Balancing a Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm lens on a Zenmuse X5 gimbal

Although the Panasonic Lumix G 35-100mm zoom lens is on the list of DJI compatible lenses for the Zenmuse X5 camera and gimbal, it is a major problem to balance making it difficult to use. It is a very useful manual zoom lens that is relatively inexpensive and produces excellent images and and very useable video imagery.
This video shows a balancing kit I designed. It's a neat and simple way to easy balance the X5 camera, gimbal and lens that allows the balance to be easily and quickly changed when the zoom settings it changed.
The kit consists of a 3D printed rear carriers and weight holders to balance tilt and a side carrier and holder to balance roll.
Just add lead or other weight to the carriers and hold in place with Blu Tack or similar. You can quickly adjust the weight in each carrier as required.
You can print these using ABS or PLA. The STL files are available for download on Thingiverse www.thingiverse.com/thing:248...
A complete set of ready printed parts is available at www.xcopters.co.uk/shop/panas...

[@MB120478]

Well done! Excellent tutorial and brilliant design!

[@johndakin9466]

That's a fantastic exposé of the problem of balancing a lens on the X5 gimbal. Thank you so much for the clarity and detail.

[@AnnieTheBean]

Fantastic problem solving!

[@eqbviewllc7111]

well done ! very helpful information ~

[@sky-cats]

Very nice!

[@RandySWong]

Thanks for the reply, I would definitely be interested in a 45-150 setup as well! Hope you develop something soon!

[@eovalle594]

I just printed my parts and did this and worked super awesome although I had to flatten out fishing sinkers and cut into strips but worked awesome thanks a bunch

[@WhirlyBloke]

You need an SLA printer. Come to that so do I. 😀

[@jaseking6560]

nice job

[@ADAMKINGTV]

First second the best bit in this video ! 😂

[@DDemianN]

any links for the 3d printed parts that are holding the camera on the computer screen stand? that looks so useful!

[@Deathbynature89]

Have you tried the Laowa 7.5 f/2 lens?

[@lightcreatif]

Fantastic work ! Many thanks for sharing. How do you find the balancing rings for 14-42? do these work well, or is a diy option better for this also? Cheers, Bart

[@johnnyfudge5]

Light Painted I got mine on eBay

[@mfdrone8316]

amazing ! thank you

[@WhirlyBloke]

No problem. Thanks for watching.

[@mfdrone8316]

@@WhirlyBloke Btw, do you personnally still use this setup in 2021 (in term of lens, gimbal like X5 or X5S) ? Or did you go for any newer alternative ?

[@WhirlyBloke]

@@mfdrone8316 I used this for a long timer, but since last year I've been using my Mavic Enterpise Zoom. Waiting for the 32x zoom on the Advanced Version which should be available in April.

[@kiev67x]

Nice !

[@WhirlyBloke]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@very9000]

Thank you 🙏 that I answered 🙏 tell me I can install any lens for INSPIRE 2, even another manufacturer, for example SONY

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

I like the simplicity and will be ordering two sets. Have you used the 1360 props with these heavier setups or just the carbon fiber will suffice ?

[@WhirlyBloke]

I use the standard props. Still on the originals and they are fine.

[@bobvandermeij6685]

What is the inside volume in qubic centimeters of the container on the back?

[@RandySWong]

Hi Whirly Bloke! Great tutorial and thanks for sharing the SLA files! I was wondering if you by chance, made a replacement lower profile cover for the gimbal cap and that needs to be removed to fit the 35-100 to the gimbal? What would you suggest to use if not? Thanks!

[@WhirlyBloke]

This has been asked a few times, so it's something I'm looking at. Also a similar system for the 45-150mm lens. It's a bit of a challenge cos space is limited.

[@bagim.az-RealEstate]

How much maximum weight X5 supports???

[@huskerfan]

Do you know if your 3d printed lead carrier could hold 130 grams of weight? Cause that's what's required for a 175mm lens. Thanks

[@WhirlyBloke]

Unfortunately not. 130g of lead is a huge volume of material.

[@greghill02]

can you make a counter wieght for 45 -150 lens for me ive tried the lead in the can method but no success plz help me, i caint seem to get the balance right on 35-100 or 45- 150 pan.lens i purchased the adpter but broke the side mount trying to restick it after wrong placement plus the only lead i could find was fishing wieght lead.

[@sciroccor87]

Hello Whirly Bloke, very good tutorial a great job !! I bought the lumix 35-100 lens and the 3d printed parts in xcopters. My question is: does it detect the lens with the latest firmware from inspire 1 pro 01.11.01.50? I tried the olympus 40-150 lens and it does not detect it. Thanks

[@WhirlyBloke]

I know the later firmware doesn't see the 40-150 but I believe the 35-100 is ok. I purposely don't upgrade because DJI have a habit of locking out some lenses to make you buy more of their products. It's very Apple-like.

