DJI often knocks us sideways with cutting-edge innovation à la the Ronin 4D, however it’s often simply refining present merchandise to remain forward of rivals. That applies to the brand new RS4 and RS4 Professional gimbals, which boast a number of enhancements over the earlier RS3 fashions, significantly within the measurement and capability of cameras they will help, however no new standout options.
Nevertheless, the corporate additionally unveiled the Focus Professional, a brand new model of its LiDAR focus system that works both standalone or with the RS4 Professional. This product is extra on the cutting-edge aspect, including a number of latest capabilities to the corporate’s gimbal and digital camera programs.
DJI RS4
The mainstream RS4 gimbal is basically the identical because the final mannequin, with a carrying capability of 6.6 kilos (3kg) that accommodates most mirrorless cameras and a very good load of equipment. Nevertheless, the lean axis has been prolonged 8.5mm in comparison with the RS 3, providing you with extra balancing area for longer lenses or front-heavy add-ons like ND filters. It additionally makes use of DJI’s newest 4th-gen stabilization algorithm for improved smoothness and management.
The RS4 can pair with the brand new Focus Professional Motor (extra about that in a sec), permitting clean focus and lens zoom changes at a pace 30 p.c sooner in comparison with the unique DJI Focus Motor. As earlier than, it makes use of dual-mode Bluetooth tech so you possibly can pair with and management a number of cameras.
One other new characteristic is improved stability in vertical capturing, steadying jolts for the influencer crowd even when strolling or working. The redesigned gimbal horizontal plates permits for “seamless transitions to vertical shooting,” the corporate stated, permitting for extra effectivity in video creation (to allow you to rapidly get out an Insta Story whereas filming, for instance).
As earlier than, it comes with computerized gimbal locking and unlocking for ease of use, together with Teflon coatings on all three axes for clean operation. A brand new joystick mode swap permits you to change from zoom to gimbal management and the customizable set off can rapidly activate the FPV mode.
The RS4 helps a number of equipment through the RSA communication port, together with DJI’s RS Tethered Management Deal with and third-party choices (DJI has an SDK protocol for the RS household). IT additionally helps the brand new BG70 Excessive-Capability Battery Grip that extends runtime to 29.5 hours with a 2.5 hour cost time (in comparison with , whereas supporting energy supply to digital camera and USB-C equipment.
Lastly, the RS4 helps DJI’s Ronin Picture Transmitter, delivering live-action high-definition feeds to different crew members and permitting for remote-control (focus, and so on.) capabilities.
DJI RS4 Professional
The RS4 Professional ups the carrying capability to 10 kilos (4.5kg) as earlier than, whereas including aspect handles and further mounting factors for equipment. It provides a 20 p.c motor torque enhance to all axes (in comparison with the RS 3 Professional) to permit for extra responsive monitoring even with heavy cameras and equipment.
DJI additionally launched a automotive mount mode, optimizing the stabilizer for automobile shoots, whereas updating vertical capturing functionality and enhancing axis locks. Just like the RS4, it has DJI’s newest 4th-gen stabilization algorithm that is significantly useful for fast-moving scenes when carrying a heavy digital camera.
The first new functionality is performance with the Focus Professional LiDAR and Focus Professional Motor system, giving cinematographers autofocus functionality even with handbook focus lenses. It additionally helps distant management and picture transmission, “allowing for remote gimbal operation and intelligent focus assistance,” based on the corporate.
“In collaborative team shooting, the gimbal operator can control the RS 4 Pro gimbal through devices such as the DJI Master Wheels, DJI Ronin 4D Hand Grips, and DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor. Meanwhile, the focus puller can enable LiDAR Waveform on the High-Bright Remote Monitor for intelligent focus assistance, precisely controlling focus using the Focus Pro Hand Unit,” DJI says.
DJI Focus Professional
For creators and cinematographers, the Focus Professional is probably the most intriguing product on this launch. It is a LiDAR focus system consisting of the Focus Professional LiDAR unit, Focus Professional Grip, Focus Professional Motor and FIZ Hand Unit. It offers the operator autofocus functionality even with handbook lenses, or lets them focus manually through a real-time view from the LiDAR’s perspective.
The grip has a full-color touchscreen, 2.5-hour energy provide, intuitive visible operation, auto-calibration and information storage for 15 lenses, together with Bluetooth functionality for simple begin/cease recording. The LiDAR, in the meantime, helps focus at as much as 20 meters (thrice greater than earlier than), and has an ultra-wide 70-degree view for focus. IT has 76,800 ranging factors and a 30Hz refresh price to reduce focus searching and guarantee dependable focus.
Autofocus contains AF topic recognition and monitoring, adjustable focus pace and selectable focus space modes, very like an everyday mirrorless AF system. The AMF (auto-manual focus) mode, in the meantime, permits for fast switching between handbook and autofocus for tough capturing eventualities. It additionally helps digital camera or focus operators by displaying the LiDAR waveform. I attempted one thing related with the Ronin 4D, and whereas it takes some time to get used to, it is very efficient.
The FIZ Hand Unit permits full distant management over focus, iris and zoom for focus pullers. It makes use of stepless real-time damping for clean management, whereas letting the main target puller be as much as 160 meters away. Different options together with sooner motor speeds, 10ms latency and intuitive dial operation.
Worth and availability
The DJI RS 4 is now obtainable for buy beginning at $549 and contains one Gimbal, BG21 Battery Grip, USB-C Charging Cable, Lens-Fastening Help, Prolonged Grip/Tripod (Plastic), Fast-Launch Plate, Multi-Digital camera Management Cable, and Screw Equipment. It’s also possible to decide it up for $719 in a combo with a Briefcase Deal with, Focus Professional Motor, Focus Professional Motor Rod Mount Equipment, Focus Gear Strip, a second Multi-Digital camera Management Cable, and one Carrying Case. The RS 4 Professional, in the meantime, begins at $869 or $1,099 with the high-capacity battery grip, with the identical vary of equipment for every.
The Focus Professional creator combo (DJI Focus Professional LiDAR, DJI Focus Professional Grip, DJI Focus Professional Motor and DJI Focus Professional Carrying Case) is $999, or you should purchase the All-in-One combo (with the FIZ Hand Unit as effectively) for $1,899. The RS BG70 high-capacity battery grip is bought for $149 by itself.
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