DJI RS3 Mini Tutorial: Step by Step Beginner's Guide. How to balance and use

Summary

This tutorial video introduces the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal, guiding viewers step-by-step on its setup, charging, camera balancing, and operation. It covers the initial device setup, including attaching the quick release plate and charging via USB-C. The video then demonstrates how to balance the camera on the gimbal for optimal performance. It also explains the use of the DJI RONIN app for firmware updates and device activation. The tutorial further explores the gimbal's various modes, controls, and settings, providing insights into achieving smooth camera movements and utilizing accessories like the extension for horizontal positioning. The presenter concludes by encouraging viewers to like the video for more helpful content.

Takeaways

• 📹 The video is a tutorial for the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal, focusing on its setup and camera balancing.
• 🔋 Charging the gimbal with a 10-watt charger takes approximately 2.5 hours, with a battery icon indicating charge status.
• 📷 Attaching the quick release plate to the camera and setting up camera accessories is essential before balancing.
• 🔐 The gimbal's roll and tilt axes need to be unlocked, adjusted, and locked for proper camera positioning.
• ⚖️ Balancing the camera involves adjusting the plate and arm positions on the gimbal's axes to ensure stability in various orientations.
• 🔒 Locking and unlocking mechanisms are crucial for adjusting and securing the camera in place on the gimbal.
• 📱 The DJI RONIN app is required for initial setup, firmware updates, and activation of the gimbal.
• 🔄 The gimbal features various modes like PF (Pan Follow), PTF (Pan and Tilt Follow), and FPV (First Person View) for different shooting styles.
• 🎚️ A front dial and trigger allow for manual control of camera settings and gimbal movements.
• 🔁 The gimbal can perform a 3D roll 360-degree rotation for cinematic 'Inception' effects.
• ⚙️ Customizable settings include adjusting the gimbal's response, joystick speed, and dial functionality for precise control.
• 👍 The tutorial encourages viewers to like the video for helpful content on using the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video tutorial?

The purpose of the video tutorial is to teach viewers how to use the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal, including how to balance a camera on it.

How long does it take to fully charge the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal with a 10-watt charger?

It takes approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal using a 10-watt charger.

What is the initial step to check the battery level on the gimbal when it's off?

To check the battery level when the gimbal is off, quickly press the power button.

What is the function of the quick release plate included with the gimbal?

The quick release plate is used to attach the camera to the gimbal, making it easier to mount and balance the camera.

How do you unlock and lock the roll axis on the gimbal?

To unlock the roll axis, move the arm to the designated position and lock it again. To lock the roll axis, move the lever to the locked position.

What is the recommended method to balance the camera on the tilt axis?

The recommended method is to point the camera upward, unlock the tilt axis, move the plate forward or backward until the camera stays in position, and then lock the lever again.

What is the DJI RONIN app used for?

The DJI RONIN app is used to connect the gimbal to a smartphone, allowing users to control the gimbal settings, update firmware, and customize profiles.

How do you activate the gimbal after the first use?

To activate the gimbal, you need to register if you don't have a DJI account, then log in with your email and password to complete the activation process.

What is the function of the NATO Port on the left side of the gimbal?

The NATO Port can be used for attaching various accessories to the gimbal, such as an extension for using the gimbal in a horizontal position.

What does the trigger on the gimbal do?

Pressing and holding the trigger enters lock mode, which prevents the gimbal from moving in any direction. Pressing the trigger twice recenters the gimbal, and pressing it three times rotates the camera 180 degrees.

How can you adjust the gimbal's stiffness for each axis?

You can manually adjust the stiffness by changing the values in the DJI RONIN app, with higher numbers resulting in stiffer settings.

What is the purpose of the 3D ROLL 360 mode in the gimbal settings?

The 3D ROLL 360 mode, also known as Inception mode, allows the gimbal to spin around to create a spinning effect in the footage.

How do you exit sport mode on the gimbal?

To exit sport mode, press and hold the M button and double tap the trigger at the same time.

What is the function of the shutter button on the gimbal?

The shutter button is used for auto-focusing when pressed halfway, starting or stopping recording when pressed once, and taking a picture when pressed and held.

How can you perform an automatic calibration for the gimbal?

To perform an automatic calibration, press the designated icon on the screen within the DJI RONIN app, and ensure the gimbal is on a flat surface and not moved during the process.

What does the balance status icon indicate on the gimbal's screen?

The balance status icon shows green for correct balance, orange for slight unbalance, and red for significant unbalance.

How do you use the underslung mode for low angle shots with the gimbal?

To use underslung mode, flip the gimbal upside down.

