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Taking just the base Ronin RS3 Pro into consideration in this review and it is incredible, with solid support for all mirrorless and DSLR cameras suited to filmmaking. In use, the RS3 Pro is fast to react and offers plenty of onboard adjustments and features. However, it really starts to shine once the accessories are attached, and while most accessories can wait there are two that you should consider purchasing at the outset; the RavenEye and Focus motor. The RS3 Pro is all about saving effort for the filmmakers; in use, it’s there to assist and make difficult shots easy, as well as having wide camera compatibility. To that end, DJI has extended the carbon fibre arms to give more space to the mounted cameras. This means that professional bodies and lenses such as the Sony FX6 and Canon C70 with 24-70mm f/2.8 lens can now be fitted. The payload limit is still 4.5kg which is quite substantial.
Ultimately once you work out where all the wires go for the focus motor, RavenEye and camera control, it’s all quite straightforward. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this review, there are few set-up notes; however, most of what applies to the set-up of the focus motor and Raven Eye again apply here. Full compatibility with the DJI High Bright monitor system It supports both Wide Mode and Spot Mode. In Wide Mode, the range finder automatically detects the subject and follows focus. In Spot Mode, users can manually frame or tap the subject to focus. The RS 3 Pro matches up with the mid-range RS 3 in form, concept, and basic features. The powered support uses brushless motors to smoothly and silently balance a camera along three axes. Once set up, the gimbal provides Steadicam-level stabilization with the flexibility of handheld operation, along with powered pan, tilt, and roll movements. The Pro edition handles heavier rigs than the standard, up to 10 pounds versus 6.6, and supports a LiDAR focus accessory (more on that later), but aside from that, there aren't too many differences. The RS 3 Pro (right) is bigger than the regular RS 3 (center) or Mini (left)Most gimbal grips attach beneath the mounted camera so that it can be held upright and moved around with ease. To afford more creative flexibility, the DJI Briefcase Handle (2022) attaches above the mounted camera, so users can hold their gimbal from above. This makes it easier for your camera to get closer to the ground and achieve some impressive low-angle shots. How does the focus motor work? Once the camera balance has been found, a cable can be plugged into the camera’s USB-C port and directly into the side of the gimbal. The shutter can easily be activated from the direct control button on the grip. The RS3 Pro can also be used with the 4D Hand Grips, Master Wheels and Force Pro for gimbal and focus control. The RS 3 Pro’s new Mode switch provides a more ergonomic way of changing the gimbal’s shooting modes. (Image credit: George Cairns) You can use the touchscreen to switch between modes such as PF (Pan Follow), PTF (Pan Tilt Follow) and FPV (where the gimbal rolls as well as pans and tilts). It can be a bit of a fiddle to change modes on a touchscreen while you’re operating the gimbal, so the RS 3 Pro has new gimbal Mode Switch that lets you toggle between modes in a more ergonomic and tactile way. A Bluetooth shutter button enables you to start/stop recording on compatible cameras without the need for a cable.
Designed to empower videographers and professional crews, the RS 3 Pro Combo embodies the best of the DJI brand by combining industry-leading stabilisation with practical controls and an extensive ecosystem of expansion options. Included in this comprehensive kit is the RS Focus Motor (2022) to help users achieve an incredibly smooth focusing experience and the notorious Ronin Image Transmitter. A big new addition to the Ronin RS3 is the LiDAR focus technology. This optional module sits on top of the camera’s hot shoe and plugs into the DJI Focus Motor (Also optional) and RS3 Pro. Once plugged in and calibrated, it then creates a fast AF system for manual Cine lenses. As each lens needs to be calibrated before use, DJI has ensured that up to three lens preset profiles can be stored.
DJI RS 3 Pro Combo Key Features:
What I also really like is the expandability of the system. For myself, I don’t need the optional High Bright Remote Screen, but it’s nice to think that one day I may be running a production that requires more than just myself monitoring what’s going on! Lifting the relatively compact gimbal and while still relatively light compared with some larger gimbals, it’s not as light as the likes of the WeeBill 3.
Then there’s the weight; once loaded, the Ronin RS3 Pro, while small, isn’t as lightweight as some of its competition. Attaching the optional side arm does help to add to the comfort, but again compared to the wrist supports and grip design of some other gimbals, the RS3 isn’t quite there. Not only does the RS 3 Pro provide users with ample control over the gimbal, but it also allows users to operate the camera's zoom, focus, shutter, aperture, and ISO using the front dial. This makes the RS 3 Pro an incredibly efficient option for single-handed use. Get ConnectedThe DJI RS 3 Pro enters the higher end of the R series, designed for videographers and professional crews. The DJI RS 3 is better suited to solo creators and independent crews. As a result, the RS 3 Pro benefits from compatibility with DJI’s ecosystem of industry-leading accessories, making this the ideal option for those wanting improved production coordination with the option to expand their kit. Has the RS 3 Pro improved from the RS 2? The focus motor works by using a cog system to adjust focus and/or zoom. The Gear Strip ties around the barrel of the lens and features a concave design that fits with the prongs of the motorised cog to create a pulley system. Once the Multi-Camera Control Cable is plugged into the correct port, the front dial of your RS device can be used to operate this motorised focus system. Can focus/zoom be operated by the app? Then there’s the camera compatibility. Being able to take the larger cameras is extremely useful, and now that I’m about to change from the Sony PXW FS7 to a Canon EOS 5R C this gimbal will provide all the performance I need and in a very small form. Ultimately in isolation, the DJI Ronin RS3 Pro is an excellent gimbal stabiliser with so much potential, especially once you add the Focus motor, Raven Eye or High Bright control monitor, which I will look at in a separate review.
The RS 3 Pro has a larger touchscreen than older models (boasting an increase of 28% on the older RS 2 model). The OLED touchscreen is also brighter than the RS 2’s LCD touchscreen so it’s easier to view and operate in bright light (and it uses less power so you can shoot for longer).For some cameras that are BlueTooth enabled, the Ronin RS3 Pro now has BlueTooth connectivity. At launch, this works with a series of Canon cameras, and the compatibility list will inevitably expand at speed to cover most cameras with BlueTooth. With multiple operation modes for using the DJI RS 3 Pro, handling your gimbal is both flexible and intuitive. These modes include support for Transportation and Storage as well as Vertical Shooting, Briefcase Mode for holding your gimbal close and Underslung Mode for getting low to the ground. How is the briefcase handle used? The DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor supports live feeds with audio and one transmitter with multiple receivers. In Control mode, two receivers can be used at the same time to collaboratively control RS 3 Pro’s gimbal, focus, and camera parameters for an integrated reception, monitoring, and control experience. The Ronin design has come a long way in a short time. DJI’s original single-handed gimbal stabiliser, the Ronin-S, put advanced filmmaking tech in the hands of small production companies and amateurs. With the Ronin RS3 Pro, DJI gives access to filmmaking equipment that can expand with you from being used as a basic gimbal to a full-blow solution for large-budget productions with the addition of the many accessories available. Due to the huge variety of uses, I can only imagine the product designers and electrical engineers at DJI sweating over what seems like an impossible task. Setting up the DJI RS3 Pro at the base level is easy; plug it in balance, and you’re ready to go. At the next level, plug in the RavenEye, hook in a mobile phone, and you have wireless video transmission, all very clever; then you have the HighBright Control screen, and so on.
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