Reducing DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Up & Down Bobbing Motion
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- STARTRC Z-axis stabilizer: amzn.to/3A8QdlP
Invisible selfie stick: amzn.to/46rgwQC
If you’ve ever recorded walking videos with your DJI Osmo Pocket 3, you’ve probably noticed an up-and-down bobbing motion in your footage. In this video, I test two methods that can reduce this issue and achieve smoother footage.
I'll also share real-world test results to see which method works best and how they compare to standard handheld filming and backpack mounting.
Disclaimer: Links in the description are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click on them and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
I have an osmo pocket 3 and the way I found to reduce the bobbing motion isn't mentioned here, but is similar to the selfie stick approach. Instead of holding the osmo pocket body vertically, hold it horizontally to the ground and double click the joystick. This puts it into "flashlight mode". Hold it in this position imaginging the rays of light from the "flashlight" hitting the subject you want to focus on as you walk forward. I've found this can substantially reduce the bobbing and is useful when you don't have a z-axis stabiliser or selfie stick, or just don't want to draw attention when people are about. I found this can substantially reduce the bobbing and is useful when you don't have a z-axis stabiliser or selfie stick, or just don't want to draw attention when people are about.
I haven’t tried that. Good to know and thanks!
I had an old Polar Pro Katana which is used to hold the DJI Mavic Pro 2 for indoor shooting. I use this as it has two handles to shoot with P3 and like what you describe, the z-axis wobbles are mostly gone.
I don’t think Polar Pro sells it anymore but Ulanzi, Smallrig, and others have something similar with dual handles. Just more heavy and expensive. Got mine on Ebay for $15 awhile back in 2020
I do the same thing. Also changing the gimbal rotational speed to slow helps
i actually did the flashlight mode back when i had the pocket 2 and yeah it worked great. plus it's less noticeable by people around me.
Did the same thing
I've been shooting this way since I got it.
I think this is what dji should address next. Adding gyro data and have the camera correct z-axis in-camera is going to make this an even better device.
the zoom would make the footage not look good. Get a 4th axis stabilizer instead.
Gyro can’t fix z-axis. You can try to correct z-axis but it will only work for a certain distance and it makes things worse elsewhere
As an engineer, the issue I have with the z-axis stabiliser shown in this video (& many others) is that there is no dampener, other than friction in the pivots. This is a classic mass-spring-damper system, you really need a damper in there to adjust for critical damping, without it, it’s largely uncontrolled.
I note that also on Amazon & eBay, that you can purchase similar mounts with large suckers intended for mounting cameras to a car, and crucially, these have a damper unit…..AND you can unscrew the sucker if not required.
Can you make us one?
@@YoungBlaze have been thinking about making my own for sure.
The Blade stabilizer.
This is the best video I have seen on the topic of reducing bobbing motion! Thank you very much for taking the time to publish this,
The best solution that I found so far for the Osmo Pocket bobbing is the IDOLCAM 4th axis, which makes a huge difference by itself reduce about 90% of the bobble, but if putting on the end of a selfie stick, it produce Steadicam quality footage, zero bobbling.
A very good comprehensive comparison of the various techniques that can be used to combat the annoying issue of forward moving bobbing.
I use the same Z-axis stabiliser. You can adjust the spring tension by pressing the back button and sliding it up and down. The footage comes out even better if you have the correct spring tension.
What is the best settings in your opinion please ? Up or down or middle ?
I find to set the spring horizontally and a little bit downward seems to reduce more bobbing.
@@pwong3904 thank you!
Some tips on the Backpack mounting. Mount it higher on the strap, tighten the backpack straps a little bit more and also tilt the camera out even a little bit more. Another thing that can help, if you are going through a particularly rough area, simply hold the clamp and strap down, against your body during rough patches.
These will not Erase the movement, but it does lessen how obvious it is, and for most use cases that is perfectly fine.
the selfie stick technique is a nice trick to stabilize a video with a OP3. thank you
PS: You nailed it when you said This helps explain why the z-axis stabilizer & Selfies stick produce smoother looking footage despite *despite creating potentially larger overall displacements* - for the life of me, I cannot fathom why DJI and other handheld gimbals have not been able to engineer a built-in z-axis management component. It would resemble a bicycle suspension seatpost. - Subbed!
