Ikan Announces X3 Gimbal for Mobile Filmmaking
-
- June 17, 2014
By James DeRuvo (doddleNEWS)
Mobile filmmaking is really becoming popular with budding filmmakers as it democratizes the art and lowers the bar to enter into the art form. And with smartphones being able to record at full 1080p, 2.5K and soon, even 4K, these devices are being used by filmmakers in even Academy Award winning features, making it a legitimate camera choice for select shots and storylines. Even Madison Avenue is catching the wave, as Bentley has used iPhones to shoot their latest commercial for their luxury cars. And Ikan has seen the trend and is offering a more affordable, entry level tool to provide gimbal based stabilization in hand held design with the X3 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer.
Welcome to the world of professional looking steadicam shots that you can film straight from your smart phone. Footage that would normally require a heavy harness costing thousands of dollars is now literally in the palm of your hand thanks to the X3 Handheld Gimbal. - ikancorp.com
The gimbal based camera stabilizer concept was introduced last year with the Freefly MVI M10, and Vince LaForet was right when he dubbed it a cinematic game changer. And that concept was underscored by the fact that almost over night competing designs popped up promising smooth camera operation from almost any configuration.
About ten years ago, Tiffen began to offer smaller, junior designs of Garrett Brown‘s Steadicam, and for a few hundred dollars, the prosumer class of videographer was able to get professional production value of a stabilizer. But two maturing industries have merged to offer an even more fluid option... that of digital cameras and stabilization of the radio controlled hobbyists. That’s how the Freefly MoVI came to be.?But the M10 is largely the domain of professional cinema camera operators much like the Steadicam has been for the last 30 years.
Now that we live in the age of mobile phones which also act as high definition camera platforms. And it’s become an Oscar winning art form that entry level filmmakers are taking advantage of, and Ikan sees the advantage of providing gimbal based camera stabilization. Features of the X3 3Axis Camera Stabilizer include ....
- Record smooth video from your smartphone even with extreme movements
- Fast to setup and simple to use even if you have never shot a video before
- Securely holds your phone with an electric Gyroscope and 3-Axis stabilizers
- Run, jump and maintain a fluid motion
- Lightweight but very durable construction
The only real downside of the design is that it can’t work for larger smartphones. But for models the size of the iPhone, it’s a great fit. And for $299, the X3 is right in line price wise with the hand held Tiffen SteadiCam Curve, but will be a heck of a lot easier to set up. I tried out the SteadiCam Smoothee a few years back, and essentially gave up trying to balance it with my iPhone. So I have high hopes that leaving the control to a software controlled gimbal will be a much easier affair.
But I will say this... I wish Ikan had given us the option to remove the X3 from the handle so it could be installed on a quadcopter like the DJI Phantom. That would’ve really given mobile filmmakers more bang for their buck. Hopefully, the next model will have that capability.
But for the real estate agent or wedding videographer, or even uncle Dave capturing those kodak moments, the iKan X3 looks to be a promising addition to your mobile filmmaking toolbar. For more information, visit IkanCorp.com.
The post Ikan Announces X3 Gimbal for Mobile Filmmaking appeared first on Doddle.
