Battery life’s not terrible for short gigs, at least with the Zhiyun I tried—just gotta remember to charge it before you head out. I do miss being able to just grab-and-go like with the shoulder rig, though. Ever had one cut out mid-shot? That’s my main worry. The smooth footage is nice, but sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the extra hassle, especially when I’m crawling around attics or tight crawlspaces. How are you carrying all your gear when you’re on inspections?
I do miss being able to just grab-and-go like with the shoulder rig, though. Ever had one cut out mid-shot? That’s my main worry.
Had that happen once in a crawlspace—gimbal just died and I was left holding a limp noodle of a camera. Not fun. Honestly, for tight spots or quick checks, I keep going back to the shoulder mount. It’s heavier, but at least it never quits on you. The gimbal’s great for walkthroughs when I want things to look smooth, but if I’m crawling around insulation or ducking under pipes, simple is better. Usually just toss everything in a backpack and keep it light—less to fumble with when you’re squeezed between joists.
I get the appeal of the shoulder mount, especially when you’re crawling around in tight spots. But I’ve actually had more trouble with those in awkward spaces—mine always seems to snag on something or bang into a joist when I’m not paying attention. The gimbal’s failed on me once or twice, but honestly, it’s saved my footage more times than it’s let me down. I just keep a backup battery handy and try to plan my shots so I’m not stuck mid-crawl if it dies. Guess it depends on how much you value smooth shots versus reliability... both have their headaches.
- Had similar issues with shoulder mounts—mine loves to hook onto pipes or low beams, especially when I’m focused on the shot and not my surroundings.
- Gimbals are a mixed bag for me. When they work, the footage is gold, but battery anxiety is real. I’ve been burned by dead batteries more than once mid-job.
- Sometimes I just go handheld in tight crawlspaces. Not perfect, but less risk of getting stuck or damaging gear.
- Guess it comes down to whether you’re prioritizing smoothness or just making sure you get the shot at all... I lean slightly toward reliability, but it’s always a tradeoff.
That battery anxiety is real—been there with power tools on a roof, and it’s never fun when you’re halfway through a job. I get what you mean about reliability. Sometimes the “less fancy” option just gets it done, even if it’s not perfect. Ever tried carrying a backup battery, or is that just more weight to juggle?