Wow! What a great review - exactly what I was looking for. Just received my DJI Ronin RS2 the other week. But, with my favourite camera setup mounted onto it the whole setup is 5.9 Kg and kills my back within a few minutes of shooting. I was already into something like a Flycam or a vest with the rope coming from over my head, but this appears to be exactly what I need.
Thank you for this video , I was looking into this for my church as sometimes we have a wireless camera on a RoninS and having lets say " not so strong " users trying to get shots is not fun. This would help a lot! Thank you!
My only issue with this is the micro jitters I'm seeing, but it's hard to tell if the problem is coming from the vest, gimbal or camera. Looking at the footage of you walking with the vest doesn't seem like there should be jitters, but they are their. I would recommend running a basic post stabilize on this as the movements don't look large enough that they would cause artifacts. That said I have an utter disdain of DigitalFoto, and personally plan to never, EVER buy anything from them, but that is a different story.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker Their breakout product was a dual handle 4th axis stabilizer for some older gimbals. The issue is that the item was actually designed by Scotty McPherson (Scotty Makes Stuff), and Scotty shared his designs on Thingiverse so that average people with a 3d printer could printout his designs and get a 4th axis stabilizer, or they could pay Scotty for the material costs and a small build fee and he would make one for them. The Thingivers files were licensed with a creative commons attribution non commercial license. DF took the files, converted them to injection plastic molds, and sold them with out altering the underlying design. It was so obvious where they got it from yet they violated two terms of the license. They both sold them and never attributed Scotty. Scotty attempted to pursue legal actions, but they are a Chinese company. The result of this is Scotty stopped sharing the majority of the stuff he designs on thingiverse anymore, a loss for that community. Scotty has continued to develop even better 4th axis stabilizers, but he isn't a big business and he spent his time and effort trying to help people and they took advantage of that to make a profit, and sadly it payed off as they are still around, but I personally won't support them.
I genuinely want to pick something up like this. The prospect of making longer continuous shoots without asymmetrical arm workouts is gold to me. My other channel is mostly hour long hikes with a camera/RS2 rolling. The only downside is looking like a freak to fellow hikers.
LOL - honestly, fellow hikers thought I was filming for some show. It's great. Arm fatigue is a thing of the past, just make sure you watch your posture or you'll just trade arm ache for back ache ;) For the price, I think they nailed it.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker 💡! Maybe I just need to get a high viz vest with “Trail Surveyor” emblazoned on the back. The best engineering is social. Nobody thinks twice about a workman. Looking at the pricing, I can definitely see the appeal for the people it is designed to integrate with.
Awesome! Can you also walk and keep it straight without using you hands? For a shot I need to push a trolley and would love to be able to film continuously.
This is an awesome gear. But am i the only that notice the dreamy look of this video ? Simon you really got the R5 dialed in, i love the look of your talking head shots in the forest, skin tones are just perfect. Is this c-log 3 ? Can you share your settings ? PS. I know just knowing settings is not all, just curious thats all. Thanks kindly
Yes, I always shoot Canon Log 3 for Luminance, and Cinema Gamut for the colour space. I keep the ISO right at 800 and it works most of the time. In the last Scene, the R5 exposed for the background so I had trouble in post fixing it. Whenever I shoot, I adjust the F stop until I get the ISO to 800. If it is already at 800, then I move the F store toward F16 or F22 until the ISO starts to increase, then I bring it back again to 800. I always aim for 800. For LUTs, I use a LUT that allows me to adjust exposure in post. The LUT has +/- 2 stop, but its more like +/- 3 stops. I bring up the saturation just a very small amount, and I bring down the midtown brightness just a little too. Need anything else ;)
I also zoom in using the crop function (trim) until all I have is a small patch or white or middle grey, then I balance manually just using the color board. That usually nails the colour.
In the past year, I have gone minimalist. I shoot without filters, tripods or gimbals. It can be more challenging, but it makes travel and moving about easier. These devices are great for shooting for long periods of time as they transfer the load away from the arms.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker yeah a lot of my work is one man band run and gun so setting up the camera, the audio, the scene and maybe lightning if needed. My gimbal ends up being my least used tool but I have for the just incase moments
I only used it with a hand held gimbal ass that's what Digital Photo said it was for. If the device being attached has the same diameter as a hand held gimbal, is between 2-8KG, and within the same dimensions, I would not expect it to be an issue.
Little update: 2 weeks ago, I got my vest and arm, plus Redking stabilizer from Proaim. Also purchased the Tilta mounting adapter for my Ronin S2 and a fixed vertical Gimbal dapter from Proaim. Man, this is more dificult than I expected. Need to lock all 3 RS2 axes to keep any undesired panning from my body off the RS2. And, I am still far away from getting a smooth Z-axis. I guess it's all about posture and practicing. BTW: running my camera on the set in true steadicym mode (no RS2 attached) is difficult, too. But it provides this floating smoth feel, once getting into it.
