Solo Filmmakers Dream Camera or Worst Nightmare? DJI Ronin 4D

[@keeganstarkey22]

How did you adjust the exposure for the first shot walking from the dark indoors to the bright light outdoors?

[@cammackey]

The dynamic range on the sensor is insane. So I set exposure for the highlights outside to be a pinch under peaking. Then in post I lifted the exposure in the house and faded it out as she stepped outside

[@YCImaging]

The piece you put together with the camera system was fire!

[@cammackey]

Thanks brother 🙏🏽 I appreciate you watching 🤘🏽🪶

i switched from sony a7siii and fx6 to sony a1 and dji ronin 4d ... and the ronin is such a powerhouse ... i love it so much. I love Prores, i love the dynamic range, the handling, the ecosystem with the video transmission and focussing motors etc. i must say it is the best camera peurchase i ever made. IT comes with many compromises but so far there are no deal breakers for me... and there is a learning curve. every button does something important but once you know them all it is an unique and awesome handling that you immediatly miss on other cameras. oh and did you realize the camera basically elimitates the need for a video tripod? good ones cost a thousand dollars upwards just to have smooth pnning and tilting. And since this is a gimbal cam with a steady horizon, a steady ballhead tripod will do !

[@NewsMoto]

this is such an underrated cinema camera! thanks for this review video, hard work is showing!

[@DannyDHidalgo]

Out of all the videos on this camera I have seen, this is the only one that is making me seriously consider this camera. Thank you!

[@cammackey]

😢😢😢😢🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@heartspacefilm]

As far as I have seen, that was your best video work ever! Cinematic is exactly what that set up does and everything else will have to catch up to it! Game changer is for sure the word to use. The other set ups are so big, this is so small compared! Footage looked great!

[@mali_creates]

Dji said I can keep it.... Power of showing people you are great at what you do and also the power of youtube clout🙂

[@cammackey]

I have a very small channel, so I was humbled they said I can keep it. Shooting a music video with it next week. Most likely going to be using the hell out of this thing. Blessings

[@Willieswheels]

I couldn’t agree more. This is an awesome 1-2 crew system. Check out the 7” monitor with grips for tracking/car shots, you can have an AC pull focus with no noticeable lag and control everything on camera. Dual base ISO and full frame too? Mega. Love using the 4D!

[@cammackey]

Gonna get one here soon!!! Just ordered a bunch of stuff for it 😂😂😂😂

[@Mash907]

the short film was insane!!!

[@omartorresfilms]

You’re the man bro! Love the realness and authenticity of your reviews! You rock dude!

[@TheJewellian]

that little film you made is possibly the best thing I have seen you do. Amazing work.

[@savillecreations8046]

Just ordered the 4d 8k and all the accessories. Very excited. Thanks for the video(s).

[@PARISONFIRE]

the power of steady shots man. everyone hopes that handheld stuff is cool to avoid the hassle that comes with stabilizing but look at that and tell me you dont want that pretty much all the time ;D

[@PALALALALALALA]

Just did my first shoot with it last week. Impressive feature, super stable. Negatives : Lidar is lost at + 10meters and if there is any smoke / haze. You need to switch between manual and autofocus. Camera got my arm curf sore at the end of the day. I tends to always frame with the joystick so I tends to have a weird grip on the camera. Beside that it's quite impressive. The most impressive thing is that you can control camera + gimbal + autofocus (click n focus) from distance using the dji transmission in SECONDS without any cables. That alone is just insane. We put the camera on a construction crane to get a top shot.... Control the camera from the ground in seconds.... I N S A N E.

[@cammackey]

Yeah def still a few quirks just as there is with any gimbal system. I haven’t tested the LiDAR system yet personally, gonna try today!!

[@waynosfotos]

So much truth in this video, so many people trash on mechanical stabilised devices. How cool were those fast rotating shots? Loved them. I love gimbals and these type of devices give far more freedom than handheld. A hack i use to get more interesting shots and stop fatigue with gimbals is to use a monopod attached. Loose the brief case handle. You can do high shots, low shots without bending or stretching. You can even rest the gimbal on the monopod in-between shots or shoot from this position. It also reduces fatigue when holding out in front as the monpod acts as a counterweight. Give it a try, you will love it, especially with the DJI Rs3 series that is top heavy.

