Because the original one was way too dark, I've gone ahead and reuploaded my previous video with comparisons between the Rode VideoMic Pro and the built-in microphone of the Lumix G85, along with some tap to focus tests and more rambling on about exposing to the right. This new video also looks at the RodeLink... Continue Reading →
Rode VideoMic Pro vs. Lumix G85 In-Camera Mic, Tap to Focus and ETTR
In this video, we compare the Rode VideoMic Pro to the built-in microphone on the Lumix G85. I have the camera mounted on the Zhiyun Crane gimbal stabilizer. One difficulty I ran into is that with the LCD screen swung out to the side and the mic mounted on the hot shoe, it's impossible to... Continue Reading →
The Saigon Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office in all its splendor. I love the natural light in this building. I've got no idea how women can look so impeccable in this sweltering heat. https://youtu.be/MlDFwHFDi6Y
It’s Finally Here! The Fuji 50mm f/2 Field Test
I shot with the Fuji X-T2 on the Zhiyun Crane for all the clips. I love the small f/2 lenses, they're so easy to balance on a gimbal. The Saigon Central Post Office is a terrific place for people watching, and the natural light is incredible. And I haven't seen this many outlandish hats in... Continue Reading →
Leeming LUT One
For years, I'd been struggling to get good skin tones and dynamic range from my GH3 and GH4 cameras using the Natural photo style with contrast dialed all the way down and applying LUTs in post. So when I purchased the G85 a few months ago, I decided to give Standard profile a chance, trying... Continue Reading →
The Ideal Vlogging Setup?
Te Very few lenses in the m43 catalogue have impressed me as much as the Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4. First of all, it is exceedingly difficult to design a micro four thirds lens of such parameters; and while there have been several very good wide angle primes designed for the system, none have exactly smashed... Continue Reading →
Zhiyun Crane Jitter Problem Addressed
In previous posts, I wrote that my gimbal was experiencing serious shake, even after the stabilizer had been properly balanced and calibrated. This effectively meant that I was without a camera for the whole of my two-week trip to George Town and Langkawi, Malaysia. Every single clip was ruined with jitter issues, which I posted... Continue Reading →
Gimbal Issues
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 →
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 →
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 →