How to Balance the Zhiyun Crane

How to balance your new zhiyun crane!

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In this video, we go over the four easy steps to properly balance and adjust your zhiyun crane. The Zhiyun crane is an amazing tool, that now allows users to fly DSLR sized cameras in addition to the mirrorless systems that were already doable. This is a great addition to any photography or videography gear arsenal, but in order to get the most out of your Zhiyun Crane, you must balance properly.

Before balancing, make sure your camera is exactly how you will fly it (no lens cap, have a battery and memory card, etc.)

Step 1 | Balance the tilt access with the side knob so that the camera stays facing downward when pointed towards the ground

Step 2 | Adjust the tilt access further by leveling the camera and adjusting the cameras location on the baseplate until it doesn't fall forward or backwards

Step 3 | Balance the roll access by leveling the camera and then using the back knob to move the camera until it doesn't fall left or right.

Step 4 | Once everything else is balanced, pick up the Zhiyun Crane and hold it horizontally with the side motor on the bottom side. Adjust the camera using the knob on the bottom motor until it stays table when held horizontally.

That's it! Your Zhiyun Crane is now balanced and ready to go!

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[nebvision]

Dude, this is the ONLY tutorial that has worked from me. Thumbs up. Subscribed. Thank so much, I've had my crane for like 6 months, and never balanced it correctly. So crazy how much of a difference it makes.

[milandlondon]

Used the Zhiyun Crane for the first time today, worked great! I'm going to look into the settings further to adjust the responsiveness etc. The base looks good too, might have to purchase it

[DrErnieWard]

Best balancing setup guide I've found! Thanks!!

[bstudios]

Bookmarking this bad boy for future reference, the crane is definitely on my wishlist!

[kevinml]

Great video! The link to the Tripod base link goes to SanDisk.

[tiplote]

Dude...thank you!! Best balance video I've found!! Finally feel like I'm not going crazy anymore not being able to get this thing to balance!

[Benny]

Very clear information, is it the same balancing technique for Crane M?

[ajlskate]

Hey Bobby it would be awesome if you made a video about how you use the Zhiyun crane? What sort of camera movements do you do? Which setting do you prefer?

[TheOrisya]

you can point it upward if the lens in the way....

[MotionArtweddingfilms]

Thanks for the video! Been looking at the Crane for awhile now, but not sure how well it would handle the 5d4.

[PhilHolden]

Any experience with camera setup's that are too light?   I have a Lumix G85 and I managed to get it pretty balanced with metabones adapter and a Nikon 18-35 lens.  But when using a small Lumix 20mm pancake lens it is always turning up.  Not looking for a specific answer on my camera/lens that I'm fighting with, more curious if you have found a time when the setup is too light to balance?

[filmdreams]

Hi, just got my zhiyun crane and looking to buy the base that you show: manfroto MTPIXIEVO-BK PIXI EVO 2; however I've read mixed reviews about the product being non rigid or breaking for too much weight. what has been your experience with it? do you use it a lot? i already have a reg tripod but im want something small like this for traveling.

[daveste]

Hi, thank you this video, it is very helpful. Do you know what the combined weight of the camera and lens is?
Dave

[michaelcavazos]

How are you able to change smoothness on the Crane? Do you download the firmware?

[TylerTripsTunes]

I have an A6300 with a cage and 16-50 kit lens and well within the weight limit, I have the camera as far back as I can and my camera is front heavy makes no sense to me at all any suggestions

[jacobpunter]

how do you go about focusing on the crane?

[ThachvufilmsAu]

Can you please give me a link to the quick release you use? seems much more smaller and lighter than the one i have. Cheers.

[vancourverite]

could you not have explained more on how to balance the pan axis?? all i see u is pulling the bar.. well did i did that too and it did not work

[petergood]

Thanks for a rather nice balancing video however, after many attempts I continually face the same problem: when I lean the crane forward, the bottom plate meets the base of the Zhiyun thereby either rubbing and/or actually preventing me from getting my shot. I have the Zhiyun V.2 and a Panasonic GH5 alongs with a Manfrotto quick release plate. I see in your video, the camera set-up is higher up than mine. Of course, I readjusted but did not get it right. So what am I doing wrong?

[BASEDinMaine]

Skip to 3:00 to get to the actual instructions