DJI RONIN 4D GE AR RE V I EW.
WHEN MF MEETS LIDAR The LiDAR rangefinder, which sits above the lens, magically turns any MF lens into AF. You can manually override this using the control wheel on the right handgrip. The LiDAR continuously fires out 43,000 laser measurements to help precise focusing, even in really low light. It doesn’t rely on surface textures or edges, so offers a blisteringly fast focus speed. But this only has a range of ten metres, so again, not ideal for longer lenses. If the sensor had phase detection AF, it would be incredible in combination. Unfortunately, for now, it remains LiDAR-only. The system offers manual focus, autofocus and DJI’s Automated Manual Focus (AMF). In manual, a LiDAR Waveform display gives a 3D map view that’s from an imaginary top-down position. So, you can use the focus knob on the camera’s right handle to quickly and accurately move the focus point to a precise part of the scene. Implementing autofocus keeps a sharp lock on the subject, and it
works well, even with a fast prime lens wide open – especially with face detection. You can use this to set the focus point on a specific face by touching the screen. Then, the focus stays locked on the subject’s face, even if he or she moves. In Smart mode, you can track non-human faces. Click on the subject on the screen and the focus locks on. You would think this would also be ideal for focus pulls, but the speed is a bit too quick to look natural. It’s better to use Manual Focus or AMF, which combines the best of both modes to automatically rotate the focus wheel while following the focus point. But you can manually intervene at any time. HOW’S THE QUALITY? Borrowing from drone technology, the camera also has Active Track. When handholding the Ronin, the camera moves to keep the subject in frame. This can judder around at times, but it’s still a wonderful feature that you’re not going to find on any other cinema camera at the moment. This would all be for nothing if the image quality wasn’t up to much, but the Ronin 4D does not disappoint. A new chipset drives an intelligent image processing system, called the CineCore 3.0.
the E-mount adapter and tried a range of lighter Sony lenses which retain autofocus – but not image stabilisation, as this isn’t needed. However, you can fit any Sony mount lens you like, as long as you are prepared for it not to balance properly if it’s too burly. We fitted the 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master, and although it’s officially too heavy, it worked well. The new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II is also outside the maximum weight for Z-axis stability, but as a long lens, it just needs a support when used with the DJI Ronin 4D on a tripod. You can use long lenses on the DJI when tripod-mounted, but it really negates the whole stabilisation/handheld concept. For long lens or tripod work, you’re better off with a mirrorless or cinema camera. One of the Ronin 4D’s greatest tricks is that you can fit a manual focus lens, and marry it up to the included focus monitor. It then needs calibration, which is relatively simple, with up to ten lens presets.
LOCK IT TIGHT On a tripod, it’s best to secure down the Z-axis gimbal (above)
“You can use long lenses on the DJI when tripod-mounted, but it really negates the whole stabilisation/handheld concept”
57. FEBRUARY 2022
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