How to use the Freefly MōVI Pro Gimbal?
How to use the Freefly MōVI Pro Gimbal?
You probably know or have heard of Freefly’s MōVI Pro camera stabilization system.
The MōVI Pro is known as one of the most advanced camera stabilization systems ever developed. This gimbal is a lightweight, portable system that allows users to quickly and easily create world-class video content.
Hmm quite advanced ….. but how do you actually use it?
We first wondered this ourselves and watched many videos, read articles and tested extensively to understand how the MōVI Pro really works. Of course we haven’t only done this for ourselves, but also for you. Because we wouldn’t be your camera rental if we couldn’t save you tons of Google research and hours of YouTube videos.
Before we get into how the MōVI Pro works, it’s important to explain balancing. This isn’t only important for the MōVI Pro, but for all camera stabilization systems.
Balancing a Gimbal
Before balancing, first mount all camera accessories … Make sure you don’t forget to remove the lens cap!
Balancing the Gimbal System is an essential skill to master. A poorly balanced unit will cause the motors to work too hard and the battery to drain too quickly. If this happens too often, it can result in the engines burning out. Mastering this skill is therefore essential.
An important note is that you must fully equip your camera with all accessories before you can balance. Even a memory card, lens cap or camera battery is enough to unbalance the camera. So be clear about how you intend to use the camera and apply it fully before you start balancing the camera.
Now that we have had this, it is time for all of the major features and capabilities of the MōVI Pro.
The MōVI Pro
The MōVI Pro weighs a total of 2.65 kg and has a loading capacity of 6.8 kg. This makes the MōVI Pro the lightest camera stabilizer on the market. This also means that the gimbal is compatible with almost all cameras. You can find out which cameras these are by clicking here.
In addition, the MōVI Pro is equipped with an integrated monitor, which is located on the back of the gimbal and thus offers basic control elements and on which, for example, settings can be made. The MōVI Pro offers a D-Tap connection for single cameras, as well as D-Taps on the spin and on the tilt for accessories that require power. It also has an integrated USB port for power supply, which is built into the tilt axis.
In contrast to the earlier MōVI models, whose battery designs were very unfavorable, the new MōVI Pro offers two hot-swappable batteries that can be easily removed with just one hand. When the camera and accessories are used, battery life is one hour and recharges as quickly as it discharges. The batteries have a display so that it is no longer necessary to guess how long the batteries will last.
MōVI Ring Pro
The MōVI Ring Pro is designed to enable users to create content more effectively and faster than ever before. At the bottom it has built-in feet, so that the MōVI Pro can be placed directly on the ground. This allows users to rest between shots and it is also not too heavy to use.
The feet allow for quick set-up and balancing without having to use an accessory stand. Using the feet, users are also able to take headshots remotely almost anywhere. Simply place the MōVI Pro on a level surface such as a table or the floor and perform complex pan / tilt movements with ease.
MIMIC Remote Control
Freefly’s innovative MIMIC technology allows the camera to automatically and intuitively track users’ movements. MIMIC features a long-range 2.4 GHz radio frequency system that gives users access to MōVI Pro pointing controls, status information, menus and RED camera controls. You have to imagine it this way using the MIMIC one person can control the camera movements remotely and the second person can only control the gimbal itself.
This new MōVI control method has no buttons, wheels or joysticks. Just tilt, pan or roll and the MōVI Pro follows. The MIMIC attaches easily to the MōVI Pro crossbar using the included QR plug. It’s so direct and organic that operators can create complex moving shots with precise framing after just minutes of practice.
• Long distance wireless
• USB connectivity
• BLE connectivity
• Quick release mount
• ¼ 20 mount
• SD card slot
• 2 COM ports for expansion
• Integrated battery with a running time of 6 hours
• Integrated LCD
Freefly MōVI controller
The Freefly MōVI Controller is an additional option to remotely wirelessly control the MōVI Pro’s gimbals and camera accessories in one unit (MōVI remote, focus unit).
A Phone / Tablet app is not required when the MōVI controller is in use, as the controller already has full control over the entire installation.