Outlines

00:00

📹 DJI RS3 MINI Gimbal Setup and Camera Balancing

This paragraph introduces the tutorial for setting up the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal, including charging, attaching the quick release plate to the camera, and preparing the camera for balancing. It details the steps to unfold and lock the gimbal's axes, how to attach and remove the camera, and the initial balancing process focusing on the tilt axis. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of a proper setup for effective use.

05:03

🔄 Balancing and Operating Modes of the DJI RS3 MINI

This section explains the process of balancing the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal on all three axes—tilt, pan, and roll—ensuring the camera remains stable in various positions. It also covers the use of the DJI RONIN app for firmware updates and device activation. The paragraph introduces the gimbal's physical controls, such as the dial, trigger, and joystick, and their functions, including lock mode, sport mode, and the shutter button for camera operation. Additionally, it outlines the gimbal's different operation modes like pan follow, pan and tilt follow, FPV, and custom settings.

10:06

⚙️ Customizing and Adjusting Gimbal Settings on DJI RS3 MINI

The final paragraph delves into the customization and adjustment of the gimbal's settings through the RONIN app. It discusses the automatic calibration process, manual stiffness adjustment, and balance status indicators. The tutorial explains the various follow modes and their applications, such as panning movements and orbit shots. It also describes additional settings like screen lock, Bluetooth connection, sound muting, and horizon calibration. The paragraph concludes with the customization of the front dial functions and the underslung mode for low-angle shots.

Keywords

💡DJI RS3 MINI

The DJI RS3 MINI is a compact and lightweight gimbal stabilizer designed for cameras, which is the central focus of the video. It allows for smooth and stable footage even when handheld. The video provides a tutorial on how to use this specific gimbal, including setup, charging, and balancing a camera on it.

💡Gimbal

A gimbal is a device that maintains an object in a steady position, regardless of the movement of the supporting structure. In the context of the video, the gimbal is used to stabilize a camera, ensuring smooth operation and preventing unwanted motion in the footage.

💡Balancing

Balancing, in the context of the video, refers to the process of adjusting the camera's position on the gimbal so that it remains stable and does not tilt or move unintentionally. The script describes how to achieve this by adjusting the tilt, roll, and pan axes.

💡USB-C cable

The USB-C cable is a type of charging cable used to power the gimbal. The script mentions using this cable to charge the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal with a 10-watt charger, which is a common standard for many modern electronic devices.

💡Quick Release Plate

A quick release plate is an accessory that attaches to the camera and allows for easy and secure mounting onto the gimbal. The script instructs the viewer to attach this plate to the camera before balancing it on the gimbal.

💡Roll Axis

The roll axis is one of the three axes of rotation on a gimbal, which allows for panning left and right. The script describes how to unlock and lock this axis during the setup and balancing process.

💡Tilt Axis

The tilt axis is another axis of rotation on a gimbal, which allows for tilting the camera up and down. The script provides instructions on how to balance the camera along this axis for stable operation.

💡Pan Axis

The pan axis is the third axis of rotation on a gimbal, which, along with the roll axis, allows for horizontal movement of the camera. The script details the steps to balance the camera on this axis.

💡DJI RONIN App

The DJI RONIN App is a software application that connects to the gimbal for advanced control and settings adjustment. The script mentions downloading and using this app to update the gimbal's firmware and customize its settings.

💡NATO Port

A NATO Port is a standardized accessory mounting point used on many camera and gimbal setups. The script mentions this port on the gimbal as a place to attach various accessories for extended functionality.

💡Inception Mode

Inception Mode, also known as 3D Roll 360, is a special filming technique where the camera spins 360 degrees around its roll axis. The script describes how to activate this mode on the gimbal to create dramatic and visually engaging shots.

💡Horizon Calibration

Horizon Calibration is the process of leveling the gimbal's horizon to ensure that the camera remains level regardless of the gimbal's position. The script explains how to use this feature if the gimbal's horizon is not correctly leveled.

Highlights

Introduction to the DJI RS3 MINI gimbal and the tutorial's purpose.

Step-by-step guide on setting up the gimbal with the tripod.

Charging the gimbal with a 10-watt charger and the expected charging time.

Checking the battery level on an off gimbal and the charging indicator.

Attaching the quick release plate to the camera and preparing for balancing.

Unlocking and locking the gimbal's roll and tilt axes for initial setup.

Securing the camera onto the gimbal with the provided lever.

Adjusting the camera position for tilt axis balance and locking it in place.

Balancing the camera on the roll axis by adjusting the arm position.

Locking the pan axis for balance and the process to achieve it.

Turning the gimbal on and off and downloading the DJI RONIN app.

