Thats nice! Haven't seen this latest posts about DD before adding toughs to the other thread. As I said, DD gimbals are coming fast and furious. But 3k-6k sounds a bit too much for a Cinestar gimbal DD upgrade kit, specially only 2axis. For less than 4K *Photohigher* is about to release the AV200DD and many other companies are working hard on DD projects that will cost considerably less than that and won't be too long to hit the shelfs.
We have to first see the performance of these 'upgraded' gimgals. If a $6K ungraded CS gimbal fitted with a 5D3 or C300 has equal performance or at least 75% of what a Zen can do I would say 6K is a helluva deal. Anything less than that is a ripoff.
Well, I have to agree. Anything that can deliver a top performance is probably going to have a top price too. C500 or Red perfect gimbal won't cost the same as one for GoPro. But for 6k it must make editing stabilization filters unecessary and also good coffe! So, brint it on guys! But since it will be expensive, make it not only eficient but also nice professionaly looking! It should look deadly expensive
The price of 3-6K would be for a complete 3-axis direct drive gimbal capable of balancing an epic. At the moment, it's crude hardware, but in the end it should delivers aerial shots like from a heli with 300K equipment But first of all we are working on making the DSLR version work with bigger cams (1D, 5D, 7D) Meanwhile, have a look at a nice making-of featuring some sfx and gear by us: Or take look at http://fb.com/pyro.labs/ Best regards!
Seems lot's of folks are developing DD systems: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815204#post23896129
I know of at least four amateur groups/individuals doing some development in this area. In the end it will be like with flight controllers. In 2005 some amateurs started the whole multicopter thing. Then some commercial companies took over and delivered feedback to the amateurs. Nowadays you can get at least 12 different controllers - that's so cool!!! Today everybody is developing DD systems, which have their own drawbacks. So the next big thing will be a harmonic drive with an ultrasonic motor
Excuse my ignorance but is this the tech that DJI use for the Zenmuse gimbals to achieve such good performance?
And don't forget that PhotoHigher is also in the development mode http://photohigher.com/products/hero-series-gimbals/ Up to a dual #D setup for 2 Red's. The games have begun.
Competition is good. But honestly, who will use two bare Epics for professional 3D shooting? Never seen that on a movie set... Like the idea of building a multicopter that can carry a Red 3D rig + gimbal - NICE!!!
DJI Zenmuse uses DDS*, direct drive system, or most commonly brushless gimbal. Same thing that is been discussed at RCG forum. Ultrasonic motors is what Canon has been using in their USM autofocus lenses for a few decades now and was responsible for them taking the leadership from Nikon in professional SLR (now DLSR) market. I think 6K is ok for a"zenmuse" gimbal that can carry most 4k cameras (highly adjustable) like the RED, but it must be pratcaly faultless in all aspects. I say most cameras because this is why I think Freefly gimbal is so good, you can adjust it for any camera with great results, from GoPro up to a RED! A dedicated RED only gimbal would be easier to make, but very limited use. It would be a second or third gimbal for top paid aerial image makers or professionals specialised in flying only or mostly RED. Not my case at the moment but probably the case of some guys here. But the way I see, making a gimbal exclusive for RED cameras is like doing a software for an specific computer model, after 3 years it's gone as digital cameras nowadays evolve almost as quickly as computer chips. Unless RED owners keep releasing upgrade kits that keep it in the same body but with latest technology internal components, like old modular Hasselblad 503CW cameras. A Direct Drive motors upgrade kit for existing Freefly gimbals would be great as it would avoid the system and the brand loosing value while showing respect to existing customers. And even if zenmuse is the best thing around right now (for small mirror less cameras), the Hero line has some features that will make some photographers very happy if they get it right. I'm not sure how much or when the Heros will be released, but I would expect a 6K gimbal to be similar or even better. The thing is, the DD gimbals war is just starting and we the consumers are the winners. Regarding 3D with REDs, sounds really cool as mentioned, but not practical I guess. Lighter, smaller cameras with same or better quality that can be used in pair for 3D should appear soon, if not already here. * Actually I think best technical definition would be DDBMGS, Direct Drive Brushless Motor Gimbal System!
This is a QUICK test we made today with a Canon 7D (EF 24-105 USM 3.5-5.4) and the prototype of our direct-drive gimbal. Just to see if the basic mechanical setup works. The software is in alpha state and by no means configured to move this heavy camera perfectly. Just to let you see it's not vaporware...
Looks very promising indeed! ETA? Love to have one for my GH3 and 12-35 lens, both better and lighter than 7D and 24-105.
It's completely configurable and that's also the main disadvantage. No plug-and-play like with the Zenmuse - every cam-lens-combination has to be COG-balanced and SW-calibrated. At least our software is able to save a limited amount of settings inside the controller and an unlimited amount of settings in our java-based config software. ETA? TBD...