A distraught forum member over at EOSHD, who has already purchased two Zhiyun Cranes, posted this video, saying the gimbal isn't operating normally when in inverted mode. I suggested he hold the stabilizer by the handle, not by the pan motor! 🙂 https://youtu.be/gtB8F_C5T8g
Zhiyun Assistant App Gets Snazzy New Look
The Zhiyun Assistant App interface has gotten a fresh new look, and it isn't all purely cosmetic. The app now shows remaining battery life in a large, easy-to-read dial. The buttons to access calibration, firmware upgrades, stabilizer settings and remote control functions are all there, but they are now larger and grouped conveniently together at... Continue Reading →
After Installing Firmware v1.51, Crane Still Unstable
I wrote yesterday that installing firmware update v1.50 to increase gimbal payload capacity to 1,800 grams made using the Crane unusable for camera/lens combinations weighing under 1,500 grams. Zhiyun Tech responded quickly, recommending I reinstall firmware v1.51. I installed the firmware this morning and shot a little video, and the shakiness is still there. Apparently,... Continue Reading →
To GH4 Owners: Do Not Update Zhiyun Crane to Firmware v1.50 5D RC2!
Almost three weeks ago, an acquaintance of mine, a filmmaker, sent me an urgent text, informing me that Zhiyun had just posted a firmware update for the Crane enabling camera/lens combinations weighing up to 1,800 grams, and requested that I download it immediately so he could try it out with his Canon 5D. I went... Continue Reading →
Zhiyun Crane Brushless Gimbal Stabilizer: Sample Footage
There's not a whole lot I can really add to the hundreds of glowing online reviews of the Zhiyun Crane since it was first introduced around four months ago, so I decided to just post some sample clips using a variety of lenses on the Lumix GH4. There are situations where using a small stabilizer... Continue Reading →
Field Test II: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN for MFT
Just as in my previous tests, this clip was shot on Book Street, near the Saigon Central Post Office in Vietnam. This time, half the shots were made with the Zhiyun Crane brushless gimbal stabilizer, the rest with the camera mounted on the Edelkrone Slider Plus Small and iFootage Wild Bull T7 carbon fiber tripod.... Continue Reading →
Field Test II: Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron
Many photographers and filmmakers balk at spending more on a lens than they paid for their camera. But there is no reason not to purchase the best glass for your Lumix camera, even if the body cost only $500, because your camera is only as good as the lens. https://youtu.be/dOToESitZd4 Free Background Music from JewelBeat.com
IBIS Sticks on Lumix G80? No Problem – Use a Tripod!
From two readers over at 43 Rumors, this is priceless (concerning a video purporting to prove that Panasonic's recent firmware update doesn't prevent the IBIS from sticking when panning with the atrocious Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens on the Lumix G80): - Demo is useless. It should have been tested with a tripod. - Yes test... Continue Reading →
Why I’m Not a Fan of Universal Zooms
A forum member over at EOSHD interested in purchasing a Panasonic Lumix G80 was considering either the Lumix 12-60mm or 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lenses that come with the camera. Apparently in Spain, you can't buy the camera without a lens. What follows is my response. First of all, there is something shady about not offering... Continue Reading →
Field Test: Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron
When I did a search on YouTube, most of the 'tests' I saw of the Nocticron were of weeds and garbage (literally), with shutter speed set at 1/000 second (because the uploader didn't want to shell out for an ND filter); or set exclusively at f/1.2 (WTF?), when stopping down to f/2.8 gives you 30... Continue Reading →
Field Test: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN for MFT
When I was younger, I used to collect classical music, and I'd buy records based on reviews in publications like the Penguin Guide to Classical Music and Gramophone magazine. When I'd get home and listen to their recommended recordings however, I was often dismayed by what I'd heard, and ended up throwing away a lot of money... Continue Reading →
Zhiyun Increases Payload 50%, Crane Now Able to Fly 5D Mark III
Zhiyun announced yesterday a new firmware upgrade allowing Canon 5D owners the ability to use their popular Crane brushless gimbal stabilizer. Formerly, Zhiyun rated the payload of their pistol grip stabilizer at 1,200 grams, which many in the forums over at EOSHD thought was an overly conservative estimate. The new firmware, v1.50 5D RC2, will enable camera/lens combinations of over 1500 grams... Continue Reading →
The Planet’s Least Sluggish, Least Affordable DAS
If you feel the need for speed, and you don't mind remortgaging your house to raise the scratch, how about this Thunderbolt 3 ready SSD RAID from LaCie? Paired with the top-of-the-line MacBook Pro (thank goodness Apple finally listened to professional photographers and removed those annoying SD card slots and USB ports!), you should be able... Continue Reading →
Upcoming Review of the Zhiyun Crane & an Unscientific Test of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Contemporary Lens for MFT
How's that for a catchy title? Since I'll be officially retiring next week, I thought I'd start a vlog for insomniacs. I've been shooting with the Zhiyun Crane brushless gimbal stabilizer now for a couple of months and am getting ready to try to edit the clips into something fairly coherent. For the introduction, I... Continue Reading →
Field Test: Lumix GM1+G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 Lens
Although the GM line of cameras has been discontinued by Panasonic, there still seems to be quite a bit of interest in them, and for good reason: they are stylish, with an attractive retro look; they boast a serious magnesium alloy body; they're able to shoot lovely looking 1080p video at 24fps; and they are among the smallest... Continue Reading →
Zhiyun Crane Handheld Brushless Gimbal Stabilizer: Roll Axis Screw Becomes Loose
I've already written extensively about the Zhiyun Crane - as of now, the highest quality, most affordable stabilizer for small mirrorless cameras. But there is one fly in the ointment, and that is the screw that adjusts the roll axis. When picking up the gimbal, the screw becomes loose, throwing the camera off balance. I've... Continue Reading →
Calibrating the Zhiyun Crane Gimbal
Balancing a camera lens combination like the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 on the Zhiyun Crane is a simple task which even most novices can accomplish in a matter of minutes. Nevertheless, when the gimbal is exposed to extreme changes in temperature, it is still possible that during operation, the... Continue Reading →
Zhiyun Crane Pistol Grip Brushless Gimbal Stabilizer
After acquiring a slider, the next accessory I absolutely had to own was a brushless gimbal stabilizer. Dave Dugdale's review convinced me to purchase the Nebula 4000, although he seemed to still be on the fence about purchasing one, preferring to wait and see what was in store at the next trade show. One thing... Continue Reading →
Field Test: Edelkrone Slider Plus Small
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMy31fpMs7s&feature=youtu.be Free background music from JewelBeat.com.
The Daejeon Chronicles 