Setting up movement tools for photographer or videographer to make steady shot when shooting may be something complicated and takes a lot of time. It involves various kinds of not-so-easy-to-set-up mechanical tools that not everyone can deal with. So, for this reason, simpler movement equipment which can be instantly ready without sacrificing quality is much more preferable. This is when Camera Gimbal takes its place.
Technically, Gimbal is pivoted support equipment that helps the object mounted in the innermost of it to be independent from the support’s rotation. So, the object in the innermost of the support will remain steady and not affected to the pitch or roll made by the support itself. In its first introduction, Gimbal was not specifically used for camera. But, it’s used for other things such as gyroscope, stoves, drink holder, shipboard compasses, and others.
What Is Camera Gimbal?
The starting point of Camera Gimbal to reach its popularity was on 2012. The development of this equipment is also supported by camera manufacturers like GoPro as supporting equipment for their action camera products. Then, the market of Gimbal keeps getting bigger as the shooting video or photos via drone become a trend. However, some of us may still questioning of what Camera Gimbal actually is, and how it could stabilize the camera movement during the shoot.
Simply, Camera Gimbal is more advance version of a Monopod, or some people may call it handheld Tripod. This is a kind of device that’s used to stabilize the camera position so it will stay steady even user’s hand is shaking. Therefore, it could result on steadier video or photo footage by minimizing blur. By using Gimbal, photographer can also shoot good quality photo from various angle and perspectives.
Nowadays, many manufacturers manufacture their Camera Gimbal in very stylish and light weight, so photographer will not feel burdened in holding it. Besides, the lighter weight will help you operating the camera much easier than using other stabilization equipment.
Kinds of Camera Gimbal
There are various kinds of Camera Gimbal offered in the market. And from these, people are classifying Gimbal based on the number of movement that the device can stabilize, which is usually called axis. Commonly, nowaday’s Gimbal products are divided into two kinds; Two Axis and Three Axis Gimbal, which will be explained more in detail below.
Bu before that, otne thing to be noted from Camera Gimbal is that even when using Gimbal, the Gravity center of the camera is still the same. In other words, when it’s said that the Gimbal stabilizes the camera, it means that this device stabilizes when the camera lens tilt up, tilt down, or tilt to the sides. However, if the entire camera moves, then the motion will still be seen on the video. Furthermore, Gimbal will also stabilize other minor shake cause by moving hand or wind in order to create steadier video.
Two Axis and Three Axis Gimbal
Firstly, we talk about two axis camera Gimbal. This kind of Gimbal stabilizes two kinds of movements, which are pitch and roll. The first axis will stabilize camera’s backward and forward pitches. It also stabilizes when the camera lens starts to point up or point down. On the other hand, the second axis will correct the roll, especially when the lens is pointing forward and it rolls to one side then roll again to the other side.
Various Devices Mounted on Gimbal
And then we have three axis gimbals, which has three kinds of movement to be stabilized. The first two axis are the same with the ones on two axis Gimbal. So, it just adds one more axis to correct movement called yaw. Yaw is up and down motion.
By having more movement corrections, the three axis Gimbal works more effectively than two axis one, providing steadier footage, and more free movements. However, the three axis Gimbal weights more since it has more components than the two axis. So, it is not really efficient to be used in shooting video from drone.
Camera Gimbal Technical Operation
Camera Gimbal consists of two main parts, which are the holder and motors that will keep the camera in level and vibration free. In the past, the Gimbal employs physics or moving parts to keep the camera steady. But now, it uses more advance components such as sensor, motors, and computer processor. Most of these components are electrical, called Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, or usually abbreviated as MEMS. You may see MEMS comes out with different names such accelerometer or Gyroscope. But whatever they are called, they have relatively similar basic principle.
These electrical sensors in the Camera Gimbal work in pretty simple method. The mechanical force from shakes or tilting are translated by sensors into electrical code and fed to the processor. Then, by using the various technical method, this data will be processed to decide the most relevant feedback. The processor will send this feedback impulse to the electronic components that will move the mechanical device. So, the camera will stay steady even if there is minor shake when we holding the Gimbal.
Camera Gimbal and Wireless Technology
Camera Gimbal and wireless technology is something that can’t be separated from each other. With the growing progress of wireless technology, nowaday’s Gimbal also uses the most advance wireless system such as WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or even the latest version of Bluetooth. This wireless technology used is essentially to connect the Gimbal system to the camera or smartphone mounted.
Usually, to use the Gimbal, user needs to download a certain application into their smartphone. Through this application, some settings and functions can be adjusted. As for the camera, user can simple connect the camera to the Gimbal by using the wireless connection, and everything is set. You’re ready to take videos.
Marketing Camera Gimbal
Marketing Camera Gimbal is tricky especially when it comes to the regulation matter of the country which will be the target market. There will be several compliance required to be obtained before sending the shipment out. Especially with the wireless function in the Gimbal, manufacturer also needs to adjust the wireless function to be complied with each country’s standard. This is because even though most of the countries have followed generally approved international wireless standard, but some counties such as Indonesia have different wireless standard. Therefore, it is manufacturer’s job to follow these standards.
Camera Gimbal for Drone
Specifically for Indonesia, camera Gimbal is quite popular, makes the country a very potential market for Gimbal products. With the high number of youth populations which are hobbyist of selfie or vlogging, the demand toward Gimbal is pretty massive. And for the company that wants to market their product, SDPPI certification is the kind of certification that’s need to be obtain first. This is the kind of certification to certify wireless products. By obtaining this certificate, the product will pass the customs and can be distributed legally inside the country.
In closing, Camera Gimbal may be easier to set and doesn’t take too much time to set it up. But, for professionals who take serious videography, they may still need other mechanical equipment. However, with the growing industry, we do hope that Gimbal camera can be well developed so in the future, it can fully replace the mechanical ones. Therefore, working the camera setting will not be an issue anymore.
