Photography

DJI Ronin 2 takes the camera gimbal to a new level

DJI Ronin 2 takes the camera gimbal to a new level
DJI has followed up the original Ronin stabilizing camera gimbal with the even more capable Ronin 2
DJI has followed up the original Ronin stabilizing camera gimbal with the even more capable Ronin 2 
View 26 Images
DJI Ronin 2: automated timelapse panning
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DJI Ronin 2: automated timelapse panning
DJI Ronin 2: larger stabilizer rig is ready for the big time
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DJI Ronin 2: larger stabilizer rig is ready for the big time
DJI Ronin 2: now stabilizes up to 30 pounds of camera equipment
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DJI Ronin 2: now stabilizes up to 30 pounds of camera equipment
DJI Ronin 2: steadicam pole mount
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DJI Ronin 2: steadicam pole mount
DJI Ronin 2: steadicam mount
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DJI Ronin 2: steadicam mount
DJI Ronin 2: steadicam mount
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DJI Ronin 2: steadicam mount
DJI Ronin 2: longer adjustment arms allow bigger, longer lenses
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DJI Ronin 2: longer adjustment arms allow bigger, longer lenses
DJI Ronin 2 power hub can now power cameras and accessories as well as the gimbal
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DJI Ronin 2 power hub can now power cameras and accessories as well as the gimbal
DJI Ronin 2: redesigned with the professional film set in mind
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DJI Ronin 2: redesigned with the professional film set in mind
DJI Ronin 2: handheld joystick style remote works from up to 1.5km away
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DJI Ronin 2: handheld joystick style remote works from up to 1.5km away
DJI Ronin 2: smartphone app for settings changes
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DJI Ronin 2: smartphone app for settings changes
DJI Ronin 2: means business
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DJI Ronin 2: means business
DJI has followed up the original Ronin stabilizing camera gimbal with the even more capable Ronin 2
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DJI has followed up the original Ronin stabilizing camera gimbal with the even more capable Ronin 2 
DJI Ronin 2: Ready Rig takes some of the camera rig's weight off the cameraman's arms
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DJI Ronin 2: Ready Rig takes some of the camera rig's weight off the cameraman's arms
DJI Ronin 2: power hub
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DJI Ronin 2: power hub
DJI Ronin 2: automated panorama stitching
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DJI Ronin 2: automated panorama stitching
DJI Ronin 2: giant dual batteries can stabilize the rig for 8 hours, or be used to power cameras and accessories
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DJI Ronin 2: giant dual batteries can stabilize the rig for 8 hours, or be used to power cameras and accessories
DJI Ronin 2: Ready Rig
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DJI Ronin 2: Ready Rig
DJI Ronin 2: dual batteries are hot-swappable
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DJI Ronin 2: dual batteries are hot-swappable
DJI Ronin 2: fold out feet let you set the thing down to save your arms
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DJI Ronin 2: fold out feet let you set the thing down to save your arms
DJI Ronin 2: mounted to a crane
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DJI Ronin 2: mounted to a crane
DJI Ronin 2: vehicle mount
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DJI Ronin 2: vehicle mount
DJI Ronin 2: can now stabilize at up to 75mph on a vehicle mount
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DJI Ronin 2: can now stabilize at up to 75mph on a vehicle mount
DJI Ronin 2: very versatile mounting capabilities
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DJI Ronin 2: very versatile mounting capabilities
DJI Ronin 2: cable cam mount
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DJI Ronin 2: cable cam mount
DJI Ronin 2: new adjustment knobs and locking levers make setup and calibration quicker
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DJI Ronin 2: new adjustment knobs and locking levers make setup  and calibration quicker
View gallery - 26 images

The original DJI Ronin was a bit of a game changer in the filmmaking scene, offering Steadicam-like camera stabilization without a six-figure price tag. DJI used its knowledge of gimbals from the drone world to democratize hand held camera stabilization the same way it did with aerial video. Three years on, handheld gimbal rigs are pretty much ubiquitous on film sets, from low-budget operations all the way to the top of the industry – and it's the higher end that DJI is targeting now with a ground-up redesign in the Ronin 2.

The new version is bigger, capable of handling loads up to 30 lb (13.6 kg), which takes you well into RED camera + cinema lens territory. Longer adjustable arms make it capable of handling bigger lenses, and while it still looks like a bit of a pain to calibrate, DJI has improved the setup process with new locking levers and fine tuning knobs it says shortens the process significantly.

DJI Ronin 2: now stabilizes up to 30 pounds of camera equipment
DJI Ronin 2: now stabilizes up to 30 pounds of camera equipment

With dual batteries, it'll stabilize for up to eight hours, but those big 4,280-mAh batteries can now also be used to power the camera and accessories as well as the gimbal. And the batteries can be hot-swapped to keep the whole rig online at all times.

One chief goal of the Ronin 2 redesign was to make this thing more versatile, so the new version has a quick-release mount that lets you clip it on and off a ready rig, a cable cam, a vehicle or aerial rig, or even a big ol' vest that helps take some of the weight off the camera operator's arms.

DJI Ronin 2: can now stabilize at up to 75mph on a vehicle mount
DJI Ronin 2: can now stabilize at up to 75mph on a vehicle mount

The quick release system, along with the Ronin 2's stabilization, lets you switch between different modes mid-shot for seamless "how'd they do that?" single takes.

With more powerful motors than the previous version, the new Ronin can stabilize a camera against winds of up to 75 mph (121 km/h) before it starts losing accuracy, which will make it handy for car chase scenes and the like.

DJI Ronin 2: cable cam mount
DJI Ronin 2: cable cam mount

The Ronin 2 comes with a super-bright touch screen, and an optional joystick-style remote that allows fine control of the shooting, wherever the rig is mounted, from up to 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away. There's also some new panorama mode functionality that allows stills shooters to automate a stitch shooting sequence, taking account of sensor size, lens and the desired amount of overlap between shots.

There's no pricing information available yet, although the previous version started out at US$4,500 but has been selling for $1,999 lately. The Ronin 2 will be available within the next couple of months.

The rig can be seen in action in the promo video below.

Source: DJI Ronin 2

DJI - Introducing the Ronin 2

View gallery - 26 images
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