Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Here's a 4K video shot with a Samsung Galaxy S5 on an ikan X3 (3-axis):


No tripod or monopod or brace. Just one hand. Walking while shooting needs practice, though.

More Experimentation with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Following people, moving through a crowd, circling a pianist, following action:

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Awesome stuff. That's a great combo you have there. I hate seeing footage like this though, makes me think I should get one too to try my hand at it. ;)

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Mark,

Here is what I thought was super cool. On the busy streets of NY no one cared or even noticed what you were doing. They were oblivious to it.

I have had street performers in NY stop performing and try to demand money from me just because I had big camera. Big cameras get way too much attention there. It is always a problem. Your stabilized phone could serve a purpose......

Steve

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Exactly - this has always been my quest - to get good-quality video from an inconspicuous camera. This comes close.

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

that's what struck me moving through the crowd - people just didn't seem to notice or care. maybe from their point of view it's a phone in a cradle that someone is looking at, not a camera - interesting

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

You guys might be familiar with a guy on this board named Noa Put. He does great shooting hand holding a Black Bird with various small cameras on it. Now he is going to a stabilized Go Pro 4. If anyone can pull off artistic professional shots going lightweight, and low cost it will be him. I am sure he will keep us updated. Noa does not just talk about things, he posts samples of his work and it is always impressive.

Steve

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Noa Put still has to wait for another (at least) 2 weeks to get his gopro, it seems gopro has problems keeping up with the demand. :)

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

I am looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

I bought my black bird a year ago and it sits around unused because I have not dedicated the time it will take to train with it. Got it out yesterday for a test flight. It my be a skill that is beyond me. I haven't gotten past the WTF am I doing wrong stage yet. Very frustrating!

Steve

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

I see Mark has been doing some awesome stuff with his stabilizer and phone, didn"t see this thread before.

I still remember the first time I used the blackbird and I managed to get pretty usable footage out of my very first try-out, beside getting it balanced right the walking technique and how you hold it has a big impact on the end result. I"m actually pretty excited to try out that 3 axis gimbal thing and go-pro but not one store in my country has it in stock and where I ordered it from has no clue when it will arrive as they keep moving the delivery date forward.

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Hey Noa,

I figured out yesterday my biggest problem is the finger technique. I was trying to do it the way the training DVD said beginners should start with. He said keep it so light you should tap your fingers on and off it. I can't make that work at all. I was going way too light on the touch and had no camera control.

I will firm up my touch and practice some more.

Steve

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

I just saw this for pre-order on B&H:

SYNC Technology Smartphone Stabilizer for $249

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1087015-REG/sync_technology_sy500_001sp_hand_held_smartphone_gimbal.html
It isn't 3 axis, but the price seems great. (I know the IKAN is just a bit more, but discontinued by the manufacturer).

My only concern is anything that could be mistaken for a firearm or gun. I have to dress it up with some neon stickers or something.

The video of it looks pretty good (but no actual footage).

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

The successor the ikan X3 is the ikan FLY-X3, which is available now (3-axis):

ikan FLY-X3 Handheld Electronic Gimbal for Smartphone FLY-X3 B&H

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

Thanks for the link! It adds more food for thought.

After sleeping on this, I'm thinking this might be another one of my irresponsible impulse buys, so I should hold off and save towards a LX100 instead.

For now, I was inspired to mount my iPhone to the Steadicam Merlin.

By the way Mark, in terms of footage from the ikan stabilizers, it looks you got the best stuff online.

UPDATE: Found an open box model for $204 so I had to do it. (My only concern is why there are so many open box units available!)

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

I just received the IKAN FLY-X3 today via USPS Sunday delivery.

I initially had trouble turning it on but it turned out I needed to tighten the battery compartment cap which seats the batteries.

No calibration to speak up of--just slide the phone in, push the button to on and it is ready to fly within 10 seconds.

It works well with my iPhone 6 sans case.

Very impressive! I love Steadicam's but I think this is the future of camera stabilization.

Thanks for the inspiration, Mark!

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

So after owning the unit for a month, I'm still working out the quirks and little annoyances with the Fly-X3. Definitely use freshly charged batteries with the unit. I can occasionally induce an oscillation-vibration-chatterring issue with the unit and the iPhone6. Here is me trying to make a poor man's Movi with some rods and handles for kicks. It should actually improve the footage I think.

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

i see you're having fun. any review on this unit?

Re: Stable 4K Cell Phone Video with a 3-Axis Gimbal?
 

I had some minor issues with the X3 and my iPhone 6.

1) The unit would sometimes tilt to the right and not be level.
2) The unit would enter a state where it would vibrate in place for some reason.

I emailed ikan and they said that the Fly-x3 did not support the iPhone 6 even though it met the weight requirements.

They set up and RMA and I'm awaiting a replacement unit to see if it addresses the issue.

There is a step up model, so if I were looking at using it with an iPhone 6, check the "PLUS" model instead of the regular X3.