The company known for developing and manufacturing one of the most popular unmanned aerial systems, the Phantom, DJI has decided to make their way into the handheld gimbal market. They’ve revealed a brand new handheld 3-axis gimbal stabilizer, Ronin. Its versatile, relatively inexpensive, tool-less design lets users shoot from several different positions, allowing them to achieve different kinds of shots quickly and easily.
Here are the key features listed on DJI’s website:
3-axis stabilized gimbal system
Supports a multitude of cameras and lenses (from micro four-thirds to RED EPIC sized)
Simple 5-minute setup and balance
Built-in tool-less balance adjustment system
Built-in receive and remote control available
Mobile Bluetooth assistant software
Based on DJI Zenmuse technology
Gimbal tuning stand
Firmware upgradable
The Ronin has a few very intriguing features. For one, the gimbal can be configured automatically by pressing its Auto Tune Stability (ATS) button, parameters will be intelligently adjusted based on your camera’s weight. Another great feature is its tool-less design, meant to make adjustments, setup, and tear-down faster and easier. However, the most impressive feature about the Ronin, to me, is its versatility. There are 3 different operational modes: standard, which is the typical two-handed position in which most gimbals are operated, upright, which allows the Ronin to be flipped over and operated closer to eye-level (instead of at the chest), and suspended, which is slung low to the ground for low-angle shots.According to Filmmaker Magazine, the Ronin has a 16 lb weight limit and will be under $5,000. To put that into perspective, compare the Ronin with its closest competitor, MōVI. The MōVI M10 (currently MōVI’s biggest guns) can carry up to 12 lbs, and the lower-end M5 costs $5,000. So, the Ronin can carry more weight than the M10, but it costs less than the M5. However, we won’t know much about how well this gimbal stabilizes images until we see some tests, so stay tuned, as I’m sure videos will start popping up over the next couple of days.
The Ronin will begin shipping by July.
By now we’re well acquainted with the power of aerial cinematography, with both ‘big’ cameras and small — and, conversely, big copters and small copters. Now, thanks to the Directors Aaron Grimes and Russell Brown, who have combined the
disembodied perspective of aerial photography with the strangely deserted modern ruins of historical Californian mining town, we can get more and go further. Discover the town of Bodie, CA, - “the official state gold rush ghost town” - thanks to the GoPro HERO3 and DJI Phantom quadcopter.
Though Aaron Grimes and Russell Brown’s piece was shot when the sun was up, that eerie nature is not lost on the viewer. On the contrary, Bodie looks as breathtaking and bizarre in the daylight, when you would expect to see signs of any kind of life.
Check out, through the lens of a GoPro HERO3: Bodie – From the Sky: