Review of the DJI Ronin 4D 8K camera

[@randyscottslavin]

You continue to be the Sir David Attenborough of cameras(and cats)

[@nathanjayrogers]

Sir David Aperture

[@Clickumentary]

Great comment 😎

[@davidunoi7099]

so accurate. and so deserved. Top tier production values with engaging charisma.

[@driaan_louw]

I watch almost all your reviews - not because I'm in the market for a very expensive camera, but because of the vibes. Beautiful as always.

[@ian-robinson]

The old fella pointing and explaining the shops as you follow and film is excellent.

[@walletjew]

The ending is like a break from reality. Or a reflection on reality. Getting a cup of tea and enjoying the imagery. Thank you

[@habcast3978]

Your compositions, sound design and grading are masterful.

[@CartyCantDance]

I saw that pocket 3 snippet, excited for when you get around to that video :) I agree, the DJI 1D sounds like a much easier camera to work with

[@InternetCity]

Every time you film something it looks amazing!

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Besides the amazing footage of the Ronin 4D 8K, I was also impressed by the woman with triplets (one in a chest pouch, two in the carriage) who walked by you at around 3:14.

[@ivanyang2022]

you are the only youtuber i will stop doing my thing and watch your video. I need to respect people like you who put so much work into making these videos. btw if you have a good way to grade dlog M from pocket 3, please let me know. the dji 709 convert lut gave me weird skin tone driving me crazy.

[@philipbloom]

Thank you! I actually use the DJI LUT too…

[@GerryBraatz]

Been watching your videos since I got the Canon 7D. Thank you for all the videos & knowledge you share.

[@raredreamfootage]

Whoop there it is!!! PB's review of the 4D-8K!!! Finally!!!

[@heartshapedfilms]

the DRE feature is really cool, I am glad that the did manage to bring this to market eventually. When I was at CVP this had come out and a lot of people were waiting on the 8k. SO i am glad it did come though I reckon those guys probably moved on, such the case with pros, though having the module as seperate purchase will make good on those people who felt they had to go for the 6k at the time. Also really great to see your content Philip I've always enjoyed it hope your back is on the mend and means you can get out more, even if just for yourself!

[@Naataraja]

Thanks a lot for this review Philip. As always an excellent point of view (not only for beautifull images).

[@chrisw443]

I hope they do make a non gimbal version. It'd be nice to pop it on a light shoulder harness and switch to tripod easier. Or put it on a smaller much lighter gimbal. As someone with a rough back, I'd love to see a video on tips and tricks on the support gear you use or shooting tricks you use to not hurt your back! Also, well wishes to your human and animal families after the loss of your dad. I wish I got to film more of mine before he left.

[@patlecat]

Friendly and funny people in Richmond. Lovely footage and review thanks Philip.

[@loydsa]

Thank you Phillip for getting wet and cold on our behalf, great review as always. Stroke the cat's from us. Best regards Sarah

[@TotalRADandMORE]

Cool to see that massive telephoto lens on that thing. 😮

[@HuFilms]

Nice one Phil, enjoying this. Cameras and wellies are a scary combo. I got stuck lately holding my R5C and Sigma 500 F4 whilst out doing some bird work. One welly filled with water, nightmare! 😂

[@leahmariewrites]

Well, in true Philip Bloom style, this video of casual shots around town looks absolutely cinematic, and combined with the perfect music…captivating!! What stands out, aside from the richness and clarity is the soft, dream-like quality which is likely the combination of this camera plus the Bloom Gold filters ~ incredible and really beautiful!

[@JakeSloan]

as always a brilliant review with so much good information

[@urielsantistebanfilms]

Thank you so much for your effort, you do the best reviews out there. Artistry and technical insights. You made my afternoon.

[@scottgmaclean]

Kudos once again to your music choices and voiceover work… they add a further sheen of polish to your videos. Thanks Philip! (Interested to hear your thoughts on the pocket 3)

[@justinhumphrey1516]

The 6k 4D is my favorite cameras of all time. It is so cumbersome though as I’ve been so spoiled with smaller cameras.

