Zhiyun has change into a big participant within the gimbal market, they usually’re hoping the Zhiyun Weebill 3 will assist them cement their place on this enviornment much more.
The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is a gimbal aimed squarely at skilled videographers, in contrast to the Zhiyun Crane M3, which is geared toward novices and lovers. The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is feature-packed and has a number of distinctive design parts that make it stand out from the group. Does it have sufficient about it to tackle its opponents, although? Let’s discover out.
Editor’s word: Zhiyun despatched us the Weebill 3 gimbal to overview and preserve. Nevertheless, that is an impartial overview. All ideas about this product are our personal. We’ve not been influenced in any method. We inform you this as we at all times wish to be clear with you.
Execs
- Extremely comfy
- Constructed-in mild and microphone
- It gives a really secure platform
- Good battery life
- Can deal with massive cameras
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Small OLED display screen
- No touchscreen
- Digicam management solely suitable with Canon, Sony and Panasonic
Zhiyun Weebill 3 — Technical specs
All technical specs for the Zhiyun Weebill 3 are from the product itemizing web page at B&H Picture:
- L-shaped physique able to standing by itself
- Improved Sling 2.0 construction
- Battery capability of 21 hours
- Noise-cancelling, Hello-Fi, cardioid mic and three.5mm enter
- 1000 lumens mild with adjustable shade temperature
- 360° pan, 310° tilt and 340° roll
- Twin quick-release plates
- Canon, Sony and Panasonic management cables
- 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Enter, 1 x USB-C Enter, 1 x USB-C for video Enter, 1 x USB-C energy enter
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 8.1 x 2.9″ / 342 x 206.5 x 72.5 mm (Folded)
- Weight: 2.4 lb / 1.1 kg
Zhiyun Weebill 3 — Ergonomics and construct high quality
The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is a full-size gimbal able to holding and dealing with at this time’s fashionable full-frame DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. So, it needs to be no shock that the Weebill 3 has a bit of heft. Within the weight division, the Weebill 3 suggestions the scales at 2.4lbs. Most of this weight is because of its stable building. A lot of the Weebill 3’s physique is constructed from steel, with only a few plastic components (primarily the switches and some trim items).
The gimbal stands 13.5-inches tall and is simply over 8 inches vast when folded down. Whereas the Weebil 3 may sound like a handful, it has been expertly designed, which suggests it feels nice when in use. The Weebill has a reasonably fundamental design. It’s actually not as eye-catching because the Crane M3 (learn my overview right here) with its white shade scheme, however the Zhiyun Weebill 3 appears to be like modern with its black end and crimson accents.
Controls and inputs galore
There are controls and ports all around the gimbal. Beginning on the gimbal’s base, you’ll discover the facility button and a hidden charging port on the entrance of the grip. Subsequent, on the underside, there’s a mounting thread that may be connected to a tripod or a tool just like the Manfrotto GimBoom (learn my overview right here). Lastly, you’ll discover Zhiyun’s new wrist relaxation on the base.
Transfer up the rubberized deal with, and also you’ll run right into a management joystick on the left facet. It’s flanked by mode and report buttons. The entrance of the grip is house to a management wheel and a set off button. The proper facet of the grip homes the menu button and a dial that controls the fill mild. Lastly, the rear of the grip is the place you’ll discover the 0.96-inch OLED.
Transferring up, you’ll discover the enterprise finish of the gimbal. All digital camera mounting {hardware}, together with the quick-release plates, are steel. The switches and levers are stable and are well-positioned. It’s within the higher degree — as Zhiyun calls it — the place you’ll discover the built-in microphone and lightweight, the three.5mm audio enter, and two USB-C connections. There’s nothing overly difficult concerning the design of the Zhiyun Weebill 3. The structure is properly thought out, and all the pieces is well accessible once you’re holding it — properly performed, Zhiyun.
Zhiyun Weebill 3 — Balancing
One factor that has dramatically improved over time is how straightforward it’s to steadiness cameras on gimbals. The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is not any exception right here. The Weebill 3 may provide essentially the most nice expertise out of all of the gimbals I’ve used when balancing my gear.
After you have your digital camera connected, you may simply make small modifications to the positioning of your digital camera. The three-axis all transfer easily, they usually lock down rapidly. I’ve been in a position to swap out cameras and lenses and get them rebalanced in below a minute. So if balancing your cameras is one thing you are worried about, don’t.
