Struggling with shaky footage even after using a gimbal? Well, you’re not alone. I remember when I first picked up a gimbal. It seemed like a high-tech, intimidating tool! But once I figured out how to use a gimbal, it completely transformed my shots.

You just need to mount your camera securely, balance the axes, and choose the right mode for your scene beore using your gimbal. It’ll take some practice! 

Now, to help you out, I’ll share my experience with —

• Using your gimbal properly for steady shots
• Choosing shooting modes for different scenes
• Walking techniques to minimize shake
• Advanced moves and accessories to improve your filming

By the end, you’ll feel confident capturing smooth, cinematic footage!

The Key Ideas

• Mount the camera securely, balance the tilt, roll, and pan axes carefully, and ensure the camera stays steady in all positions. 
• It can take 1 to 2 weeks to feel comfortable using a gimbal, but true mastery comes with regular practice. 
• Gimbals have modes like POV, Vortex, and Pan Follow for different types of shots. Techniques like push-in/pull-out, reverse walking, and smooth panning help capture dynamic, steady footage.

What is a Gimbal?

A gimbal is a tool used in videography that lets you attach a camera or phone and keep it steady while it tilts in any direction.

Modern gimbals use smart tech—electronics, sensors, and motors—to counter any movements. It prevents shaky footage and keeps everything smooth as you film.

How to Use a Gimbal?

It may seem a little daunting at first, but using a gimbal is simple with a few key steps. Below, I’ll walk you through the basics of balancing your gimbal.

In this case, I’ll be using ZHIYUN Crane S2. You can follow along with the steps.

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Step 1: Mounting Your Camera

The first thing you need to do is securely mount your camera onto the gimbal.

1. Start by connecting the riser plate to the base of your camera. This adds stability.

2. Once the riser plate is attached, you need to slide the camera into the base plate of your gimbal. 

3. Then close the latch behind the base plate to ensure everything is locked in place.

Step 2: Balancing the Gimbal

Balancing the gimbal is critical for smooth operation and to prevent excess strain on the motors. Otherwise, you might encounter a gimbal lock. 

That’s why you must ensure that your gimbal holds your camera in place at any angle without tipping.

Tilt Axis

It’s time to adjust your camera’s position starting with the tilt axis.

1. Start by loosening the latch near the tilt motor. 

2. Adjust the camera’s position by moving back and forth until it stays steady at any angle without rolling. 

3. Lock it off once it’s balanced steady like this. 

4. Now, turn the camera backward to see if it stays still or tilts backward.

5. If it doesn’t stay still, then look underneath and you’ll see another latch.

6. Next, undo the latch and move the camera up and down the balance until it remains still like this.

7. All done with balancing the tilt axis! 

Roll Axis

Now, it’s time to balance the roll axis.

1. Unlock the roll axis by unlocking the gold latch

2. You’ll see that the camera will start rotating. In that case, lose the back lock.

3. Then slide the camera side to side until it stays steady without rolling like this.

4. Now, tighten the latch at the top and lock the gold latch which you unlocked earlier.

Pan Axis

Finally, you should balance the pan axis.

1. Unlock the gold latch, lift the gimbal slightly and check if it remains steady. 

2. It might start rolling or tilting like this which means it’s a bit heavy in the back. That’s why it’s twisting.

3. In that case, you need to push the camera forward. 

4. Here you undo the clasp, gently push forward, and slowly lock the clasp again. 

5. Do it a few times to adjust accordingly, until it stays still when you lift the gimbal again.

6. Finally, make sure all the axes are locked. I mean the gold latches. You’re all done with balancing.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Gimbal Mode

Different gimbals offer various shooting modes. So, you should know which one to use depending on the type of shot you’re trying to achieve.

POV Mode

Press the mode button 2 times to activate this mode. You can use this for shots where you want to keep the camera facing forward, regardless of movement.

V-Mode or Vortex Mode

Again double press on mode button to switch to vortex from POV mode. It’s ideal for dynamic, creative shots, such as spinning around your subject.

PF or Pan Follow Mode

When you turn on the gimbal, by default you’ll get PF mod. Or you can press once on the mode button to activate PF mode. This mode works well for following fast-paced action or creating smooth transitions. 

In this mode, the tilt axis doesn’t move up and down while keeping the horizon still.

Step 4: Stabilizing While Walking

When walking with the gimbal, smooth movements are key to preventing unnecessary camera shake.

• Use the Ninja Walk: Bend your knees slightly as you move, allowing your body to absorb the up-and-down motion. It reduces the bounce effect often seen when walking with a gimbal.
• Keep your steps soft: Walk gently to further minimize any unwanted movement.

Step 5: Experiment with Accessories

When you’re learning how to use a gimbal, I insist you to use accessories with your gimbal. They can really expand its functionality.

• Dual grip handles: These provide extra stability and make it easier to handle heavier setups.
• Follow focus motors: A follow focus motor allows you to control focus remotely, perfect for precise focus shifts.
• Camera extension module: It enables mounting a second camera for multi-angle shots, saving time and adding creative flexibility.