[@sciroccor87]

Ok Thanks

[@normansherrington436]

Dear sir on the balancing you said use excopter I have input exciter and nothing comes up can you help me thanks Norman Liverpool

[@WhirlyBloke]

Try here www.xcopters.co.uk/shop/panasonic-lumix-35-100mm-zenmuse-x5-gimbal-balancing-kit

[@bobvandermeij6685]

Any idea whether this kit will for work for balancing the 45-175mm too?

[@WhirlyBloke]

Spacing is pretty critical and I don't use that lens so it's a bit tricky to answer.

[@bobvandermeij6685]

I see. Most 45-175mm balancing acts I've seen rely on a weight on the back AND on the roll motor. Your solution seems to tackle both at once, thereby no longer needing a second weight on the roll axis, correct? Any idea how much weight your container will hold at once?

[@very9000]

Hello, tell me, where can I find the load for the balance of the lens?

[@WhirlyBloke]

You can use strips of lead or just get some lead shot or fishing weights.

[@marlonsalazarquinones7953]

hello how are you, I have a dji osmo x5 and I wanted to use it with a Lumix G 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye lens, do you think it is compatible?

[@WhirlyBloke]

Sorry, its not compatible.

[@Eat_More_Possum]

Late in 2017 there were reports of loss of X5 compatibility with the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 after a DJI firmware upgrade. Is this still the case with with the latest firmware?

[@WhirlyBloke]

I'm running the last firmware version DJI issued with no issues.

[@Eat_More_Possum]

​@@WhirlyBloke Thanks. I'm running the latest firmware, 01.11.01.50, and although the app says "lens not connected" I do get an image and can focus. However, about every three out of four times I power up, the image is wildly distorted, but only in photo mode. Video mode is always undistorted. My other lenses always work great. I may try to get my hands on another copy of this lens to compare.

[@imperialsecuritybureau6037]

@@Eat_More_Possum perhaps you could manually install an older version of the firmware, which is done via SD card in the X5, and if that works - either attempt to upgrade and hope it now accepts the lens more readily, or keep it on the older version.

[@elvisbest3213]

what MM can i use to place on my x5 where i dont need any weight?

[@WhirlyBloke]

Just the X5 standard lens.

[@elvisbest3213]

@@WhirlyBloke ok ty sir

[@micdaviz08]

So I fixed my Panasonic micro 60mm sigma lens on my Dji Matrice M210 with X5s camera without counterbalancing the weight .. I crashed my drone sadly … but not too much damage was done .

[@WhirlyBloke]

Phew.

[@morgo83]

Will this work with the X5s on the Inspire 2?

[@WhirlyBloke]

You need to check if the lens is supported by the I2/X5S firmware first. A bit like Apple, DJI have a habit of not supporting things if it doesn't suit them. I suspect it's not supported.

[@mhakim3]

Unfortunately I bought this lens and the Weight carriers from the video , not realising that it was for x5 my camera is X5s , the space on the side to add the small weight is tight so the gimbal won’t calibrate while this is on as the weight hits on the side of the gimbal, i put the camera on and let it calibrate with the back weight on . And then had to grab the gimbal and add the side weight on . Even after that the motors seemed to be a bit noisy, the camera did turn on and work in photo mode , but video mode was black I still thought gimbal motor noise is not a good indication and they also got quite warm , so decided to take it off , I was hoping for any tips that will help from someone put there ?

[@WhirlyBloke]

The X5S has a completely different set of balance issues to the X5. This balance kit was explicitly designed and tested for for the X5 and I use it a lot on my Inspire 1 and S900. If there's a problem I suggest you contact the suppliers X-Copters who will be able to help.

[@mhakim3]

Whirly Bloke thank you , it is a great video and really helpful , if you ever get a chance to look into the X5s at some stage would really appreciate the feedback from someone that knows the tricks like you

[@WhirlyBloke]

I'll see if I can loan an I2/X5S and test it out.

[@peterk9684]

Will this work on the Olympus 9-18mm wide angle zoom? This lens is listed as only being compatible with the X5S and is very front heavy on the X5. Someone here has had a go with Velcro attached weights kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWWlkHVnfq98aaecttps://kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWWlkHVnfq98aac

[@WhirlyBloke]

I don't have access to an X5S and the 9-18mm, but from the video it looks like there's even less room for balance weights than on an X5 and gimbal. I suspect my solution won't work on that combination.

[@peterk9684]

To clarify. I was referring to the X5. DJI already sell a balancing ring to make the 9 - 18 lens work on the X5S. I have an X5 and the 9-18 so might give your kit a go. Thanks for the neat design.

[@Sebastian-hr4np]

First:)