We Strapped a Gimbal to our Cinelifter

A lot of different companies have been testing dual-operation gimbals strapped onto cinelifters, and we have been wanting to give it a try for a long time now. We've taken our DJI Ronin RS2 and slapped it on top of our ‪@catalystmachineworks4794‬ Moneyshot Mini V2, attached some control systems and a video downlink, and dual-opped it through a test day. Today wasn't the day that we went for the most epic shots in the world, but we wanted to get the machine out into the wild to see how it would perform.
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[@billmcdonald4335]

The teamwork on your first outing was bodacious, gents. Can not wait to see what you produce with this rig. Gonna be _spectacular._

[@NURKFPV]

Can't wait to keep playing!

[@WestonNey]

Here's my advice as a professional gimbal tech and cinema drone pilot. It's cool in concept, obviously an Inspire or an Alta is the better choice for most of these types of shots. The problem is when you try doing those more intense FPV maneuvers the gimbal is gonna be a pain. I've had nothing but problems trying to use the DJI RS2 and other DJI gimbals for camera car rigs where you have lots of G forces and wind resistance. The DJI gimbals are horrible at compensating for these factors. I find DJI gimbals are useful for handheld purposes only. I've switched to using Freefly gimbals. They handle wind resistance amazingly and remote controlling them is worlds more reliable and smooth. Maybe buy a MoVi M10 or MoVi Pro and mount it upside down on the Moneyshot. Those gimbals are made for drones and do an INCREDIBLE job in high G force and windy conditions. I guarentee they will be way more solid and reliable, and you don't have to deal with DJI's crap.

[@Johow]

I also fly big setups professionally and I feel like there are two things meeting that are not really supposed to be together: a FPV setup and a gimbal with a rather long lens. The shots you are trying to do, are more likely to be done with some of the Freefly drones like the alta 6 or 8 or the big X.

[@definingslawek4731]

I’m a filmmaker, was just choosing between rsc2 and rs2 and I was thinking I’d get the rs2 as it’s a “system” and how it’s better for me as I’ll be able to use it on car mounts, drones and such, as I’ve seen it used around like that a lot. Very interesting hearing from you that it does not excel in those tasks. Thanks

[@WestonNey]

@@definingslawek4731 DJI makes great gimbals for handheld systems but you’re much better off getting a used gimbal from Freefly if you want something that will be able to handle more extreme conditions such as car and drone mounting. The DJI Ronin 2 is also good for car stuff but at $8000 I’d just go with a MoVi and get better performance for a cheaper price.

[@jon_collins]

Yeah I noticed some issues in these shots, not bad for alpha tests tho.

[@WestonNey]

@@jon_collins yeah for sure I just don’t think the DJI is up to the task. I can’t tell you how many DJI gimbals I’ve had crap out on a shoot, I don’t trust them anymore. I think if they put a MoVi on there and hook it up to the Futaba it would be a killer setup! Also more simple and reliable. Excited to see what comes next!

[@pacificnorthwestpilots6050]

Wow, that is dope! How about ELRS 2.4 for the gimbal? You could drop the hz down and have control for any situation.

[@ChrisParayno]

You would need to hack the gimbal right?

[@alexburrows202]

Imagine using that setup for that mind bending (and notoriously expensive) train vid. ;)

[@NURKFPV]

Right???

[@mannythehunter]

Those fade away shots with the camera person pointing the camera backwards is probably the safest way to get that shot. Used to be able with a typhoon h but when I upgraded to the mavic pro series there's no rear sensors and your flying line of sight.

[@skydogfpv]

I love how we've been seeing these gimbal setup on the lifters page but have yet to see the real world problems introduced when throwing a gimbal on top of an fpv drone until now. Thanks for the full breakdown of what's actually being done here and the depth of what it takes to make it right. I know your not quite at the final stage yet but did you or Neill have to make any tuning adjustments? I can imagine the movement of the heavy rig up top can really throw off cg and or cause some serious twitches in the gimbal itself.

[@brunobuss2711]

Hello! It's possible to simultaneously transmit to two different CSRF receivers at the same time with a single transmitter - I have done this for a MoVI Gimbal in the past! You'd need to find a way to delegate channel inputs between the drone pilot and camera operator but it should be entirely possible. One improvement might be to get a camera cage and mount a small v-mount battery for higher rigidity as that impacts the gimbals performance significantly. I look forward to the future videos of this build! :)

[@PowerheadProductions]

Assuming you do not have the optional GPS module on there for the RS2, that is the reason your horizon is tilting when you are pointing the camera sideways to your direction of movement. It's an issue with the gimbal in motion that we have to deal with when mounting it on vehicles.

[@fossil98]

Those quadruple double axii antennae look so frickin alien.

