DJI Ronin 4D 6K
The Ronin 4D (affectionately called the ‘chicken’ at the shop) is an integrated 6K full-frame camera and 4-axis gimbal stabilizer, with built-in focus, transmission, monitoring, and control options in the DJI ecosystem. It was designed for solo operating, and on that front we feel like DJI really succeeded– it feels like every button is in the right place, and it’s a very condensed ready-to-shoot form factor around 11lbs when built out.
The LIDAR powered subject tracking/touchscreen autofocus features are huge in verite settings or tricky shots with no dedicated focus puller– even on lenses that don’t normally have autofocus, since the rangefinder can power a focus motor. There are also hybrid auto/manual focus settings where the dial on the handgrip turns when the focus changes, but the operator can override and manually set focus. LIDAR performs better in low-light than phase-detection autofocus, and the LIDAR waveform / depth meter can be used to view the focus plane when monitoring.
You might prefer the image quality out of the box from another cinema camera compared to the Xenmuse on the 4D, but if you’ve ever needed to figure out how to get an FX3 on an RS2 gimbal with a wireless transmitter, a focus motor, and onboard monitor, then you know when simplicity instead might be the best thing. The fact that you can get all of that once you take the 4D out of the case and put the grips on makes it an excellent choice depending on the project, and we have mixed it into shows with all sorts of other cameras and formats for when it could do something the other rigs couldn’t. It also happens to cost less to rent than a camera/gimbal/all those accessories a la carte.
The 4th axis (the neck) provides added stabilization to the vertical shake from walking or running, which 3-axis gimbals like the RS2 don’t counteract as much or at all.
We’re often sending the 4D with with E-Mount lenses like the Cooke SP3s (a combo recently used on the series Adolescence), and the quick-release interchangeable lens mounts also take DJI and Leica M lenses.
5.5″ onboard touchscreen monitor, built-in ND from 0.3 to 2.7, dual native iso, and XLR ports are also a big plus.
DJI High Bright Remote Monitor
Our kit comes with the TX2 1080p wireless video transmitter with a 20000′ line-of-sight range, which sits between the camera body and the battery. It sends to the 7″ DJI high bright remote monitor, which can be used as an all-around wireless director’s monitor, or as a focus monitor in more controlled situations with better latency. The handgrips from the camera can also be taken off and put on the 7″ to control pan/tilt, focus, menus etc from the wireless monitor– great for dual operating or mounting the 4D on a vehicle or jib arm. The 4D can also be used as a remote head in this way with remote wheels.
Ronin 4D Flex Extension Unit
The Ronin 4D Flex Extension Unit allows you to detach the lens/sensor/3-axis stabilization from the 4th axis and the rest of the body (taking the ‘head’ off the ‘neck’), and connect via a 6.6′ cable. Similar in concept to the Rialto for Sony Venice. Switching between the Flex unit and the integrated configuration on set is fast and does not require any tools.
The handgrips and onboard monitor can then be moved from the camera body to the ‘head’, making handheld operating even lighter, with the camera body mounted in a backpack or vest.
The Flex unit alternatively expands on the 4D’s ability to be a remote head using the wireless handgrips or wheels, allowing you to place the lens in tight spaces. Mounted to an extension boom pole, it can get jib arm camera moves or be be used as a kind of giant probe lens. Although you would lose the 4th axis stabilization, which is nice for moving vehicles, you could also use the Flex unit to reduce the amount of rigging you need to put outside a car, with the rest of the camera body staying inside. It can also be used to support much larger cinema lenses and zooms when locking off the stabilizer.