[@8lacKhawKtheRIPPER]

Stunning shots! Definitely an incredible piece of gear, even though I'm not a big fan of the weird proprietary SSD situation. It's a normal freakin' SSD, there's no technical reason to not just simply include a quick internal compatibility test when setting it up to ensure that the writing speeds are high and sustainable enough for 8K. DJI casually imitating RED in the worst ways. 😅

[@frankfeng2701]

It's insane that DJI 1TB SSD costs ten times more than its actual value.

[@_rhapsodist]

I am sure if you take one apart you can replace the ssd with something of a better value

[@AfoteyAnnum]

EXAAAAACTLY! Really boneheaded move on their part. And there are a ton of other relatively small missteps that they dropped the ball on with this device, things like not having waveform and false colors at the same time, wonky codec selections, not being able to delete individual clips during playback, etc. Strictly a rental at best for me personally.

[@darkMalaghost]

RED is still using redmags? I though they switched to CFexpress

[@JimMakosCom]

I came for the info, stayed for the shots at 10:45. 😍

[@Slipsch]

Waiting for you to review the burano and also the A9III Global shutter.

[@philipbloom]

The former, not going to. The latter, only if Sony loan me one.

[@Bo_Hazem]

Always love your reviews despite I have no interest in this camera. There is always something to learn. Thanks a lot for your amazing effort.

[@zwheels654]

I'd love a Ronin 3D. Something around the size of their old Osmo +, remote control, and their 3-axis tech but super light and simple.

[@raredreamfootage]

I'd love to see a 4D with on-sensor phase detection. I hope Panasonic, Nikon or Panasonic comes out with their own 4D option with PDAF.

[@philipbloom]

Why would those manufactures make a camera that has a built in camera? I can’t see anyone else making such a specific product.

[@nicolaschallenor1120]

One the few people you can automatically thumbs up before even watching the video, because you can guarantee its quality, great video and insight, thanks.

[@Ronbc000]

Made my day, Philip. Thank you 👍

[@shueibdahir]

You have massive balls to walk around in London with a camera like that

[@_rhapsodist]

that's some pretty lovely footage as always 😍

[@astrobotnautics5291]

I am saving up for a set of those filters, they're on my list, but can't afford them yet! Fascinating review of the image quality. As a gimbal shooter I don't understand the form factor of the DJI and when I watch videos shot on it I find it often looks jerky and unnatural. An integrated gimbal just doesn't offer the smoothness a regular gimbal does. However, it certainly grades well. You got some fantastic shots that definitely look worth the effort. Would I buy one over an FX9, C500 or BM Ursa 4K G2... Very difficult to justify I think.

[@CineDailies]

lovely review

[@wio2189]

Great video, thanks! Would love a DJI Action 4 review for us plebs.

[@360.Outdoors.Videos]

This seemd to be a very nice product . I follow this with great interest having already a rinin SR3 3 Pro . Have a nice day dear friend . As a resust of your good footageci share youvin my public playlist . ☀️☀️

[@spdcrzy]

I will say, the Zenmuse sensors (after Arri) seem to be the best at feeling like extremely high quality film.

[@KenFlanagan]

Great review as always. Its looks a gorgeous image for sure but how would you calibrate gorgeous relatively speaking? It looks very reminiscent of the Mavo lf or edge image?? The blacks look clean and the image detailed but would love to know what it compares to? Is it close the kinefinity look or more ursa 12k? Red KomodoX? Burano? Or even the canon c500ii? With so many choices in this high end im not sure if the 4d stops being a speciality camera in 6k and suddenly replaces a more traditionally rigged and ready camera even in 8k. As you perhaps quite rightly pointed out who uses 8k unless its part of a bigger production. The storage alone. Is prores raw the way forward for those who are invested in da vinci?? Still a conundrum? Thanks again.

[@brianmckeever5280]

Beautiful video, I have no need for the gear, but still love your reviews!

[@danmartland]

Great review. Thanks a lot. And really sorry to hear about your dad. Keep your chin up mate

[@philipbloom]

Thanks Dan, much appreciated.

[@pacosstudio412]

Damn good review, always enjoyable watching your channel!!!

[@Emir021]

I like to watch your videos they are very informative and also very nice to listen ☺️Is there any online music library you use or you have your own? It gives very special feeling to your videos 😊

[@philipbloom]

Thanks. I use audio network.

[@thomasfransson]

What a trip!

