02/03/2026 8:15 pm
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I finally pulled the trigger on the Sony a7 IV and honestly the autofocus is a dream but man this thing is heavier than I expected once I put my 24-70mm GM lens on it. Im mostly doing wedding videography and I have a big shoot coming up in Seattle in about three weeks so I need to get this sorted like yesterday. I have a budget of maybe $550 max because I already spent way too much on the body and glass this month.
Ive spent hours looking at reviews and everyone seems to point toward the DJI RS3. It looks sleek and those auto-locking axes are really cool but I saw a few threads saying the motors might struggle if I add my Ninja V monitor and a small shotgun mic to the cage. Then I saw the Zhiyun Weebill 3S which is way more affordable but some guys on a different forum said the software interface is a nightmare for Mac users and I really dont want to be fighting my gimbal while I should be focusing on the bride and groom.
My main concern is the weight balance and how much of a pain it is to re-balance if I switch lenses mid-shoot. Is the RS3 Pro worth the extra cash even if it blows my budget or is there some middle ground I missed for an a7 IV setup that isnt going to kill my arms after eight hours of filming?
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02/03/2026 8:30 pm
Wait, where exactly are you mounting that Ninja V? On the camera cage or the gimbal handle? That placement really changes how much torque those motors need to pull. If you are on a tight budget, you might want to consider the Zhiyun Crane 2S 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer. It is a beast for heavier setups and usually much cheaper than the new DJI stuff. Just be careful, it is definitely a workout.
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02/03/2026 8:15 pm
I've been running the a7 IV with that exact glass for months and the DJI RS 3 Gimbal Stabilizer is absolutely fantastic for it! You definitely dont need to blow your budget on the Pro version. The standard RS3 has a 3kg payload capacity which is plenty for your setup since the camera and lens usually sit at around 1.5kg total. The secret to not killing the motors is how you mount the Atomos Ninja V 5 inch 4K HDMI Monitor. Never mount it on the camera cage! Use a mount that attaches to the gimbal handle itself so the weight stays off the axis motors and doesnt mess with your balance. Those auto-locking axes are a total game changer for weddings, seriously amazing for moving between locations fast. If you're worried about the weight shift of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM when zooming, just balance the gimbal while the lens is at the 50mm mark. The motors have more than enough torque to handle the center of gravity shift without vibrating or losing position. Also, the DJI app is way more stable than Zhiyun on Mac in my experience. Quick tip: get a SmallRig Sling Handle for DJI RS 3 to help with the weight during those long days. It shifts the load to your larger arm muscles and makes low shots way easier. Honestly, you'll love it.
4
02/03/2026 9:17 pm
To add to the point above: be careful with your payload, its risky. I suggest finding a used DJI RSC 2 Pro Combo.
- Handles 3kg easily
- Saves money for extra batteries
1
26/04/2026 7:35 pm
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
