BEST or WORST Gimbal For Big Cameras? Zhiyun Crane 3s Review

My review of the Zhiyun Crane 3S Pro with sample footage, things to know and thoughts after using for a while. If you're planning on getting this gimbal I'd recommend getting the pro kit with the extension arm and battery pack, this will make it worth it in the long run as you upgrade your cameras and lenses. No stabilisation added in post
All test footage shot on the Canon C200 + Laowa 12mm and Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 Art
US Zhiyun Crane 3S: amzn.to/2AFVzqo
UK Zhiyun Crane 3S: j.mp/2AKcXdA
To Rent: rental.cinegearpro.co.uk/zhiy...
Smallrig 2210 Dual Handle Grip: j.mp/37zb6EA
Zhiyun TransMount PowerPlus: j.mp/37xaAHg
Aputure 300X CineGearPro www.cinegearpro.co.uk/product...
Ultra Think HDMI 4K Cable (I recommend this for any setup)
UK link is amzn.to/3dgjlqr
US link amzn.to/37IsB5s
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I N S T A G R A M / the_alikubba
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SIGMA 24-70MM 2.8 amzn.to/3cn99Ma
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SIGMA 35mm 1.4 amzn.to/2zliZ3p
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[@SocialStoicYouTube]

Love it! Great in-depth review and footage

[@rorynash7042]

Love Ali's work, most channels are just trying to sell you something, Ali actually inspires me with the possibilities of my gear, sometimes the limitations of the cheaper options mean's more creative footage, it's hard to find any honest comparisons and in action reviews, love this channel

[@narrativegadget1981]

Really awesome and helpful review Ali!

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks a ton!

[@rorynash7042]

The vortex rotation looks fantastic, especially considering that doesn't have post stabilisation on it, brilliant insight and work as always Ali

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks Rory! you're a star

[@filmmakerali]

*UPDATE Extension arm is included in the non-pro kit but not the battery pack* Hey guys! Hope everyone's keeping well during these times. What do you think of the Zhiyun Crane 3S Pro gimbal? Ali

[@alejomontoya9420]

Bad idea. The SmartSling doesn’t comunicate with the c200. You cannot control this cam from the gimbal

[@skatepark02]

Just wondering, seeing as the power pack uses a v mount and connects via Dtap to Lemo, could I not just power it with a regular v mount battery?

[@JackIsaacVideo]

Great review! Got this recently. Used yesterday on an all day b-roll shoot with the C200 + Sigma 18-35 and my forearms/back were on fire by the end of the day! Footage looked great, but this is a heavy setup if used with a cinema camera for long periods of time.

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks Jack! Glad to hear that. Yes it's definitely not a light setup especially with that 18-35 Sigma

[@BayBoyFilms]

Did the 18-35 cause the footage to have a slight bounce?

[@brettalexander.studio]

The Canon c200 fully rigged is already a pretty heavy setup🤣 of course if you add the weight of any gimbal it's still gonna be heavy.

[@aaphotofilm]

Great video as always Ali, I still have my GH5 and i watch your old videos with what you did on the GH5, really inspires me to use it more often, by the way loving the beard, really suits you :)

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks Akhlaq always appreciate the continued support it's my absolute mission to keep bringing value and inspiration. Stay safe 👊

[@aaphotofilm]

@@filmmakerali Welcome, you seriously have inspired me with what you did with the GH5, i have been going out alot with it since seeing your videos so keep up the amazing work. PS, i genuinely didnt recognise you at first with the beard, it really looks good on you, im looking forward to seeing more of your stuff :)

[@ShazammtheProducer]

Can you use the 1/4” Screw Thread with Crown Gear for the Phone holders to mount the Canon C200 side grip with Arri Rosette mount?

[@filmmakerali]

Yup

[@alejomontoya9420]

I noticed you’re using the SmartSling handle. What’s the point if it cannot comunicate with the camera? In order to control it you need to buy an extra cable that is not easy to find.

[@bobuk5722]

Hi Ali, No under slung shakes then? Do you know if your model has updated firmware? I'd like this to go with my C200 but have been concerned by earlier worrying reviews. One other question, can it be used with a vest and arm set up? Pleased to have found you channel and I've subscribed. Thank you for the good wishes as well in these somewhat troubled times. I return them to you. All the very best. BobUK.

