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

[Mark Rosenzweig]

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

Samsung Galaxy S5 on 3-Axis Digital Gimbal: 4K Video In the Garden on Vimeo

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

[Mark Rosenzweig]

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

Samsung Galaxy S5 + "Steadicam" 4K Video: NYC Street Fair on Vimeo

Samsung Galaxy S5 on 3-Axis Digital Gimbal: 4K Video In Washington Square Park, NYC on Vimeo

[John C. Chu]

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. ;)

[Mark Rosenzweig]

4K Stabilized Handheld in Bryant Park and the NYC Public Library: Samsung Galaxy S5 + 3-axis Gimbal on Vimeo

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Stabilized Samsung Galaxy S5 4K Video: Walking the NYC High Line on Vimeo

[Steven Digges]

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

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Steven Digges

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

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

[Paul Mailath]

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

[Steven Digges]

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

[Noa Put]

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. :)

[Steven Digges]

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

[Noa Put]

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

I haven't gotten past the WTF am I doing wrong stage yet.

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.

[Steven Digges]

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

[John C. Chu]

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).

GOPRO and SMARTPHONE Stabilization! Sync Technology at PhotoPlus Expo - YouTube

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by John C. Chu

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

SYNC Technology Smartphone Stabilizer for $249

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 concerned 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).

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