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3-axis stabilizers ala FreeFly MOVi or ZenMuse - DIY and commercial
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  • ahblezaahbleza

    I'm on a 10 day shoot in Austria with the BMCC, and had the opportunity to try out the Portahead 2 gimbal mount. I'm pleased with the results -- some lovely smooth footage, although since it was a prototype, there were some issues with drift in the remote control that need correction.

    Generally, once the camera is balanced, then the gimbals support it very well, but getting the balance right takes two people nearly 30 minutes, so it eats into the production budget.

    The Portahead 2 supports 2 kg, which means the BMCC and a Voigtlander f0.95 lens. The team from Portahead were extremely helpful, and drove all the way from Germany for two days to set up the rig for us, and give us a chance to try it in a real life production environment. Note this is not a full review, as my chances to use it have been limited, but I have high hopes this will be a great tool for future film work.

    ** EDIT: Added picture of my regular 1st AC using the rig.

    IMG_20130725_234244.jpg
    2448 x 3264 - 2M
    18971_10151473896347030_706571221_n.jpg
    642 x 480 - 75K
  • kevin_kirchmankevin_kirchman

    @tosvus Any footage available from the gimbal you got on Ebay? I'm considering it, along with the above gimbal/controller set-up.

  • bimdasbimdas

    @kevin_kirchman let us know if you take the plunge, I look forward to seeing your results. I've been playing around with a small 2 axis gimble with my nex5n and the alexmos firmware to get my head around how it works. Turns out its not too complicated. Alexmos is definitely the best option out there right now in regards to ease of tuning and results.

  • kevin_kirchmankevin_kirchman

    @bimdas thanks for the link. I might take the plunge and buy the above motor package and board for around $700 and give it a shot

  • bimdasbimdas

    This is the alexmos controller you want for 3-axis http://www.armbgc.com/armbgc-v3-0-alexmos-controller-3-axis/ Still waiting for him to design a 3-axis in one board though. The video of the 5-axis is blowing my mind. The guy's a genius and should be designing and releasing camera rigs.

  • FrancklinFrancklin

    Yes alexmos controler is working for this 3 axis gimbal (and any other one) you need two boards to have 3 axis (2axis per board)

  • kevin_kirchmankevin_kirchman

    Anyone know if the Alexmos controller would work with the above product? I'd gladly pay the 450 for the rig and 100-150 for the controller.

  • tosvustosvus

    @Francklin This is 3-way and does not include the controller.

  • FrancklinFrancklin

    Thank you for the link Vitaly ,i found quite the same one in brushless for449$ in pré-order

    http://www.goodluckbuy.com/3-axis-dslr-brushless-gimbal-glass-fiber-handle-camera-mount-w-5208-brushless-motor-for-fpv-photography.html

    http://www.goodluckbuy.com/images/detailed_images/sku_98795_2.jpg

    Alexmoss is introducing the 5 axis stabilisation :simply look awesome...!!!

  • Palanza87Palanza87

    Yeah, I want to buy one really bad but I think I'll have to wait to see how everything pans out. Like the defy is 2400, the besteady one is like about the same, but I'd rather pay the extra for the MoVi if its really better. I need to be able to demo these things! Guess I'll have to just suck it up, wait and skill up with my steadicam in the meantime.

  • bimdasbimdas

    @Palanza87 You've got a point. It's not looking good for the Steadicam's future. Especially considering you can't use a steadicam rig out of the side of a helicopter or on the back of a motorcycle. Some might say that a Steadicam doesn't require power but any semi-serious rig will need a large battery for a monitor and counterbalance. The only advantage that the Steadicam has that I can see is that a single operator can get the best out of it. But it won't be long before Movi and its copies add some type of thumb joystick that can control pan and tilt for the operator. While majestic mode is cool, it doesn't look too agile. Once they release a mount for the Movi that can attach it to a Steadicam vest and arm, its game over.

  • Palanza87Palanza87

    Well if you look at the gh3 shots, I'm wondering if they were done just carrying it or what. Because what I'm seeing looks pretty darn good for just carrying it. On one hand everyone says the vertical up/down works fine with the thing, and on the other hand everyone says it wont work like a steadicam. I can't afford both lol and I'd like to offload my steadicam before its made worthless by these things. Oye tough situation.

  • RamboRambo

    If anything, a regular steadyCam body vest and sprung/dampened arms would work better as a Movi support for up/down motion.

  • bimdasbimdas

    @Rambo I meant to use something like a Movi with an Easyrig.

