First impressions review of Zhiyun’s Crane 3S gimbal for pro videographers.
(Disclosure: We were gifted this gimbal by Zhiyun but received no payment or instructions to be particularly kind in this review, as always we review what we feel can truly add value to any creative’s arsenal, whenever we dislike a piece of gear, we don’t waste your time talking about it.)
In recent years I’ve been delving deeper into videography. While photography will always be my main game, I have produced many short videos for companies including Adidas, Heineken, Peugeot… And now, our current location in the British countryside has opened up masses of videographic opportunities we just didn’t have before.
My curious, creative mind is always looking for new challenges. Being rural means we have the space and freedom to play and create - no complaints when it comes to flying the drone around and a time lapse can more or less be left alone to take care of itself while I stay warm inside with a mug of tea without worrying the camera is at risk of being nicked!
I’ve passed that amateur phase with video and I’m ready to level up. Until now, I’ve been shooting mostly handheld, combined with static shots with the help of a tripod. There is so much that can be achieved with this basic set up but it does have its limitations. No matter how hard I try to master the stealthy crab walk, my footage just isn’t as smooth and stable as I’d like it to be.
So, meet my solution: the Zhiyun Crane 3S. A 3 axis stabliser that has been created with filmmakers in mind.
I still use the Zhiyun Crane M combined with various iterations of the Sony’s RX100 series and it’s been the perfect entry-level gimbal, giving me an understanding of how a gimbal behaves, however, it can’t carry my Sony A7RII.
To be able to combine the shooting quality of the Sony A7R series with the stability of a gimbal will be a game-changer when it comes to being able to capture the footage I’m striving for.
Sliding off the packaging reveals a very slick, lightweight carry-case. Carrying this around town would give off some serious spy vibes.
A follower on Instagram saw my photo of the opened case and thought I’d gone into contract killing!
Popping it open reveals snugly packed contents, a place for everything and everything in its place and you immediately notice that Zhiyun have stayed true to their focus on versatility and cross-compatibility. They’ve gone the extra mile here and included a number of accessories and mounts to aid in accommodating a wide range of camera set ups, from Mirrorless and DSLR to CINE cameras. Just a few adaptations will allow for connection to a motorised dolly, jib, cable cam, Easyrig, etc.
Initial thoughts after unpacking the stabiliser: panic. I think to myself that I might have made the wrong decision here. This gimbal is aimed at serious filmmakers with professional cine gear. I make my way to the Zhiyun website which plays host to a number of video tutorials, trouble-shooting and showing the camera in action. Relief, deep breath, keep calm and carry on. I work through the tutorials one by one (I can still hear *that* intro music) and after a bit of perseverance I’ve managed to balance, calibrate and connect the camera. Now I’m ready for the fun part!
TIP: There are many very well made videos from Zhiyun Crane 3S users on YouTube and I recommend you watch them in tandem with the official Zhiyun videos. It makes for a much more complete understanding.
Important Note: I highly recommend you immediately update the Zhiyun Crane 3S’ firmware before you begin any setup. That advice goes for any piece of gear to be fair. Companies release gear and often immediately make improvements based on customer feedback. These improvements are in the latest firmware.
Turning the Crane 3S on for the first time is quite a moment, you get a true sense of the power of this rather compact beast. Its motors don’t break a sweat under the weight of my full frame Sony mirrorless fitted with a large lens and could take a whole lot more with a maximum 6.5kg payload. It has also stood up to the roaring winds that have torn through our neck of the woods this Spring.
Now while we’re talking about weight, it’s important to note that this set up is on the slightly heavy side. I couldn’t walk around London for hours filming with this gimbal but hey, it’ll save me that gym membership and in no time I’ll be selling tickets to the gun show.
I opted for the SmartSling handle bundle which features an intuitive control panel and OLED screen that allows for direct camera and gimbal adjustments. I would recommend this as otherwise, changing the modes would have you awkwardly reaching around the front of the gimbal.
However, you can get around this by using the Zhiyun app, which essentially allows you to control the gimbal from your phone. The app has a number of other great features that I’m looking forward to trying out including time lapse, long exposure and slow motion. From what I’ve heard, the app has been known to be temperamental (at the time of publishing, the app store rating is 2.6 - yikes!) however I’ve not experienced any issues so far.
There are eight different shooting modes, each inspiring creativity in their own way. ‘GO’ mode is impressively sharp and fast, great for capturing quick movements and action shots while the Vortex mode allows you to create those dizzying 360 spinning shots that leave you feeling well … a little dizzy! The panning and follow modes are helping me achieve exactly what I set out too; smooth, stable and focussed shots.
Each time I pick up the Zhiyun Crane 3S I get more comfortable and more familiar with it.
PROS: Packed with features which will boost your creativity. Considering the features, the Zhiyun Crane 3S is an incredibly affordable pro gimbal option and it’s portable, it’s the perfect solution for the stage I’m in with my film-making; I’m ready to start capturing some serious, professional footage but not quite ready to fork out thousands on my equipment.
CONS: Setup is tricky and requires one to be patient and thorough with tutorials at times a little hard to follow. It’s heavy, but not unmanageable and the more I use it, the stronger I get! After all a gimbal will always make a setup heavier, there’s no two ways around it.
I’m really excited to start putting this gimbal through its paces and take the work I produce to the next level - just as soon as the wettest and bleakest May on record is over and I can get out there to start capturing footage that will do justice to this really enjoyable piece of kit.
I hope you enjoyed reading my honest thoughts.
You can find out more about the Zhiyun Crane 3S on the Zhiyun website but if you want to see the gimbal in action then head directly to:
Video filmed with the Zhiyun Crane 3S gimbal.
Until next time,