DBounce Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I'm looking into a 3 axis gimbal and have decided to give the beholder DS1 a try. Anyone have experience with this model? If so what are your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NX1user Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I've been eyeing that one too because it seems like the only sub-$1000 gimbal that can handle the NX1 16-50 S lens combo. This guy has the DS1 NX1 16-50 S combo and has been posting videos that look pretty good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Antonescu Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I'm interested as well. It's the smallest gimbal which lets you use the flip screen on the GH4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 I'm interested as well. It's the smallest gimbal which lets you use the flip screen on the GH4.plus it can handle 3-4lbs. I have one on the way. I'll be sure to post a report. Will be flying a NX1 and A7R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Antonescu Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 plus it can handle 3-4lbs. I have one on the way. I'll be sure to post a report. Will be flying a NX1 and A7R.Cool, thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRenaissanceMan Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Look forward to hearing your thoughts, DBounce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 So here is the long and short of it. The Beholder DS1 is heavy. It can get some very smooth shots, but you will be challenged to keep the shot on target for more than a very short while due to the weight. Additionally, I noticed something unexpected, certain movements can cause the unit to freak out. This results in a type of fast micro-jitters, that will appear as jerky image artifacting. I wanted this unit to work smoothly. I do not know if this behavior is normal or if the unit is defective. But I can tell you normal handheld seems more pleasing to my eyes, despite being less smooth. Normal handheld just seems more organic. Cinegain and MaxKitaev 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animan Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 So here is the long and short of it. The Beholder DS1 is heavy. It can get some very smooth shots, but you will be challenged to keep the shot on target for more than a very short while due to the weight. Additionally, I noticed something unexpected, certain movements can cause the unit to freak out. This results in a type of fast micro-jitters, that will appear as jerky image artifacting. I wanted this unit to work smoothly. I do not know if this behavior is normal or if the unit is defective. But I can tell you normal handheld seems more pleasing to my eyes, despite being less smooth. Normal handheld just seems more organic. any chance to compare with a light(er) camera? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 any chance to compare with a light(er) camera?honestly, I think the gimbal, while sturdy, is just plain heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NX1user Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 So here is the long and short of it. The Beholder DS1 is heavy. It can get some very smooth shots, but you will be challenged to keep the shot on target for more than a very short while due to the weight. Additionally, I noticed something unexpected, certain movements can cause the unit to freak out. This results in a type of fast micro-jitters, that will appear as jerky image artifacting. I wanted this unit to work smoothly. I do not know if this behavior is normal or if the unit is defective. But I can tell you normal handheld seems more pleasing to my eyes, despite being less smooth. Normal handheld just seems more organic. What are the movements that make it freak out? Have you posted to their Facebook page with your observations? I'd also like to know if you got a defective unit or if that's normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 What are the movements that make it freak out? Have you posted to their Facebook page with your observations? I'd also like to know if you got a defective unit or if that's normal.Panning seems to do it. Worst still, when this happens it makes the footage useless. Don't get me wrong, when it's smooth, it's very smooth. But it just seems hard to get shot of more than a few seconds before it all goes to pot. MaxKitaev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NX1user Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Panning seems to do it. Worst still, when this happens it makes the footage useless. Don't get me wrong, when it's smooth, it's very smooth. But it just seems hard to get shot of more than a few seconds before it all goes to pot.That sounds like it's defective or needs to be calibrated. That's a drag for you no matter what the cause though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grisnjam Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 That sounds like it's defective or needs to be calibrated. That's a drag for you no matter what the cause though.Yeah that does not sound right, was it well balanced? I have a DS1 arriving this week and I will report on my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Yeah that does not sound right, was it well balanced? I have a DS1 arriving this week and I will report on my experience.it seemed well balanced. Really not sure what to make of it. I was sold on the idea of these single handed gimbals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowfun Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I use mine with the rx1004 (using a Kirk to Arca QR to add weight). It balances perfectly. And it functions as it should - you can't adjust the pan speed or anything but that's not an issue if you predict movement. But my unit also has moments when it goes beserk - vibrates furiously and needs to be switched off. Hideous when it happens. Possibly caused by moving the handle off vertical too much? Unfortunately cannot be used inverted (I wanted close to ground shots).Tim MaxKitaev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animan Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 honestly, I think the gimbal, while sturdy, is just plain heavy.ok! but i meant more to see how it affects performance, what lens/camera combo are you using? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBounce Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 ok! but i meant more to see how it affects performance, what lens/camera combo are you using? thanksI'm flying a samsung nx1, with S lens. The camera by itself is heavy, with gimbal very heavy. For one handed use unpleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animan Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I'm flying a samsung nx1, with S lens. The camera by itself is heavy, with gimbal very heavy. For one handed use unpleasant.I can imagine yes.. I think with a small camera (LX100, RX100 etc) you might have a different experience both with the functionality and practicality but havent tried myself so cant say for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anti12 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Hopefully mine will arrive tomorrow.Some pid tuning tips for Beholder DS1 and Alex Mos Gimbals: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NX1user Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I use mine with the rx1004 (using a Kirk to Arca QR to add weight). It balances perfectly. And it functions as it should - you can't adjust the pan speed or anything but that's not an issue if you predict movement. But my unit also has moments when it goes beserk - vibrates furiously and needs to be switched off. Hideous when it happens. Possibly caused by moving the handle off vertical too much? Unfortunately cannot be used inverted (I wanted close to ground shots).TimI'm pretty sure I read or saw in a review video that the DS-1 does have an inverted mode. Of course I couldn't find what I was thinking of, but I did find a pic of someone using it in inverted mode on the owldolly website:http://www.owldolly.com/blogs/news/81089028-ds1-and-ms1-stock-update-sony-a7sii-with-ds1-review-videoMaybe shoot them an email asking how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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