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks for the sub Bob! No shakes for me i think a lot of it is to do with how well balanced the rig is. It wasn't perfect however you can see some jitter in the footage. I can't see why it can't be used with a vest and arm but kind of beats the point of being a single-handed gimbal

[@jakubzieba6146]

Thanks for the review, it's so helpful I use my and I back to the shop (first was crazy shake, second a little bit) but I look that your footage also has this problem too. It's not perfectly smooth. Maybe I work too long with steadicam where it's not perfect but a way more smooth natural organic look. But health is important too and working with steadicam aero 30 or zephir for more than 3 years sacrifices a lot of health so I look for a better combo for my back like Easyrig with stabil + gimbal but Ronin 2 makes me some trouble too. Any one solution is perfect I don't work with movi pro yet, what do you think about this gear?

[@ivankwok3852]

How do you think DIGITALFOTO THANOS-PRO gear for crane 3s?

[@jakubzieba6146]

@@ivankwok3852 I don't use it, but I think that's depends what weight camera you will use. I don't recommend this type support what hold all force on low part of back. This is good for comfortable work and good image but heavy dangerous for yours health. Better solution will be Easyrig which hold all power on all back, but a lot more expensive

[@capncabes5]

Great review Ali! I really enjoyed the practical opinions you bring to the table! I have a quick question; do you think my easyrig minimax could hold this with a C200?

[@filmmakerali]

Hey Caleb 👋 so glad to hear that. That would be a great setup but I'm trying to think how you would connect them together 🤔 with the easy rig system being an overhead support so not sure how it can be attached? I guess you can always film in low mode so it may actually work

[@capncabes5]

@@filmmakerali Thx for your response, yeah that's what my thoughts were to film in low mode with the easyrig... Is low mode very reliable? I've seen mixed reviews with it shaking with a bulky camera setup.

[@Bingoitsmingo]

@@capncabes5 use a gimble support ring from Smallrig or IKAN. Then you can connect the easy rig to the ring.

[@capncabes5]

@@Bingoitsmingo Thanks for the tip! Is this the set up that you use?

[@dhans2457]

Vortex on big cameras in interesting thanks for the in depth review

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks for watching

[@AvciSa]

love the review an the information. thank u for that. i tried to hear this video in my car when i was driving but the audiolevel is really bad :( i have to bring the volume up down up down up down really often because i cant hear when u do some stuff on the gimbal. i mean yeah its not so quit in the car of course and i also think not so many people doing that :D but just for your information.

[@vividmotion66]

Good review! I own a movi m5 and a C200. But using it on the movi requires to take off the evf. Still, would u recommend upgrade to the s3 or do u thing the M5 still performa better?

[@filmmakerali]

I had an M5 and balancing the C200 was a chore so upgraded to the Movi Pro. If you have the budget for it I'd say the Movi Pro is the best solution, the next thing is the Crane 3S. The 3S is much easier to take to places so it all depends on your needs and what you shoot. Thanks for stopping by, Ali

[@vividmotion66]

@@filmmakerali thx mate. Totally agree. Right now I got the c200 working with a simple setup. But it is close. I love freefly and I still think one hand gimbals and their algorithm reached the freefly one. Yes, I will have a longer setup time, but I'll always get my stuff ready the day before, so it doesn't matter.

[@BayBoyFilms]

Does the footage bounce when walking?

[@cameron494]

the horizon looked a bit off-axis on a lot of these shots. user error or gimbal error?

[@simongentry]

better to get the pro over the base 3s?

[@callmesahara]

Do you need a lens support for the 24-70mm?

[@filmmakerali]

No

[@very9000]

Hey. Tell me, did you like the Crane 3S stabilizer? When you used the Crane 3S stabilizer and the Blackmagic 6K video camera, the video picture was smooth, did not twitch? Do you like the operation of the Crane 3S with the Blackmagic 6K? There were no vibrations? I also ordered a Crane 3S stabilizer.

[@filmmakerali]

Hey I don't have a Black Magic 6K to test the Zhiyun Crane 3 S with my test was done with the C200 and it performed well

[@very9000]

Ali Kubba Thanks 🙏 HELLO FRIEND. STABILIZER Crane 3S shakes WHEN do you use ULTRA MOTOR MODE? I have a camera 🎥 Blackmagic 6K

[@chicobraz4335]

Will the battery pack have enough power for Alexa mini via dtap ?

[@filmmakerali]

I'm not entirely sure as I don't have a Mini to test it with

[@Marvellens]

I think the extension arm is included in 3s and 3s-e. You dont have to buy pro kit to have that.?

