In this article presenting the gimbal, we will try to be as simple as possible in order to give you a general overview of the product and its use.
Before we go in, what’s a gimbal?
A gimbal is a 3-axis stabilizer which works like a gyroscope, which will allow you to use it on the horizontal, vertical and tilt.
A gimbal is designed for all types of photo and video cameras, but also for your smartphones. Several sizes and types of gimbals are also available depending on the performance you need.
A gimbal operates electronically, it is battery powered and fitted with motors to stabilize your equipment.
What use for a gimbal?
A gimbal will essentially allow you to create video content without any movement (shaking hands, walking, rode movement, etc) during shooting. You could run with your equipment, it would remain very stable.
Gimbals are used a lot for creating dynamic content, like skateboarding or snowboarding videos, for example.
What to do with a Gimbal?
As mentioned above, as an example, we use a gimbal to facilitate the capture of dynamic content by minimizing the movement of our equipment.
It also allows you to easily create photos at regular intervals like animated time-lapses (like following the movement of the stars for example), hyperlaps, panoramas, shots or 180° and 360° videos.
You can also use them to create more qualitative content for your Live Stream Vlog. It will allow you to have perfectly stabilized images while walking in the streets for example,
Want to shoot close to the ground and on the move? A gimbal will allow you to do this easily!
How to choose your gimbal?
Quality, use, weight... Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to help with your selection.
- What equipment will you be using your gimbal with? SLR, mirrorless, compact or smartphone?
- What is the duration of your project, what battery autonomy will you need from your gimbal?
- The different options offered by your gimbal, flexibility of work, will you be working indoors, outdoors, in conditions that could be harsh for your equipment...
- When will you be using your gimbal? Do you need something compact?
- Pay attention to the weight! Holding the gimbal for 2 minutes in the store and using it for 45 minutes during shooting won’t feel the same.
- What’s your budget?
How to balance your Gimbal?
When using it for the first time, you will need to adjust your gimbal. Here are the steps to follow for optimal handling.
- Place the gimbal with the engine off on a flat surface in front of you
- Set the vertical balance first: Tilt the camera, objectif up and let go. Your camera should tilt forward or back. It is necessary to balance it so that it doesn't flip back and forth.
- Then adjust the horizontal balance. Put your camera on the horizontal plane, let go of it, it should tilt down. As before, balance it until it no longer tilts down
- Once the horizontal and vertical balance are done, proceed to the axial stabilization. Put your camera on the horizontal plane and check its side tilt. It should flip to the right or left. Stabilize it so that it stays perfectly balanced and levelled.
- Last but not least, finish with the vertical axial stabilization by holding your gimbal horizontal in front of you and following the same process
Some Gimbals for your needs:
For your smartphone
For your camera photo/video
Got questions ? Contact the team by using the chat in the blue bubble bellow!