MINI TESTS
solidly built and works very well, especially as there is very little lag to the screen. You can adjust the speed and sensitivity of the motor, too. The final bit of kit is the MasterEye Visual Controller VC100, a totally separate handheldmonitor and control unit. This takes a large NP-F-style battery to run it, and links wirelessly to the gimbal, with a claimed range of 100metres. You can then see the image on the gloriously bright, large screen, change camera and gimbal settings remotely, monitor audio and even screen record, too. We found it a bit laggy for critical focus pulls, though. But to control the gimbal and camera, andmonitor what’s going on, it’s a great bit of kit. If you’re on a bigger set, others could alsomonitor with a smart device, too. The Weebill 2 Pro+ kit really does come with pretty much everything you realistically need for pro workflow. However, all this kit does take its toll in terms of weight. The gimbal can get a bit heavy if youmount a large camera and lens on it, as well as all the other accessories. You also need to charge up the follow focus, wireless transmitter and gimbal itself, via USB-C to the internal batteries. All the kit together exposes the battery life, but you should get a comfortable eight hours of use. After that, you keep shooting via a USB-C powerbank, so all is not lost. It’s a relatively minor gripe on such a feature-packed system. PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 It does everything gimbals do, and muchmore Pros: Built-in screen, great performance in use Cons: Complex set-up, weight
set to alter various functions, such as ISO or aperture – once you plug in your camera via an included cable. Most modernmirrorless cameras are compatible – for a full list, visit the Zhiyun website. The tripod base can be removed, folded in and screwed into the main gimbal handle, to turn it into a useful two-handed gimbal. The kit comes with a quick-release handle, a coldshoe, two Arri-style rosettes and a couple of 1/4in-20 threaded holes to add accessories. The older version of the Weebill had the controls on the handle back rather than the side. Having them on the left is ideal for right-handed filmmakers, as you grip the gimbal with your right hand and the controls are activated by your thumb and fingers. It’s probably not the best for left-handers, though. The gimbal is rock-steady and super-smooth, with no jitters at all. One nice feature: push the on/off button twice and the unit stays on, but the motors are disabled. You can change camera settings, without the gimbal ‘fighting’ you. Used as a stripped-down gimbal like this, the ZhiyunWeebill 2 is a
great piece of kit that really helps take out the wobbles. It is controlledmore easily thanmost rivals, thanks to the choice of screen or app. But it offers muchmore than this. By fitting the wireless transmitter under the camera plate, or even on top of your camera – via the coldshoe – then the side screen becomes a very useful monitor to showwhat the camera is recording. You do need to add a couple more of the included leads to rig it all up – and different cameras require varyingmenu settings to be controlled and output a signal. On both the Sony A9 and A7S III, this took many hours of online research and watching YouTube tutorials to find out which settings worked. It was frustrating, but it was the Sony’s more complex menus and settings that were the real hindrance. Once it was sorted, it linked up straight away and the image was beamed to the on- gimbal monitor. This allows you to use SmartFollow, where the gimbal stays locked onto a subject you identify on the touchscreen. This clever bit of tech worked pretty well, and once you get to understand its limitations, it’s another tool to add to your arsenal. The kit also has a good-quality follow-focus system, that can be used to control zoom, if you like. This bolts onto the camera plate, then engages with focus or zoomgears on your cine lens. Alternatively, fit the included plastic gears to a DSLR or mirrorless- type lens. You then calibrate it with a button on the side, and the thumbwheel on the grip handle now controls focus or zoom. It’s smooth,
THREE- MENDOUS!
With a screen on the camera,
one on the gimbal and
a third on the handheld unit, you have lots of monitor options
“You can set all the usual gimbal modes like POV, pan only, locked and timelapse fromthe touchscreen”
67
PROMOVIEMAKER.NET
Powered by FlippingBook