we’ll need a gimbal system with a light camera.

We’ve chosen two different gimbal systems

which we will test under real shooting conditions.

By the end of the day, we’ll have a short film starring freerunner Ruben

and we’ll also hopefully know which system best meets our needs.

For further information click the "i" button in the upper right corner.

Or click the next showing link to the short film "Gimbal Love"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p63lX0qogM0

And here are our contestants: CAME-TV Came-Single and DJI Ronin M

1st competition: assembly

How long does it take until the system is ready to go?

The DJI Ronin M requires you not only to balance the camera manually,

but also to calibrate it using the DJI-App.

This takes some time.

When it comes to the Came-Single,

all you need to do is the balancing of the camera and that’s it.

According to the manufacturer, you can start using the Came-Single immediately

as the presetting should meet your needs.

So, this doesn't take much time.

We're using the same camera for both systems:

the Panansonic GH4 and a 12-35mm lens.

2nd competition: parallel tracking shot

Let’s do something easy to begin with.

Both our cameramen are shooting the same scene in order to make a fair comparison.

So this one is the take where we used the DJI Ronin M…

Now the Came-Single…

Both Gimbals appear fairly steady.

There’s no big difference here.

3rd competition: panning

The problem with using a Gimbal is that the system will initially counter-steer this particular move.

With the DJI Ronin M you can adjust the panning speed and response time

by way of the DJI-App so that the system “knows” when panning or tilting happens intentionally.

This feature helped our cameraman to keep our freerunner in the frame.

When it comes to Came-Single, it was difficult to get the panning right

as the system works with a pre-installed panning time and immediately tried to “correct” the cameraman’s movement.

We noticed that the recording wasn’t steady.

According to the manufacturer, this can be eliminated by using

a work flow which can be found on CAME-TV’s website.

4th competition: coffee break

You need both your hands when using DJI Ronin M.

Well, most of the time.

You always only need one hand when operating Came-Single.

5th competition: confined spaces

How can you shoot if there’s not much space for the cameraman to do his work?

And how can you film properly when you're walking with your back to the actor?

Although you have to hold DJI Ronin M awkwardly with both hands,

it’ll provide you with a steady shot.

You’ll need a couple of attempts to get it right.

Came-Single’s big advantage is its size and that it’s easy to operate.

You can hold the handle with both hands,

making it easy to manoeuvre along the narrow passageway.

The unsteady image is due to the settings which have not been properly adjusted.

6th competition: Between takes

Putting the camera down to talk to the director

is not easy when working with DJI Ronin M.

Most of the time, its stand is somewhere else...

Came-Single comes out top once again,

as long as you've got the mini foldable stand.

7th competition: the arc shot

Now it’s all about a steady arc shot which always poses a challenge.

We found out: you need lots of practice.

And yet, it's no problem for either stabilization system

as long as you keep the actor in the middle of the camera display.

In order to achieve this, crosshairs on your camera’s display or monitor help.

8th competition: choreography

The challenge was to follow freerunner Ruben,

to overtake him and then to run parallel to him.

As it is quite difficult to control your speed,

operate a camera AND hold the gimbal in the right position,

we came up with the idea of using a wheelchair.

While the assistant steers and controls the wheelchair’s speed,

the cameraman holding the gimbal can concentrate on shooting.

Using Came-Single, we start this scene with a tilting of the camera from the ground up

to where Ruben is already running.

It would have taken many more takes without the wheelchair!

Our conclusion:

Both gimbals showed their strengths and weaknesses during the tests.

In the end, it’s down to each individual case of what you’re filming.

If weight and size don’t matter,

DJI Ronin M will deliver steadier images

and the app allows for a variety of adjustments.

Came-Single is smaller and lighter

and you won’t need another person’s help.

In case you’re all alone up in the mountains –

that’s the system you should opt for.

For our particular project, we’ve decided to use DJI Ronin M.

Transcription by: Stefanie Obergfell