  • RamboRambo

    @Bimdas, Easyrig is not a stabiliser, it's a SUPPORT system designed to shift the weight of a heavy cameras from the shoulders and back too the hips. I've never operated steadyCams with bent knees, walking naturally works best allowing the hips to sway and soak up motion, it's also less tiring. Everyone has their own style though. :-) http://www.easyrig.com/

    @Palanza87, yep, Movi type rigs are not best for up/down movement, that where roller blades, and Segways come in handy. Just don't do this on a Segway.

  • bimdasbimdas

    @Palanza87 It's all about operator skill the same way some people can fly a small glidecam or blackbird and make it look like a full arm/vest steadicam setup. Physical strength and having bent knees has alot to do with this but with something like an Easyrig, getting steadicam like video will be much easier to do.

  • Palanza87Palanza87

    Here is my big question: How are these dealing with vertical movement? (up/down). Steadicams eliminate that movement, but these do not? Some video looks good, some bad. Steps in some. Is this where operator skill will come into? I'm considering selling my steadicam flyer to buy a moVi but not if I can't get the steps out.

  • bimdasbimdas

    The evvgc looks very promising for an open source controller. Theres another one called the VR gimbal (http://vrgimbal.wordpress.com/) but little is known about it from its webpage and noone is talking about it. I think the most mature controller is the Alexmos with the 3rd axis expansion board. It's got "majestic" mode and a nice looking, easy to use tuning program. It's being used in the Besteady and the only downside is it's closed source and pretty costly.

  • kavadnikavadni

    From my contact with suppliers of the EvvGC ... none of them have been able to tell me what mosfet is being used ... hence unknown load capacity

  • jefforigjefforig

    I know this was mentioned, but I just wanted to add more detail regarding this particular project. There is a strong community of people working on an OPEN SOURCE solution at www.rcgroups.com dedicated to making a 3 axis brushless gimbal that can be used on copters and handheld rigs. I believe this to be the most promising open source solution I have encountered.

    The main post is here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1872199

    The group is led by evvaldis

    I recommend reading the first couple of threads and the last 10-20 pages of the thread to get caught up. Then read as much in between as you can. The first couple of threads are updated with the latest firmware versions.

    They are working on the board (soldering and such) and firmware of this customized controller board found here: http://shop.myairbot.com/index.php/evvgc-3-2axis-brushless-gimbal-controller.html
    Please NOTE: this board looks the same as from other sources, but it has additional custom resistors added per evvaldis.

    I am personally hoping that this gimbal/motor combination will work with this board:

    $358 from GLB http://www.goodluckbuy.com/3-axis-dslr-brushless-gimbal-glass-fiber-handle-camera-mount-w-5208-brushless-motor-for-fpv-photography.html

    or the Carbon Fiber one from GLB for $418 http://www.goodluckbuy.com/3-axis-dslr-brushless-gimbal-carbon-fiber-handle-camera-mount-w-5208-brushless-motor-for-fpv-photography.html

    Please NOTE: these gimbal/motor kits do NOT come with the most important piece which is the controller board. The controller reorients the brushless motors to level or the auto-panning.

    Also, this is in the extremely early stages of development. They need help with programming, testing, and I think evvaldis could always use funds to keep the project going. Plus, if you want to help fundraise to help him get the $358 brushless gimbal from GLB, I will gladly contribute so he can do the testing and research.

    What I have gathered from seeing all the people attempt to build there own, is that it is very difficult to tune. There are many variables with gimbal builds, motor sizes and torque, and camera weight. Wobbling or other ill-effects occur if not tuned correctly.

    I thought the personal-view community would be able to help this project somehow. Even with help organizing the code and organizing the development of the code.

    Thanks for this thread. It's cool to see all the different projects.

  • tosvustosvus

    Haha it is only 2 axis too... this is outdated tech...

  • tosvustosvus

    Seems expensive and not very innovative either. Bmpcc can easily be used with the one I bought, though lenses cannot be too heavy

  • CiNEPHiLCiNEPHiL

    The Ghost - DSLR/Video Camera Stabilizer on KickStarter http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1555066985/the-ghost-dslr-video-camera-stabilizer

    It would be nice to see the more compact version of this one for BMPCC and for less money :)

  • tosvustosvus

    Seller linked to this:

    Projekt Homepage : www.brushlessgimbal.de Projekt Forum : http://brushlessgimbal.de/forum Brushless Gimbal Controller by Ludwig Färber (Hardware and Software) , Alexander Rehfeldt (Software) and Christian Winkler (Software)

    (open source)

  • bimdasbimdas

    @tosvus do you know what controller board is being used?

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