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

  • Hi another one with servo but soon with brushless ,it's working nice on 5D with servomotors anyway From 1001copters (http://www.1001copters.com/fr/stabilisateur-cinestar/161-stabilisateur-steadstar.html )

  • Here's a couple using the Movi clone frame you can buy from aliexpress. The last one with the android tilt/pan is pretty impressive.

    I wouldn't be surprised if Freefly get all their Cinestar and Movi frames made in China as the seller on Aliexpress also sells Cinestar frames and spare parts. If you compare the Movi frame they displayed at NAB to the Aliexpress one, they are identical apart from the motor mounts because Freefly's motors are alot bigger. Freefly probably wind their own motors and use their own controllers though which is the hardest part.

  • So just to add some software cost $ 2800 for the flycam, or I am mistaken.

  • I recently bought this gimbal (from the guy who made the video. If you click his profile you can find a couple more videos too):

    I paid less than $400 for a 3-axis brushless motor gimbal, and unlike the video, he did provide a couple of different handles. I have yet to fully set it up for my final configuration, but the initial testing with the Nex-5n and kit-lens was very promising (he actually has this configuration himself so it was pre-adjusted for this). The Gimbal can hold 750g, which means I can use my "final" configuration which is a Panasonic GH3 with an Olympus 9-18 lens.

    Initial reaction:

    Pluses
    -Super cheap for a 3-way brushless gimbal (this point should really be counted 5 or 10 times in the pro section...)
    -Seems to work really well though I have done extremely limited testing so far (maybe 10 minutes total).
    -Very good support - I had a few questions and each time he responded within hours
    -Holds a bigger camera than other cheap ones
    -gimbal + camera weight can be lifted by a DJI 550 (Have not purchased one yet though)
    -whisper quiet (when balanced properly)
    -By adding a RC transmitter/receiver, you can manually control the motors as well (for panning etc)

    Things to consider/limitations/minuses
    -Still, some weight limitation, obviously don't expect a 5D mk3 with heavy glass to work.
    -It does not have the finish of a much more expensive Gimbal. Exposed wiring, circuit boards, motors etc
    -Pretty picky about balancing the setup in all 3 dimensions. I think this is an inherent issue in all smaller gimbals(or maybe all gimbals?). The gimbal itself is very light weight and susceptible to changes in configuration. As an example, since the 5n kit lens is not very wide, I swapped it out with the 16mm and the accompanying wide-adapter. This is a tad heavier than the kit-lens and it was clearly off balance. Which leads me to the last point:
    -While there are ways to adjust this, he drilled extra holes on some of the arms, etc, it basically means you may ned to get the screw-driver out to adjust, or maybe in extreme cases, drill extra holes.

    Don't get me wrong, the pluses outweigh the limitations by FAR - and I am VERY happy with the purchase. I will be making some cheap changes to the design on my copy (arm that holds the camera) to make it easier to adjust for different configurations - probably spending no more than $30 or so. I think once I have that in place this will be an incredible powerful tool at a very cheap price (Cheaper than many "manual" stabilizers!)

  • Oh, and I may end up using all the motors,sensors, controllers etc and put them on a gimbal frame I found on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261237447324&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

    Makes for a more easily configurable gimbal, plus bonus points for looking better. Still less than $500 for entire setup!

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

  • 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)

  • 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 :)

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

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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • @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.

  • @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.

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

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

  • 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.

  • @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.

  • 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.

  • 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...!!!