This Zhiyun Crane V2 Review will take a look at one of the most popular handheld gimbals on the market today. This model is a 3-axis stabilizer that is designed for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It’s easy to use and set up, and it’s packed with features that let you get the most out of your video footage.
Keep reading our review to get more useful information about this product.
Zhiyun Crane V2 Review 2022
- 360-degree rotation of all three axes
- Compact cameras as light as 3.9 lb.
- Attachable lens support to long lenses
- At 4000Hz, three 32-bit MCUs are running in parallel.
- Four-way stepless joystick
- Attachment of a camera using a thumbscrew to a toolless device
- 1/4″-20 threaded mounting hole at the bottom
- Bluetooth built-in allows wireless control for iOS/Android apps.
- 12-hour runtime with the included batteries
Pros
- Compact and durable design
- Impressive stabilization
- Solid battery life
- It’s a cheaper option than DJI Ronin X/MX
Cons
- The maximum payload for lenses using DSLRs is 1.8 Kg
- It is not recommended for long-term, continuous, single-handed use
Design and Build Quality
The Zhiyun Crane 3-axis Gimbal is suitable for compact DSLRs as well as mirrorless cameras. It can carry a payload of almost 1.8 Kgs. This is the wrong gimbal to use if you are looking to attach your long zoom lenses.
The gimbal unit is just 950 grams without a battery. The Crane V2 has an advanced slip-ring technology that allows users unlimited 360degx3 rotation control. Users also have the freedom to choose from a variety of gripping gestures and camera placements, depending on how they intend to use it.
The Crane’s unique dovetail slot design allows for precise balance adjustments, which makes it easy to mount.
We are very impressed with the build quality. It feels sturdy and not as fragile as some of the more expensive gimbals currently on the market. This gimbal can be used in harsh conditions without worrying thanks to its strength.
The Zhiyun Crane, unlike the DJI Ronin MX ($999), which requires two-handed operation and is more cumbersome, can be carried anywhere. You can mount the gimbal onto any tripod using the 3/8-16 thread on its bottom.
The camera can be balanced with ease using the integrated universal mount plate.
Read also: Best Gimbal For Iphone
Gimbal Controls
This is where you will notice the Crane V2’s updated version. The gimbal now has a larger control panel with a four-way joystick, which allows you to tilt, rotate, pan, and turn it. The camera/power, mode, and shift buttons are also available. You can use this with the USB cable to zoom in and out.
To stop or begin recording, you don’t even have to touch the camera. You can use the zoom-in/zoom-out buttons with any compatible Sony/Panasonic camera (such as the a7S or GH5) without the need to connect a USB cable. The button layout is simple enough to be understood by beginners purchasing their first stabilizer gimbal.
Before you start to balance your new gimbal, make sure it is off. It is important to balance the gimbal before you turn it on. You could endanger the motors. To ensure that the motors don’t turn on accidentally, it is best to take out the batteries. Once you are satisfied with its balance, you can move it back to the original spot. If it doesn’t, it should remain where you moved it. Pulling a lever will allow you to remove the base plate from your gimbal.
The gimbal has three modes: Pan-Follow, Lock, and Full. All of these modes can be easily switched using the Mode button, which we mentioned earlier. Once the gimbal is turned on, Pan-Follow mode will be activated. When you twist the handle, the gimbal turns on. It will still tilt if you don’t use the joystick. The Lock mode will be opened when you press the Mode button.
If you don’t adjust your joystick, the pitch will be locked. To switch to Full Mode, double-press the Mode button. Tilt and pan will be used by the gimbal to track your movements. To rotate the camera 180°, triple-click on the Mode button. This is an unofficial mode for selfies. The gimbal can be attached to a tripod with a 3/8-16 thread, 1/4-20 adapter, and a 1/4-20 screwdriver.
App Controls
Zhiyun Assistant, a smartphone app that is available for both Android and iOS devices, can be used to control your Zhiyun Crane. This app allows you to pair your Zhiyun Crane using Bluetooth. You can then control the gimbal from anywhere, even without touching it.
