Tilta simply introduced a handheld help system that turns your DJI Mavic 4 Professional drone right into a terrestrial digital camera rig. Sure, actually. At $125, they’re asking you to floor your flying machine and use it like a daily handheld digital camera. It’s both brilliantly modern or utterly insane – and we’re actually unsure which. Let’s dive into this Tilta handheld drone rig!
Typically the filmmaking trade throws us a curveball so sudden that we’ve got to double-check the calendar to verify it’s not April 1st. As we speak is a kind of days, courtesy of Tilta and their newest providing: the Handheld Assist System for DJI Mavic 4 Professional. Sure, you learn that accurately – they’ve created a cage system that transforms your drone right into a handheld digital camera rig.
Earlier than you dismiss this as one other “resolution in search of an issue,” let’s dive into what Tilta is definitely proposing right here.
First off: Let’s make it clear that we like Tilta’s options, and their modern method at on-set ache factors. At present, we’re reviewing the Tilta Nucleus M II and that evaluate must be out inside a month. Additionally, in case you missed it, we did a manufacturing facility tour at their HQ in China some years in the past, try that mini documentary right here in case you missed it.
However given the answer at hand right this moment, let’s dive in and have a bit enjoyable, lets?
Tilta Handheld Assist System for DJI Mavic 4 Professional. Picture credit score: Tilta
From sky at hand: the idea
At first look, the thought appears virtually comically counterintuitive. Drones have been invented to fly, weren’t they? However Tilta’s engineering staff apparently regarded on the DJI Mavic 4 Professional and thought, “You already know what this wants? Handles.”
The system is custom-designed particularly for the Mavic 4 Professional, that includes what Tilta calls a “distinctive digital camera cage type setup.” The modular design permits for numerous configurations, whether or not you’re taking pictures handheld or – and that is the place it will get fascinating – mounting to a automobile for “dynamic 360° curler pictures.”
The technical breakdown of the Tilta handheld drone rig
Credit score the place credit score is due: Tilta hasn’t half-hearted this idea. The help system comes loaded with skilled mounting choices together with:
- Chilly Shoe receivers for equipment
- 15mm rod compatibility
- Rosette mounts
- 1/4″-20 threads with finding factors
Maybe most intriguingly, the bottom of the distant controller mount incorporates a specialised clearance slot designed for seamless integration of DJI audio equipment. This implies Tilta is severe about positioning this as a authentic filmmaking software, not only a novelty merchandise.
The corporate emphasizes the system’s “ultra-lightweight building and tool-free meeting,” making it appropriate for what they name “cellular workflows” with quick setup and breakdown capabilities.
He’s unsure find out how to really feel about it both. But it surely’s a enjoyable factor to speak about. Picture credit score: Tilta
The sensible actuality verify
Now, let’s deal with the elephant within the room. The apparent query isn’t whether or not this technique works technically – understanding Tilta’s observe document, it most likely does. The query is: why would you wish to do that?
There are eventualities the place this might make sense. Automobile mounting for chase scenes or monitoring pictures, as an example, the place the drone’s stabilization system may present easy footage with out the complexity of conventional gimbal rigs. The 360° curler functionality Tilta mentions may open up artistic prospects for dynamic vehicle-mounted pictures.
For handheld work, the proposition turns into extra questionable. Why use a drone when conventional handheld cameras and gimbals exist? Maybe the reply lies within the Mavic 4 Professional’s particular capabilities – its light-weight design, superior stabilization, and built-in recording techniques may provide benefits in sure conditions.
The 360° curler functionality could be, nevertheless, undoubtedly simpler to execute than with the Ronin RS sequence of gimbals for the reason that drone gimbal is a lot lighter and received’t change the middle of gravity as its transferring (like a digital camera in lots of circumstances would).
The barebones of the Tilta Handheld Assist System for DJI Mavic 4 Professional, minus the drone. Picture credit score: Tilta
Pricing and availability
Tilta is providing the system for $125 (down from $139) with a “Save 10% till August nineteenth” promotion. It’s presently out there for pre-order with transport anticipated in 2-3 weeks. The product is available in Tilta’s signature Titanium White end.
At that value level, it’s positioned as an accessible accent relatively than a premium specialty merchandise, which is perhaps key to get some adoption. Otherwise you may simply purchase this for fun together with your buddies on set.
The decision: modern or ridiculous?
This product sits squarely in that fascinating area the place innovation meets absurdity. On paper, it feels like one thing dreamed up throughout a very artistic brainstorming session after an excessive amount of espresso. In apply, it’d simply remedy issues we didn’t know we had.
Tilta has constructed a popularity for considering outdoors the field with their digital camera help options, and this actually qualifies. Whether or not the Handheld Assist System for DJI Mavic 4 Professional turns into a cult favourite amongst indie filmmakers or a cautionary story about over-engineering stays to be seen.
One factor’s for sure: it’s sparked a dialog. And in an trade the place standing out from the group is more and more tough, possibly that’s half the battle received.
What do you consider the Tilta handheld drone rig? Revolutionary filmmaking software or resolution in search of an issue? Tell us within the feedback under.
Observe: Featured picture was equipped by Tilta, with the appropriate aspect of the body expanded utilizing Photoshop generative fill (the arms had no face within the unique picture and the framing didn’t work for a featured picture.)