The Freefly MōVI controller makes remote control much easier by using a joystick control for panning with simultaneous focus control to remotely control a tracking focus unit.
Bush Pilot Button
Bush Pilot is a compact button that can be quickly mounted on the MIMIC. It allows users to control Focus, Iris or Zoom on MōVI Pro. Users can quickly switch between the control axis via the MIMIC screen. The Bush Pilot Button is the first in a line of control accessories that Freefly has brought to the market.
If the Bush Pilot is not the best option for you, other wireless lens control systems can also be used. This can be, for example, the Tilta Nucleus-M. This system is easy to connect D-Tap ports of the MōVI Pro, allowing remote control of focus, iris and zoom. More information about this system can be found by clicking here.
Tuning the MōVI Pro
Basic Tuning
Before tuning can begin, make sure the MōVI Pro is properly balanced. So that camera and all accessories are in place and securely fastened. Then turn on the MōVI Pro and then press “Connect” on the home screen of the mobile app. Then choose the MōVI Pro you want to use.
Once connected, open the Tuning menu under ‘Configurations’. For Autotune to work properly, the camera must be completely free of obstructions. The margin of error of the Autotune feature can be adjusted to achieve a higher Autotune percentage. This increases the gimbal’s performance, but may affect the gimbal’s sensitivity to unbalance. Most default configurations for Autotune is 70.0%.
To fine-tune the MōVI Pro’s pan, tilt, roll stiffness, and filter values, press Start Autotune. Once the Autotune process is complete, test if the MōVI Pro has any vibrations or oscillations during use. Should this be the case, check which axle they refer to and reduce the stiffness of the axle using the tuning menu on the app.
Note: If a mobile device is not available, Autotuning can also be accessed and started from the display screen on the GCU.
Advanced Tuning
The advanced tuning options give the user direct control over the MōVI Pro’s camera stabilization. This allows users to tailor the MōVI Pro to their exact needs with features such as shock deviations, filters and more. However, advanced tuning is not recommended for normal use. If you still want to use this, you will find more information about it here: https://freeflysystems.com/app/uploads/2016/10/MoVI_Pro_Manual_Revision_B.pdf
MōVI Pro modes
Majestic Mode
With Majestic mode, the operator is able to intuitively control the targeting of the gimbal by moving the levers without compromising image stabilization. The gimbal takes over the movements of the driver and intelligently converts them into stabilized pivot and tilt movements. This ensures very low set-up by one operator and accurate framing in tight situations. More information about how this mode works can be found on P.96 from: https://freeflysystems.com/app/uploads/2016/10/MoVI_Pro_Manual_Revision_B.pdf
Time Lapse Mode
Time-lapse mode allows users to create amazing camera movements for time-lapses in seconds. Users can create and edit keyframes of the desired motion and quickly adjust variables such as Time Lapse Interval and Time Lapse Duration. More information about how this mode works can be found on P.97 from: https://freeflysystems.com/app/uploads/2016/10/MoVI_Pro_Manual_Revision_B.pdf
Dual On Fashion
Dual Op mode allows one operator to focus on the frame and lens control, while another operator can control the movement. Dual Op is possible with the MIMIC, MōVI controller, or select 3rd party RC controllers. More information about how this mode works can be found on P.99 from: https://freeflysystems.com/app/uploads/2016/10/MoVI_Pro_Manual_Revision_B.pdf
Target Mode
Target mode allows the MōVI Pro to automatically track a GPS coordinate or the Freefly MIMIC. In Target mode, the MōVI Pro autonomously images the subject using the position data from the MōVI Pro and / or MIMIC sensor. More information about how this mode works can be found on P.102 from: https://freeflysystems.com/app/uploads/2016/10/MoVI_Pro_Manual_Revision_B.pdf
This brings us to the end of this blog on how to use the MōVI Pro. We hope that we have been able to give you more insights about the options and possibilities of the MōVI Pro.
Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions yourself? Then feel free to use our comment function below or get in touch via our contact page.
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