Zhiyun Weebill 3 — Within the area
Anybody who has used gimbals for some time can have no points choosing up the Zhiyun Weebill 3 and getting began. Fortuitously, the identical might be mentioned about those that haven’t used gimbals earlier than. The Weebill 3 is as straightforward because it will get with regards to operation. As soon as your digital camera is balanced and related (in case your digital camera model is supported), you’re able to go.
I’m disillusioned that solely Canon, Sony and Panasonic cameras are supported out of the field. What I imply by that is that you simply can’t management the digital camera instantly by way of the gimbal or the ZY Play app except you personal one in all these three digital camera manufacturers. I hope that this modifications afterward down the road with a firmware replace.
As talked about within the ergonomics part, the controls are properly laid out and simple to make use of. For instance, the joystick lets you pan and tilt rapidly, and the mode button enables you to swap between the assorted modes (lock, pan, comply with, comply with, portrait, vortex and POV) simply.
One little gem that I need to point out is the magnetic quick-release tightener that sits below the principle mounting plate. Not will you need to seek for a coin to tighten the quick-release plates. It’s bloody good. Thanks, Zhiyun. I additionally like you could place the Weebill 3 instantly on the bottom with out utilizing a supporting tripod — though one is included. The little issues add as much as important enhancements within the person expertise.
The Cadillac of gimbals
Whereas a bit of outdated, the menu system is straightforward to navigate on the 0.96-inch OLED display screen. I do want that the display screen was greater and contact suitable, although. It’s important to navigate the menus utilizing the dials, and whereas that is OK, you’re going to get pissed off once you neglect the management scheme. Sadly, the show is way from the built-in display screen on the Zhiyun Weebil 2.
Essentially the most important function of the Zhiyun Weebill 3, for me no less than, is the brand new wrist relaxation. If in case you have ever used a gimbal, you’ll know that the burden of the gimbal, the digital camera and the lens can rapidly change into overwhelming. This wrist relaxation is a game-changer. All of the forces that usually make your wrist really feel prefer it’s about to interrupt are simpler to take care of. This lets you create extremely clean footage for prolonged intervals. If you happen to use the sling grip together with the wrist relaxation, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 turns into the Cadillac of gimbals.
The footage you’ll seize with the Zhiyun Weebill 3 can be very clean, particularly when you have good method. Whilst you can create good footage whereas strolling at an honest tempo, you continue to must put your finest foot ahead. This gimbal, with good method, will yield spectacular outcomes.
The motors within the Zhiyun Weebill 3 are additionally potent. I’ve used this gimbal with cameras starting from Micro 4 Thirds to full-frame rigs with heavy lenses, and the motors didn’t break a sweat. Battery life can be spectacular. Zhiyun claims it’s good for 21 hours of use. I’ve used it extensively on a single cost and would say their estimate might be correct. A full cost can be achieved in simply 2 hours.
Constructed-in microphone
The built-in microphone is a welcome addition to the Zhiyun Weebill 3. To make use of the mic, you utilize the included 3.5mm to three.5mm cable to attach your digital camera to the gimbal. The cardioid mic will choose up sound from the route the digital camera is going through, and it includes a noise cancellation function, which may help preserve background noise at bay.
Whereas the mic is cardioid in nature and presents improved audio over the microphones constructed into most cameras, I can’t think about that many creators buying this degree of gimbal will use the mic all that a lot. It’s OK, however nothing to jot down house about. If you happen to want it, it’s there. Who is aware of, it may come in useful in case your major mic dies. Nonetheless, the Weebill 3 is a professional-grade gimbal that can doubtless be used with exterior wi-fi mics.
Constructed-in mild
Just like the Crane M3, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 includes a built-in mild. The sunshine actually will get brilliant and may help you retain noise ranges low in darkish conditions. As well as, the facility of the sunshine might be managed. You can even management the temperature of the sunshine between 2600K and 5400K. The Zhiyun Weebill 3 additionally comes with a number of color-shifting filters that snap onto the sunshine.
Whereas it’s good to have in a pinch, you may wish to avoid it and use devoted exterior lights as a substitute. The sunshine is small and never properly subtle, so shadows, at instances, might be harsh. Once more, although, it’s good to have for these moments when it’s essential run and gun.
App management
You may management the Zhiyun Weebill 3 with the Zhiyun iOS and Android app, ZY Play. Connecting the gimbal is easy because the app mechanically finds the system. When you’ve related your cellphone or pill, you should use the app to pan, tilt and roll. You can even choose all of the totally different modes, make motor changes, and in case your digital camera is suitable, you can begin and cease recording. You additionally replace the firmware of the gimbal by way of the app as properly. The app is straightforward to make use of and is a pleasant function.
