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Gimbals are versatile and durable tools that can be used to capture your incredible shots, So Why Don’t you yield its benefit?
The first time I saw a gimbal was at my sister’s wedding photoshoot. At the time I did not grasp its use, however, when I saw the final wedding video I was blown away! The footage was beautiful and stable. Are you interested in shooting high-quality videos? A gimbal is a perfect camera accessory to achieve just that.
In this article, I will share what a gimbal is, its different types, answer some FAQs, and much more. Read till the end to have each of your queries answered.
What Is a Gimbal?
A gimbal can be defined as a pivoting base that permits the movement of an object along one axis. A general gimbal 3 axis gimbal allows a camera to be attached to it in a way that the camera is unaffected and independent of the movement of the person holding the gimbal.
How Does a Gimbal Work?
By using motors and intelligent sensors, a gimbal supports and stabilizes the camera so you can shoot seamless video footage from unconventional angles while on the move. So how does a gimbal achieve this? Gimbals have their own sensors and optimize advanced motion detection to separate the videographer’s purposeful movements, and unwanted camera shake.
What’s striking is that the gimbal’s suspension technology has been known since ancient times. It was described by Philo of Byzantium in 3rd c. B.C., but contemporary authors cannot identify a single inventor. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Want to buy a high-quality gimbal according to your requirements. Here is the Gimbal Buying Guide you can use to choose a great gimbal.
Benefits of a Gimbal
If you are serious about video quality as an amateur or professional videographer, it’s worth adding a gimbal to your arsenal for a few reasons:
- Quick and easy set-up compared to other professional gear.
- Lightweight and easy to carry, especially for longer adventures.
- Comfortable filming for a longer time.
- Help you change angles easily, thus being time-efficient.
- Compatible with other camera equipment.
- Allows for a firmer hold on the camera.
- Game-changing for shooting aerial and underwater shots.
- Video production looks more sophisticated and watchable, giving the video a more professional quality.
What Are the Different Types of Gimbals?
The market is flooded with gimbals for various devices with different specifications and price points. Smartphone gimbal mounts can be used for devices of any size and give the videographer all the control. Did you know, director Steven Soderberg shot the entire Netflix series High Flying Bird on iPhone 8 using DJI Osmo stabilizer.
A camera gimbal would depend on the camera’s size and format. For this, take into account the weight of your camera and lens along with the dimensions of the camera. Handheld gimbals are the most popular for cameras. Advanced gimbals can be used to attach different cranes, cables, cams, and aerial drones.
Gimbals for cinema provide the opportunity to shoot silky smooth and steady footage for motion pictures. A 3 axis gimbal gives more room to manoeuvre dynamic shots with movement.
Difference Between Gimbal & Stabilizer, Gimbal & Tripod
Gimbal vs Tripod
A gimbal will help in advanced video capturing. It is a type of stabilizing device which will eliminate shaky movements and jerks when you are capturing a video. It has mobility which allows you to walk or run with it (that’s beyond imagination, right). A tripod, on the other hand, is for stationery shots and holds the camera in a steady position.
Gimbals are more expensive than tripods because they come with more features. A tripod helps with filming smooth footage, but it lacks the speed or versatility to move your device like a gimbal. Due to this reason, many sports and wildlife videographers opt for a gimbal to stabilize their device while tracking moving subjects because none of their fans would want to watch a shaky video.
Gimbal & Stabilizer
Filmmakers have been producing buttery smooth footage for years through fancy mechanical stabilizers instead of relying on new gimbal technology. These machines use numerous large and small counterweights, nuts, bolts, and springs to neutralize a camera shake.
Gimbals are a newer technology and are utilised on smaller devices like GoPros, iPhone, drone cameras, and DSLRs. Their mechanics is more advanced than mechanical stabilizers but professional film studio equipment and cameras are too huge for electric motors.
Stabilizers do exist for GoPros and small devices and are often cheaper than gimbals but they are not as effective and demand more skills from the videographer.
It has brought ultra-modern camera stabilizers to the masses. Anyone with a smartphone can now shoot beautiful action shots without any difficulty. Videography is accessible now more than ever, my friend!
Now I will answer some FAQs related to gimbals to help you guide further and make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Should You Use a Gimbal?
Whether you’re shooting while travelling, skiing or playing- capturing footage with a gimbal is far better than the built-in stabilizers your phone or camera has. With no jerk or shake, gimbals guarantee top-notch video quality to shoot a beautiful shot.
Why Are Gimbals So Expensive?
A few reasons for this could be attributed to the fact that gimbals are relatively a newer technology; they are reliable and always deliver great quality videos. Furthermore, operating them requires little training and not expertise, which saves you time learning new techniques. With thorough research, you’re bound to find something that offers you a happy medium with outstanding performance and budget.
What Is the Difference Between 2 Axis and 3 Axis Gimbal?
Most gimbals will either be 2-axis or 3-axis gimbals. You can probably guess correctly that a 3-axis is superior, but it is a expensive one. When you’re shooting the video, it’s likely that you yourself will reduce camera shake. So A 2-axis gimbal is perfectly adequate for a lot of purposes.
A 2-axis gimbal corrects a camera that is pitching forward and back or rolling from side to side. It won’t correct unwanted movements in the yaw axis. A three-axis gimbal, on the other hand, does correct unwanted shake in the yaw axis, resulting in even more stable footage. When we are talking about three axis Gimbal you can also give a read about Handheld vs 3-axis Gimbal.
A 3-axis gimbal has an extra pivot, meaning it weighs more. A 3-axis gimbal also has an additional motor. The extra motor entails more battery consumption by the gimbal, thus shorter battery life.
How Do I Choose a Gimbal?
It is crucial to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all product. Opting for the most popular or the most expensive may not be the one for you, so conduct your research well. Choosing a gimbal compatible with your phone or camera has to also be kept in mind. Read blog articles and watch reviews and tutorials on YouTube to make an informed decision. Remember, a wise decision leaves no room for regrets.
Final Verdict
Gimbals are game-changers for videography and filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or are you are a field expert, it can transform your skills and craft. So invest in a well-suited gimbal to unlock your potential to make well and convincing stories!
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