"Too much time at the casino, Jim?" you ask. That isn't a typo. Over the weekend, I was looking at the gimbal Dan uses - it's a DJI and works great with his iPhone. I've been considering one for a while, but his was the first I've ever held
"All those videos and you've never used a gimbal?" you ask. Thanks for asking. And, no. Most of the videos I've done with the scoots and motorcycle were done with an action camera early on, and a 360 camera the last several years. I really enjoy the 360 cameras because they are like "having a camera crew in your pocket." Literally, I can have the view in front of the bike, looking back... or looking forward... or off to the side... panning from front to back... an overhead view... or on the back of one bike, getting a front view of the following bike. There is so much you can do with these cameras.
But, they do tend to distort the view due to the extreme wide angle lenses. And even the most narrow view is still pretty wide angle. But, you can't beat what they can do on the bikes. Shooting video this past week for the music video Mark and I are putting together (getting close to the finished product), I did shots of the "garage band" with a 360 camera. When Mark and I got together last Friday, we used my iPhone 14 Pro for some half-length clips. Some on a tripod, a few hand-held.
A gimbal would have been nice - especially the DJI, as it has tracking (follows your movements) and horizon lock. Cindy was out of town, and Joan didn't come with me to Mark's place, so we were limited to what we could do with the two of us together to the phone/camera on a tripod.
I can also see where it would expand my options when shooting stills or video with the bikes... not while we're riding (which is where the 360 cameras shine), but once we're stopped somewhere...like being able to have up to an 8x zoom feature, which the iPhone with the DJI app can do.
The DJI Osmo 6 looks like this...
It folds small enough to be able to cart it along. It unfolds fast and gives you more "control" over the phone functions: essentially allowing more stabilization that the already good iPhone has built in. A wheel to handle the zoom functions, which also allows you to make focusing choices. A joystick to control movement. A level horizon line. The ability to switch from stills to video, rear camera to front, horizontal to vertical, all with convenient controls that fit your hand. And, as you can see in the above right: it comes with a mini tripod that attaches to the handle, allowing you to put the camera down and walk away from it (to get in the photo or video) while still maintaining control... or use it as a handle extension, allow you to brace with both hands.
I put it through some paces this evening, testing the different functions; looking forward to giving it a try with some good outdoor lighting soon.
Joan asked me, "What are you going to use it for?" I don't have any particular imaging use in mind; much like I didn't know how I'd use the 360 cameras... until you get them. So, we'll see.
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Yes, I missed the opportunity to title this one, "Gimbaling Man," and could have been The Allman Brothers.
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