LeViteZer Gimbal for BMD Micro Cameras

The LeViteZer Gimbal for BMD Micro Cameras was developed soon after the cameras where announced last year. The micro camera form factor makes this new kind of gimbal design possible. A design that provides unseen freedom of movement.

This gimbal was originally designed as a aerial gimbal, installed in between front propellers providing a completely free up and down view, actually a completely free view to any direction. Soon after it was noted that it works excellent also as boom installed handheld gimbal, giving an easy reach from ground level up-to 3 meters and an access to places otherwise unreachable with gimbals.

LeViteZer Gimbal for BMD micro cameras_1.png (448.23 KiB) Viewed 70179 times

This video was taken some time ago, using GoPro with additional weight to simulate the weight of the BMMCC.

As an option, the gimbal has a joystick for the gimbal that also provides a full control of the micro cameras.

Available today as custom build solution, if you are interested, please contact http://www.levitezer.com/styled-5/index.html

Still testing old GoPro setup

https://www.facebook.com/levitezergimba ... 589580786/

The BMMCC setup will be many ways similar, can be operated by one man, totally smooth panning in follow mode, also slow speeds, unlimited view up/down, any direction.

Looks very good! Do you have a rough price for the gimbal yet?

Best not to talk about a rough price. The price is best.

James, I hope that didn't come across as rude. I just meant a rough price is often lower than actual and better to wait until all costs are known before quoting a price.

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Best not to talk about a rough price. The price is best.

James, I hope that didn't come across as rude. I just meant a rough price is often lower than actual and better to wait until all costs are known before quoting a price.

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haha, that is very true But any information is better than no information!

Thanks James and Rick.

Yes the prising is difficult and I ask some patience with that.

As an option, the gimbal has a joystick for the gimbal that also provides a full control of the micro cameras.

Really cool Kim - does that mean you got SBus working?

Not quite yet, for reasons... I still do not have the camera, but there is many LeViteZer remote controllers so it should be no problem as long the BMMCC SBUS connection works, and I trust it will.

Here is one currently under work. https://www.facebook.com/levitezergimba ... 456697566/ in addition to full smooth gimbal control it currently has 12 channels to control what ever, like the BMMCC.

That gimbal by the way could easily take a bit bigger camera, like URSA mini/ URSA cameras with big lens, it is for vehicle installations.

Really cool Kim - does that mean you got SBus working?

LeViteZer SBUS controller for BMMCC and it controls gimbal too

That sbus controller looks very good, I'd be pretty interested in that. Is it working wirelessly?

Looking good Kim, I also would be I interested in one!
Cheers

How much?

The version on video is wired connection, wireless no problem either.

Currently it is build of the best components available, it is still a prototype, well working one that will be tested during the following weeks.

Some first testings with the gimbal + controller

It's looking very good, I'm impressed look forward to seeing more footage

Looking god Kim

Very interested in one, if it's a reasonable price - I don't need the highest quality materials!

Will probably get one anyway unless its outrageously expensive.

Thanks for the comments, here is first video made with it

https://www.facebook.com/levitezergimba ... 154069596/

and the making of

13427870_894099297403215_4862626795873054711_n.png (743.52 KiB) Viewed 69576 times

Been reading your stuff for months now. Your work is coming along nicely.

I've got a couple of questions.

In the case of the gimbal what kind of weight can it handle? I'm using Veydra's with the Micro. They come in just under .55 Kgrams stripped. So with a IR/UV Cut and likely a VND of some sort and maybe a hood are they to heavy and weight forward for this gimbal?

I also really like what I'm seeing of the setup with the controller on an extension with the gimbal at the end. Is it possible to see a bit more on the actual controls of the controller?

And the $64 question. Are you planning to make this available to the marketplace and what will it cost? Any thoughts on timing?

The controller is still a prototype, there is also many other type remote controller prototypes... The current implementation for BMMCC:

- top knob = focus (with the 12-50 mm Olympus operates smoothly, with some other lenses not so)
- right knob = f-stop (all lenses I have tested adjustable in steps)
- right button + joystick up/down = ISO
- right button + joystick left/right = SA
- left button + joystick up/down = Zoom
- left button + joystick left/right = WB

the top buttons are for gimbal control: 5 levels of follow speed and joystick control speed etc. I was planing to use one of them for starting/stoping recording, but not happy for the current BMMCC implementation, for now rather use the camera recording button.

BMMCC controller.png (295.91 KiB) Viewed 69506 times

Currently the 12-50 mm Olympus 3.5 - 6.3 EZ ED with ND filter is the maximum weight it can take. The motors have plenty of power, they could handle much bigger lens no problem, but bigger lens would make the gimbal bigger and heavier and that would make it difficult to handle it as handheld boom installation.

