How to balance Zhiyun Crane 2 in under 60 seconds

Learn how to balance the Zhiyun Crane 2 and some tips & tricks for balancing it under 60 seconds every time.
Looking for a comprehensive review of the new Zhiyun Crane 2? Watch this video: • Zhiyun Crane 2 Review:...
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Checkout this travel video I made using the Zhiyun Crane: Summer in Spain, a dream adventure - • Summer in Spain: a dre...
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The key to balancing a Zhiyun Crane in under 60 seconds is to write down the hash marks on each of the motors after your properly balance it the first time. Then when you change lens or the weigh of the camera, you can quickly recall the proper balance settings. I keep these notes in my iPhone.
But first you need to learn how to balance the zhiyun crane without hashmarks, and the key to that is to find the center of gravity of the camera. Once you find the center of gravity, try to align it with the axis of each of the motors.
When the crane is properly balanced, the Zhiyun motors won't need to work very hard and you will be able to capture cinematic and smooth shots.

[@EvanThomas]

Are you a videographer? Here are 6 CAMERA HACKS every videographer must know: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2a1fYCpr7Nqeq8

[@GoldenMinotaur]

Thanks, great vid

[@sleepless1978]

Cheers mate, helped me balance straight out of the box with zero hassle. Grateful I didn't have to spend ages figuring it all out! Muchos gracias.

[@miconelsondvm5383]

Absolutely superb video, Evan. Speaking as one who has taught in the past, you are a natural born teacher. Clear, concise, excellent explanation. Thank you for making and posting this gem.

[@samuelvallecabrera8286]

Great video! Is incredible the amount of youtube videos I had to watch to actually learn to use it! But this one is great, thank you!

[@EvanThomas]

Samuel Valle Cabrera thanks for watching!

[@rahuladavani6205]

Mate you're a true pro. After searching KZbin for tips on setting this thing up, you're the only one who got it right AND explained it clearly for me to implement. You've got a new fan. Keep it up.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Rahul, I'm glad you enjoyed the video 👍👍

[@ZhiyunTechGlobal]

Thank you Evan for featuring Zhiyun, you've made the best balancing video so far for the Crane 2!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching!

[@AskEsh]

Yes I second that!

[@Georg_1900_]

Hey guys! I have a Gh4/Apurture Lens Regain/Sigma 18-35 and I have massive problems getting this thing balanced. So all the balancing works fine, the lens even stays still in all the direction BEFORE I get to the Pan Axis. This is where I dont get the motor nowhere close to parallel to the floor. I also tested it in operation mode the Pan Axis is the out of wack. Do you by any chance have the exact hashmarks for the camera setup?

[@GcjBoo]

Yes I think so too, believe me I've seen almost every single video about the zhiyung Crane 2 and smooth Q ♥️👏👏👏

[@LuisaBrimble]

BAM!

[@Bobakradbin]

Thanks a lot for sharing Evan, picking up a used one today and excited to set it up using your video!

[@playboxlimited.]

Finally!! Best Zhiyun Crane 2 camera balance on the whole of KZbin!! My 1dx Mark 2 Balances just fine now!! Many thumbs up!!!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching!

[@jonathanluchow]

best video about balancing ive seen in a while!!! SUBBED!!! keep up the great work

[@BigBeauBrown]

DUDE Zhiyun just sent me one of these for my videos...and this helped me out so much!!! THANK YOU! best balance tut I've seen so far!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching man, glad you liked it. Please subscribe to see more videos.

[@alliemmoore]

Thanks, Evan. This information was really helpful. Appreciate you taking the time to share.

[@127bradfordroad]

Cheers Evan, I just got my Zhiyun Crane 2 on Saturday. Following this video, I balanced 2 lenses (and kept notes) within an hour, practiced on Sunday and took it on an actual job on Monday. Even though my lack of practice slowed me down a little, I got some great footage that I can add to my final production video. This really adds a whole new dynamic to my filming - and thanks to you I took various shots with 2 different lenses without much delay - a big thanks from me!

[@EvanThomas]

that's awesome! glad it worked out for you!

[@bobbybridges9141]

Just got one delivered today! Can’t wait to use it. Very informative video. Awesome Spain vid too!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks!

[@milanmancel]

Thanks man, right hour ago I purchased Crane 2 and this video helped me a lot!

[@EvanThomas]

I'm glad it helped! Thanks for watching. Please subscribe to see more.

