What Are Camera Gimbals and How Do They Work?

Video Production Oakville – The Captain’s Blog

What Are Camera Gimbals and How Do They Work?

Hello everyone … John Secondi here with another “Groovy Blog”.

Most of the video production work we do at Groovy Concepts involves static setups using traditional tripods, however there are times when using a camera stabilizing gimbal makes sense.

What is a camera gimbal and how does it work with video production?

• is an external device mounted to the camera to keep it level using pivoting action
• brushless gimbals use electronic motors to stabilize the camera in 3 different axis to counteract and cancel out any movements detected
• there are completely manual gimbals that do not use any electronics ( usually 3-axis for pitch, roll and yaw movements )
• gimbals allow you to keep your camera very stable whilst moving in any direction removing most bumps and jolts from the scene
• gimbals are great for tracking the action, doing creative shots such as sliding pans and much more

What are some of the challenges with camera gimbals?

• a really good rig can be quite expensive
• some of the more complicated gimbals may take lots of practice to master ( and, we all know that time is money )
• when turning corners, manual gimbals can tend to “dip” throwing off a properly levelled background horizon
• brushless or electronic gimbals, while expensive, can keep everything in balance but you do need to keep them properly powered
• shooting with a gimbal can become very tiring for the operator

What makes for a good gimbal?

• extendable handlebars ( that extend out to the sides of the rig ) will help you get everthing properly balanced
• a lightweight rig is important as the combined weight of the camera and rig will tire out even the most experienced operators
• look for a gimbal that features a top handle so you can shoot lower to the ground with it
• gimbals that feature handlebars that can be inverted will make it easier to do eye level video production

So, should you use a gimbal for your next shoot? Consider what the final intent is for your video production, who is your audience and what message are you trying to convey? While gimbals are excellent trade tools, they may not be required for your specific shooting requirements. You can always rent a gimbal rig to experiment before investing in your own gear.

Get out there and shoot some shots. When you need a helping hand, Groovy Concepts is here to support you with many years of professional experience.

We. Are. Video Production. Oakville.

#groovyconcepts #videoproductionoakville