@@jjj8524 Sure. But ples bear in mind that I did not purchase the Thanos, instead went for the Proaim equipment (Vest, Arm, and Flyking, plus an andapter for the RS2). I decided to practice with a more regular Steadicam-type of setup before going with the RS2. Unfortunately, I was pulled far to much into my regular job, hiping that I find more time for these kind of exercises during summer. Will then post something to share with all of you.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker I may get one. I did 2 hours with a weebill s for a video 2 weeks ago. I was getting noticeably shaky at the end. It was not a pleasant experience!
I love your videos, but this is one of the worst supporting vests ever designed. I used it for only ONE day using a 15lb rig (BMPCC 6K, RS2, Sigma 18-35) and the vertical angle adjusting knob does not tighten any more. The horizontal adjusting knob is already wearing out with metal specks shedding off every time it is adjusted. Everything else you said about this vest was correct, but you should have conducted stress tests on the knobs to verify the manufacturer’s claims. Some poor bloke will buy it based on your recommendation only to have his/her camera rig crashing down after the knobs suddenly fail. I wouldn’t suggest this vest for any rig over 10lbs.
@@domehouse79 There's no point getting a replacement if the design is flawed. The vertical knob gear teeth will eventually wear out. Great concept and unbeatable price for what it does, but DigitalFoto should have used stronger metal for the teeth. Good luck with yours.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker 👍 You Just review Stuff . I work with In the Film industry for over 46 years . That's the Difference . I agree with you for Amature who Don't know anything is Useful .
This vest is probably what I would look for. I’m not strong or muscular so this device is perfect
Most exotic film gear I've reviewed so far!
Wow! What a great review - exactly what I was looking for.
Just received my DJI Ronin RS2 the other week. But, with my favourite camera setup mounted onto it the whole setup is 5.9 Kg and kills my back within a few minutes of shooting.
I was already into something like a Flycam or a vest with the rope coming from over my head, but this appears to be exactly what I need.
It's a serious piece of kit for sure.
Thank you for this video , I was looking into this for my church as sometimes we have a wireless camera on a RoninS and having lets say " not so strong " users trying to get shots is not fun. This would help a lot! Thank you!
Using a Gimbal does require some upper body strength, but the Thanos SE makes operation much easier, just make sure you stand up straight.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker thank you! Yes, I've seen Steadicam operators always straight as a board haha great tip
The first time I tried it on, I felt are afterwards... I didn't make the same mistake twice ;)
My only issue with this is the micro jitters I'm seeing, but it's hard to tell if the problem is coming from the vest, gimbal or camera. Looking at the footage of you walking with the vest doesn't seem like there should be jitters, but they are their. I would recommend running a basic post stabilize on this as the movements don't look large enough that they would cause artifacts.
That said I have an utter disdain of DigitalFoto, and personally plan to never, EVER buy anything from them, but that is a different story.
Not the gimbal, more of me dealing in the tension in the arm so when I walk hard, the arm doesn't bottom out. What issues do you have with them Bill?
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker Their breakout product was a dual handle 4th axis stabilizer for some older gimbals. The issue is that the item was actually designed by Scotty McPherson (Scotty Makes Stuff), and Scotty shared his designs on Thingiverse so that average people with a 3d printer could printout his designs and get a 4th axis stabilizer, or they could pay Scotty for the material costs and a small build fee and he would make one for them. The Thingivers files were licensed with a creative commons attribution non commercial license. DF took the files, converted them to injection plastic molds, and sold them with out altering the underlying design. It was so obvious where they got it from yet they violated two terms of the license. They both sold them and never attributed Scotty. Scotty attempted to pursue legal actions, but they are a Chinese company. The result of this is Scotty stopped sharing the majority of the stuff he designs on thingiverse anymore, a loss for that community. Scotty has continued to develop even better 4th axis stabilizers, but he isn't a big business and he spent his time and effort trying to help people and they took advantage of that to make a profit, and sadly it payed off as they are still around, but I personally won't support them.
I love competition, but don't care too much when people don't pay credit where credit is due.
I genuinely want to pick something up like this.
The prospect of making longer continuous shoots without asymmetrical arm workouts is gold to me. My other channel is mostly hour long hikes with a camera/RS2 rolling.
The only downside is looking like a freak to fellow hikers.
LOL - honestly, fellow hikers thought I was filming for some show. It's great. Arm fatigue is a thing of the past, just make sure you watch your posture or you'll just trade arm ache for back ache ;)
For the price, I think they nailed it.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker 💡! Maybe I just need to get a high viz vest with “Trail Surveyor” emblazoned on the back.
The best engineering is social. Nobody thinks twice about a workman.
Looking at the pricing, I can definitely see the appeal for the people it is designed to integrate with.
LOL - and a clipboard. A vest and a clipboard will get you anywhere!
Awesome! Can you also walk and keep it straight without using you hands? For a shot I need to push a trolley and would love to be able to film continuously.
This is an awesome gear. But am i the only that notice the dreamy look of this video ? Simon you really got the R5 dialed in, i love the look of your talking head shots in the forest, skin tones are just perfect. Is this c-log 3 ? Can you share your settings ? PS. I know just knowing settings is not all, just curious thats all. Thanks kindly
Yes, I always shoot Canon Log 3 for Luminance, and Cinema Gamut for the colour space. I keep the ISO right at 800 and it works most of the time. In the last Scene, the R5 exposed for the background so I had trouble in post fixing it.