[@NURKFPV]

It's the best

[@VisionCommunications]

Fellow Indy hometown Nurk has gone to another level- once again!

[@Flyit37075]

Strap DJI Air unit on a Mavic 3 and fly , it works really well for proximity flying in sport mode, FPV mode.

[@javagadro]

Thank you!

[@NURKFPV]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@sleepyheadfpv1507]

That intro is insane. You should help JB out on making a badass one.

[@LourieJacobs79]

That shot at 18:57 with the sun right on the opposite shore line 😍

[@ShermanKenB]

I think that's pretty dang cool! Since getting accustomed to building my own fpv and camera it's liberating to not have to wait on a manufacture to produce what you need. Doing the same thing with camera drones would be the perfect next step to me.

[@Finalmile_FPV]

That’s just epic. With the separated gimbal power source and full 360 independent motion the possibilities are endless. Especially the object tracking to lookbacks. Man

[@mikestrout]

I love this setup. I think a sweet shot would be... Fly considerably above and behind someone riding a bike down a tree-covered curvy road. At a point where there is a gap in the trees, drop down to rider level, 20' behind him, then do a smooth orbit around the biker until you are ahead of him and the camera is looking back at him. Finally, punch through the trees on the right side of the road and slow to 75% of the biker's speed to get a great parallax shot as he disappears into a wall of tree trunks.

[@NURKFPV]

That's something nothing else could do for sure!

[@sleepyheadfpv1507]

That intro is insane. You should help JB out on making a badass one. Also. You are Jedi right? No way you are in the Imperial Galactic Empire?

[@mafiafpv3469]

Omg this is awesome you’re awesome Nurk so brilliant 🙏🙏🙏

[@Fincky]

Really fun to see you guys trying to figure this thing out! I've noticed a few things that I might be able to help you out with so feel free to give me a call any time and we can discuss it

[@dougcooper4917]

Excellent Video and Very Interesting. Thank You.

[@ism6938]

Man that’s hella dope! Great work !

[@LouSheppard]

This is AMAZING!

[@fatdogfpv9347]

Awesome job

[@PeterRospond]

Very cool stuff Paul!

[@GeordieMilne]

Great communication between you two! :D

[@jeffhudson1744]

Really liked it.

[@testi2025]

Would love to see a short colour graded film of these shots.

[@majerpe]

Are you guys doing PART 2 of this video? Its AWESOME

[@OriginaldoBo]

Been considering this but haven’t seen the up’s and downs till this! You are a freaking legend

[@fluoxethine]

It should have been done many years ago. People were sceptic and even making fun of such idea. FPV community is often ignorant. Thank you for breaking ice

[@slothFPV]

this is literally like an fpv attack chopper setup, if cam op had head tracking would be just like flying an apache with a gunner. sickkkk

[@shannonreddaway1803]

Hey Nurk, Aerial Gimbal guy here tv/tvc/cine, I want to play with this! 🤣 Re the ‘stepping’, having played with this stuff a bit, I’m thinking the Ronin’s yaw pot isn’t ‘seeing’ linearly, guessing it’s got a bit of residual ’follow’ built in and it’s acting a little like an expo maybe. To maxi the heads new abilities.. bridge fly through, car goes over, the cam lookup going under and finds car on the other side for a follow shot or head on shot to out. :) Fun options inside that little toy for sure!! Keep playing!

[@erictidmore8047]

Can only imagine how loud this is with all the added weight

[@classGfpv]

Dual Op FPV bay-bee!!!

[@NURKFPV]

Let's gooooo!

[@nicolabertato5450]

To solve the horizon alignment problem, just get the DJI GPS module for the ronin 2 and the USB c to can cable. I solved all those issues on my setup this way.

[@NURKFPV]

Can you provide more details of your setup? Since we filmed this we've gotten the gps module, but it doesn't really seem to change anything, nor can we tell if the GPS module is actually working or connected to the Ronin via the app..

[@sandcrabronco]

Awesome work gents! Stay outside the box, lovin it! An Inspire can't fly that cam...

[@NURKFPV]

1000%

[@Wiredup00784]

This is an amazing project and a great idea. Please keep us updated and keep putting out great content!

[@skyweaver3199]

Amazing work as always Paul. You are breaking the rules left and right.

[@artoffpv2438]

That's really impressive. Keep up the amazing work.

[@NURKFPV]

Will do! Thanks for checking it out!

[@alanmacphee7867]

gold, congratulations 🥰🥰🥰

[@TailSpinRCSpain]

Well done Paul and Winston, it looked so top-heavy, but flew amazing.

[@baggszilla]

WOW Nurk! You and Winston are the pioneers of FPV Cinelifters! Keep it up guys. Pretty soon every major 🎥 will have FPV shots.

[@NURKFPV]

Trying to find new things to try!