[@iambenlerner]

DUUUUUUDEE!! That film was so good. Totally sucked me into the story. Forgot what I was watching. Love it!! And the camera looks insane.

[@PaulSprangersCityLimits]

BRO!!! Hell yeah welcome to the party. I knew you would love this camera. 🎉🎉🎉

[@JaredBritt]

Dude. Amazing! You crushed this in every way. You deserve the best, man.

[@Levixwelch]

alright, you're my new favorite youtube creator. damn!!!!

[@DavidWagelmans]

You re as genuine as they come. Yet another awesome video and review ⚡️

[@sergiosanchez2012]

Nice hands on Review... I liked the style of the short film very much. I think the 4D axis is good for some situations but it can get intrusive in others, like for example sometimes the sensores pick up your legs or some object and the thing jumps because doesn't know where si the ground. So You have to build muscle memory to learn when and why turn it on. For the back, I'm using a smallrig strap connected to the handles and it helps distribute the weight and rest the arms

[@cammackey]

I mean jsut with any rig you gotta figure out how to dance with it. I remember when I first tried it a year ago it wasn’t agreeing with me. But we had just took it out of the box practically and didn’t know how to use it haha. But I now that I have my own, pretty took it out of the box and it worked perfectly. So I’m assuming with all the firmware updates and stuff that it’s been more streamlined? But yeah I know what you’re talking about with the jumping. I didn’t experience that at all this time so maybe it was a bug when it was new. This is such a new concept of a camera that I feel early buyers really had to help figure out it’s quirks and seems like DJI has been addressing them

[@thomasfransson]

Great little fashion video! And cool to see "Thing" hanging out at your house

[@SteakANDBurger]

Will not lie, the hand in the top right of the screen scrolling on the laptops at 6:00 got me good

[@cammackey]

Hahah my roomate

[@PhillipSkraba]

Oh yeah, this opens up a ton of creative possibilities! Stunning fashion film, loved it! Still waiting for DJI to send me mine 🤘🏻

[@joshkiddfilms1295]

Owned this cam for a bit…was thinking when you were talking about it vs the Komodo, that maybe cause DJI just sent it to you you don’t realize…a lot of the things needed to make this functional is an extra expense…like batteries are very expensive if you want more than one, you have to buy the other mount to use manual lenses, and it doesn’t come with the focus motor for manual lenses out of the box. This was like at least an additional $500 I believe before it was really super functional in a cinema context…and Pro res raw is an $1000 upgrade so considering it’s price, which isn’t that cheap, you are in well past $8500 after these things and tax. I’m just saying it’s a bit of a commitment financially too

[@cammackey]

I pretty much spent the same amount of money on my full Komodo build out. And it still wasn’t as seamless and easy to use as this whole system. My batteries for the Komodo were $250 each (v mount) which is $100 more expensive than the ronin 4D. With my Komodo I had to buy PL adapter and EF adapters.. still limiting my choices with all the e and l mount lenses that aren’t offered for RF. So I’m saving money plus having more affordable options there (depending on lens choice obviously. But yes pro res raw license is $800. But trust me. I didn’t miscalculate haha. My Komodo kit was expensive af. Not accounting for the matte boxes and NDs, all the rigging parts, all the add ons… it legit comes neck to neck. Of course anyone can argue that you can make a budget setup on the Komodo.. but once again the point is for the same price you’re getting more seamless options on the ronin 4D

[@Grant_Ferstat]

That was awesome man. And, those dogs were so sweet! 🙂

Maybe a shoulder rig with this, you know, to support better the weight. I guess less obnoxious than be using those easyrig with the pole attached to your back and the cable holding the camera.

[@NoahsNostalgia]

that intro piece is sick! canon fd looking great

[@JeffSarita_]

Great on hands review!

[@TheFilmGuyOfficial]

Great work mate! Very impressed by the camera!

