm too scared of throwing away $1000 to test it out in those kinds of conditions.....the battery life alone would be reason for me to choose a glide cam over a gimbal. Maybe movi's, and Ronins' are better. I know ronins don't have all the wiring in the back, and they look a lot nicer.....but honestly I'm sure I'll test out my gimbal in the snow sooner than later
Dec 28 2015 1:52PM
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SkiLefley
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 954
So today, I was doing some shooting for Boyne with my gimbal. Was scared at first as they were blowing mad snow on this hill I was filming on. So I ended up just sending it and made about 4 runs in this snow and it didn't even do a thing to my gimbal. Really didn't even stick to it, had more sticking to my jacket than anything on the camera or gimbal. Also for battery life the other day I had it on for probably 2 hours in 20 degree temps, the again today for about 2 hours in the same temps and its still got 1.5 bars left. Pretty sick
Dec 28 2015 5:50PM
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Aidin954
Posts: 760 - Karma: 1,361
SkiLefleySo today, I was doing some shooting for Boyne with my gimbal. Was scared at first as they were blowing mad snow on this hill I was filming on. So I ended up just sending it and made about 4 runs in this snow and it didn't even do a thing to my gimbal. Really didn't even stick to it, had more sticking to my jacket than anything on the camera or gimbal. Also for battery life the other day I had it on for probably 2 hours in 20 degree temps, the again today for about 2 hours in the same temps and its still got 1.5 bars left. Pretty sick


What gimbal are you using?
Dec 28 2015 7:40PM
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Dub_Digital
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 636
Aidin954What gimbal are you using?


I believe he said the ronin m...

I really like the integration dji uses with its batteries, app, and it just seems really user friendly to use. I wish I would have waited for the m instead of getting the knock off I got.
Dec 28 2015 7:48PM
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