Connecting the gimbal to the app and updating the firmware.

Activating the gimbal and the process for first-time users.

Using the NATO Port for accessories and the extension for horizontal use.

Understanding the gimbal's dial, trigger, and their functions.

Entering and exiting lock mode and its uses during straight-line movements.

Using the joystick and M button for user profile selection and sport mode.

The shutter button's functions for autofocus, recording, and taking photos.

Screen options for automatic calibration and manual stiffness adjustment.

Gimbal follow modes: PF, PTF, FPV, and custom settings.

3D Roll 360 mode for creating Inception-like effects.

Adjusting the following speed and customizing it for different scenarios.

Quick settings access for screen lock, Bluetooth camera connection, muting sounds, and additional settings.

Joystick speed and smoothness settings for different shooting needs.

Functionality of the front dial for camera settings and gimbal axis control.

Underslung mode for low-angle shots and how to activate it.

Conclusion and call to action for viewer engagement.

Transcripts

hello how are you doing, my name is  Otto and welcome back to the channel

this is the DJI RS3 MINI and this  is an easy to follow video tutorial

to learn how to use it and how to balance a camera

this video is going to be a little  bit long so let's get into it

the first step to do is to place the  tripod in the lower part of the gimbal

now charge the device using  the supplied USB-C cable

using any power brick that you have

using a 10 watt charger the gimbal  will charge in about 2.5 hours

when the battery is charging you  will see a battery icon charging

and when the gimbal is fully  charged the screen will turn off

when the gimbal is off you  can check the battery level

by quickly pressing the power button

before you balance the camera on the gimbal

attach the included quick  release plate to the camera

you also need to remove the  lens cap and set anything else

that you need on the camera

for example the screen position should be ready

and any ND filters that you  want to use should be in place

now you need to unfold the gimbal

unlock the roll axis over here,

move the arm to this position  and lock the arm again

now unlock the Tilt axis over here

move the arm to this position  and lock the arm again

make sure that this lever  is all the way to the back

and slide the camera backwards  and push it all the way in

now lock the camera in  position by moving the lever

to the locked position like this

to remove the camera pull  the lock lever to the back

and press this safety pin and slide  the camera forward at the same time

if you need to move this plate to fit  your camera you can unlock the red lever

and move the plate to the left or the right

and then use the red lever again to lock it

okay so the easy way to balance the  camera is to start with the tilt axis

you need to unlock it and now we're  going to point the camera upward

and we want the camera to stay in this position

so we are going to unlock this  lever and we're going to move

the plate forward or backward until the  camera stays in this position that we want

and when it's done lock the lever again

next point the camera forward  and if it's not balanced

we'll need to unlock the arm with this lever

move the camera forward or backward

until the camera is balanced pointing forward

when it's ready lock the arm again

with the lever now we're  going to unlock the roll axis

and we need to balance this  so it stays in this position

unlock the arm with this lever and  move it to the right or to the left

until the camera stays on a horizontal position

when you're done lock the arm with the lever again

for the last step it's a good idea to  lock the axes that were already balanced

now unlock the pan axis and we're going  to move the gimbal to the side like this