After opening the app, you’ll be taken to the dashboard which displays your gimbal’s battery percentage. You can adjust, calibrate, and control the stabilizer settings. You can adjust the following settings: Control dead zone, Control rate, and Control rate as well as the degree of smoothness.
You can adjust each setting individually for the Pitch roll and pan axis. The app will reset any deviations that occur on the horizontal and 3-axis of the gimbal once you click Calibration.
Clicking on Control on the dashboard will give you a virtual joystick that allows you to control the actual gimbal without needing to use the buttons on the unit. You can switch between the three modes the gimbal offers, which are Follow, Lock, or Full.
You can adjust the roll axis and pitch axis to control the gimbal depending on which model you have selected. You can also tap the Restore button to bring the gimbal to its original position.
Overall, the app is decent. It has a basic user interface, controls that are easy to use for beginners, and controls that are simple and uncluttered. The app is a little outdated, so people who are looking for more advanced features may be disappointed.
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Performance
The Zhiyun Crane is equipped with 32-bit x 3 high-speed MCUs. The built-in Inertial Metric Unit can process at up to 4000 MHz. This gives us confidence in its potential performance.
Crane’s hardware is capable of taking stunning photos thanks to its incredible motion sensitivity, precise control, and high-quality images. Zhiyun’s Intune Algorithms can compensate for sudden twists in the Crane. While stabilizing video footage, the motors of this gimbal are barely audible. We are not complaining.
The Crane V2 can be used to stabilize real-world situations. The Crane V2 eliminates any wobbles and shakes you may experience while running, walking, driving, or doing other activities. You almost feel like you’re gliding through the air. Gimbals can stabilize your shots and allow you to take great panning shots. Similar to what you get from a tripod, the results are similar.
To ensure that the gimbal follows your path, twist your wrists. For long-term photography, however, the double handle kit should be used. After a long period of continuous shooting, your hands might feel tired and the gimbal may feel heavy.
Battery Life
Crane V2 stabilizer includes two Zhiyun 26500 lithium batteries, rated at 3600mAh. The charger can be used to charge the batteries in as little as an hour.
According to the manufacturer, the Zhiyun CraneV2’s batteries are capable of allowing you to operate the unit for between 10 and 12 hours. This is significantly more than the Crane V1’s battery life. It’s important to note that the actual battery life you get will vary depending on how much you use it.
Installation
The most important step in setting up a gimbal is balancing. It is not enough to just attach your camera, and then start shooting. Each axis must be balanced for at least a few minutes. Although this is something that has been done several times before, it can still be quite time-consuming.
One of the great features that the original Crane did not have was a plate that could be moved to connect your cameras. It was attached to an RC2 base and it is highly recommended. This makes it much easier to connect your camera to the gimbal.
You will need to take some time to set up the balance for your camera and lens. This can take several minutes depending on how exactly you are with your setup. Below are some links to videos. It is important that you spend the time to ensure it works, even though it may not work immediately.
Although there is a learning curve, you will become more proficient the more you practice. The second step is to create the app. Zhiyun Tech developed the Zhiyun assistants for iOS and Android. We also used this app to calibrate and control our Smooth Q gimbal.
The app allows you to control your gimbal using the app. It can be used as a robotic head (it has 1/4’20 thread on its bottom) and can be adjusted in many ways. This app is highly recommended. The speed at which it moves is too fast for us.
Zoom, Shutter, and Record
Anyone with a Panasonic GH4 or Sony RX, QX, ILDC camera can use the buttons on the gimbal for individual camera functions. The camera and the gimbal must be connected via USB. The height of the tilt-axis is where you will find a micro USB socket. You can also control the zoom and shutter, as well as the video recording.
Conclusion
The Zhiyun Crane V2 handheld 3-axis stabilizer helps you to capture cinematic, smooth videos. It can be used with smartphones, mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and mirrorless phones. To find out if this is the right gimbal, read our detailed review.
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