[@cammackey]

Wait for the review brother! You’re gonna fall in love with it ;)

[@StephenMcFadden]

Can we get the full length feature of this couple? I'd watch that movie.

[@loweredresolution]

Love the insight Cam! Thanks for the info 🙌🏽

[@imgorbproductions]

Wow that is really cool man

[@MarkDAllen]

Should note that it's an additional $980 license to have the Pro Res RAW. But I agree that after using it I felt like it was the most unique camera experienced I'd ever had.

[@cammackey]

Yes I’ll be touching on that in the full review

[@oliscurra]

Hey man, first off: your opening sequence was totally 🔥. Not just cool camera work, but an engaging creative piece. I cannot wait to see your full review on this camera. Would you please do an "Who this camera is not for?" or similar. I'm starting out in my film journey and enjoying my A7Siii, but mostly tripod or handheld with top grip and I cannot stand my ronin s tbh. I like to keep things super simple and minimal so gear doesn't get in the way of filming and I'm curious what your thoughts are on how intuitive the 4d is, the kind of shelf life you can get out of it and how suitable it is for snappy film production from fashion films such as yours in the beginning as well as more "standard" corporate type shoots. Keep on keepin' on. Cheers dude! 🤙🏾

[@simpleObserver100]

Sweet review! Thanks!

[@MARZILLI]

You are the real deal!!! ❤

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

It’s all true what your saying … A complete solo film makers dream come true. No more standing around.. no more time wasting waiting on crew, producers, all that BS that slows you down when you just want coverage. Why people bad mouth this system is beyond me. The cost of having to build out a film cine cam + an easy rig would cost you 10K + that’s before you put glass on it. With that money you can have a case of premium glass 3 primes + the Ronin 4D. Tell me that’s not a worth while case scenario.

[@jamiebryce6091]

yeah, but did you try to use the active tracking system with sirui Saturn lenses or any animporphic lens? on the ronin 4d and get it to work? its driving me nuts!

[@lonceysbusiness333]

I still think a gimbal's better as it can be underswung, no promised 8k upgrade to date, not compatible with Inspire 3 and too heavy Cheers much anyways 😊❤

[@Eyeofkamau]

Would love a video on your davinci workflow, specifically your node structure

[@Frankhassett79]

Nice job! Ergorig would work perfect with the 4D.

[@andric72]

Ergorig? I dont think so.

[@Filmgoblin]

Yeah when I first saw this camera ....I thought no way this is too crazy and overwhelming and might be a gimmick. But no the Ronin 4d is the real deal. It consistently blows me away at how much is packed in for the price. Just the footage quality alone is a 6000.00 camera but when you add all other functions it is a deal honestly. At 7300.00 after tax you almost have everything you need in one camera. Just release that XLR plate already!

[@cammackey]

1000% that’s a perfect way if explaining it!!!

[@nel-cam]

how do you see yourself balancing the use of this and the fx6? I have the 4D, and love it. But everything else I have is Sony and in a few instances, I feel like the fx6 would've been a better option. So im wondering if you felt they can compliment each other at all? Also, Just bought your 4D lut pack🤞🏽

[@cammackey]

I’m honestly not sure myself. They’re two totally different tools yet they overlap on a lot of things as well. So I’m kinda at this place where I’m like… do I need both of these? Yes.. but maybe not? I have the fx3 as well. So I feel you haha. They’re literally all different tools. But it feel excessive. I know for 100% tho that anything requiring a gimbal.. the 4D will be my rig. And I’ve been having to use gimbals more and more lately.

[@TheNelcam]

Yeah man here’s to hear hoarding! Lol, but for real if there’s an opportunity to have access to different tools, then why the hell not(that’s me convincing myself to just get an fx6 too lol). Keep killing it man, and look forward to your next vid!

[@dudedavid522]

Just got here, ready to hear cam complain for 10 minutes. Love tho Edit, oh he likes it nice

[@elgringoperdido.]

Really a great camera!

[@UKAna6]

6:02 Cameo by THING!!!

[@wildandframes]

Does it shoot raw? I thought they had to take it off because of patent issues.

[@stu9000]

No mention of the image quality? It’s good but not great. Not Komodo level. But maybe good enough?

