S1000 + 5D3 or GH4 - Mature enough yet?

Dave_EP

Dave_EP

Member
Hello all,

I'm a newbie around here, bit having looked down quite a few pages in the forum I still have some basic questions.

I'm currently flying the Phantom 2 with Hero 3+, but I'm looking to upgrade to a better camera system, hence I'm also looking at the S1000.

S1000 Maturity
Is the S1000 / control system considered mature enough now? Is the A2 a mature enough system to trust with a 5D3 or GH4?

Also I read the thread about first service and grommets. Anything else seem to be wearing?

Cameras & Gimbals
Given that the gimbals are fairly expensive, I'm looking for feedback on how well the GH4 is performing with the S1000 since I'm at the point of having 2x 5D3 cameras but have received a good cash offer for one of them that would let me buy a GH4 instead (thinking about 4K). I don't want to buy the GH4 system if it's not working well, OTOH I don't want to invest in a 5D3 gimbal only to move to a GH4 shortly after. Does that make sense?

Recommended Lens
Want is the recommended lens for the GH4 on an S1000?

Controllers
Thinking about the controllers, if I went for a two controller system, Pilot + Camera/Gimbal, what (not too expensive) controllers would you recommend and why? If we went for a single controller system would your choice be different?
 

B

baja-king

Here for the ride :)
My advice would be:

Gryphon Dynamics X8 Frame http://gryphondynamics.co.kr/product-1
KDE Direct 4014XF-380 Motors http://www.kdedirect.com/KDE4014XF380.html
KDE Direct KDEXFUAS35 ESC's http://www.kdedirect.com/KDEXFUAS35.html
Aeronavics pre-soldered-power-distribution-board-8 http://aeronavics.com/products/shop/cx-accessories/pre-soldered-power-distribution-board-8/
KDE Triple prop adaptors http://www.kdedirect.com/KDEXFTPAV2.html
DJI 1552 props http://www.dji.com/info/releases/dji-released-the-latest-1552-folding-propeller
DJI WKM http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/dji-wookong-m-wkm-multi-rotor-controller.html
Movi M5 with DX8 controller http://www.freeflysystems.com/products/moviM5.php
Movi MR kit http://store.freeflysystems.com/collections/movi-accessory/products/movi-m5-multi-rotor-upgrade-kit
Jeti DS-14 for flight control https://www.electricwingman.com/jeti-ds14-transmitter-m2
Jeti Current sensor https://www.electricwingman.com/jeti-duplex/telemetric-sensors/mui-75-voltage-current.aspx
12-35mm T2.8 Lens http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-panasonic-12-35mm-f2-8-micro-four-thirds-lens/p1531036
GH-4

Dave_EP said:
Hello all,

I'm a newbie around here, bit having looked down quite a few pages in the forum I still have some basic questions.

I'm currently flying the Phantom 2 with Hero 3+, but I'm looking to upgrade to a better camera system, hence I'm also looking at the S1000.

S1000 Maturity
Is the S1000 / control system considered mature enough now? Is the A2 a mature enough system to trust with a 5D3 or GH4?

Also I read the thread about first service and grommets. Anything else seem to be wearing?

Cameras & Gimbals
Given that the gimbals are fairly expensive, I'm looking for feedback on how well the GH4 is performing with the S1000 since I'm at the point of having 2x 5D3 cameras but have received a good cash offer for one of them that would let me buy a GH4 instead (thinking about 4K). I don't want to buy the GH4 system if it's not working well, OTOH I don't want to invest in a 5D3 gimbal only to move to a GH4 shortly after. Does that make sense?

Recommended Lens
Want is the recommended lens for the GH4 on an S1000?

Controllers
Thinking about the controllers, if I went for a two controller system, Pilot + Camera/Gimbal, what (not too expensive) controllers would you recommend and why? If we went for a single controller system would your choice be different?
Click to expand...
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Hey mate,

The S1000 has only good reports so far. It is just a frame so has no control system (not sure what you meant there). The A2 is apparently terrible, many reports of this The Wookong is great and is tried and tested.