And DJI fixed that by releasing the Ronin 4D
))))
This is a VERY useful exploration of reasonable solutions for the 4th axis bobbing. As noted, the Pocket 3 is quite good, but those with a critical eye may want to further minimize or eliminate it. I also tried a cheap (same model) 4th axis stabilizer. I was not satisfied with how it modifies small bobbing motions into larger swings of the camera. Because it relies ONLY on a spring, even with a range of tension adjustment, it provides little or no actual DAMPING. A simple, very small multi-chamber component with hydraulic functioning between chambers actually slow/smooth out the motions. Suspension Components: Spring/springs absorb impact. Shocks or struts control bouncing, ensuring smooth motions. Scotty Makes Stuff has produced a few that are better than the StartRC branded thing.
You put a lot of work into this video. Impressive. I'll hire a young buy to run for me.
Ich werde den Selfie Stick weiter verwenden und etwas mehr üben um das wackeln beim gehen zu minimieren. Danke für den Test, der hat viel Arbeit gemacht 👍😃 👋 🇩🇪
It's a very practical test that we can't find in most review videos. I expect a test with flashlight mode when riding a bike. A UA-camr posted a video of a combination of the bike and OP3 and it looked like it was mounted vertically, showing the problem of the lens returning to the center too slowly when the bike is turning a curve.
Have the startrc z and looks like best used for walking video. until now..But thanks for the selfie stick tests..I just tried it out and seams to be good at walking as well .. I would probably use the selfie stick a lot more now., as it is very handy with a quick release and tripod legs...Thanks for giving me a new way of shooting...😃
That's great to hear and thanks!
I appreciate the testing for this video. Very interesting to see how this played out.
great video, i think the purpose of the pocket 3 is to make vlogging less intrusive and easier to carry. if additional accessories are needed, it defies the purpose. in that sense, i would either use the action 4 or the coming action 5, or a sony a6700 with or without a gimble.
Yes indeed,
with gyroflow and the OP3+Insta360 you have to use the bias to compensate the distance between the insta and the osmo head
VERY WELL DONE. I love the amount of work and detail you put into this. You convey the problem of translational movement and methods to reduce very nicely, and underpin it scientifically with the measurements and analysis. Kudos, great research and demonstration
Great video! I really appreciate the comparison between handheld, z-axis stabilizer, and selfie stick options. It’s good to know that the z-axis stabilizer gives the smoothest results, but the selfie stick is a solid, more versatile choice too. Definitely going to try these tips to reduce that bobbing motion in my walking videos. Thanks for the helpful insights!
I saw one of the exact same Z axis stabilizer today and I didn't buy it because I didn't think it would work so well. Also, I thought the spring might create sound that would transmit to the body of the camera.
You nerded so hard I had to sub.
This can be done in camera with a little bit of cropping. Hope DJI address this issue with a firmware update.
I have the Startrc piece and was happy, but with your selfie-stick trick, it's even better with less hassle. you have a new sub!
This is the major weakness of the Osmo Pocket. The point of this camera is to be compact and inconspicuous but having to add a another stabilizer of selfie stick would defeat that purpose for me. DJI really needs to fix this somehow.
And DJI fixed that by releasing the Ronin 4D
))))
@@bzdishekzapadlovsky How will the Ronin 4D help with the Osmo Pocket? It's a totally different product.
@@melee75 ,
This is an example so that you understand how the camera will increase in order to implement real stabilization along the Z axis. And you can sell the Pocket 3 and buy the Ronin 4D ))))
Since I discovered the selfie-stick tripod I use it in all my recordings. It stabilizes better than handheld and it’s perfect to record active tracking shots in big buildings; for example when walking around a pagoda it feels like a drone was flying around it. Having tripod on stick is also great to do still shots. On the other hand I still use handheld mode for narrow streets where the action is closer; stick is great when you are in an avenue, combined also with a wide angle lens. So as usual, just change depending on situation. Have fun recording guys! 🎥
Great tips here! Thank you for the tests and for sharing footage + discoveries. This helps me find a solution for my next walking video. I will try the Z-axis stabilizer as some places don't allow selfie sticks (like Disney World). Thanks!
@Capture Guide, thank you for covering such an important yet always neglected topic. I was wondering if a video specifically addressing this issue exists. Instant subscribe!
You really went deep with those tests, thanks for sharing
Great breakdown and testing!
Put the Z-axis stabiliser at the end of the selfie stick!
And then counter- weight the stick, holding it in the middle so it feels lighter.
ua-cam.com/video/0lSEfMieZMk/v-deo.html
Great video. Subscribed, because you deserve to be monetized.
Thanks!
Thanks for the detailed breakdown between methods. I'll stick with handheld for now.
Thanks for the comparison. After being somewhat surprised with the amount of bobbing in OP3 as opposed to OP1 I got a Zaxis too and got similar results. But it sorts of defeats the object of "pocket" ..... really !!?!
