Are Camera Gimbals Worth It – Helping You Make the Most of Your Money

Gimbals more or less revolutionized videography because when you got your hands on something like that, you basically have infinite possibilities of shooting videos. The stabilization provided by gimbals is unrivaled and a lot of people have been spending money on getting something that is solid and works really, really well. However, a lot of people often ask us if camera gimbals are worth it, and that is what we are going to answer today.

Now, gimbals used to very expensive but over the past couple of years, the availability has changed to a point that you can actually buy affordable gimbals too. This makes them a lot more accessible as compared to some of the other options and in this post, we are going to answer for you whether these gimbals are actually worth the money.

What are the Benefits of Using a Gimbal?

Now, since people already know what gimbals are, what we are going to look into is the benefits that are associated with gimbals. This is important aned should not be overlooked at all. After all, if you are about to spend a good chunk of your money, it is better that you look at the benefits associated with something, right. Gimbals are not going to come for cheap and therefore, it is important to know what you are getting into in this section.

1. Gimbals are Excellent for Clean and Smooth Footage

The first thing that you should know is that if you are looking to spend money on gimbals, you are getting something that is going to be excellent for footage. I know, it might sound like some thing that not a lot of people would understand but if you are a videographer, you would need to get your hands on a gimbal because you will get the smoothest possible shots from that and something that will absolutely not go wrong. It might not be the easiest right away, but at least having access to it is going to make life easier for you and the footage that you will get out of it will look super-clean and stabilized.

2. Easier to Use Various Cameras and Lens Combinations 

Another benefit that you are going to get from a gimbal is that it will allow you to use various cameras and lens combinations without any issues that might come in the way. Now, I would suggest that you are taking this with a grain of salt because of one major issue that people often don’t talk about. Gimbals have a payload specifications that give us a glimpse of just how much weight the gimbal can bear before it goes unstable.

So, before you go ahead and decide to put a heavy camera and lens combination on a gimbal that is clearly meant for something lighter, be sure that you are checking the specs. At the end of the day, your main goal should be to find a gimbal that can easily let you carry heavier payloads without having to worry about stability or other problems that could come in the way.

3. Great for All Sorts of Video Work

Moving further, I have noticed that most of the times, people have talked about how gimbals are not suited for something particular but that really is not the case. As a matter of fact, gimbals are perfect for all sorts of video work and have been for some time now. They are easy to use, work really, really well, and they don’t create any sort of issues, either. If you have been looking for something that just gets the job done, then getting your hands on a gimbal is not going to result in any regret.

Regardless of the type of footage you are shooting, a gimbal always gets the job done and does so really well.

4. It is Great for Everyone

Now, this is something that you might scoff at but hear me out. When you are looking at a gimbal, you are looking at something that is great for everyone. Simply put, with a gimbal in hands, you really do not have to worry about anything going wrong or not working out in terms of the shots or footage you are trying to capture. Whether you are a seasoned filmmaker, or a photographer, and even if you are trying to make reels, shorts, or videos for your channels, a gimbal can take your footage to the next level and the best part? It actually is available for smartphones too, so you are never really left behind in terms of functionality. 

Factors to Consider When Buying a New Gimbal 

Now that you know about the benefits of getting a gimbal, the next thing that you have to look into are some of the factors that you should consider when getting a new gimbal. This is something that a lot of people miss out on but don’t worry, we are going to tell you what needs to be done here so you can have a proper understanding. Therefore, let’s not waste time and have a look, shall we? After all, this is only going to help you have a better understanding.

1. Your Budget

Considering how in the modern day and age, there are gimbals that are available in various price points, starting from being affordable and going for all-out expensive. In situations such as this, choosing the right gimbal can be difficult and the best thing that I suggest everyone is to look into the budget beforehand as that would help you a lot when it comes to picking the gimbal you want. Determine the budget, narrow down your choices, and then make a decision and you would be able to pick the right option with ease.

2. The Camera and Lens Weight

The next thing to consider when buying a gimbal is look into the combined weight of the lens and the camera body and match that with what gimbal can support. To get proper answers, check the gimbal’s compatibility list to see whether the gimbal supports the camera and lens you have. This is important because if the support is not there or if you end up exceeding the weight limit, your might not be able to use gimbal the right way.

3. Your Use Case

Another thing to look into is the use case that you are going to have. After all, you are spending money on a gimbal, it would be unfair to get something that you are not going to freely use. Therefore, it is very important that you are investing money on something that is going to help you get the job done and that too, the right way. You can look into various options and scenarios in which you would need the gimbal as that is perhaps the most important factor. So, always be sure that you look into this before going ahead.

4. Getting a 3-Axis Gimbal

Although most of the common gimbals in the market come with 3-axis stabilization, you often run into some offerings that are only 2-axis, and while they are good for almost all the use-cases, if you are looking to remain future proof and have something that is going to last you a long, long time. Go for a 3-axis gimbal so you do not have to upgrade later on. You will get better stabilization, performance, and smoother overall footage.

Tips on Using The Gimbal the Perfect Way

Now that you know what to consider when buying a gimbal, the benefits, the next thing that we want to discuss revolves around some tips that we believe are very important for anyone who is looking to effectively use a gimbal. This might not be for everyone but if you have been struggling with getting a good use out of gimbal, this actually is the way to go. The tips are going to help you develop a level of understand that you want. So, let’s not waste time and have a look, shall we?

1. Keep the Gimbal Close to Your Body

The first thing that we suggest to everyone is that you should always keep the gimbal close to your body when it comes to getting the perfect shots. This is going to ensure that your back is not bearing the brunt of the weight, and you have a better freedom and control over the gimbal itself, and more importantly, you will also have better overall stability.

2. Move Slower

I know the idea of having a gimbal is to stabilize the footage and turn it into something that is buttery smooth but that does not mean that you should be going ahead and making use of faster movements. I would highly advise that you move slower as faster movement would make it harder to keep the subject in frame or even track their movements.

3. Proper Use of your Body

Now, I know that this might sound strange but a gimbal needs to be an extension of your body. Which means that you can actually use your body to go ahead and control gimbal in a better way, and that is why most people suggest making use of their upper bodies to have a better control of the gimbal, which in return results in you getting smoother footage.

4. Walking Backwards

Now, this might actually sound strange but when you are using a gimbal, you may have noticed most people walk backwards with their knees bent. This is an old trick that people use because doing such a movement allows you to step lighter, control the speed of your subject, and actually keep them in frame almost all the time. Ensuring that you are not running into any issues.

5. Keeping the Sensitivity to Low

The last tip that I would give to everyone who is looking to use a gimbal is that you should keep the sensitivity to low on the gimbal. If you go for a higher sensitivity right away, you would end up with footage that is shaky and jittery because the gimbal will be trying its best to react to how you are moving.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion 

If you have been thinking about buying a new gimbal, then getting a proper understanding is important and in this post, we have talked about everything important that you need to know in order to get the right experience with the gimbal. I can assure you that you will not run into any issues once you have read this article, and gone through with a good gimbal.

There are several options available, so you can just pick the one that is right for you and go on with it and that too, without facing any issues that might become a bother for you.