[@ekredel]

The only intelligent video on balancing I have seen and the only one that actually gives a test at the end to check if the balance is good. thank you for making this!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching :)

[@joshuahartwell9224]

Thanks Evan, you really helped me out. Subbed and liked. Good luck and thanks for your content.

[@GameVapes]

What a great tutorial. Going go test this out Tomorrow. Can't wait!

[@xfour2six]

Hi, Evan! Today is 9th of November, 11:45. I just bought a new ZC2 and right now I'm balancing my camera on this gimbal with you. I gotta say the feeling adjusting this thing for first time was quite special. I did laughed when you said you want to throw it out the window because I also got frustrated. I guess what I'm trying to say, patience is the key to everything, hehe! Thanks for a nice tutorial on how to balanze a Zhiyun Crane! I can't wait to try this new gimbal! Cheers!^^

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Appreciate you making this video Evan! Just got my Crane 2 and I used this video to help me balance! You're the man

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching!

[@MikeLindup42]

Just purchased the Crane 2, doing some research before first setup, really useful video, thanks!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks Mike!

[@TisTheeDae]

Best video!!! Thank you so much ☺️ I was highly frustrated because I didn’t know got to tell if it was all balanced yet

[@TonyVic]

FINALLY!!!!! This is best tutorial on how to balance the crane 2, especially with a larger cam like a c100 MII. yup, it worked. Good looking out Evan.

[@EvanThomas]

Glad it helped!

[@ThinkAboutItNow]

Evan, Very helpful video! Thanks.

[@69sriram]

the best video on balancing till the date . notes at the end useful :)

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you, very helpful video. I can’t wait to start using this gimbal!

[@martinf9626]

Thank you sir I just received my Crane 2 and i do the balance with you on this video and work very fine and fast setting , so thank s again grate job . Martin from montreal Quebec Canada

[@EvanThomas]

thanks Martin!

[@andrewmullins5169]

dude.... I was at the point of throwing it out of my window and found your video. Incredibly done. Up and running in no time!!! #subscribed

[@milkod2001]

Very simple and straightforward video. Well done. Will revisit when i get my Crane 2 to actually follow this. Thanks

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Milan

[@ItsTheGordons]

Proud to be your 1,000th subscriber. Very easy to follow tutorial on how to balance the crane!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@kierendouglas3982]

Thanks for the video, super helpful after picking up my crane last week. I’ve now realised it was way off balance on the last adjustment. Subscribed 👍🏻

[@EvanThomas]

thanks!

[@johnnyskitchen1669]

great video! I was able to balance mine fairly quickly when I got it home, but your video pointed out a couple of things that i was doing wrong. thanks!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching John

[@andreascott5240]

Thank you so much for this video! Very helpful!!

[@ginotarabotto]

Thank you. The tip on marking the numbers where it is balanced is a great tip!

[@diggydretv]

After watching this video (I have looked at a few others), this video has my gimbal the MOST BALANCED IT EVER HAS BEEN! I'm rocking the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 and you can truly feel the weight in it! Of course that means balancing the gimbal A LOT differently than you would have with the kit lens.The follow focus didn't help but add more weight as well as expected. Watching your video covered it better than the included manual! Thanks bro!

[@EvanThomas]

great, glad it helped!

[@gilbertogranados7941]

you have no idea of how much trouble you just saved me mate, thank you, very very much, one more subscribed

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Gilberto! By the way if you enjoyed the video please consider subscribing to the channel 😀

[@PrimalOutdoors]

Thank you, I ordered one and should be here in couple of days. This tutorial I think will save me a lot of headache. Jason

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Jason! Please subscribe to see future Zhiyun Crane tutorials, tips and tricks videos.

[@filipdewilde-private1097]

Straight to the point ! Thanks for the video !

[@workphlo]

Great explanation! Thank you

[@EvanThomas]

glad it was helpful.

[@ThreeLittleTrees]

Thank you, that was so clearly demonstrated. I’ve been frustrated with how fickle it seems, but now I am encouraged to not return it to amazon. Do you have any tips on managing the base plate? Using it with a manfrotto quick release adapter, or how to use it in inverted mode?

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching. It's frustrating to use at first but you'll get used to it. There are lots of video tips from other channels. Check out Brandon Li's channel.

[@pacobejar8754]

Thank you so much from Spain. I hope you enjoy in my country. Cool video.

[@EvanThomas]

Thanks Paco

[@SkyHighAerialProductions]

Nice video man! We are getting a couple of these! Nice video!

