Not all three axis gimbals will offer the type of performance you need when you’re shooting. Many are difficult to adjust and balance, making them a poor choice for beginners. Additionally, it’s tough to find a decent gimbal that won’t hit your wallet too hard.
If budget is your top priority, then this model by DJI may just be the gimbal you’ve been looking for.
The DJI Ronin M is considered the best value for your money and a great investment if you’re on a tight budget and you’re in need of solid gimbal that’s reliable and durable.
The freedom to move a camera in any direction you want in order to get a smooth, clear shot is pretty liberating, especially if you’re using a DSLR camera, which usually suffers from serious shutter issues. This means any type of camera movement must be free from jerks and vibrations. With the Ronin M, you’ll get the type of freedom you’re looking for with optimal results.
Overview and Features
While the DJI Ronin isn’t perfect, this gimbal is still pretty exciting, and a great buy if you’re on a modest budget. It also has the capacity to stabilize and carry a camera up to eight pounds. Basically, it can easily handle any type of DSLR camera as well as some types of cinema cameras. In terms of performance, this gimbal isn’t designed for pro use, however, the gimbal is very beginner-friendly and would be a great choice for newbies in search of a model that’s easy to set up and adjust.
If you’re looking for a pro quality gimbal, click here to read our epic buyer’s guide.
Design
While it has a very basic design compared to higher priced models, the Ronin M is easy to use and offers a solid performance. The Ronin’s design consists of a top bar that the gimbal attaches to in the center. There’s also a couple of vertical grips and a top handle, which can be fixed at any spot on the top bar and rotates three hundred and sixty degrees.
The gimbal’s low-profile design makes this model easy to put together. Assembly time takes approximately five minutes, not including balancing adjustments. The gimbal easily slides, locking into the top handle from which both sides of the top bar are attached via screws.
Battery
Powered by a 3400 MAH Lipo battery, you’ll get six hours of battery life per charge. The battery itself works as an adjustable counterweight.
The battery life is actually pretty good for the price. Higher priced models such as the Varavon Birdycam 2 Gimbal Steady Cam offers a two-hour runtime, so this model’s battery life is pretty impressive.
Balance
Gimbals are known to be difficult to balance. This model is somewhat forgiving, meaning if the gimbal is slightly off it should still work fine. However, the roll axis has a reputation for drifting which can be exacerbated by being off balance slightly. You can fix this issue by restarting the gimbal. Balancing is accomplished without tools and is a process that can take about ten minutes. The Nicama NC-ST Dual Handheld Stabilizer offers a more reliable performance and is designed for pro use, unlike the Ronin M, however, if you’re on a tight budget, this model can be a better option.
This gimbal comes with a remote, so you can roll, tilt, and pan. You can also purchase a thumb controller device which will do the same thing. This is a big deal, especially if you’re learning about newborn photography tips and are in need of a gimbal that features easier, faster finetuning when you’re at a client’s home or out in the field shooting action shots.
App
The DJI Assistant is an app that’s iOS and Android compatible. This app will allow users to easily calibrate the camera, turning the smooth track on and off automatically. You can also adjust how responsive and quick the camera motion and tracking is. This app works okay, but it could use a little refinement, however, navigating it is pretty simple.
Performance
Like all gimbals, using this model takes a bit of a learning curve. The gimbal feels very natural in your hands. It can be turned sideways for briefcase mode, offering more versatility. The motors in the gimbal eliminate most vibration and jerking and small movement.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Three-axis design
- Lightweight
- Decent max payload
- Quick set up
- Good battery life
Cons
- Bars can loosen at times
- Not designed for pro use
- Balancing can be difficult
- Roll drift
Hobby Devil.com Product Rating:
The Ronin M gimbal is a great deal for the price. Featuring a durable, basic design, this model is very beginner friendly. A mirrorless or DSLR camera can be taken anywhere with this model, without any major performance issues. The biggest problem with this gimbal is the roll drift you’ll experience from time to time. In fact, at times it can be a real hassle to reset the gimbal. However, if you use the wireless controller, you should have no problem making adjustments when needed. Overall, the gimbal is easy to use, reliable, and a good choice for beginners. We gave this model a rating of four out of five stars.
