Are you struggling to keep your hands stable while shooting videos or the Slow-motion shots look a little blurry? Tripods that just refuse to stay still enough? It’s time to invest in a gimbal.
A gimbal can be a great asset to the aspiring moviemaker, but how do you know whether you need one and whether you can afford it? Many factors go into making the decision, like the kind of camera you have and how much you’re looking to spend.
Here’s a quick rundown of what a gimbal is, why you’d want to use it, and whether you can afford one.
What Is A Gimbal?
A gimbal is a mount designed to stabilize the camera and counteract camera shake. Some have three axes of movement (tilt, pan, and roll), some two. They are most commonly used with video cameras to prevent jitters, shakes, or shimmies caused by walking or body movements and make your production look significantly professional.
It is pivot support that comes in handy when shooting moving subjects. It makes it possible to rotate an object along a particular axis.
When shooting a moving object, failure of a range of motion and stability may compromise the shot. Gimbals achieve stability by absorbing any vibrations from the camera.
Consequently, filming becomes smooth regardless of how rough the terrain is, whether you are shaky or how fast you are moving while shooting the recording.
They come in various types and sizes. As a result of that, there is a choice for everyone. All one has to do is choose what suits them the best.
Why Should You Get a Gimbal?
I am a huge fan of gimbals, and I think they are one of the very best investments you can make to create video content. They provide a professional look, reduce shake, and remove slow-motion blur! If you want your videos to look like professionals shot them, you need to get yourself a gimbal.
But do you really need it now? Well, you decide. Gimbal’s range of price from $150 to $2000+.
I am not sure how much it costs you to buy your first camera but if you have a decent camera, skip the gimbal and just buy a tripod with some sort of ball head on top. But gimbals are better.
– Why not a Tripod? Gimbal vs. Tripod
Gimbals are better than tripods on a lot of levels.
A tripod is a device that stabilizes the video shot on all the axes. It is achieved by using levers, which rotate in various directions and allow movement in one direction or another.
On a gimbal, however, there are many different ways of stabilization. The gimbal consists of three motors and a mechanism that allows the system to move in various ways. It is important to note that the gimbal has a sensor. Its role is to register any sudden movements or jolts as well as to measure them. Then, its processor will notify the motor that there has been a movement.
It is smart enough to send the information to one out of the three motors, and it is usually the one that will counteract the movement in the best way possible. The fact that all that happens in seconds mean that the shot will always be incredible.
Gimbals are an integral part of every professional filmmakers’ kit because they help them achieve the most stable shot. There are different types of gimbals, and each type has its specialties.
So, the second question is supposed to be, “Should I buy a gimbal now that I have a decent camera?” To decide on that, we need to have a deeper look at their pros and cons.
– Pros and Cons of a Gimbal
Pros:
1. Shaky, shaky videos are no longer a problem for you.
2. Having a gimbal means you have endless hours of smooth video to edit with.
3. With a gimbal, it is so much easier to capture smooth footage from all kinds of angles.
4. A gimbal will help you create beautiful nature videos, action videos, and more.
5. The gimbals are easy to maneuver through tricky spots.
6. Gimbals can be used by professionals as well as beginners.
7. It allows you to mount other accessories
8. They are sturdy and have a long life, and if properly taken care of, you can use them for years to come.
9. Gimbal helps to create the feeling of a professional camera in a smartphone
10. Gimbal helps to create smooth panoramic shots, steady aerial, underwater, and steady time laps shots
Cons:
1. Gimbal can be expensive.
2. Gimbal’s require a lot of balance, and it may not be easy to get the hang of it at first.
3. It is not easy to travel with gimbals because they are heavy and hard to carry around with you
4. Gimbal can get damaged if you drop it, especially on hardwood floors.
5. It may not be compatible with some cameras.
6. There is a learning curve to use it effectively, like using it while walking.
7. Requires batteries and charger
However, they now have long battery life and fast charging. Their prices also keep getting more pocket-friendly with time.
If you don’t want to set up the extra gear, this is your go-to gadget. If you are shooting a view using a smartphone, it ensures that you don’t capture unstable shots, especially when zooming in on a relatively far subject. The sturdiness makes them suitable for any adventure without having to worry about its damage.
Why Are Camera Gimbals So Expensive?
Two years after its emergence, that’s 2015, since the first time gimbal saw the light of the day in 2013, DJI Ronin M took the market by storm. That’s because its cost was $1399. Why would anyone deem it fit to celebrate such a price when it is relatively high? As unreasonable as it may sound, the price made it the cheapest gimbal ever since the previous prices were $2000 and above.
That begs a fascinating question. Why do gimbals cost so much?? Let’s take a look at some of those reasons.
The sturdy build
It is important to note that the primary target market for gimbals is professionals who prefer using high-quality and expensive cameras and lenses. So, it becomes the responsibility of gimbals designers to build something sturdy and robust. The materials to be used won’t be cheap hence leading to producing an expensive product.
Its design
Gimbals focus on precise encoders coupled with high torque motors, which comes at a price reflected on the high cost. Manufacturers understand that a situation may force you to hold your gimbal for a long time or even the entire day as a professional videographer or photographer. So the materials that are both light and robust are expensive.
It is a new technology and also handheld
The technique applied when manufacturing handheld devices is demanding in various aspects, leading to expensive products. Gimbals are no exception, and that’s why they are pretty costly.
Gimbals meet buyers’ expectations
When a product delivers what it promises, people will not hesitate to buy it any day. The experience may differ from one gimbal to another, probably due to the variant features leading to different prices. In most cases, people will opt for the expensive ones since they have more features and offer better results.
The fact that they can replace a professional
If you have hired a videographer or a photographer, you can attest that the services’ price is not small. So, can you imagine the price of something that does exactly that? Regardless of whether you are an expert or a novice, it will deliver the best results as long as you use the tool as you should. Manufacturers have that in mind. As much as a gimbal won’t be as expensive as hiring a professional, the margin between the gadget’s price and its alternative isn’t huge.
Is Buying A Gimbal Worth The Money?
Whether a gimbal offers value for your money or not depends on your decision to buy a Gimbal can be one of three choices;
1. A cheap gimbal.
2. An expensive gimbal but without the option of removing shake and slow-motion blur.
3. Something in between the above two options (expensive gimbal with a couple of extra features).
If you are a professional videographer, you might still find value for your money even after purchasing a gimbal at a high price.
On the other hand, if all you want is a gimbal for recording memorable moments of your life, value for money may only come from buying a cheap gimbal.
The bottom line is that you are the only one who can determine the value of what to use the tool for eventually. However, with a gimbal, you can rest assured that you will always get what you pay for at the end of the day.
Considerations When Buying a Gimbal
1. You can use any camera on a gimbal, but not every camera works well with every gimbal. You want to choose a camera that is compatible with the gimbal that you buy.
2. The features available in a gimbal can also influence the price. The more features, the more money you have to spend.
3. The camera’s weight is also an essential factor that influences the price of a gimbal.
4. The cameras that you buy will determine whether the gimbal is easy to use or not.
5. You can also check out the reviews for the gimbal and check out what other users have said about it.
Also, note that you will be investing money and time when you buy a gimbal. You have to learn how to use it, both in the handle and on the head. You also need to spend some time with your camera and learn how to use it better.
Final Take:
The bottom line is you can make high-end cinematography without spending too much money; get a gimbal. But the decision you make will depend on what kind of video you plan to shoot with the Gimbal. If your videos are primarily for social media or YouTube, then a cheaper Gimbal would be perfectly fine. But if your videos are meant for television or film production, it’s worth saving up to get a better one.