[@PhillGraaf]

I am watching this for the second time today! I am - just like many others - in love with your videos. I really hope they implement Pro Res LT or something similar in the 8k version... At 6:44 why does the Prores HQ 8k 30p say only 36m05s?

[@philipbloom]

Thank you very much! That’s because that’s how much you get in ProRes HQ in 8K 30p. How get more in 25p and 24p. The reason why ProRes Raw in 8K 30p is so much more is because it’s not in the HQ codec.

[@PhillGraaf]

@@philipbloom Thank you very much for your Reply Philip! I really appreciate it. I am heavily thinking about getting this camera because most of the things that have left me hesitating with the 6K are solved with the 8K. The only thing is that I am not sure if it will be overpowered for my use, and I am quite worried about the file sizes I have to say... Do you have any recommendations for getting the right hard drive space by any chance? I would probably not be using 8k a lot at the moment but here in Australia the difference in price between the two systems isn't that big considering the accessories you get, and I absolutely love the fact that the 8K version shoots 4K 120 uncropped. Once again, thank you and have a lovely day.

[@cinematools]

Not interested in the camera but excited for the review.

[@speedbird737]

you're missing out

[@cinematools]

@@speedbird737 prefer small cameras

[@philipbloom]

@@cinematools same.

[@mdhazeldine]

Ignore what Philip says. Just listen to the random woman on the street. Must be a good camera if she likes it! :D. In all seriousness, the image does look dreamy. How much of that is the camera and how much of it is the diffusion filter I wonder? I think I would have preferred to see the image "naked" without the filter, just so we know what we're looking at.

[@philipbloom]

Most of the sunny day shots are without the filter apart from the opening shot of the music edit.

[@mdhazeldine]

@@philipbloom Thanks for clarifying

[@walkandcamera]

"Overkill for most people" - damn right! Why don't they just come out with a good compact camera that isn't a toy. DJI have good low end stuff and good high end stuff, but nothing in the middle.

[@Filmgoblin]

If you strip down ronin 4d to bare minimum weight are you able to use on rs4pro for the track function for waypoints on the ronin app? If not why doesn’t ronin 4d have this function and rs4pro does and is there anyway to track for repeatable shots?

[@speedbird737]

@philipbloom great video - can I ask details of the tripod you're using and the tripod mount. I have the native t3.0 zoom lens on my 8k ronin so a mount for heavy lenses isn't needed but interested in what you use. Many thanks- my bad you put in the description!

[@philipbloom]

Thank you. The tripod is the Sachtler Flowtech 75 with FSB 8 head. The support I cobbled together from bits I have.

[@speedbird737]

Many thanks

[@markifi]

first video of yours i've seen but i already suspect you could make just about any camera look decent

[@blaspayri]

did you upload the DJI ronin content on Vimeo? in some cases the image quality difference matters ...

[@Hardik_wildlife_filmmaker]

Want to know more about how to setup 70-200 on Ronin Rd 8k.

[@joeynessily]

I’m probably never ever going to buy any camera like this… watch for the lovely footage, music, editing and snippets of London life.

[@gattie12ben]

Great job!

[@retlwiz]

Nice video. Personally I don’t see the point of an 8k doc camera, especially with those large codecs. Most clients are happy with UHD or even HD still, I find. I’d rather have larger dynamic range and faster frame rate options, to be honest. That 4th axis on the gimbal is great - if they sold a gimbal with that I’d be up for it, as well as an independent LiDAR system. Why does it all need to be on a camera?

[@philipbloom]

Lidar is available with the RS3 Pro. I personally love 8K for filming, not this camera as the files are too big. My a1 and a7rv have fantastic images and small files. The ability to crop on a 4K timeline is hugely useful.

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Completely unrelated to the video subject (yet another fine review), but that is an interesting hybrid goose @7:41

[@JJARCHIE]

One day mechanized exoskeleton will come out as a consumer product , at which i assume this ronin 4d will be highly reccomended

[@philipbloom]

@@JJARCHIE i will be long gone hopefully.

[@JJARCHIE]

@@philipbloom not when they invent tech that slows down aging ( one can dream )

[@philipbloom]

@@JJARCHIE bit late for me. I needed that 20 years ago.

