GEAR
DJI RONIN 4D
THE VERDICT With such a huge amount of exciting new technology in a radically different package, it’s difficult not to get excited about what the DJI Ronin 4D offers. It’s a brave departure from the norm, bringing full-frame quality and Steadicam-style performance to the independent filmmaker. And focusing is next-level stuff, mixing the best of manual with some advanced LiDAR technology. The camera is not without issues, though, including its not-inconsiderable weight, limited use of heavy lenses and lacklustre audio. It’s probably not the single camera that could replace everything you currently own. But, as a short-range, stabilised handheld option, there is simply nothing else that gets close.
More information
dji.com
HOW IT RATES
Features: 9 Four-axis gimbal with full-frame Raw 6K cam! Performance: 9 Stunning files, best stabilisation and unique AF/MF Handling: 8 It’s heavy and not good with long or cumbersome lenses Value formoney: 9 Incredible value for what you actually get PROMOVIEMAKER OVERALL RATING: 9/10 It’s a totally new concept that works so well Pros: Image quality, AF/MF and stabilisation Cons: Heavy, no pro-level audio solution yet
Internal affairs To record all formats and codecs, the camera accepts DJI’s new ProSSD 1TB drive. This costs £659/$799, plus £149/$229 for the mounting kit. The camera also records to CFexpress Type B cards and USB SSDs, but not all codecs are available this way. If there is any slight let-down, it’s with the audio, recorded via built-in mics in two-channel 24-bit. These are fine for a scratch track, but to record decent audio, there is a 3.5mm jack on the body and a coldshoe to mount a DSLR- type external mic. But the DJI’s internal gain circuits aren’t very good, so there can be some hiss; the mic’s position means you can pick up the noise of the servo motors. DJI says there will soon be XLR ports on an expansion plate for external mics, but these still won’t be in an ideal position. It’s best to go with a separate recorder unit, much as everyone did in the infancy of DSLR video. But that’s a minor gripe, especially for a camera that offers
LOCKED DOWN On a tripod, it’s best to secure down the Z-axis gimbal (top). The rear view shows how high the camera sits (above)
“A slight let-down is audio, recorded via built-inmics in two-channel 24-bit... there is a 3.5mm jack on the body and a coldshoe tomount a DSLR-type external mic”
so much new technology at a relatively affordable price.
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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