Thanks for the amazing details!
Z-axis stabilizer is good enough .. my favorite config is the Z-axis on a telescope, controlling with my phone on the stick..
In this setup always using the auto tracking to minimize bobbing and never mis that one taker.
Thanks for such a comprehensive analysis of this
Thank you for the high-quality video.
One disadvantage to using the selfie stick I guess is that it must be hard to frame the shot since the screen is so far away and not really pointed towards your eyes.
I wonder if you put 2 of the z-axis stabilizers together would it dampen the bounce motion even more. Like how a dual arm Steadicam works.
Interesting, thanks for your insight!
4:24 that’s a revelation! Great legwork to back up your point. Although you don’t say it, I think the stabilizer z-axis method produces irregular vertical periods and amplitudes, making it harder for us to perceive a pattern of up-and-down movement. Handheld and backpack-mounting impose rythmic and similar-sized rises and falls. They’re very noticeable, because our minds lock on to the rhythm.
I think with horizon-stabilized camera technology, z-axis movement is more distasteful than it ever was before. For walking shots, I have reverted to basic action cameras with a careful stride and mild electronic stabilization. This seems far more genuine overall for vlogs.
Good point on the irregularity making it less noticeable in our minds!
You can’t really remove the bobbing motion in post because of the parallax effect. Best thing to do is avoid fast-moving foreground elements that are moving towards the camera
Extremely interesting and useful video, thanks. I shoot landscape video often in situations where there is foliage very close on the sides - equivalent to your shots by the metal fence. As you say the basic handheld output from the pocket 3 is pretty good. I find a slightly smoothed but still natural walking technique can help. In may case this is along extremely uneven and overgrown paths which is a whole different level of challenge. But above all if you aim the camera further upwards and forward (ie more ahead of where you are), this makes a huge difference to the smoothness of the video. One disadvantage of the selfie stick approach would be it puts controls further away and in particular makes it impossible to follow the image on the camera. Thanks again, will have to check out the Z-axis stabilizer.
Thanks! Not being able to see the image is indeed a problem with the selfie stick.
@@captureguidemount your iphone on the selfie stick and you have a larger display with all the controlls
I might use a multifunction-selfie-stick, that is also a tripod.
Ok, if you want to go this route, what about attaching it to your head? doesn't your head try to compnsate for the up and down motion when walking naturally??
just attach the 10-pound-handle. works like a charm.
how??
Be really curious to see how well a chest mount would do in your test. I'm sure it wouldn't be as smooth as most, but I wonder if a more centered position would be beneficial/noticeable compared to the backpack mount. Seems like being centered on the chest might result in a little less bounce depending on the gait.
You are right, I might try that in the future!
You have the best explaination! Thank you for sharing, Great effort. Appreciate!
Great and useful information. How about using the stabilizer with a selfie stick. I'd be interested in seeing that comparison. Thanks for sharing!
Good work. I have the same Z axis stab, and for the ££ it’s not bad. Also, no success stabilising in Resolve - too much variation in the close/distant picture content.
...or perhaps consider waiting for the next iteration of DJI's Pocket series, which will feature an added Z-Axis for enhanced stability and smoother footage.
It will be a long wait before the next Osmo Pocket releases and I don't believe there has been anything to suggest it will feature Z-axis stabilization yet!
The z-axis stabilizer works mostly because it randomizes the height and frequency of the up-and-down motion. Even though it does not eliminate it, it is far less noticeable precisely because it’s so random. Filming without the stabilizer permanently imposes that rhythmic up-and-down motion that is so distasteful because it’s so easy to recognize, and irritating to watch.
Wow, that's a super helpful video showing great solutions. I'm kinda shocked how well5he afke stick solution work3d while running.
In resolve, you can pick a point and use a tracker and transform note to make it even smoother. Yes it will crop it a bit but you'll have smooth footage
Interesting idea. Any chance you know of a video on UA-cam that shows how to do this in Davinci Resolve (hopefully the free version). If you do,please share. I think UA-cam may not show the URL link so you may have to tell us the name of the UA-camr and the video title. Pleaaase 🙏
@@apeel2008It's relatively easy. Make a tracker note in the fusion page. Then track a spot on the horizon and choose background only. Then add a transform note to crop in a bit and you're done 😄
@@DungeonDevils Thanks!
I know this is going to sound daft but has anyone tried combining the Z axis gimble with a selfie stick. As I'm thinking that the stick would provide some additional dampening on the Z axis gimble?