[@cammackey]

I haven’t tried the pro res raw, but been comparing the fx3 and the Komodo X.. it’s not night and day but you see the quality bump if you know how to push a color grade.

[@GlassfilmWeddings]

your footage is very moody. I keep trying to up the brightness of my screen lol. Already maxed out. Great look tho man. Slog3 is a challange sometimes

[@cammackey]

Slog3 is easy. Try watching a movie on your phone.. it’s gonna be half the brightness of this video 😂. Not everything is suppose to look bright video

[@Abdi_Mohamed_]

such a cool system but how sturdy are those axis? is it as robust as something like a RS3 gimbal. thats my only biggest concern other than that this is a cool concept that i hope they keep developing on the only thing it needs it more mounts to attract people of all users RF sony E panasonic L etc etc

[@cammackey]

You can’t use larger lenses on it but most mirrorless lenses will work. But not sure if you watched the whole video but it had interchangeable mounts and it literally takes seconds to change. You can do L mount, E mount, DL mount, and M mount

[@scottievee7467]

I was tempted with this camera. Especially with the new backpack option to lighten it up. But the image isn't that great. Even with your style added it's not a Komodo or Canon image. Good but not outstanding. I've heard other in-depth reviews and DP's were saying the same thing. BUT, what you did, shot choices, vibe, color is really sweet. Got lucky with the talent too. They had their own thing going. Cool.

[@cammackey]

Talent is my roomate and his gf lol. But man I really disagree. The image is def better then my R5C. It’s up there with the C70 but with the full frame look. It holds up to my fx3 too, looked even better at times. If someone isn’t use to grading different type of log footage then I could see them struggling. But why decent colorist will see all the quality it has. And you gotta look for reviews that aren’t just KZbinrs per say but people in the field

[@scottievee7467]

@@cammackey For sure. I can only go by what I see. Never even held one. You said they are sending you the newest hardware updates. That will probably help the way you shoot in a big way. Keep it up bud.

[@cammackey]

@@scottievee7467 if you go on Vimeo and search you can find a bunch of crazy Hugh end car commercials shot with it. Pretty much any camera that’s $3k plus is going to give crazy image quality (except fir canon since they gatekeep clog 2)

[@scottievee7467]

@@cammackey Haha. Still hating on Canon? I heard someone explain "why" clog2 won't work on the R5c sensor. It made sense. I dunno. I do agree with the giant leaps forward one should be able to get really good images from just about all new cameras. I'm rewatching Narcos on Netflix. Shot on RED Monstro. That is a look. So rich you almost smell the scene.

[@cammackey]

@@scottievee7467 100% cause canon is full of 💩. Explain to me why the R5C gets better dynamic range in raw but in XF-AVC it clips multiple stops in the shadows? You’re telling me they can’t give us the same dynamic range in both formats when every other camera company does? I ain’t buying it haha.

[@JRidgely]

Curious if you would pick this over your FX6?

[@cammackey]

They’re two totally different tools

[@bemboing4338]

If they designed it so it can be shoulder mounted as well, it coud have been a banger.

[@cammackey]

It can. There multiple rigs available for that. I personally wouldn’t run it like that. Kinda defeats the purpose of what I neee it for personally

[@bemboing4338]

@@cammackey yeah man, i only mostly do handheld as well. I mean as an ENG style, if it's readily shoulder mountable they'd easliy get a larger share of the market from broadcast tv to churches which would make this camera even more popular.

[@cammackey]

@@bemboing4338I just got the Tilta float for it haha. Funny they let me keep it and hear I am buying a bunch of ish for it 😂😂😂

[@MyPortfolioNR]

I have one question that I haven't seen anybody cover either on youtube or on a blog/article. I was wondering how many of Sirui's full frame anamorphic lenses (or Great Joy lenses) work on it and if the ronin 4d has got a built in desqueeze?

[@cammackey]

I don’t think any of them. My great joy is PL mount so not even gonna bother to try haha. The Sirui 35mm Saturn or whatever it’s called should work. And the lawoa nanomorphs work, which I’ll be featuring. And yes they have desqueeze in camera, pretty much have every desqueeze option available!