Whenever I shoot, I adjust the F stop until I get the ISO to 800. If it is already at 800, then I move the F store toward F16 or F22 until the ISO starts to increase, then I bring it back again to 800. I always aim for 800.
For LUTs, I use a LUT that allows me to adjust exposure in post. The LUT has +/- 2 stop, but its more like +/- 3 stops. I bring up the saturation just a very small amount, and I bring down the midtown brightness just a little too. Need anything else ;)
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker Thanks much
I also zoom in using the crop function (trim) until all I have is a small patch or white or middle grey, then I balance manually just using the color board. That usually nails the colour.
How about using this without the gimbal(going handheld) with just the camera using the vest , are the shots still smooth
In the past year, I have gone minimalist. I shoot without filters, tripods or gimbals. It can be more challenging, but it makes travel and moving about easier. These devices are great for shooting for long periods of time as they transfer the load away from the arms.
i always wanted to try these without the gimbal attached and a camera with good stability like one of the Panasonic cameras. i hate setting up gimbals
The more you set up a gimbal, the easier they are. It's like anything, you need a few hours to adapt, but once you do, it's amazing.
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker yeah a lot of my work is one man band run and gun so setting up the camera, the audio, the scene and maybe lightning if needed. My gimbal ends up being my least used tool but I have for the just incase moments
This was a hard shoot. I needed someone to pull focus when I was shooting the scenes where I adjusted the screws ;) It was not easy at all ;)
0:58 I'm tired dad I don't want to scooter in the woods it's to hard can we go home now. (DAD) Just a few more minutes.🤣🤣😊😊
Yeah... then we get back home and he wants to come back to the forest again ;)
Definitely a nice vest for a smooth movement shoot. But sadly my wallet cant get that Gear.
Keeps those arms from getting tired ;)
How high can you rise the camera with the Thanos se?
Does this have to be used with a gimbal? Could you use it as a z-axis stabilizer with a monopod?
I only used it with a hand held gimbal ass that's what Digital Photo said it was for. If the device being attached has the same diameter as a hand held gimbal, is between 2-8KG, and within the same dimensions, I would not expect it to be an issue.
Prefer Zacuto shoulder rig with evf Pro
Little update: 2 weeks ago, I got my vest and arm, plus Redking stabilizer from Proaim. Also purchased the Tilta mounting adapter for my Ronin S2 and a fixed vertical Gimbal dapter from Proaim.
Man, this is more dificult than I expected. Need to lock all 3 RS2 axes to keep any undesired panning from my body off the RS2. And, I am still far away from getting a smooth Z-axis. I guess it's all about posture and practicing.
BTW: running my camera on the set in true steadicym mode (no RS2 attached) is difficult, too. But it provides this floating smoth feel, once getting into it.
Would you share an update? I’m interested, got the thanos se as well
@@jjj8524 Sure. But ples bear in mind that I did not purchase the Thanos, instead went for the Proaim equipment (Vest, Arm, and Flyking, plus an andapter for the RS2).
I decided to practice with a more regular Steadicam-type of setup before going with the RS2. Unfortunately, I was pulled far to much into my regular job, hiping that I find more time for these kind of exercises during summer. Will then post something to share with all of you.
Just wanna say u look handsome and young when wear like this.. hahaha
It's my day off so I wear what I want ;)
Great review!
Glad you think so! I left out the price again! Jesse, you can't help but feel like a professional with it ;)
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker I may get one. I did 2 hours with a weebill s for a video 2 weeks ago. I was getting noticeably shaky at the end. It was not a pleasant experience!
Yeah, I know. It's good for long shoots.
Max load capacity?
Mentioned in video... 2-8KG for Thanos SE, 15 lbs for the Crane 2S.
I love your videos, but this is one of the worst supporting vests ever designed. I used it for only ONE day using a 15lb rig (BMPCC 6K, RS2, Sigma 18-35) and the vertical angle adjusting knob does not tighten any more. The horizontal adjusting knob is already wearing out with metal specks shedding off every time it is adjusted. Everything else you said about this vest was correct, but you should have conducted stress tests on the knobs to verify the manufacturer’s claims. Some poor bloke will buy it based on your recommendation only to have his/her camera rig crashing down after the knobs suddenly fail. I wouldn’t suggest this vest for any rig over 10lbs.
@@domehouse79 There's no point getting a replacement if the design is flawed. The vertical knob gear teeth will eventually wear out. Great concept and unbeatable price for what it does, but DigitalFoto should have used stronger metal for the teeth. Good luck with yours.
Horrible Design. Looks awkward for Low Shots .
I shot with my son who isn't tall and had no issues, but I wasn't crawling on the ground either...
@@OrdinaryFilmmaker 👍 You Just review Stuff . I work with In the Film industry for over 46 years .
That's the Difference .
I agree with you for Amature who Don't know anything is Useful .
Nothing beats experience.