Re: "Honestly, I've been lugging around heavy Canon setups..."

• Sophia you nailed it. Over the years I've realized that the physical cost is usually way higher than the gear cost. If you arent careful, you'll be spending more on a chiropractor than on the camera itself. Reminds me of my old mentor who tried to film a whole documentary using this massive vintage shoulder rig that must have weighed forty pounds. He was so stubborn about using classic gear for the look. Halfway through the first week his shoulder literally locked up and we had to hire a local kid to carry his bags for the rest of the month. He never even used the footage because it was all tilted at a five degree angle because he couldnt stand up straight. It was a total nightmare... basically a month of work down the drain because he wouldnt listen to his body.

Honestly, I've been lugging around heavy Canon setups for a few years now, and the one thing people always forget is how much your back and wrists hurt after a full day of vlogging. If you're looking for something more current, I've been using the DJI RS 4 Pro for a while. The big thing for me isn't even just the weight capacity—it's those auto-locking axes. When you're traveling, being able to just hit power and have the whole rig lock up safely while you move to a new spot is a lifesaver. It saves so much wear and tear on the motors over time. Another one that's kinda flying under the radar but is super practical is the Zhiyun Crane 4. It’s got these little built-in balance indicator lights on the motors. Tbh, I'm not always 100% sure if my balance is perfect when I'm in a rush, so having the gimbal actually tell me is great for the long-term health of the device. It handles my R5 Mark II and the RF 24-70mm combo like a champ without that annoying motor vibration you get when a gimbal is struggling. Like, it's just one less thing to worry about when you're out in the field.

Can confirm

Hey there! Congrats on the R5 Mark II, that's a beast of a camera and I totally get wanting a gimbal that can handle it smoothly, especially for travel.

In my experience, for a beefy setup like the R5 II, you're going to want something with a good payload capacity. I've found the DJI RS 3 Pro to be a really solid option. It's got a great carrying capacity, which is essential when you've got the R5 II with a decent lens on it. Plus, the stabilization is top-notch. I've used it for travel vlogs where I'm constantly moving, and it keeps things super steady. It's a bit of an investment, sure, but honestly, the footage quality you get from a stable shot is worth every penny in the long run.

Another one to consider, though it might be a touch less powerful but still capable, is the Zhiyun Crane 3S. It's also built to handle heavier payloads and offers a lot of flexibility with its design. I've seen some people get great results with it, and it might be a slightly more budget-friendly choice depending on sales.

My biggest tip is to check the *maximum payload* of any gimbal you're looking at and then add up the weight of your R5 II body, your favorite lens(es), and any accessories you usually mount (like a microphone or monitor). You want at least 20-30% buffer on that weight for optimal performance. Don't underestimate how much weight that can add up to! A gimbal that's struggling to lift your camera will show it in shaky footage and can even be harder to balance.

Hope this helps you find the perfect match for your new R5 II! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hey there! Congrats on the R5 Mark II, that's a beast of a camera and I totally get wanting a gimbal that can handle it smoothly, especially for travel. It's a common pain point, and honestly, I've had my share of frustrating experiences trying to balance these heavier rigs.

For your situation, I'd definitely lean towards a gimbal with a higher payload capacity. The DJI RS 3 Pro is what I've been using, and it handles the R5 II with a decent lens without breaking a sweat. It's got a really robust build and the stabilization is top-notch, even when I'm moving around a lot. The auto-locking axes are a lifesaver for quick setup and breakdown, which is crucial for travel vlogging.

Another strong contender, though I haven't personally tested it with the R5 Mark II, is the Zhiyun Crane 3S. It's known for its impressive payload and ability to handle larger camera setups. Some folks find it a bit more complex to master than the DJI options, but the raw power is there.

Unfortunately, I've had issues with some lighter-duty gimbals in the past that just couldn't keep up with the R5 II's weight, leading to jittery footage that was a nightmare to fix in post. So, investing in one with a higher payload is definitely worth it to avoid that headache. The DJI RS 3 Pro is a bit of an investment, but for the peace of mind and quality of footage, I think it's totally worth it.

Hey there! Congrats on the R5 Mark II, that's a beast of a camera and I totally get wanting a gimbal that can handle it smoothly, especially for travel vlogs. Totally agree with the above posts mentioning the weight! It's definitely a common pain point with these higher-end mirrorless bodies.

From my market research and personal testing over the years, for a setup like the R5 Mark II, you're really looking at a few top contenders. The DJI RS 3 Pro is an absolute workhorse. It's built to handle heavier payloads and offers fantastic stabilization, plus the larger touchscreen is a godsend for balancing and tweaking settings on the fly. The quick-release plates are also super handy when you're switching between gimbal and tripod setups, which is often the case when traveling.

Another solid option to consider is the Zhiyun Crane 3S. This one is also designed for professional cinema cameras and larger mirrorless setups, so the R5 II will be well within its weight limit. It has a really robust build and some unique ergonomic features that can be a lifesaver on long shooting days. Both are pricier, but for the R5 II, you really need that beefy support to get truly cinematic, stable footage without constantly fighting the gimbal.

Hope this helps narrow it down a bit!

Totally agree with the above! Re: Reply #1 - That R5 Mark II is definitely a hefty beast, and finding a gimbal that can truly handle it without feeling strained is key, especially for travel vlogs where you're constantly on the move. I've been through a few myself and unfortunately, some of the lighter-duty gimbals just didn't cut it, leading to some really shaky footage when I pushed them. My current go-to, and one I've found really reliable with similar camera setups, is the DJI RS 3 Pro. It's definitely an investment, but the payload capacity is fantastic, and the stabilization is top-notch. It handles the weight of the R5 II with a decent lens without breaking a sweat. Plus, the quick-release plates make swapping gear a breeze, which is a lifesaver when you're trying to pack light for travel. While it's not the cheapest option out there, the value proposition for the stability and build quality is definitely there for the long haul. I've had issues with cheaper gimbals overheating or struggling to balance properly with heavier rigs, and the RS 3 Pro just avoids all that. It's made my travel videography so much smoother, honestly.

Story time: I actually went through a similar dilemma last year when I picked up my first big mirrorless camera. I was really worried about the weight and balance, especially for travel vlogs where you're constantly moving. I ended up trying a couple out, and honestly, the ones that felt the most secure and had the best payload capacity were the DJI RS 3 Pro and the Zhiyun Crane 3S. The DJI felt a bit more intuitive for me initially, but the Zhiyun had incredible strength and stabilization for those longer lenses. Both were solid, but it really came down to how well they handled the weight without feeling like they were struggling. That sense of reliability when you're out shooting is priceless, you know?