I prefer the selfie stick method for two reasons. Firstly, I carry it in my bag anyway for all the other jobs it works well on, ie height and reach., and it's fairly compact. Secondly, the Z-axis stabiliser is bulky, and has basically only got the one trick.
FWIW…I shoot my P3 in horizontal mode, on the DigitalFoto Z-axis gizmo…quite awesome
I kind of like it. It looks good and feels like I’m actually walking with the creator.
True, the bobbing can add a sense of immersion!
this is fantastic work! keep it up!
What about attaching the pocket 3 to a small gimbal (might have to build a small mounting plate) - I realize we’re getting away from pocketability here, but just for the heck of it, I’m going to try it. And, your footage while running looked pretty good, so what about running at 60fps and playing it back at 30?
most gimbals don't stabalise the z axis which is the whole point of this video.
Yes, so few gimbals address the issue of z-axis stabilization.
This is a very, very useful video. Thank you so much for it.
Great ideas! I’d love to see it against an action carvers
thanks for your effort and for making the video . . . this is very helpful !
Very well done, thanks!
Every current GoPro can calculate this movement better. What helps is to avoid horizontal lines in the picture such as railings, window lines, etc. (You have to plan the shoot.) This is not noticeable in the open area. Try filming with a cinecam like the Canon C 200 - a few kg heavy, no autofocus, no stabilizer, no gimbal.
And we still deliver clean recordings! 😉 LEARN THE NINJA WALK and everything will be fine. 🙂
It's never the oven that doesn't cook well - or the hammer that drives nails crooked. Practice, practice, practice. 😉
Super useful!!! Thanks 🙏🏻
Cheers much 😊
Great info, kove your hard work and efforts ❤
So what if I vlog in horizontal lock and rotate to vertical manual will I then get side 2 side?
how about insta360 (ace and go3) and gopro do they have z axis contol?
Good GoPro-style action cameras have EIS which uses gyroscopic data, including the Insta360 Ace and GO3!
Can they achieve z-axis stabilization?
What i did to avoid this is that i attached the external battery + the rs3 tripod to it and the problem go away. The z axis is a waste of money
How about mounting the pocket 3 on the z-axis stabiliser and then holding it away from the body by mounting them on a selfie stick…would that work?
I think that could make things even smoother but unfortunately it isn't a very practical setup
i think gyro stabilization is much better for action cam
how about attaching your osmo and z-axis to your backpack?
I was going to but it was very cumbersome and impractical ):
Thanx for sharing, great job, helps a lot!!!
How about mounting the Osmo to the z-axis stabilizer, and then on the end of the selfie stick? Excellent video! :)
Interesting idea and thanks! Might test it some day just to see what happens.
@@captureguide counter-weight the handle of the selfie stick and hold it closer to the middle.
Great video. Super useful 👌🏻thanks
THis is the BEST
Is it practical to strap the z-stabilizer to your backpack? And if it is, those it actually stabilize the bobbing?
I thought about doing it to see how effective it would be, but it just didn't seem like something I would do in practice because of how far it would jut out. It would also weigh down one side of the backpack.
Walking with the action 4 the Z axis is really pretty incredible much better than the Osmo pocket 3🤷♂️
Action cams use EIS with gyro data so they have a natural advantage for Z-axis stabilization 👍
Наклоняйте ручку под 45 градусов
Спасибо. Очень дельные наблюдения.
Oui pour moi j'utilise la perche à selfie, de 3 mètres ou un peu moins, c'est la seule solution à mes yeux qui soit cool, le 3 axes, c'est pas top top, en courant ça marche bien mais la marche n'est pas concluante, pour le reste je ne connais pas.
Thank you very much.
data driven, nice!
great video 👍
But its not pockety as it used to be right with all of these stabilizers
Can you try holding it horizontally so that it somehow stabilize via x-axis?
I also tried holding the camera in various ways when making this video but couldn't really see any difference.
now we need ronin 4D tech in a small form factor of DJI pocket 3 😂
🎉
Fast car
I’m sorry. I’m having too much fun.
🤣🤣😂😂
Bend your elbow and ninja walk. It’s not hard
I have found it hard to do Ninja walk when shooting for videos used for hyperlapses that require long distances.... and this Z movements drives me nuts in Post, because of the parallax it creates in near planes it is impossible to fully stabilize
This. Also, just holding it horizontally like you’re walking the dangerous way with scissors does the same as the selfie stick but a lot more compact with no extra gear. People want to buy a solution but the best one is just practice and watching what you shoot.
So u do all this and don’t compare to ninja walking??? Ninja is what we all do and you compare all the options without that?
Great video, thanks for sharing these tests!
Excellent video, thank you!