The Zenmuse gimbals are fantastic compared to most other gimbals (MOVI aside but you might need to sell a kidney to own one). Which one though? Well, are you a stills man or a videographer?

For versatility, the MOVI is great. The DJI stuff (S1000/Zenmuse) is designed to work together, and it does. I would probably go for the 5D and forget about 4K for now. It takes great video and stills.
 

Dave_EP

Dave_EP

Member
Benjamin Kenobi said:
Hey mate,

The S1000 has only good reports so far. It is just a frame so has no control system (not sure what you meant there). The A2 is apparently terrible, many reports of this The Wookong is great and is tried and tested.
Click to expand...

Thanks. What is it about the A2 that's so terrible? Isn't it a super set of the Wookong?

Everything I've read so far where people have had problems is due to either user error (e.g. not getting GPS lock but flying in GPS mode) or user actions that were out of ordinary (like switching modes in the middle of doing things). I'd be interested to hear (or read) more evidence since this is a lot of money to spend and getting it wrong could be expensive.

Benjamin Kenobi said:
The Zenmuse gimbals are fantastic compared to most other gimbals.........Which one though? Well, are you a stills man or a videographer?

For versatility, the MOVI is great. The DJI stuff (S1000/Zenmuse) is designed to work together, and it does. I would probably go for the 5D and forget about 4K for now. It takes great video and stills.
Click to expand...

Mostly video, hence the interest in 4K. Occasional stills requirements but filming in 4K may give stills plenty big enough for the web and so only shoot stills if there are really needed for print.
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Erm, seriously? This forum alone is full of A2 failures. It doesn't really offer more functionality than the Wookong does.

Using the A2 with the S1000 is probably the best way to use it. There are much fewer reports of problems with that combo. It's when people start using it for other airframes that problems begin to appear.

Of course I have not tried an A2 so my opinion really doesn't count for anything (yes, I'm honest) :nevreness:

The Zenmuse, on the other hand, I have been using for 18 months and it is fantastic! I would say go for 4K. They have just released the Zenmuse GH4, but it is only now just about to hit the market so you may have to wait for a while for stock.
 

Dave_EP

Dave_EP

Member
Benjamin Kenobi said:
Erm, seriously? This forum alone is full of A2 failures. It doesn't really offer more functionality than the Wookong does.

Using the A2 with the S1000 is probably the best way to use it. There are much fewer reports of problems with that combo. It's when people start using it for other airframes that problems begin to appear.
Click to expand...

TBH - I've only been looking at the S1000+A2 combo which is probably why I haven't seen the other problems! Thanks for the reply - I'll go hunting deeper.
 



Mick Koi

Mick Koi

Member
Benjamin Kenobi said:
Erm, seriously? This forum alone is full of A2 failures. It doesn't really offer more functionality than the Wookong does.

Using the A2 with the S1000 is probably the best way to use it. There are much fewer reports of problems with that combo. It's when people start using it for other airframes that problems begin to appear.

Of course I have not tried an A2 so my opinion really doesn't count for anything (yes, I'm honest) :nevreness:

The Zenmuse, on the other hand, I have been using for 18 months and it is fantastic! I would say go for 4K. They have just released the Zenmuse GH4, but it is only now just about to hit the market so you may have to wait for a while for stock.
Click to expand...

they've released the GH4 gimbal! after clearly telling me from DJI HQ there were no plans! :dejection:
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Seems like a good budget for what you want to do.

There are nothing but good reports about the S1000 frame. I am personally dubious about the A2, but that's probably because I've been a Wookong man for years and it has worked flawlessly in all the time I've had it.

Choosing a gimbal is not so easy. You have a 5D and the 5D Zenmuse is pretty good, but then there's no 4K. There's other options with the gimbal, but they may turn out pricey. Ask Zaxis as he's flying the GH4 with the S1000.
 





ZAxis

ZAxis

Member
Dave_EP...

