The newest entry into video camera stabilization from DJI, the Ronin RS5 advances handheld cinema. Great new features including AI tracking and geared knob balancing lead the list of this great new tool. DJI provided the RS5 Combo I reviewed.
Canon revolutionized video capture by adding 1080 HD video to their 5D Mark II DSLR in 2008. Fast forward to now. Professional still cameras are a mainstay in cinematography. True, they can’t replace an Arri Alexa for versatility. They have carved a niche in film, especially indie productions. Lightweight 4K, 6K and 8K capture means more and more handheld scenes. These require portable, easy-to-use stabilization systems. Enter the Ronin RS5 with features we did not know we wanted until now.
RS5’s tripod base
These start with the Ronin RS5 tripod base. All three legs open together. Wow! Previous versions had us opening each leg individually. No big deal. Until opening one opens them all. I do not want to use any gimbal that does not have this kind of tripod base. I hope DJI will offer it as an accessory.
Connected briefcase handle
The DJI Ronin RS5 now sports an electronic briefcase handle with controls for focus, start/stop recording, movements and low-angle shots. It mounts onto a NATO RSA communications port on the gimbal’s left side. There is a cold shoe with female quarter-twenty for accessories located above the controls.
The new connected RS5 briefcase handle mounts in just one direction. It is not compatible with previous DJI gimbals.
Fine-tuning balance knobs
Finally. No more sliding arms back and forth to balance the gimbal. The Ronin RS5 has knobs to fine tune camera balance on every arm making getting balanced much easier.
Vertical shooting
I have yet to wander into a movie theatre that has a vertical screen. I like landscape screens! Since we all use our portrait format phones to view content, vertical capture is a much wanted (sigh) feature. The Ronin RS5 delivers quickly and simply. DJI suggests this can be done without rebalancing. This is true — sort of. Small balance adjustments for roll and tilt axes still must be made. The knobs make this easy.
Tracking with the Ronin RS5
A tracking module is included in the RS5 Combo version. It attaches magnetically to the top of tilt axis arm. The module is set by touching the subject on the gimbal’s touchscreen — no external monitor needed. The RS5 can track people as do most gimbals. It can also follow vehicles, pets or moving objects up to 32 feet (10 meters) away from the device. I am skeptical of these claims so I took the RS5 and my Canon R5C to my gym in Atlanta, The Rack. Here’s how the RS5 tracked dumbbells in action.
Z-axis indicator
Steadycams handle the up and down motion caused by walking or running with a mounted camera. Handheld gimbals do not. The Ronin RS5 helps its operator deal with this by showing the rise and fall motion on the touchscreen. This feedback helps the user walk more smoothly.
Extended battery life
The RS5 gimbal’s battery charges fully in an hour, 60% faster with a 65 watt USB-C power brick. It has 15% more standby time. A high-capacity battery is available. It extends standby time to 30 hours.
Focus motor support
DJI’s Focus Pro Motor is compatible with the RS5. The FIZ (Focus, Iris, Zoom) motor give the operator joystick control over these functions. I use it for changing the focal length (zoom) so I don’t have to touch the camera while shooting.
DJI RS Expansion Base Kit
The RS5 Combo is super versatile. And yes, here is my first “but” in this entire review… the battery pack makes the unit too tall for some purposes. There are times when I want to mount the gimbal and have it do it’s thing from a tripod, Platypod or some other low-to-the-ground mount. When I bought my Ronin RS4, I also purchased this kit. It is a hidden, untouted and valuable addition to the gimbal experience. I use it with a Really Right Stuff dovetail lens foot plate that snugs up to the cable adaptor allowing it to fit on Arca Swiss mount without turning like it would with a simple quarter/twenty screw.
I used the kit to move the battery away from the gimbal so it could be mounted directly on a tripod. This was important for the automated tracking video of Brandon lifing dumbbells. It’s really difficult to find this kit on DJI’s website. It’s expensive at $499.00 and irreplaceable when the gimbal has to be on a jib, tripod
