The key to making successful camera moves is a gimbal like the DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro. A camera that seems to float through a scene engages an audience by adding visual interest.
Note: DJI loaned me a Ronin RS-4 Pro gimbal combo for this review.
Gimbal curious
I was a video news photographer many years ago. I was taught that anything was better than handholding a video camera. As such, I lugged a video tripod everywhere and used it. Occasionally, I put the camera on my shoulder and was amazed at how shaky the video looked.
When the opportunity came to review a professional gimbal, I jumped at it. I have DJI gimbals on my Phantom drone and one for my iPhone. But, never had I experienced the versatility of camera smoothness that the Ronin RS-4 Pro provided. It is a professional, high quality device.
Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal Combo
The Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal Combo includes the gimbal, a Ronin RavenEye Image Transmitter, a Focus Pro Motor and a smartphone holder. The retail price is $1,099.00.
The kit includes a carrying case, all the connecting cables, rods and other accessories for mounting and using the accessories. The smartphone mount is in the kit, too.
The RS-4 can hold a camera/lens/accessory configurations weighing up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg.)
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — Horizontal or vertical camera mounting
New to the RS-4 Gimbal is mounting the camera for landscape or portrait videos using the newly designed camera mounting plate. Now, gimbal moves for social media like TikTok or Instagram Reels are easy.
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — Balancing the gimbal
Once the camera is mounted, the most essential part of setting up the Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal (or any other gimbal, for that matter) is balancing the camera on the 3-axes of motion. Start at the top of the gimbal and work down, balancing tilt, then roll and finally pan in that order. A detailed pdf manual on DJI.com/rs-4-downloads covers these operations.
The Ronin RS-4 Gimbal has Teflon-coated arms that slide for easy balancing. Each axis has a lock to make balancing a camera a 1, 2, 3 process. It takes some practice to balance the gimbal. After a few times, it became much more intuitive. Again, the key is to start at the top and work down.
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — In the field
Charge the included battery handle with integrated tripod feet by plugging it into a USB-C charger. An extended battery is available. It operates the gimbal for up to 29.5 hours over the supplied 13-hour battery.
Once the gimbal is balanced and powered on, it makes every camera move buttery smooth. I like it very much for walking shots where the talent is walking toward the camera as it keeps pace while backing away. Make sure you have someone holding on to you while walking backward to keep you from tripping or bumping into things.
The combo version of the RS-4 Gimbal adds a transmitter (RavenEye) to send camera video to a smartphone using the DJI Ronin app for iOS and Android. The gimbal may be used five times before activating it using the app. The app also automatically notifies users when firmware updates are available. One of my favorite parts of the app is the suite of video tutorials to help with all aspects of setting up and using the gimbal. Use the PF (Pan Follow) mode for this type of shot.
FIZ motor included in the combo
The included focus motor can serve as a focus or iris control. I used it to zoom the lens. Multiple motors can be mounted on the gimbal for each FIZ function (Focus, Iris, Zoom.)
RavenEye
This module transmits video from the camera to a smartphone running the DJI Ronin app. It also allows the gimbal to use Force Mobile mode. When the smartphone is mounted on a tripod with a tilt-pan head, the movements of the phone are replicated on the gimbal. This is great for moving the camera when it is positioned where it’s tough for an operator to be with it.
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — Other modes: PTF and PTV
PTF is both pan tilt and roll following the movement of the grip. It facilitates camera moves on a slant.
PTV has all three axes, pan tilt and roll, following the grip’s positions. This is for motions where the camera rotates.
The app can control the gimbal remotely. It also has testing to check the gimbal’s balance, setting the speed of each axis and the motor strength. It can also set waypoints for gimbal moves and control timelapse moves.
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — Four RS-4 operation modes
There are four modes of operation for the Ronin RS-4 Gimbal: Upright, underslung, flashlight and briefcase.
- Upright is the standard working mode. It’s used for walking and running shots.
- Underslung has the gimbal flipped so the camera is in a lower position. This mode is for low-angle walking and tracking shots.
- Flashlight mode is the gimbal facing forward with the grip horizontal to the ground. It’s used in confined places.
- Briefcase mode requires the supplied handle to use the gimbal in low-angle shots.
DJI Ronin RS-4 Pro Gimbal — The OLED display
The display on the Ronin RS-4 Pro shows battery life and offers several controls, including the speed at which the gimbal reacts to movements. There is an Orbit Follow screen for making smoother movements in arc shots. Swiping reveals more screens and more versatility.