[@thePGraph]

It's my old project - to make heavylifter drone with mighty gimbal and big camera)) And for camera control I want to use a "dummy cam" with head tracker inside it.

[@traviscook5144]

I love your intro bro. Great video 🤙🏻

[@Latchfpv]

Awesome idea and execution. I'm sure you guys can refine that some to get the kinks out and make it a smoother video, but what is here shows amazing potential, and you can already get some really incredible shots that you can't otherwise.

[@koorbmeh]

Wishing we had cinema quality 360 cams.

[@NURKFPV]

It will never quite get there because you can't stitch stuff that's heavily motion blurred

[@skydogfpv]

360 cams are super cool but imo they're kind of a one trick pony and seem to be mostly used for BTS. I cant imagine major R&D going into a product that's going to get such little use in it as cool as they are.

[@Mi78]

Now we need the ArduPilot/iNav guys program some sick routes and then the camera can do some preprogrammed shots. Like that tilt shot Nurk tried to do.

[@NURKFPV]

Would be insane

[@curlyexcile]

This is fire awesome work guys.

[@cd_924]

I would love to see how this setup works. Please do an in depth video on it!

[@dagalpup1278]

3:58 how I feel every day but I still fly 24/7 🤣

[@jortsaldenproductions]

Nice job! it reminds me of the alta from freefly

[@tictacturkey3367]

Nurk going for that Ned Kelly beird.

[@YorkyPoo_UAV]

This is great... I hope it goes far. So far I like the one axis gimbal on FPV more

When calibrating the gimbal it needs to be fixed to the surface, meaning that I you have dampeners, which you said you had, that will make the calibration way worse (since the gimbal jiggles more due to it being soft mounted,IF that was the case). So instead just take it if the drone and calibrate with the normal handle and then put it on the drone :)

[@liftedmediamarketing]

Can't wait to see where this goes!

[@NURKFPV]

Same I'm in love!

[@jacobblomdahl557]

I totally see the potential in this, especially with all of Vanover's recent film publicity haha, this is totally awesome!!

[@NURKFPV]

It's an amazing time for drones!

[@charleselliott3109]

I hope you guys get to do the remake of EXCALIBUR!

[@1234GOPRO]

Maybe now the DOPs/ camera crews in La will listen to good advice. Although it’s hard to hear w/the huge LA size sticks stuck in their arses, and quite proud of how much they can take. Glad to see you found some cooperation through the years of some really good flying.

[@elevatedmediagroup]

I can def see the potential. I think that maybe there needs to be some adjustments made to the gimbals parameters such as dead-band and smoothness and you'll be golden.

[@NURKFPV]

Yep we gotta get that all dialed

[@boltonperry9227]

Love your vids!! You are really good in front on the camera, also a badass pilot!!!

[@charlesc7020]

Gotta do some more lighte writing with that setup pry do some cool stuff

[@400080vikkash]

You guys should maybe try out the raveneye on the rs2 and have the dji software do active track to get smoother shots??

[@kevinkillsit]

Well done, Enjoyed watching the critical thinking and problem solving. Always wanted to build one of these.

[@bikamm2485]

Holy damn crap....that drone is epic

[@NURKFPV]

It's pretty wild!

[@YQVN35]

It totally works.. Just like a headtracker but with a CO pilot instead.. Fucking awesome result.

[@NURKFPV]

very excited about the results we're getting so far.

[@jeffcopus]

Nice. I look forward to the follow up videos. I would be interested to here what the procing would be on a system that "already" does this, vs your setup that you eventually are happy with.

[@NURKFPV]

We can't wait for the next steps

[@yo_boi_john4471]

I have been wanting to try idea for the past 4 years but I do not have a drone.

[@ku-hc5dl]

I want to see more.

[@medienmond]

You will get even more out of it, if using a zoomable lens you are able to control remotely.

[@paulroyle-grimes8279]

Do a flip with the gimbal on there……gimbals love that.

[@amen_ra6926]

That was pretty cool. I was wondering with the gimbal so high, how much does it affect flight characteristics with that CG? This will be a real nice addition to film making.

[@spartan3299]

Can Am Racing bikes with their lean and the track bank, the parallax of the pits with bikes exiting the pits. Parallax of bikes traveling oppositely on other areas of the track at various speeds and directions. Low verses higher shots.

[@BurtonBrah]

Please do a video on the sbus controller for the ronin !!!

[@skycontrolproductions]

going forward with drone 360 with gimbal .....

[@showshow8804]

im pretty sure you need to keep the RS2 pointed within a certain amount of degree to the front or back of where the drone will be pointing to not confuse the algorithm in the RS2. The drastic wind changes and weight shifting makes it very difficult for the gimbal to compensate. Maybe try more of a helicopter flight pattern and imagine that the rs2 is on the front or back of the helicopter - should technically be better than what you're doing right now.

