Issue ZV-1 with FeiyuTech G6 Max gimbal

[Saint 112]

Hi all

I've been using this gimbal for almost three years. It's not fully compatible with the ZV-1 as far as controls are concerned but the stabilization has worked fine until recently. I do my shootings either walking or sometimes riding my bicycle. The results have been excellent. Now after a couple of minutes the videos present a terrible shaking on the vertical axis. Neither the amplitude nor the frequency are important but it completely spoils the video. It's hardly noticeable while shooting. I had to trash all the recent videos I did.

The cam an the gimbal are cable connected, not by BlueTooth or WiFi.

I made no change to the settings.

I keep both gears fully charged.

I have a fairly firm hand: I don't shake and I always make soft and progressive movements. Until recently the gimbal stabilized quite well my movements even during extended shootings: from 30mn to one hour (in several consecutive sessions).

I made different tests:

I put the combo on a tripod and did a static shooting. Nothing wrong happened. Since the issue happens only while I am on the move with the gimbal in my hand I suppose it's the gimbal's reaction to movements, especially panning, that are not OK anymore.

I also put the ZV-1 on a tripod and did a static shooting. Nothing wrong happened either. So it's not in the cam.

I suspected a faulty data transmission between the two. But then why does the issue happens after a couple of minutes?

Do you have any clue, folks?

TIA

Nick

 

[tke918]

Hi all

I've been using this gimbal for almost three years. It's not fully compatible with the ZV-1 as far as controls are concerned but the stabilization has worked fine until recently. I do my shootings either walking or sometimes riding my bicycle. The results have been excellent. Now after a couple of minutes the videos present a terrible shaking on the vertical axis. Neither the amplitude nor the frequency are important but it completely spoils the video. It's hardly noticeable while shooting. I had to trash all the recent videos I did.

The cam an the gimbal are cable connected, not by BlueTooth or WiFi.

I made no change to the settings.

I keep both gears fully charged.

I have a fairly firm hand: I don't shake and I always make soft and progressive movements. Until recently the gimbal stabilized quite well my movements even during extended shootings: from 30mn to one hour (in several consecutive sessions).

I made different tests:

I put the combo on a tripod and did a static shooting. Nothing wrong happened. Since the issue happens only while I am on the move with the gimbal in my hand I suppose it's the gimbal's reaction to movements, especially panning, that are not OK anymore.

I also put the ZV-1 on a tripod and did a static shooting. Nothing wrong happened either. So it's not in the cam.

I suspected a faulty data transmission between the two. But then why does the issue happens after a couple of minutes?

Do you have any clue, folks?

TIA

Nick

I'm just guessing. Either the USB cable or the USB connector of the camera got lose. So they don't have/keep good data connection while on the bicycle.

 

[Saint 112]

Thanks for your quick response.

I'm just guessing. Either the USB cable or the USB connector of the camera got lose. So they don't have/keep good data connection while on the bicycle.

I'll try. It's a proprietary USB-C to USB Micro cable. I lost the first one long ago. It has to be ordered from the company. As a precaution I ordered two. So I'll be able to swap.

When I shoot while riding on my bike I go very slowly, just a little faster than a pedestrian. The result is much smoother than when I shoot walking. Bumps are not perceptible. Once I had to climb up a sidewalk. Because I was riding with one hand only I did it slowly. On the video one can see I was riding towards the curb but there is no visible shock. I was surprised myself by the result.

On videos I make while walking my steps are hardly perceptible. I learned walking steadily.

I am very careful with my gear: I never use it in harsh conditions such as rain, mist, humidity, dust, explosions, nuclear radiations, etc. ;-) . I keep it in my padded backpack.

The shaking started very lightly, hardly perceptible, and gradually became terrible.

Nick

 

[Saint 112]

I just made a test with my smartphone. The gimbal has a an adapter and it doesn't require a connection whether by cable or air. The result is even worse: it's shaking terribly. Hence neither the ZV-1 nor the cable can be suspected. It's either the vertical axis motor or its controler or both that are out of order.

The gimbal is not under guarantee anymore. Since it was rather inexpensive I doubt it's economically viable to try to have it repaired. So the only option is to buy a new one. I was not very happy with this FeiyuTech gimbal. The only other manufacturer is DJI. Their equivalent, the RS 3 Mini, has many more features, has good reviews, but is not compatible with the ZV-1. As a matter of fact, very few gimbals are. You need to go for higher range ones, that are more expensive and mostly much heavier. Anyway this FeiyuTech model is discontinued and I don't like its replacement.

I'm considering breaking my piggybank and invest in a complete new combo cam+gimbal but I'll need some advice.

Nick

 

[Leif Gredsted]

Hi

I'm using a Zhiyun Crane M2 (to keep the ZV-1 stable) put on top of a Sony Blutooth remote handle (to operate the ZV-1, since the Crane can't). It works fine as a two hands solution, but hardly on a bike with one hand. I operate the Crane with one hand, and the ZV-1 with the other hand (to start/end filming, zooming and so on via the Blutooth handle). The combination of the Crane and the Sony handle makes a very nice setup - at least for me. ;-)

 

[Saint 112]

Hi

I'm using a Zhiyun Crane M2 (to keep the ZV-1 stable) put on top of a Sony Blutooth remote handle (to operate the ZV-1, since the Crane can't). It works fine as a two hands solution, but hardly on a bike with one hand. I operate the Crane with one hand, and the ZV-1 with the other hand (to start/end filming, zooming and so on via the Blutooth handle). The combination of the Crane and the Sony handle makes a very nice setup - at least for me. ;-)

I looked at that maker.

Based on my experience I have requests, besides stabilization, rated frome 1 (unimportant) to 5 (an absolute must):

1. Start-stop. It shakes it to press the start button on the cam and it needs my second hand which is not always available. 5
2. Zoom control. Ditto start-stop. 5
3. ISO control. 4
4. Pitch wheel that turns in a logical way. I don't like joysticks very much. 4
5. Ergonomy: I basically operate with one hand so I need a clear and complete interface easily accessible with my thumb. 4
6. Ease of balancing. 3
7. Ease of removing the cam from the gimbal. 3

The Zhiyun Crane M2 has the #2 feature but none of the others. I don't want to add another gear because of the cost and of the weight.

The issue is that the DJI has these features but is not compatible with the ZV-1.

 

[Saint 112]

I studied my options.

The DJI models that are compatible with the ZV-1 are expensive, bulky and heavy.

The affordable ones are compatible at best with the other ZV models, in particular the ZV-E10. Each gimbal model has its own set of compatible cameras, of compatible lenses and of features.

I considered investing in a new cam. The ZV-1 basically fills my needs. The zoom range is not great but it's OK and it doesn't destabilize the gimbal too much. Its minimum aperture is excellent. It's light. The wind screen is fairly efficient up to a certain point.

The ZV-1F and the ZV-1 II have ridiculous lenses.

The ZV-E10 is excellent but the kit lens is absolutely ridiculous and it's way heavier. If you need a ~28-70mm lens, the cost and the weight are crazy. I doubt you can use the zoom in any gimbal. Moreover with DJI not only you need to check the compatible bodies but also the compatible lenses.

Conclusion:

So I'll keep my ZV-1. I has some drawbacks such as the battery and the lack of controls on the top. It's mainly dedicated to video but it's OK with me.

I'll buy a ZHIYUN Crane M3S: it's compatible, it's not too heavy, it's affordable, it has a good set of controls, yet I am not sure it controls the zoom.

Nick