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 →