[@JJARCHIE]

@@philipbloom time flies huh

[@creativenords]

Calling it a review is a bit weird when DJI paid for it. I have tremendous respect for you Philip, but calling it a showcase would be more appropriate. However thanks for clearly disclosing it! Keep up the good work and give us more videos please!

[@philipbloom]

They paid me to assess the 8K image quality, not for a review video. They get the footage I shot if they want it.

[@creativenords]

@@philipbloom Okay makes sense! Thanks again for great content!

[@samebloke]

Was the entire video filmed in Richmond? The streets look interesting

[@pixelsandpeople]

Hi, when you have a moment would you be able to let me know what you’re using to support your lens? Thanks, Glenn

[@philipbloom]

It’s cobbled together with various bits I have in a drawer. Many of them very old!

[@pixelsandpeople]

@@philipbloom thanks, I have a similar drawer.. have a good week.

[@formatthitech]

A fantastic review with incredible footage!

[@Ozpeter]

I am perhaps alone in watching this review video with the sound muted, but that helps concentrate on the imagery itself, which at the end of the day is the key thing. (I'll listen later!). I guess the constant diet of action-camera style video on KZbin warps one's perceptions, but I found it quite disconcerting to watch a video where in the majority of the shots almost nothing is in focus except the precise subject. But simply looking around the room here or out to the sunny warm Australian garden, I guess that's the way we actually see things with the naked eye. Stimulating video, although I have probably totally missed the point of it. (When people say, we want a "DJI Pocket Pro" then I tend to suggest the 4D...)

[@philipbloom]

Without the music and of course the script you are missing half of the video

[@WalfredoCirne]

Oh, I thought the Laowa 35mm f/0.95 was manual focus?

[@philipbloom]

It is. I say in this video that the lidar autofocus works with manual lenses. I cover this in detail in the original review.

[@shyamde1]

what was that backpack stabilizer arm?

[@lamasteve6905]

Take care of yourself ! Drink tea !

[@vhapre]

How can I watch your video in 8K on KZbin? It's only 4K here.😳

[@codythep]

Oh yeah! Forgot about DRE

[@sharathchandra1023]

Did fuji stopped to publish ur fuji xh2s review?? What happened??

[@philipbloom]

I didn’t finish it.

[@TheProVideo]

Great review on Amazon videos, but I really do not feel that this camera has a good sensor or cinematic look . It looks like iPhone images or some other cheap cameras, not even close to Sony A7sIII or FX cameras. Since the first day, I was positive to buy Ronin D4, but after watching many review videos, I decided not to buy it because of its image quality. It looks overly sharp. Thank you for making these videos. I love your unique style and have been enjoying watching your videos since 2012.

[@FinalGrade]

I mean its 8k downsampled to a 4k output. Its going to look super sharp. This looks like a great sensor. I don't know in what world you think this look like an iphone.

[@covingtonrace1]

DJI are known for sleek packaging, smooth designs, no extra bulk or awkward lumps or bumps. This however is like a futuristic concrete block you hold awkwardly out in front of you and has no discernable structure of user friendly uniformity to its design or construction. For the size of the actual sensor housing and lens the rest is out of proportion. I get that the 4th axis is a tricky one to engineer but i feel they have to reduce its size and blockiness for the mk2.

[@philipbloom]

You used it?

[@mattcarlson12]

@@philipbloom I've used it and I agree. It's INSANELY heavy and gets even more awkward when the 4th axis is sticking out. My back was on fire after just a short time. The Ronin 4D should be sold with an EasyRig Vest or a subscription to the local chiropractor.

[@philipbloom]

@@mattcarlson12mate, have you even seen my original review!? Please do. Thanks.

[@mattcarlson12]

@@philipbloom I have and I feel for your back problems! Figured you'd go tripod for most of this video review, as I would have too.

[@LandOverview]

Quality to lust after, If only it was pocket sized, maybe one day, after all nature can make things small.

[@olsonspeed]

I agree, I am not a fan of the gimbal & arm design.

[@TFOAofficial]

does anyone know which west philip is using in 2:53 ?

[@philipbloom]

Ready Rig

[@doric_historic]

Dang my laptop barely runs 720p...

[@LoneStarDrift]

Bump

[@DiscoverHudsonValley]

Wow!

