Gimbal for K3

MariaHansen · 04-27-2018, 11:46 AM

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I'm looking for a quality gimbal for my K3, and I can't find any info saying, if the Zhiyun Crane 2 is working with Pentax? Does anyone have it, or can recommend another? Thanks.

maw · 04-27-2018, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by MariaHansen

Gimbal per K3

In response to your request I think it is a software problem between Room and Zhiyun Crane 2, read below.

The problem is that in order to control the focusing system of the lens, the integrated follow focus must interact with the machine, and to date only on Canon (which uses a substantially

open source communication system) is it possible to do so with ease, I hope it will help you.

Link: Zhiyun Crane 2

MariaHansen · 04-27-2018, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by maw

In response to your request I think it is a software problem between Room and Zhiyun Crane 2, read below.

The problem is that in order to control the focusing system of the lens, the integrated follow focus must interact with the machine, and to date only on Canon (which uses a substantially

open source communication system) is it possible to do so with ease, I hope it will help you.

Link: Zhiyun Crane 2

It says that it comes with both Sony and Panasonic cable, but no Pentax. Also, the "follow focus" only works with Canon. (I wrote them, still no answer).

maw · 04-27-2018, 02:51 PM

Hi MariaHansen,

I searched for Zhiyun Camera Stabilizers for Pentax. You should ask before (I always do so, before buying), if the product is perfectly compatible with Pentax as well, I don't know what model you have.

Here the link: Zhiyun Crane 2 Stabilizer Gimbal for All DSLR Cameras

Bye Mario

Last edited by maw; 04-29-2018 at 06:10 PM.

rawr · 04-27-2018, 08:01 PM

I think the Crane 2 will still work fine as a stabilising gimbal for the K-3, just like it would any camera/lens of the correct weight (maximum 3.2kg for the Crane 2, which should be OK for almost any K-3 + lens combo). It will keep the camera stable, and let you make basic adjustments yourself (point up, point down, rotate left/right etc) using the control buttons on the gimbal.

But some of the advanced bells-and-whistles (like the follow-focus feature) likely won't work because those features seem to be designed for specific Canon, Sony or Panasonic hardware.

Many of the gimbal bells and whistles will also depend on the Zhiyun Apple or Android app (ZyPlay) working OK on your tablet/phone.

For info, the Crane 2 manual is downloadable here:

http://zhiyundata.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com/zyplay/binary/instructions/in...0119164214.pdf

MariaHansen · 04-28-2018, 07:55 AM

Well, the problem is, that there's not a Crane control cable made for Pentax. I went to a photo store today, and there's only cables for Sony, Canon and Panasonic. Nikon can be bought, but not Pentax.
He tried the Crane V2 on my K3, and I can use the stabilize function, but not the zoom button on the Crane. Maybe I'll buy it anyway, I can't seem to find other Gimbals for Pentax.

PiDicus Rex · 05-21-2018, 05:03 AM - **2 Likes**

I'll deny it if anyone ever suggests I posted information on finding bargains for gimbals,....

RC Drones FPV Camera Gimbals | HobbyKing

Takker · 09-08-2019, 09:15 AM

Just an FYI I believe the Canon cable will fit our pentax gear however the advanced features like follow focus etc still won't work. The shutter and video controls may or may not work you would have to test it. If someone does purchase one please let us all know how it works out.

**csa** · 10-09-2019, 10:38 AM - **1 Like**

I have this one; Camera Cottage - Equipment. I'm very, very pleased with it. Very sturdy, nice adjustments. Holds my K3 with my 70-200 F2.8, and 300 F4 w/1.5TC with no balance problems at all.

pimpim · 02-23-2022, 02:40 AM - **1 Like**

Apparently e.g. DJI provides cables USB-to-shutter-jack for Fuji's remote shutter, of the old-school jack type (2.5 I think, not the 3.5 headphone type). It could be that using such a cable you can have some success at least using start and stop functions on a Pentax.