Step 6: Practice Creative Gimbal Moves

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start experimenting with more complex gimbal moves. Here are a few to try —

• Vertical Subject Orbit: Circle your subject in a vertical motion. It creates a dramatic, sweeping effect.
• Horizontal Subject Orbit: Walk around your subject, keeping an even distance, for a smooth, continuous shot.
• Barrel Roll: Using vortex mode, rotate the camera while moving forward or backward for a dynamic rolling effect.

How To Get Good At Gimbal Shoots

Here are a few key steps to get excellent shots using your gimbal —

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Plan Your Shots

Before you begin using your gimbal, take a moment to plan out the shots you want to capture. Like what kind of shots you’ll take, the environment, any obstacle that might encounter while shooting.

It helps you stay focused and ensures you won’t miss any key moments.

Low Sensitivity Settings

When I was new to using a gimbal, I found it helpful to keep the sensitivity settings low. This way, it reacted more smoothly, and I avoided those sudden, jittery movements in my footage.

Holding the Gimbal

Grip the gimbal with both hands for maximum stability. I keep my right hand just under the joystick, with my left hand supporting beneath. I’ve never been able to keep my shots smooth before this two-handed grip. 

So, implement this!

Keep the Gimbal Close 

One thing I’ve learned is to keep the gimbal close to my body. It makes filming easier and reduces any strain on your back. Plus, it gives you way more control over how the camera moves, especially during longer shoots.

Follow the Subject

When you’re filming someone walking, you should always stay right behind them. That way, it ensures that there is a steady distance between you and your subject. 

I try to match their pace so the gap doesn’t change. One trick I’ve found helpful is bending my knees as I walk. It keeps the footage smooth without that annoying up-and-down motion.

Move Slowly

It’s best to move at a slower pace while filming. When you go slow it makes it much easier to keep your subject in the frame. Hence, you can follow their movements without any jerky shifts.

Use Your Body to Steer the Gimbal

When you’re aiming for smooth footage, always use your upper body to turn the gimbal instead of relying on just your arm or wrist. I’ve found these moves feel a lot more natural and fluid.

Walking Around the Subject

When your subject stops to take in the view, see it as a perfect moment to change up the angle. I start circling them by stepping my right foot over my left, then uncrossing with my left foot. 

Smooth Panning

As you move, gently use the joystick to lightly pan the gimbal to the right. This way, you can keep your subjects in the frame. Most importantly, it allows you to capture their reactions to what they’re seeing, without losing track.

5 Techniques to Capture Steady Videos with a Gimbal

I’ve found the following methods helpful to film smooth, professional-looking videos a gimbal —

[Note for Designer: Please create an Infographic]

• Push in/pull out: Choose a foreground object, then move the camera left or right. Meanwhile, you need to keep the background in focus. It adds a sense of depth to your shot.
• Reverse walk: Walk backward to create a pull-back effect. It works well for dramatic endings or when transitioning between shots to keep things interesting.
• Pan or tilt: Simply move your gimbal from side to side or up and down for a smooth sweeping effect.
• Follow shot: Move around your subject or keep them centered in the frame as you follow their movements.
• Rising shot: Start low, focus on your subject, and gradually raise the camera. Kneel down, then slowly stand to get a crane-like effect that shifts perspectives.

How Long Does It Take to Master A Gimbal?

It can take about a week or two to feel somewhat comfortable using a gimbal. However, you can only gain true mastery with consistent use. So, the more you practice, the more natural it’ll feel. 

Mastering a gimbal, for me, felt a lot like learning an instrument. It took time and a whole lot of practice. The hardest part was getting my shots to look smooth and natural instead of stiff and mechanical. 

That polished, professional look didn’t come easily. I figured that the real trick was building muscle memory and getting comfortable with the camera’s movement.

What helped me early on was figuring out how to adjust the gimbal’s settings and modes. Not all gimbals are the same—using a high-quality one like a DJI or Zephyr made a big difference. 

But even then, practice was everything. I had to learn to walk carefully and keep the gimbal steady to get those smooth, seamless shots. Simple techniques like the “ninja walk” made a big difference in reducing unwanted movements.

Final Words

In conclusion, learning how to use a gimbal can feel tricky at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. The key steps include mounting your camera, balancing the axes, and choosing the right mode for each shot. 

Don’t forget to move smoothly while filming, using techniques like the “ninja walk” to keep your footage steady. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with creative moves and accessories to level up your shots. 

The more you practice, the more natural it’ll feel!

FAQs

Is it hard to use a gimbal?

Well, using a gimbal can be tricky at first. You need to balance the camera properly by adjusting knobs for smooth movement. Sometimes the gimbal may feel slow to react, so predicting your stopping point is key. Plus, incorrect balance or weight changes can cause shaking in your footage.

What are the basics of gimbal?

To use a gimbal, start by attaching and balancing your camera. Adjust the knobs so all three axes are even, preventing wobbling as you move. Also, you must rebalance whenever you change the camera setup, like swapping lenses or adding accessories.

Why is my gimbal footage still shaky?

Shaky gimbal footage usually means the camera isn’t balanced properly. When the motors work too hard to keep it steady, vibrations occur. Any time you adjust your camera, like changing lenses or adding filters, you need to rebalance the gimbal to avoid shaking.