[@MyPortfolioNR]

@@cammackey Ok cool man thanks a lot! looking forward to the full review! ;) keep up the good work!!

[@luggiiiluggiii7179]

wow

[@bertty]

Did you use some kind of diffusion on this?

[@cammackey]

The Sony 45mm had a glimmer glass on it for some of the outdoor shots. Forgot to take it off from my photo use. I usually don’t like diffusion. Rather use haze.

[@bradena.1194]

Thanks for the hands on review. It means a lot to see this rig in action. For this setup, there is a 'flex extension' that separates the gimbal/lens assembly from the body which can be backpacked. That might help out with the weight/balance situation. And kudos to the beautful liver Dalmatian. What a sweetheart. I've had Dalmatians most of my life - I'm on #8 now. Cheers

[@cammackey]

Yup I mentioned the flex a couple times in this video. Hoping to get my hands on it soon

[@NickDelDuca]

Mann I've always thought that Ronin 4D looked cool but the footage always looks whack and I'm not sure why. Yours looks pretty good but I just don't think it's on the level of the FX6, R5, R5C, A7siii/FX3 or even the Panasonic S5ii. I'm not sure if it's just baked in digital compression or over sharpening or what but it just looks like cell phone or GoPro footage with depth of field from real lenses.

[@cammackey]

I HIGHLY disagree. This thing 💩 all over the R5. The dynamic range actually remind me of the C70 but with that full frame look. The BTS was filmed with the FX3 and you can see the 4D handling the colors better. Like the FX3 has a lot of saturation to it where the 4D just looks more natural like it did in real life. Granted I didn’t try to match the grades up. Funny you say the cell phone or GoPro thing.. cause those both use baked in HDR. So you’re probably seeing all the dynamic range lol. But yeah man, I appreciate you always engaging on my channel but you’re wrong on this one bud.

[@NickDelDuca]

@@cammackey You've definitely got a point about the HDR thing. When the detachable cable mount thing came out for the 4D a few months ago a bunch of people I subscribe to made videos about it and I watched all of them... All I could think was that the footage from it looked weird for some reason across multiple videos and the best thing I could come up with was it for some reason looked like phone footage. It very well could be that it has tons of dynamic range. Back in the day I hated HDR photos when they were first becoming a thing. I trust your eye for things so I made the comment because I was interested in knowing if you see the same thing as I do which it's good to know you don't. I don't have the camera or the raw footage to look at either so it's really hard to tell sometimes what's happening between people's color grades, export settings, KZbin compression etc.

[@cammackey]

@@NickDelDuca maybe I’ll release some footage

[@NickDelDuca]

@@cammackey That would be cool, If the image quality is good it's a great option for the price. Maybe a comparison video with the FX6 like you did back with the R5C Raw would be cool. Your footage looks pretty good but like I sad there is a lot of odd looking footage from it out there or at least it is to my eye. I think also some of the people who review just slap a LUT on their footage and I would assume there aren't many LUTs out there for the 4D. Maybe they just used DJI inspire LUTs which probably don't work all that well since it's a different camera. Good idea making your own LUT for it.

[@nyambe]

How can brands afford to give out gear like that?

[@Joseph-nn3xp]

Great film and first impressions review. What’s lenses were you using on the 4D? I’ve shot a couple music videos with the 4D and totally agree with your take. The biggest downside I’ve found is the LiDAR not performing well with haze. It would be nice if DJI gave us a conventional autofocus like Sonys for situations like that. Other than that, the system is a beast for small crews. Links to music videos: The Hum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ_UeqKIq8hkpNE Ghosted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ_UeqKIq8hkpNE

[@cammackey]

Oh bro my Sony lenses have AF with the e mount

[@bigtswana5351]

when you done with the camera would love if u heartly give it to me for free please

[@Bobbylopezcreative]

Too heavy.

[@keysignphenomenon]

[@henakos]

What camera was in BTS shots?

[@cammackey]

Do you mean what camera shot the BTS? Sony fx3

[@henakos]

@@cammackey Yes 👍