i spent some time looking at the motor specs for the r5 mark ii setup because that 24-70 glass is no joke when it comes to torque requirements. you really need a gimbal that handles at least 3.8kg to account for the leverage, not just the raw weight. if you want something robust, the FeiyuTech SCORP Pro 3-Axis Gimbal is a solid technical choice for this weight class. heres why the specs matter for your specific setup:

• high torque motors: these dont vibrate as much when the lens extends and shifts the center of gravity.
• axis clearance: the rear arm is long enough so the r5 body doesnt hit the motors during vertical tilts.
• power management: handles the extra strain of heavy glass pretty well without overheating the drivers. basically, the 24-70mm lens barrel moves quite a bit when zooming. if you find the balance is still slightly off at 70mm, i usually diy a small counterweight onto the rear axis arm using a 1/4 inch screw and some washers. it takes the load off the motors and keeps the movement fluid. just make sure you always use the lens support bracket that comes with the kit to protect your rf mount.

DJI RS4 is the best choice.

@Reply #3 - good point! I saw this earlier and literally have the exact same problem right now!! I love my new R5 Mark II but that 24-70 glass is so heavy that I'm terrified of putting it on a gimbal that might fail on me mid-shoot. I have been dealing with this for like three weeks and still haven't pulled the trigger because:

• I dont want to risk my expensive gear on weak motors
• The balance shift when zooming is giving me huge anxiety
• Everything I look at seems like it might jitter under the weight Honestly it is so frustrating because I just want something that works perfectly every single time! It feels like there are too many options but nothing that feels 100% reliable for this specific setup yet...

^ This. Also, the torque data is super important because if those motors are working at 90 percent capacity just to keep the glass level, your battery life is gonna tank. Balancing the center of gravity on that R5 setup is basically physics homework.

• PD charging specs
• Motor efficiency curves
• Voltage stability Reminds me of this one time I drove all the way out to the desert for a Milky Way shoot with a similar heavy rig. I spent like three hours calculating the exact power draw for my intervalometer and the lens heaters because it was gonna be below freezing. Ended up forgetting the actual tripod plate on my kitchen counter. Just sat there in the dark eating lukewarm gas station burritos and watching the stars. Honestly the burritos were the best part of the trip... they had this spicy green salsa that was actually legit. anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.

Hey, jumping in here! PinkLaga totally nails it about the R5 and that 24-70 f/2.8 being a bit of a beast to balance, right? So, before throwing out a bunch of names, I was wondering, what kind of shooting are you mostly planning? Like, is it gonna be a lot of fast movement, run-and-gun stuff, or more controlled, slower shots? That might change what's truly 'reliable' for your specific needs, you know? I'm kinda new to gimbals too, but for me, reliability and not stressing about my camera falling is super important with a setup like the R5. * From what I've looked into, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 seems like a really solid contender. It's built pretty tough and handles heavier payloads well without feeling super cumbersome. I mean, you definitely want something that can consistently keep your R5 stable without fighting it all the time, right? Safety first, especially with such a valuable camera!

100% agree

Honestly, I remember when I first tried balancing my R5 setup with that 24-70 f/2.8... it was a total nightmare because of how front-heavy that glass is, right? I've been shooting with Canon for years and found that u really need strong motors so u aren't constantly fighting micro-jitters. If ur trying to stay around that $500 mark, here are a few thoughts:
* DJI RS 3 - You can usually find these on sale now that the RS 4 is out. It handles the payload fine if u balance it perfectly.
* Zhiyun Crane 4 - These are absolute workhorses for heavier setups. The built-in balance indicator lights are a lifesaver tbh.
* DJI RS 3 Pro - Look for a used or refurbished one. The extra arm length makes a massive difference for the RF 24-70 when zooming. Anyway, just make sure to check the motor clearance for the flip-out screen. I'm not 100% sure if the R5 II dimensions changed the clearance much from the original, but basically, u don't want it hitting the motors when u tilt. Just my two cents!