04-27-2018, 11:46 AM	#1
MariaHansen New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 6	Gimbal for K3 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I'm looking for a quality gimbal for my K3, and I can't find any info saying, if the Zhiyun Crane 2 is working with Pentax? Does anyone have it, or can recommend another? Thanks.

04-27-2018, 12:35 PM	#2
maw Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sassari (Italy) Posts: 1,118	Originally posted by MariaHansen Gimbal per K3 In response to your request I think it is a software problem between Room and Zhiyun Crane 2, read below. The problem is that in order to control the focusing system of the lens, the integrated follow focus must interact with the machine, and to date only on Canon (which uses a substantially open source communication system) is it possible to do so with ease, I hope it will help you. Link: Zhiyun Crane 2 Last edited by maw; 04-27-2018 at 12:36 PM. Reason: corrected

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04-27-2018, 12:53 PM	#3
MariaHansen New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by maw In response to your request I think it is a software problem between Room and Zhiyun Crane 2, read below. The problem is that in order to control the focusing system of the lens, the integrated follow focus must interact with the machine, and to date only on Canon (which uses a substantially open source communication system) is it possible to do so with ease, I hope it will help you. Link: Zhiyun Crane 2 It says that it comes with both Sony and Panasonic cable, but no Pentax. Also, the "follow focus" only works with Canon. (I wrote them, still no answer).

04-27-2018, 02:51 PM	#4
maw Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sassari (Italy) Posts: 1,118	Hi MariaHansen, I searched for Zhiyun Camera Stabilizers for Pentax. You should ask before (I always do so, before buying), if the product is perfectly compatible with Pentax as well, I don't know what model you have. Here the link: Zhiyun Crane 2 Stabilizer Gimbal for All DSLR Cameras Bye Mario Last edited by maw; 04-29-2018 at 06:10 PM.

04-27-2018, 08:01 PM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I think the Crane 2 will still work fine as a stabilising gimbal for the K-3, just like it would any camera/lens of the correct weight (maximum 3.2kg for the Crane 2, which should be OK for almost any K-3 + lens combo). It will keep the camera stable, and let you make basic adjustments yourself (point up, point down, rotate left/right etc) using the control buttons on the gimbal. But some of the advanced bells-and-whistles (like the follow-focus feature) likely won't work because those features seem to be designed for specific Canon, Sony or Panasonic hardware. Many of the gimbal bells and whistles will also depend on the Zhiyun Apple or Android app (ZyPlay) working OK on your tablet/phone. For info, the Crane 2 manual is downloadable here: http://zhiyundata.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com/zyplay/binary/instructions/in...0119164214.pdf

04-28-2018, 07:55 AM	#6
MariaHansen New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Well, the problem is, that there's not a Crane control cable made for Pentax. I went to a photo store today, and there's only cables for Sony, Canon and Panasonic. Nikon can be bought, but not Pentax. He tried the Crane V2 on my K3, and I can use the stabilize function, but not the zoom button on the Crane. Maybe I'll buy it anyway, I can't seem to find other Gimbals for Pentax.

05-21-2018, 05:03 AM - 2 Likes	#7
PiDicus Rex Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381	I'll deny it if anyone ever suggests I posted information on finding bargains for gimbals,.... RC Drones FPV Camera Gimbals \| HobbyKing

09-08-2019, 09:15 AM	#8
Takker New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 4	Just an FYI I believe the Canon cable will fit our pentax gear however the advanced features like follow focus etc still won't work. The shutter and video controls may or may not work you would have to test it. If someone does purchase one please let us all know how it works out.

10-09-2019, 10:38 AM - 1 Like	#9
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	I have this one; Camera Cottage - Equipment. I'm very, very pleased with it. Very sturdy, nice adjustments. Holds my K3 with my 70-200 F2.8, and 300 F4 w/1.5TC with no balance problems at all.

02-23-2022, 02:40 AM - 1 Like	#10
pimpim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mainz Photos: Albums Posts: 253	Apparently e.g. DJI provides cables USB-to-shutter-jack for Fuji's remote shutter, of the old-school jack type (2.5 I think, not the 3.5 headphone type). It could be that using such a cable you can have some success at least using start and stop functions on a Pentax.