we want this arm to stay like  this without moving to any side

so we are going to unlock this arm with this lever

and move the arm forward or backward  until we have the right balance

when you're done move the  lever to the lock position

to turn the gimbal on or off press and  hold the power button for 3 seconds

if this is the first time using this  gimbal you will need to download

the DJI RONIN app

open the app and you need to agree  to their terms and conditions

now connect the gimbal to the app

you will need to input the password

which is the one that you  have on the screen right now

select to update the firmware of your gimbal here

and wait until this process finishes,  this will take about 5 minutes

and after that you will  need to activate the gimbal

for that you need to register if  you don't have an account with DJI

Now log in with your email and password

and right after you do so it will  finish the activation process

on the left side of the gimbal  you will find this NATO Port

that you can use for different kind of accessories

for this gimbal one of the most  useful ones is this extension

to use the gimbal in a horizontal position

in the front of the gimbal we have this dial

and this will let you change some  of the settings on the camera

or move any axis of the gimbal  that you select in the settings

below the dial we have a trigger

press and hold it to enter lock mode

this mode is useful when you don't want  the gimbal to move in any direction

for example if you're walking in a straight line

if you want to stay in lock  mode without holding the trigger

you can tap on the screen down here  and now you can release the trigger

to exit lock mode tap down here

on the screen if you press the trigger  twice it will re-center the gimbal

and if you press the trigger three  times the camera will rotate 180 degrees

to rotate back to point  forward tap the trigger twice

so apparently there is no recenter in selfie mode

which seems more like a  mistake than a regular feature

in the back of the gimbal we have a joystick

that will move the camera around

the M button will let you select a user profile

you can have three different ones and  whatever setting you change or use

will stay on the profile that  you're using at that moment

if you press and hold the M button  the gimbal will enter sport mode

and this will make the gimbal  react faster to your movements

to stay in a sport mode without  having to hold the M button

press and hold the M button  and press the trigger twice

to exit the sport mode press and hold the M button

and double tap the trigger at the same time

the red button is the shutter button

if you press it halfway it will auto focus

if you press it once it  will start or stop recording

and if you press and hold the  button it will take a picture

remember that for this button to work

you need to connect the USB cable  from the gimbal to your camera

or connect both devices via Bluetooth

okay let's take a look at the different  options that you get on the screen

every time that you use a new camera setup

I highly recommend to press  this icon on the screen

this will perform an automatic  calibration for the Gimbal

and adjust the stiffness of all three axes

do this on a flat surface and do not  move the gimbal during this process

if you want to manually adjust  the stiffness of any axis

you can change the values here, the  higher the number the stiffer it will get

once you are inside of any Sub  menu you can press this left Arrow

to go back to the previous menu

this icon over here will  indicate the balance status

green means that the gimbal is correctly balanced

orange means that the gimbal  is slightly unbalanced

and if it's red it means  that it's not well balanced

if you press the icon you will be able to see  

which axis is the one that  is not balanced correctly

with this information I  recommend to turn off the Gimbal

and fix the axis that is not balanced

at the lower left side of the screen  you can select the gimbal follow mode

PF is pan follow and here the pan  axis will follow your movement

but the row and the tilt axis will be locked

this mode is useful for panning movements

or to orbit around something or someone

PTF is pan and tilt followed  and here the pan and tilt axes

are going to follow your movement

FPV or POV as we know is where all  three axes will follow your movements

the roll ,the tilt, the panning  they are all going to be unlocked

the next option is custom and  you can customize which axis

you want to lock or unlock

we can set here for example this combination

where all axes are disabled  which is basically the lock mode

below custom you can select  this option called 3D ROLL 360

and this is the Inception mode  where the gimbal will spin around

to make this kind of effect

once you select this follow mode  you need to position the gimbal

in a horizontal position, press record

and spin the gimbal clockwise or counterclockwise

by pushing the joystick to  the right or to the left

the last option in the main  screen is the following speed

this is how fast your gimbal  will follow your movements a

nd here you can select the slow, medium or fast

or you can also select custom  to select a more precise speed

if you swipe down from the main  screen you will get these four options

at the top left this will lock the screen

and to unlock the screen you need to  swipe up from the bottom of the screen

at the top right this icon will start the  connection to your camera via Bluetooth

airplane mode should be off in your  camera and Bluetooth should be set to on

at the bottom left this icon will mute  any sounds or alerts from the gimbal

and at the bottom right this icon  will let you change a few settings

disable selfie will prevent the  gimbal to go into selfie mode

if you trigger this by accident

orbit follow will make the gimbal move smoother

when you're doing any kind of orbit shots

push mode will let you move the camera  manually on the tilt or pan axis

where normally you can't  do this because the gimbal

will try to get back to the original position

Horizon calibration can be used  if the horizon of the gimbal

is not correctly leveled

if this doesn't work you can  manually adjust the level angle

by dragging this bar to the left or the right

or use these two buttons  to create micro adjustments

if you swipe up from the main screen  you will enter this other menu

where you can change the gimbal settings

at the top left this will let you  adjust the speed of the joystick

you can select slow, medium or fast or  you can select this to customize the speed

at the top right you can control  how smooth the gimbal will move

when you use the joystick

you can select high, medium or low or  you can customize this setting as well

notice that on high the gimbal will continue  to drift a bit when I release the joystick

if I select low the gimbal will stop almost  right away after I release the joystick

for this setting I recommend  to use medium for most cases

at the lower left we can set  the function of the front dial

some of this will require  you to connect the gimbal

to the camera with the cable or via Bluetooth

such as the focus, Zoom, ISO,  aperture and the shutter speed

you can also select the dial to be able  to control the roll, the pan or the Tilt

and these options don't  need any connection between

the camera and the gimbal

the last option at the lower right  corner will let you set the dial speed

which is how fast the dial will  respond to change any given setting

the dial smoothness will  determine how sensitive it is

and down here you can reverse the dial direction

to take low angle shots we are  going to be using underslung mode

and to do so on this gimbal we  are going to flip the gimbal

upside down like this

if you found this useful  please give this video a like

I hope you have an amazing day or night

and I hope to see you in the next one