[@EvanThomas]

awesome! Please use this link to purchase them amzn.to/2j0VjcB it will help support my channel :)

[@jimmythegent9190]

Great video Evan. Question, I have a 20mm Sigma and its a long lens. I can't tilt the lens downward to adjust the the side motor because the lens will bump into the gimbal so I tilt it upwards instead and then adjust. I should achieve the same results right? It seems balanced. Also how does the follow focus work? Do I have to place the lens on Manual Focus? I can't seem to figure it out.

[@EvanThomas]

yes you can tilt up as well. After you've followed all the steps, you will know the lens is balanced when you can point the camera in any direction and it will stay in that direction without it falling. The follow focus only works on newer model Canon cameras. This is a limitation of the cameras, not the gimbal.

[@GcjBoo]

Loved this video! Liked and subscribed ♥️

[@EvanThomas]

thank you for watching :)

[@GcjBoo]

Evan Thomas am waiting for my Zhiyung Crane 2 and Sony A7iii to arrive to make my review, I'll probably mention you on my video , keep those good videos attached:GcjBoo from Ecuador

[@neillsouthwick8444]

Hi, thanks so much. Your video has helped me a great deal. Keeping the steps in order is so important I found. I'm just going to use my Pany ZS50 on my 'M' model Zhiyun. I had it all balanced only to realize when I turned the camera on and the lens extended it went totally out of balance. Like anything the more you do it the easier it becomes. Cheers, Neill

[@dajuicebox7965]

Thanks for the tutorial! Helped a lot!

[@rsmith02]

Thanks, very helpful refresher after not using my Crane for a while.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for wathcing

[@MamitagAdventures]

Thank you so much! You saved me hours of figuring out how to balance this gimbal! New sub thanks!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching :)

[@BalloonBoysApp]

Thanks for a very thoughtful balancing instructional!

[@winfieldpipher9431]

first time seeing the crane 2 very helpful great job.

[@jacobsssk]

Hey man! Thanks a lot for this. Super clear and very helpful. You're a really good teacher! Subbed!!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks Jacob!

[@kevinwalsh7287]

Clear and to the point. Great video!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching, please subscribe to see more

[@sweet_it_is]

thanks Evan, just bought my Zhiyun Crane 2!!

[@EvanThomas]

Nice, hope you enjoy it.

[@lancemohr2791]

Great explanation and demonstration. Thank you

[@TheRealistFan]

Ur video was a great help. I have dreams of short films and videography and being able to use this gimbal will get me closer to that dream.Thank You.

[@FalkoPetzold]

Great Explanation Evan. Got it setup and ready to go during your video. Just had to pause three times :) :) Thank you.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Falko, I appreciate the support.

[@LuisaBrimble]

What a great tip!

[@TheRealistFan]

Hey Evan,first off,GREAT VIDEO.Thank you.Here's my question,the side arm motor on my crane 2 was warm to hot while I was using it.Is that normal or do I need to balance it a little better?

[@TheSergpic]

thanks Evan. I love the tip about lens lot.

[@EvanThomas]

thank you for watching!

[@cuttingedgecraftsman112]

Great video man

[@EvanThomas]

Glad you enjoyed

[@rustyechols3608]

Thanks man! Great video.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching, please subscribe to see more :)

[@noumankphotography]

Best video for balancing crane on youtube.

[@EvanThomas]

Thanks for watching

[@GlenAllen]

New Crane owner.. thanks for the very useful instructions... . I liked & subscribed and thanks again

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Glen. can't wait to see what you shoot with the Zhiyun Crane 2

[@BashaHealth1]

It's a great video. One of the better ones on You Tube. Question.

[@nikeossler]

great video, I finally got the camera to be straight on the gimbal but it's still vibrating though... any idea why it does that?

[@MikkoHaavisto1]

Good video, no nonsense like every other channel! Keep it tight.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching

[@FraGMonkY]

Dude thanks a ton for this video. Got it balanced in 10mins in my first attempt.

[@EvanThomas]

you're welcome! glad it helped!

[@ayushda]

To the point. Loved this instructional video and the tips! Thanks

[@EvanThomas]

thank you!

[@kabledesigns]

ahhh thank you thank you. that last part about the hash marks is so valuable.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching

[@nomadicfanatic]

Bro, you're awesome. Thanks! You made this so much easier!