If you're intending to operate commercially in the UK you need to be very aware of the upcoming revised CAA 'safety case' requirements for 7 - 20 Kg multirotors. It will impact everyone who operates in anyway that currently requires an exemption to the basic approved limits.
We fly an S1000/A2/ZenGH3 adapted to GH4. The extra resolution of the 4K image allows a bit of post production reframing which has proven really useful. This review of the GH4 is very informative.

andy
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Hey Andy,

What HDMI setup are you using with the GH4 and Zen? The Kopterworx ribbon cable format?

I thought we could simply use the Zenmuse HDMI cable for the BMPC as it has a micro HDMI also, any thoughts?
 

gtranquilla

gtranquilla

RadioActive
FWIW
I am sure the S1000 is a good choice but I already purchased the Cinestar 8... which is now equipped with a DJI A2 and I am using the Futaba T8FG Super Radio system. All is well so far after approximately 16 test flights.... Most test flights are to resolve BGC control issues and I am keeping the costs/risks way down during this phase by using the BaseCam 3 axis 32 bit Alexmos and a Hero GoPro3+ Black. At some point I hope that the DJI A2 issues are more completely resolved by means of improved firmware or whatever....... At that point in time I will move up to a larger camera and perhaps a more expensive 3 axis BGC system but only if I cannot resolve remaining issues with the Alexmos BGC.

Dave_EP said:
Hello all,

I'm a newbie around here, bit having looked down quite a few pages in the forum I still have some basic questions.

I'm currently flying the Phantom 2 with Hero 3+, but I'm looking to upgrade to a better camera system, hence I'm also looking at the S1000.

S1000 Maturity
Is the S1000 / control system considered mature enough now? Is the A2 a mature enough system to trust with a 5D3 or GH4?

Also I read the thread about first service and grommets. Anything else seem to be wearing?

Cameras & Gimbals
Given that the gimbals are fairly expensive, I'm looking for feedback on how well the GH4 is performing with the S1000 since I'm at the point of having 2x 5D3 cameras but have received a good cash offer for one of them that would let me buy a GH4 instead (thinking about 4K). I don't want to buy the GH4 system if it's not working well, OTOH I don't want to invest in a 5D3 gimbal only to move to a GH4 shortly after. Does that make sense?

Recommended Lens
Want is the recommended lens for the GH4 on an S1000?

Controllers
Thinking about the controllers, if I went for a two controller system, Pilot + Camera/Gimbal, what (not too expensive) controllers would you recommend and why? If we went for a single controller system would your choice be different?
Click to expand...
 

ZAxis

ZAxis

Member
Benjamin Kenobi said:
Hey Andy,

What HDMI setup are you using with the GH4 and Zen? The Kopterworx ribbon cable format?

I thought we could simply use the Zenmuse HDMI cable for the BMPC as it has a micro HDMI also, any thoughts?
Click to expand...

We're using a Kopterworx HDMI converter with a long flat ribbon cable from the States. The Kopterworx one is too short unless you mount the converter on the underside of the camera platform and rebalance the whole thing.
http://xproheli.com/collections/acce...bon-cable-50cm
The converter is stuck on top of the pan motor and the cable routed so that it allows about +/- 360 degree pan movement. You need to be careful not to rotate to far but the motor will stall before the ribbon gives way.
The ZenMuse BMPC cable you see advertised has a microHDMI at the camera end but the DJI style connector at the other end goes directly to their HDMI converter which if it's the GH3 one will not work with a GH4, hence the need for the Kopterworx converter.
All these right angle HDMI plugs are delicate so should be treated carefully or re-enforced with extra epoxy.
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Thanks mate. That's the combo I thought of.

I might just hang on for the GH4 Zen...maybe. I'm still on the old GH2 gimbal.
 

T

Tahoe Ed

Active Member
Benjamin Kenobi said:
Thanks mate. That's the combo I thought of.

I might just hang on for the GH4 Zen...maybe. I'm still on the old GH2 gimbal.
Click to expand...

I would wait. I have set up two of the GH4 gimbals and just like the Zen for BMPCC it is a HD Gimbal and the HD signal travels along the slip rings. I works well with the A2/Lightbridge combo.
 

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