[@gilroyvlogs]

Paul please point me to some resources on how to get the Radio to control camera connected to RS2 :) Love you long time!

[@NURKFPV]

Super easy! Tons of instructions online. Just search rs2 sbus setup

[@DrFrantic77]

... still love the Y Hexa design

[@ugugsol6044]

this is fucking sick

[@dfgaJK]

Plz do a close and low orbiting shot on the outside of the pillars like the one you did close and low but swap to orbiting inside using the size of the drone to weave between the pillars mid orbit

[@cire30a]

im in the same boat with desiring more than inspire. need to go through your channel, do you have videos on setting up a heavy weight?

[@jaredaugust2879]

can you do a build guide on a heavy lift quad

[@tofu10FPV]

bro awesome!!! whats the flight time

[@BjarneLindqvist]

So cool! Would a second DJI setup mounted on the gimballed camera give less latency? You would of course not get wysiwyg in the googles, but maybe it's enough to point in the right direction at least. You could even use the DJI controller as control link.

[@NURKFPV]

This will be part of the second video 😅😅

[@ceazy1861]

have you tried to use activetrack of the RS2 for your paralax shot?

[@RCinginSC]

What about using 2.4ghz ELRS on gimbal control ?

[@NURKFPV]

Interesting thought for sure

[@sky-cats]

Most of your Audio is in Left channel... in post you should do FILL AUDIO TO RIGHT Channel (if using premiere - its stock effect)

[@onepunchndown]

I have an original Ronin S and it has a "car mode" adds some more power to the gimbal motors. Maaaaybe it would help maintain a level horizon when at speed?

[@sekouessoexcesvi3349]

Pardon envoie moi un de tes anciens Drones j'aime trop ce que tu fait !! Wawwwwwww

[@crank_FPV]

okay is there any way to set this up with a TX16s and elrs for example/ i dont own a futaba although im ready to buy one to do this lol. i def would love a how to or bts setup video in the future if you guys have the time LOL thanks man

[@flexboardseu]

Hey. Can you try this with a Gremsy T3 they are more made for this things. I installed a T3 once on my siccario. Personally love my Acecore Zoe a bit more with an fpv on that one. I also use tracer to control the gimbal. Hope you find a perfect setup. Awesome video anyway. You show everyone now that a gimbal is not just plug and play on a drone. 🙌🙌👍

[@devinfowler8010]

Ever use the nightingale drones?

[@IanCresswell]

The gimbal is not holding horizon because of g-forces. This is a common issue with all gimbals, but especially with ground based gimbals being used in high g environments like on a car going 60mph or on a drone doing quick directional changes.

[@PkwyDrive13]

All I noticed was that the TX16S looks tiny in your hands 😂

[@dark_noone9287]

I think that you need a some sort of movement smoothing to get the most out of this system. But overall it's so impressive

[@NURKFPV]

We just need smoother thumbs for now

[@dark_noone9287]

@@NURKFPV that might work too

[@BaliDroneServices]

Dear Nurk, Can you please spill your exact hardware of your gimbal setup on this video. I really wanma try your setup on Taurus or Lumenier. Thanking you in advance. Regards from Bali Island.

[@wikistar3955]

What will you choose between X and Y type frame and why????

[@joshuamelton8773]

Hey Nurk! So I'm stepping up my game. Going to put the ronin rs3 pro on a 10 inch cinelifter. Do you have a suggestion for a good 10 inch frame? Thank you for all your content.

[@evanhankin7309]

Omg.. amazing work guys. I noticed something (while viewing on a 50 inch 4k screen). When Nurk operated the cam/ gymbal, the shots looked better, smoother, somehow different in composition. Shouldn't be like that as Nurk is a drone pilot. Possibly he has a lighter touch/ pre-empts the drone path and direction from a more experienced point of view. Maybe something to explore more. Ah... On looking at it a few times I think I have spotted the cause of the improvement. You guys have simply started to get your coordination better via a more specific set of verbal ques. Just happened to be Nurk on the gymbal at the time. But I still get the feeling he operates the stick on the gymbal a little lighter.. Oh... What to test it on? Try A few dirt bikes on a closed track with high jumps... should illustrate the possibilities. I would suggest Mountain bike down through a forest, but that's a whole lotta crashes to consider... I'm so out of my league with what you are achieving here, but I know enough about the quality to spot how exciting it is. (Just wow!) All the shots, just wow. New possibilities. Pushing boundaries.!

[@NURKFPV]

Can't wait to get it back out for more testing!

[@subiwrx1]

Wait just one question that google antenna set WTF i want to know more :D

[@hazonku]

I think you guys are just asking too much of that Ronin. I feel like a MoVi would be better suited to the task but so far it's looking really good.