[@EvanThomas]

thank you

[@TheWNK]

this was really good thanks evan

[@EssentiallySteph]

Thank you so much for this! Watched loads of videos but only got it with this one!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Steph. Please subscribe to see future videos.

[@jamesfoos199]

Super well done video, however I’m struggling. Sony A7iii with a Sigma 35mm art. The Roll axis in the back is balanced along with everything else, however when moving the roll axis it falls back to center regardless of which way I tilt it. Any ideas?

[@MortgageBrokerAustralia]

Dude thank you so much for this video! Spent the last 45 minutes cursing this crane and got it sorted within 5 of watching your vid 😂

[@PaparazziEntertainment]

Great video thabks... Getting my A6500 tomorrow next week maybe this Baby or do you think Version 2 is good enough for an A6500 what about with an LED light on the camera have you tried that yet for low light conditions that's really the only reason I'm thinking of this one vs V2 nobody ever mentions a light or MIC LOL

[@EvanThomas]

If you have an A6500 then the version 2 is definitely good enough. It's definitely a lot cheaper. And yes it can support an microphone and a SMALL light. I've seen configurations where people mount the light to the handle.

[@vishalzparadize]

Had a bad shoot recently just because I did not make it a point to go through a video like this. This will help me in the future.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching, please subscribe to see more.

[@CambodiaWonder]

It's very helpful, thank you for sharing.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching

[@BreakyourboundariesTv]

Super helpful..thank you man...much appreciated!

[@CeCaPhoto]

Awesome video man! If I'm going back and forth between photos and video, what do you suggest to do to make life easier when unmounting and remounting the cam on the stabilizer... Especially when under time constraints... I'll give you an example. Let's say I'm shooting a show and need to to video and photos with the same camera.. Thank you!!

[@EvanThomas]

Use a manfrotto quick release plate. Or, the newer zhiyun gimbals come with a quick release plate built-in.

[@diskustophonik]

Totally helpful video, balanced my gimbal within a couple minutes after watching vs the 30 minutes I was frustrated trying to do it from the manual lol

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching :) please subscribe to see future tutorials

[@technikfreaks782]

Thank you for this explanation!

[@mohdshahrukh07]

Your video really helped me alot.thanxx

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Shahrukh. If you liked the video, please subscribe 😀

[@AhmedSaad-qz9fz]

I second Glenn Sloat. The centre of gravity explanation really does the job. Thanks Evan, this was well done.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks Ahmed, appreciate the feedback. Please subscribe to see future tutorials.

[@vanessatellez2525]

Thank you so much. That was super helpful

[@ssp.mis.central5092]

Good day,, if i use zoom lens, for example 24-70mm f2.8 nikon, when i balance it in 24mm, then i zoom in to 70mm does the gimbal make it unbalanced? thanks

[@magdalenaohisea5403]

A BIG THAAAAANK YOU!!! Best tutorial available :D

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Magdalena!

[@shovalkarol1534]

Hey man, that was very pro tutorial very healpful! Thank you

[@EvanThomas]

thank you!

[@AskEsh]

Wow you literally did the best balance video & thank you for even telling us which side the batteries go because I was hella stomped 😩😂😂 Much appreciated 🙏🏽

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching :) please subscribe to see more

[@hotelphotography]

Hi Evan. Does this crane 2 need the app for any matter or with this calibration it's pretty much done?

[@rokhsarehfarid7492]

That was pretty useful ,Thanks a million ✔

[@EvanThomas]

thank you!

[@blueorbstudios9070]

Thanks for the video

[@jalebowitz]

thanks, that was super helpful!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching Jamie

[@horsefukker32]

great tip with adding the hash marks to the notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ty

[@DrWasim]

Perfect explanation. Thank you so much!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks Wasim

[@deeber35]

do you know if it matters if the tilt motor, when looking from behind the roll motor, is on the left or right?

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

Hi, what type of plate does this use? Trying to make the camera plate compatible with my tall tripod.

[@patgrant1509]

Great Video! Thank you

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching

[@veriproductions6317]

Thank you so much! Now I finally can get good balance!

[@EvanThomas]

Thanks for watching!

[@negiinzabihi8942]

thanks for this helpful video.. how about nickon camras? is it defferent?

[@EvanThomas]

should work fine with a Nikon.

[@johnhumbug5199]

very detailed, but also on point thank you!

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching John.

[@cavs693]

Very helpful video, thanks a lot.

[@EvanThomas]

thanks for watching, glad you found it useful.