[@filmmakerali]

Hey Juuso 👋 yes sorry the extension arm is included but not the battery pack

[@alejomontoya9420]

Ali Kubba you should warn people that this gimbal doesn’t control de c200 from the SmartSling. I threw my money away.

[@tigerbeatfilms2943]

Could you rock that setup on a crane lab 3?

[@filmmakerali]

I tried but didn't work too well

[@HJBProductionsLLC]

Will this carry the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K camera?

[@filmmakerali]

most likely yes

[@HJBProductionsLLC]

@@filmmakerali My crane s is in, will give it a try. But I heard you need the heavy duty battery for heavier cameras to avoid the trembling folks are complaining about.

[@schoeferfilm]

Hello Ali, I have the crane 3s in combination with the fx6 for 1 week. In principle, I am relatively satisfied with the performance of the gimbal 👌, but the one swivel axis is very, very difficult to move (the one with the extension piece). the other 2 are normal. i think this is a processing error or what do you mean? The setup with the fx6 is very heavy 🏋️‍♀️😂 best cinematic greetings from germany

[@filmmakerali]

Nice 👍

[@fpoiredoc]

Hi man! I'm planning on buying a crane 3s for my fx6, but I still have some doubts and I hope that you can help me. ¿How many weight are you carrying with your set up? ...I want to see if carrying the crane is able to stabilize properly the fx6 with the handle and a short mic shotgun... and also want to see if I'm going to be able to do a whole day job, adding a monitor 5" and a mic receiver rigged to the crane. Would love to read your opinions.

[@fpoiredoc]

Not to mention the extra battery pack.

[@fpoiredoc]

and a sony 16-35 gm jeje

[@schoeferfilm]

@@fpoiredoc kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaDVeGRuoM2NZ8k I did not tried to make a micro on the handle. My micro is too big. A short mic shotgun could work but I am not sure 🤷‍♂️

[@davidroutledge6314]

Can you use the Atomos Ninja V with this?

[@filmmakerali]

Yes but I'd think about the added bulk

[@martinadamcz]

PLS link of HDMI cable or name

[@filmmakerali]

Hey Martin sure UK link is amzn.to/3dgjlqr US link amzn.to/37IsB5s

[@TiddlyFilms]

Careful filming in Brompton cemetery lol - you need permission and they can be quite fierce if they catch you! Are you getting any shake? Doesnt look perfectly smooth? Have heard rumours!

[@filmmakerali]

Thanks mate. it shakes when holding in certain angles that you wouldn't normally when shooting

[@TiddlyFilms]

@@filmmakerali Ahh ok thank you! Looking forward to trying one out

[@mujih7]

ali, what can i say that the dhaari hasn't already

[@filmmakerali]

not sure what daari means?

[@mujih7]

@@filmmakerali beard

[@filmmakerali]

@@mujih7 haha legend! I'm keeping the beard for a while 👊

[@rollerdam]

Bruv.. your shot is sharp on the mic

[@filmmakerali]

Yes bruv aware, was shooting on the A7III AF and it had struggled to keep my face in focus. The C200 was rented out

[@leomoreno9074]

have no idea what is going on with the audio on this tutorials, since like the modulated audio is not natural at all making it difficult to watch the video, please fix the audio in natural way.

[@filmmakerali]

Audio is fine. That’s the first time I hear that

[@iz5442]

Definitely The best for Heavy rigs, but the shittiest for light set-up.

[@goonytunes4119]

What's up with the title? lol ...

[@joef479]

Pretty sure you don't need to buy the Pro Kit to get the extension arm.

[@filmmakerali]

Hey Joe 👋 thanks for reminding yes they can be bought separately too which actually works out cheaper if other accessories aren't needed

[@joef479]

@@filmmakerali The extension arm comes with each version of the gimbal that you can buy. The Pro kit includes the PowerPlus Battery Pack and focus /zoom controllers.

[@maxmaxmaxgoon5602]

crane 3s faulty

[@theonethreefour]

"This gimbal is a no-brainer" "WORST GIMBAL FOR BIG CAMERAS" lol alright then

[@filmmakerali]

You missed the question mark :)

[@sergiobraddy]

Clickbait

[@alejomontoya9420]

This gimbal sucks, they advertise that the smart sling can control the C200, but that´s a lie. In order to control it, you need to purchase a cable that does not exist. In two years I have not been able to find such cable. This thing is extremely heavy, and I thought that could perhaps such weight help stabilize better but that is not the case. Every time I have used this device the footage is almost unusable. This is the worse piece of gear I have bought so far. I threw my money away.