What are the best gimbals for a Sony FX3 video setup?

Question

What are the best gimbals for a Sony FX3 because honestly I am so lost right now. I just got this camera because everyone said it was amazing for video but I didnt realize how shaky my hands were until I tried filming my dog in the backyard last week. Im trying to get ready for my best friends wedding in Seattle next month and I really want it to look professional but every time I look at gimbals online I see all these weird terms like axis locks and payload capacity and I have no idea what any of that means for my specific setup or if it even matters for a beginner like me.

I have the 24-70mm lens on it which feels kind of heavy and I'm worried it might be too much for the smaller ones you see at the store. I have about 700 dollars saved up to spend on this but if I have to go up to 800 I guess I could make it work if it saves me from a huge headache later. Is there something that's easy for a total beginner to set up because I'm terrified of breaking the motors or the camera itself if I balance it wrong... do they even come with instructions that make sense for someone who isnt a pro? I keep seeing stuff about the DJI RS3 or the Zhiyun Crane series but I dont know the difference or which one actually fits the FX3 shape better...

Jeffreymof · Accepted Answer

In my experience, going cheap on a heavy lens like that 24-70mm is a recipe for broken motors. I once ruined a shoot because my gimbal couldnt handle the balance over a long day. You need something reliable for that wedding.

DJI RS 3 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer 6.6lb Payload

Zhiyun Crane 2S 3-Axis Handheld Stabilizer The rs3 is well within your budget and the auto-locking feature is a total lifesaver for beginners.

Weaponcws · Answer

Regarding what #2 said about "I've been shooting with the FX3 and a..." - he is totally spot on about those arms! I did a wedding last summer in the heat and let me tell you, having the right space to balance that bulky 24-70mm lens is a literal lifesaver. I started with a smaller rig and it just vibrated like crazy because the motors were struggling. Honestly, it was embarrassing! Since you have that 800 dollar ceiling, you should definitely look at these:

DJI RS 4 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer 6.6lb Payload

Zhiyun Crane 4 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer 13.2lb Payload That Crane 4 is amazing because it basically tells you if youre balancing it wrong with little indicator lights. Its a huge relief for beginners! Just take your time with it the night before the wedding and you will be golden. Those shots of your dog are gonna look like a movie intro ngl!!

6777777 · Answer

I've been shooting with the FX3 and a 24-70mm for a year now. You gotta look at the arm length, not just the weight capacity. I'm really satisfied with the DJI RS 3 Pro 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer 10lb Payload because the Pro version has extended arms. That matters because the FX3 is wide, and that lens makes it front-heavy. Without the extra space, your camera will just hit the gimbal frame when you try to tilt it. Those axis locks are just switches that stop the arms from swinging when you're balancing or walking around. It makes the setup way less of a headache. I also looked at the Zhiyun CRANE 3S Handheld Stabilizer 14.3lb Payload which is a total beast for heavy rigs, but honestly it might be too heavy to carry for a long wedding day. The DJI interface is just way more friendly for someone starting out.