[@zulfika_]

I love every footage from that beautiful tele lens

[@OhanaFilms]

I just wish it was less expensive

[@simondobbins7509]

Meanwhile I’m watching this on my iPhone 11 in portrait view

[@AfoteyAnnum]

I'm suuuuuper close to buying this camera. But I have reservations. For me, it's the little things like the lack of open gate, or not being able to have waveform AND false color display at the same time, or something suuuuuper simple like not being able to delete single individual clips during playback, being FORCED to use DJI's insanely, ridiculously overpriced SSDs if I want to shoot RAW, etc... Those are all things I can do on a GH6 (save the false color thing), which is THOUSANDS of dollars cheaper. I think those are HUGE missteps that need to be addressed before I can comfortably purchase this thing and really have a truly all-in-one solution.

[@philipbloom]

Sounds like this isn’t for you to be honest.

[@AfoteyAnnum]

@@philipbloom pretty much. A shame, as I really dig the idea of having a gimbal and cinema camera all in one. It's strictly a rental at this point in the device's lifecycle. Maybe the 4D Mark II will have proper quality of life characteristics, because this version is seriously lacking.

[@philipbloom]

@@AfoteyAnnum it’s a first gen product. There’s so much they can do to improve it if they decide to make another one. It’s easily the most stable footage but the huge codecs, heaviness and other limitations would always make me advise people to look at getting a great camera and then get a RS3 Pro.

[@AfoteyAnnum]

@@philipbloom absolutely. It sucks because I really, really, REALLY wanted to buy this thing. Your first video about this was one of the best I've seen, and really piqued my interest some years ago. A shame that in all that time, they haven't addressed these glaring omissions. I already have a bunch of decent cams and a Crane 3s, but I'm tired of rigging lol I just wanted an all in one solution that I wouldn't have to make these kinds of compromises on. I know that there's no such thing as a perfect camera, but we shouldn't be dealing with these kinds of niggling issues at this price point, especially when many of them can be relatively easily addressed with a firmware update or two. Holding out hope for the next version! Would love to actually own one instead of just renting.

[@loganawilliams]

If only a certain RED Patent didn't make a DJI 1D nearly impossible because it wouldn't be able to shoot ProRes RAW at all.

[@philipbloom]

Doesn’t have to have ProRes raw….here you are forced into it.

[@loganawilliams]

@@philipbloom Agreed. But then, data rate of other HQ codecs are a key issue. No 8K ProRes 4444 or even 8K 422 HQ. Yes, H265 is a solution or a 422 LT like you mentioned, but hard limits for a "cinema product."

[@glovearm]

That 8k camera is cheaper than my sony A7siii!

[@philipbloom]

It’s really not! It’s about $13,000!!!

[@glovearm]

@@philipbloom I just priced the sensor module alone. No?

[@philipbloom]

@@glovearm how are you going to make it work with the Ronin 4D body? It’s just the camera head and gimbal. Utterly useless without the camera body.

[@glovearm]

@@philipbloom DJI zen muse x9-8k

[@philipbloom]

@@glovearm yes I know what it is. I made this video about it. Please click the link in the description to buy it to see what it costs to actually get one. Buying the 8K camera head alone isn’t going to get you very far! You need the body and you can only get one with the 6K camera or as the 8K package which is that price I quoted you. Do you not understand this is a modular system and they are separate?

[@aifilmschool]

Gosh, haven't seen you since uni 10 years ago. 😅 You're getting hotter and hotter 😍. 🐻🏳️‍🌈

[@blackskycreative]

but but but.. burano? ;) jkkk

[@superpacman1212]

Great video, but black bar at the top and the bottom of this video is a bit annoying...

[@philipbloom]

Seriously? I take it you don’t watch TV much. 17:9 or 2:1 is a very common aspect ratio.

[@DawnDupponmi]

3:24 I’d forgotten about Mr Smartphone Zombie Douchebag from the last review.

[@mattcarlson12]

RIP to everyone's back who films on this thing. Rented it for a week and HATED how heavy it is.

[@wildwedding]

Only 14 min? Phil, how can I take you seriously. Needs one more hour of cat footage and people freezing by the river.

[@rumorscameras]

hi, doing your course on mzed now, few things i have questions about how do we communicate on the platform or is it a dead type platform where u just watch ?