Over the past several months we have been working with the Zhiyun Weebill 3s and we wanted to summarize our thoughts about the gimbal and especially some aspects of camera compatibility.
Zhiyun Weebill 3s – a Long-term look
In our initial overview of the Zhiyun Weebill 3s we published in May this year, we covered most of the main features of the Weebill 3s and how it differs from the original Weebill 3.
We now had a chance to work with the Weebill 3s on several commercial projects and form a more clear and substantial view of the gimbal. We also talked with Frank Fang from Zhiyun during IBC 2023 who explained to us that for a lot of the setups that we considered as fitting for a Weebill 3s, Zhiyun reccomands the Crane 4 and we will see why in the next sections.
Long term look at the Zhiyun Weebill 3s
Zhiyun Weebill 3s payload and compatibility
At this point in the stabilizer development, it’s fair to say that the motors are strong enough for any camera setup. Zhiyun doesn’t even publish the payload capacity anymore, since that’s no longer a limitation.
The limitation is rather in the form factor of the camera setup. Zhiyun states in their camera compatibility chart, for example, the camera and lens configurations can be balanced both horizontally and vertically, but in most cases, balancing will not be possible with attached accessories.
Basically, we’ve come to the conclusion that the real test for a gimbal is clearance and camera control. So in this review, we demonstrate some rig configurations to see what is actually compatible with the Weebil 3s and how the software controls that specific camera.
One thing that is still missing on gimbals is a quick release. In our studio, we use the RC2 quick releases, but putting them on this gimbal base messes with the balancing. In this case, we use Arca bases to make setup simpler, but having an integrated quick release would make for an easier workflow.
Zhiyun Weebill 3s compatibility chart
A7Riv Compatibility
Our first demo is with a Sony a7Riv with a 40mm f2.5 lens. It’s a very compact combo, so there aren’t any problems balancing and clearing the cradle. There is plenty of space on the base plate since there are no extra accessories in this setup.
This combo is also pretty light, and the Weebill 3s handles it with no problems on any of the axes and in sling mode.
We connected the camera using the provided USB-C cable to check how well the gimbal’s software controls the camera. The menu identified the camera right away. We were able to control the camera’s shutter, aperture, and ISO.
In the menu, you can assign one of these values to the control wheel. The screen displays what value is selected. The e-zoom option doesn’t work on this camera, according to Zhiyun’s compatibility chart.
The Bluetooth record button also worked seamlessly after pairing with the camera. Half-pressing “record” also works as a focus button.
Our next test is with a much bigger lens on the same camera body. This setup is very front-heavy, so the release plate needs to be readjusted towards the front. It’s harder to balance this combo, and it barely clears the back of the cradle.
Of course, you can take the rubber eyepiece off to make more room, but the handling already feels more strenuous than with the previous setup.
Designed for lighter combos
Fx30 Compatibility
Next, we change the 16-35 f2.8 onto an FX30. Because there is no viewfinder on this camera, it has more clearance in the back. But it’s also a bit larger, so balancing this combo is also a bit hard.
During quick pans in sling mode, the Weebill starts struggling, and there is a little camera shake. With such a front-heavy setup, it’s important to do moderate gimbal moves.
As far as controlling the FX30 from the Weebill 3s, we had some trouble. First, the gimbal couldn’t identify the camera. We changed the connection cable to the provided Micro USB.
The gimbal menu finally identified FX30, but when connecting it would show it as an A7Riv. The only camera setting we could change from the gimbal is e-zoom. The Bluetooth record button paired seamlessly.
A7iv Compatibility
Our next setup is with a Sony A7iv with a small (weight 1.2lbs) cine lens (Viltrox 56mm t1.5). It’s a manual lens, so we added Zhiyun’s follow-focus motor on the side. It’s not a heavy unit, but this combo is also pretty hard to balance on the roll axis. The gimbal handles this setup without a problem though.
Bluetooth pairing was seamless and the gimbal connected to the A7iv with no problems. There’s a different limitation though, when using a follow focus unit — there is no way to quickly change from focus to exposition settings.
Conclusion
The Weebil 3s in our experience is very stable and ergonomic, with its easy-to-access controls and the adjustable wrist pad. It’d be great if Zhiyun could implement this kind of thumbscrew adjustment and a quick release to the balancing plate.
The only other thing we’d ask for is a better lock on the handle extension. Just like in the previous version of the Weebill 3, this lock gets undone and it’s hard to know which way to tighten it. A latch would be a much better solution.
In conclusion, the Weebil 3s is a great gimbal for smaller setups with limited accessories. In our use cases, we’ll probably need to switch to a larger gimbal, like the Crane 4 that Zhiyun showed us at IBC in September.
Lightweight gimbal – Zhiyun Weebill 3s
Pricing and availability
The Zhiyun Weebill 3S Combo is already available on Amazon for $440.
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