a6300 + which Zhiyun-Tech Gimbal Choice?

[rob_Il]

I have an a6300 plus the 16-50, 35mm, 50mm and 18-105 and want to do some video 20% video / 80% still) but have three options and am trying to decide which is best.

Option 1: I have already purchased the Zhiyun-Tech Smooth-Q gimbal stabilizer for my iPhone (only) with the thought that I could use the iPhone/Gimbal for video and a6300 for stills. After having it for a few days, two limitations have surfaced: I cannot plug the iPhone in and I cannot get add a better quality mic (no jack) because when the iPhone is mounted (any smartphone really) the Lightening port is blocked. Also cold weather affects smartphone batteries because they are so thin now where they are not usable. When indoor the gimbal did quite well and the quality was decent (daylight) . Low light is very grainy with a smartphone. (MAX camera load: 7.8 oz)

Option 2: return the Smooth Q and get the Crane M (+$250) which can handle my iPhone & a6300 plus all my lenses EXCEPT the 18-105. It is larger/heavier then option 1, but can get better quality as well as change out the cold/dead a6300 batteries; where the iPhone dies in cold under 32 degrees. I would be forced to use the 16-50 or most likely the two primes (which would still be better quality then an iPhone) and I could use my Rode mic too. (Max camera load: 1.4 lbs)

Option 3: return the Smooth Q and get the Crane v2 (+$400) which is the largest and heaviest, but can use my better quality 18-105 as well which I prefer, but the gimbal weight and size is much larger. With the camera, lens and gimbal, I would be over three pounds. Also this one's min. weight cannot handle an iPhone if needed to use in a pinch. (Max camera load: 3.9 lbs)

Option 4: I guess one other option if to keep the Smooth Q and get the Crane M in addition which would be about the same amount as the Crane v2. Then I would have really light/iPhone for long days out (daylight only) and then the a6300 and prime lens for (my) best quality video and sound.

Thanks

 

[Gary3000]

It's a tough call, as it depends on what kind of video you wish to shoot.

I went with the Crane-M because it was cheaper, lighter, and smaller, and even tho I cannot use it with my 18-105, it works fine with my 10-18 and kit lens. - not really sure how much I'd want/need to shoot video on the telephoto side.
- if the v2 was the same price, then I might have considered, but figure $450 vs $600 (at the time) was the most I'd want to spend on a stabilizer, considering I'm not a pro or anything

 

[Stflbn]

IMHO the bigger version (not M) is the way to go just for the versatility.

I use my Crane with both my tiny RX100 v and large RX10 iv depending on needs. The RX10 iv would not work on the M Crane.

 

[rob_Il]

I decided to keep my Smooth Q (Smartphone only) while researching other option for my a6300. I was about to pull the trigger on the ZhiYun Crane M since it would work with most of my lenses. Now today I found that Moza is releasing the Moza AirCross Gimbal for Mirrorless Cameras which will work with all my lenses (even 18-105) as well as a7rIII (and all Sony full frame mirrorless cameras). The Crane M was great if they could have gotten the max load to about 2.5 lbs, but 1.4 was too limiting for any type of future body purchases (even the a6500 and 10-18 are too heavy for it). Plus this gimbal will work inverted without having to remove the camera like an a6300 which it too wide for the M.

The Moza AirCross Gimbal for Mirrorless Cameras will be out in a few weeks, so I can wait for the max payload of 3.9lbs\1.8kgs. Plus the price is only $420 USD which is a great compared to what else it out there. Their other gimbals have gotten decent reviews and the time-lapse looks even a little better then Crane M offering.

 

[Entropy512]

I decided to keep my Smooth Q (Smartphone only) while researching other option for my a6300. I was about to pull the trigger on the ZhiYun Crane M since it would work with most of my lenses. Now today I found that Moza is releasing the Moza AirCross Gimbal for Mirrorless Cameras which will work with all my lenses (even 18-105) as well as a7rIII (and all Sony full frame mirrorless cameras). The Crane M was great if they could have gotten the max load to about 2.5 lbs, but 1.4 was too limiting for any type of future body purchases (even the a6500 and 10-18 are too heavy for it). Plus this gimbal will work inverted without having to remove the camera like an a6300 which it too wide for the M.

The Moza AirCross Gimbal for Mirrorless Cameras will be out in a few weeks, so I can wait for the max payload of 3.9lbs\1.8kgs. Plus the price is only $420 USD which is a great compared to what else it out there. Their other gimbals have gotten decent reviews and the time-lapse looks even a little better then Crane M offering.

I've been thinking on and off of getting a gimbal for a while - and that looks like EXACTLY what I want - thanks for posting about this!

1.8kg max load means it has more than enough margin for a Sony FF + 24-105G. (Don't own that yet, but plan on going that way sometime later this year.)

 

[rob_Il]

I really wanted to get the Zhiyun as I have their Smooth Q and like it a lot (though low light smartphone cameras as still sub par at best). The Crane M should really not be spec'd for mirrorless as it cannot handle decent lenses and cannot invert as the cameras are too wide. The Crane V2 is decent and considered, but is at least $100 more. One other thing is that it looks like AirCross will be coming with Sony and Panasonic controller cables as well which is nice to not have to order additional items. Pre-orders come with the Power Connection dummy battery power so you do not need to remove the camera to change batteries.

Good news is that on Amazon they are listing this as releasing now Jan 5th, 2018. So hope to make my final decision and be ordering it soon. I will post back to this thread on like/dislikes once I get it.