We are now traveling in Europe and I am making some videos with the gimbal. I am getting the typical what is that looks but not that many questions as when traveling with normal/small gimbal for GH4. Maybe the CYRP45 just looks too professional/strange

Truthfully this will not be my favorite travel gimbal, it is a special use gimbal capable for some things other gimbals are not, with it it is possible to make low position/high position shoots and smooth transitions in between. it fits to places other gimbals do not, and it is possible to make very drone like video with it handheld.

This gimbal will receive some updates and couple of them will be build to start with. It will remain custom build gimbal so setup for bigger lens etc. are possible.

First video with the LeViteZer BMMCC CYRP45 gimbal, I am currently shooting plenty of material, but have limited time and resources for editing. More to follow on couple of weeks.



The Olympus 12-50 mm electrical zoom is not great, it causes bounces and looses focus. It is good for setting the focal length before the shoot and maybe for some special shots like at the end of this video (but not that great result).

Ps. All handheld/walking/running. My walking is terrible, but running seems to work better
Shot using ProRes LT Video, no other correction on editing phase than exposure.


Music: There It Is by Kevin MacLeod

Yesterday in Bretagne

Returning home from the vacation.



It was a very nice 3 weeks and actually got some time off from the cameras and gimbals too

Today tested the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4, it fits the gimbal and the remote focus is super smooth, just hoping it would take ND filters.

I bought a Hoverboard some time a go and have been practicing after office hours, getting more confident with it and decided to test with gimbal.

I bought a Hoverboard some time a go and have been practicing after office hours, getting more confident with it and decided to test with gimbal.

Time for a remake of The Shining? Scary first person perspective.



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Showing off the gimbal

That is very nice Kim, how much are we looking at for the setup shown in the test video, and just for the gimbal and remote? Thanks
Cheers

It is currently available as custom build solution only, starting at 3000 euros. That includes the gimbal, joystick, short telescopic arm and V-lock battery mount (but not batteries or changer). V-lock battery powers gimbal and camera. The joystick controls the gimbal and Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera.

Thanks Kim, will keep this in mind.

Some clips from this summer. The first half of the clips is with LeViteZer CYRP45 gimbal and Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, the second half with normal handheld gimbal and Panasonic GH4.


http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/751 ... ee-39.html

The LeViteZer airborne FreeView concept http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/5a8 ... 0d-40.html

Practising some pretty special moves with the LeViteZer CYRP45 gimbal. More about the gimbal at http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/b85 ... 5a-28.html

Kim, I believe this is called 'sick!'


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Well it is limited by my imagination and skills as cinematographer, the purpose being demonstrating the gimbal features.

I am sure there is more intelligent uses for those features.

Kim, 'sick' is now meant as a compliment, not a criticism.


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I thought so, but was not quite sure though if I am exposing my self too much on these videos, should probably give it already to some professional hands and get some well made videos.

Thanks,

Kim

I wonder where you can find a professional? The term seems vaguely familiar. Oh look, there's one over there, and one at the corner, and another! I like your video work Kim, but I think someone may be knocking on your door soon following your suggestion.


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Thanks Rick for your words of encouragement, I appreciate it.

Testing the LeVIteZer CYRP45 with hoverboard



For more see http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/arc ... -2016.html

LeViteZer 360 gimbal, this is not only for Micro cameras, but takes them well too.

LeViteZer 360 .png (540.63 KiB) Viewed 68666 times

Some fun with 360 camera in non 360 video. It greates all new posibilities also for normal video, though maybe I did over do it a bit with this one

More about it in here http://www.levitezer.com/blog/

It takes the LeViteZer Free view concept to hole new level. The viewing direction and angle can be freely selected during editing. Imagine when we have better 360 cameras... The above video is with Samsung Gear 360.

The versatile LeViteZer 360 http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/062 ... 5f-48.html

The BMD Micro Cameras just received FW update with some new SBUS functionalities, maybe it is time to update the LeViteZer prototype gimbal for Micro cameras to support the new functionalities: Auto focus, Frame rate and Codec.

Unfortunately not the long waited menu controls via joystick and Focus peaking, overlays etc. would be nice to controll over SBUS too... Anyway, good to see that there is updates to these marvelous little cameras.

The LeVIteZer CYRP45 was developed several years ago. It is very special and capable gimbal, unique, one of the kind. It is not a generic purpose gimbal, but can do things other gimbals can not.



Looking for if there is enough interst to make a small series of it.

When having 10 customers that would be willing to deposit 500 euro when ordering and total price 3500 euro VAT 0%, including gimbal, boom, joystick and battery adapter, but not battery or camera, we will make a small series of it.

More about it here:
http://www.levitezer.com/blog/files/49c ... 2f-64.html

To contact me: kim.janson@levitezer.com