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Zhiyun Smooth 5 Professional Gimbal shooting with IPhone 13I started not that long ago with the Smooth 3 as my first Gimbal. I like it a lot but was tempted by the additional features of the Smooth 5. The 5 seems sturdier to me. I prefer the positioning of the arms of the 5. It seems more intuitive to me. The phone clamp on the 5 is easier to use as the treads are softer and wider (see first photo) making it easier to position and re-position the phone. Both devices fit my Galaxy Note 9 in it’s protective caseIf you’re reading this, you probably already know about the additional features. My favorite is the focus/zoom wheel. Having to do those things on the screen causes delays, missed shots, and vibrations when you touch the screen. The wheel makes transitions and effects much smoother. The mobile phone charging port will be handy. I’ve ordered a short 90 degree USB C male to USB C male connector cable so that I can connect it while I’m filming, or at least between shots if it gets in the way of the mechanism. It’s nice that it keeps the screen on as I’m working, but my battery drains fast because I like a bright screen. The joystick is lovely! I also like the ¼” Threaded Hole. I’m using it to add a handle so that I can manipulate the Smooth 5 with both hands. Later, maybe something else. And there’s more.First thing out of the box, charge the Smooth 5 while you read the User Guide. Yes, you will want to read the User Guide, even if you are familiar with Gimbal jargon. There are features and tips you will miss without it. It’s short and the diagrams and text are clear. I find it easier to read the PDF version on my computer, and with it I can search for key words. For example, you might guess that the trigger button pulls the trigger on the shot. There are four things it will do for you (check page 11), but it does not trigger the shutter. To do that on my phone: I turn on:Camera Settings / Shooting Methods / Voice Control.I use “smile” and “record video” to actuate the shutter.Haven’t figured out how to stop recording video verbally or without touching the screen yet. Let me know if you figure it out.While we are in Camera Settings, check that your volume key on your phone is set to utilize the zoom feature:Camera App / Shooting Methods / choose Press Volume Key to Zoom to Activate ZoomThe Smooth 5 will probably want to upgrade it’s firmware shortly after you turn it on or add the ZY Cami App.To access many of these features, however, you MUST install the ZY Cami app on your phone. It’s in the usual places, installs easily, and it IS intuitive. It also offers videos demonstrating it’s functions. When you first turn the Smooth 5 on, it pairs with Bluetooth easily, with or without the app. Pairing without the app gives you only very basic features. The app is needed for MANY of the really nice features.When you load the app, it also needs to connect with Bluetooth. Press the Bluetooth icon on the top left of the screen and the app will connect to your phone’s Bluetooth. Press Connect next to Smooth 5_DFAB (followed by a number). When it has connected you will see a small blue check on the right of the Device Connection box. X out of that box and enjoy the device.If it doesn’t connect, this is where you tap the function key 5 times to reset Bluetooth. Worst case, you may need to unpair the Smooth 5 in your phone’s quick setup menu and turn Bluetooth off and on again. The next time you press the flashing blue Bluetooth icon, it should pair easily.The Smooth 5 is a very travel-worthy device. It’s light, fits in my travel bag, will charge along with my other USB C devices, and it will be fun. I have a small PD charger that I carry when I travel, as well as a PD car charger, so it won’t demand anything extra. I’ve ordered one of the Zhiyun Magnetic Mini LED Lights, which will also easily fit into the space available. Later, I may add a microphone, perhaps an extension rod. Just for fun, I’ve begun following a couple of YouTube folks to learn some Gimbel tips and tricks

I bought this gimbal Zhiyun smooth 5 combo pack to work on videos on my phone. I have previously used gimbals for cameras like Dji ronin s2 and this smooth 5 is no less than them for my iPhone. It is a 3-axis stabilizer that pans and tilts/rotates very smoothly. It has a very professional look. The moves are very smooth and effortless. The gimbal covers most angles and has a very nice control system, which I believe mimics the full-size gimbal. It has a very friendly button on the control system to adjust the setting just from the gimbal. My favorite part is the modes, they can be PF (Pan Follow), V (360 degrees vortex mode), F (Follows or tracks a selected object), L (Locks to an object) and POV (Point of view that helps the creator to achieve the angle that he wants the audience to look at) The big dial on the size is used to zoom and it zooms from 0.5x to 6x. It also has a slot for adding any extra device. The combo pack comes with a magnetic light and some color gels and it very is powerful, the scene goes from dark to totally light by increasing the light intensity with help of the wheel in the control system on the gimbal. Smooth 5 has a very good charge capacity that goes for long shoots, I used it for like 6 to 8 hours with a full charge.You need the ZY Cami app to make more impact with gimbal, it has a lot of features that make videographers/content creator's life easy. First thing you get the gimbal calibrated for better stability, captures or tracks select objects very well. We can use gestures to control the camera. You can select the video setting like resolution and frame rate very quick in the interface with few taps. You can change between manual and auto for controlling exposure as you need. You have glamour effects that make your video look professional with few clicks. It has a photo, video, Pano, slow-motion, Dolly zoom, timelapse, and Hyper lapse you can select a different style. Along with all of this they a few very interesting options like smart and AIlive that can be used to create videos with presets.

It often tips to the side when panning around. I’m guessing you need some time to get a feel for it.Definitely research on YouTube how to use this thing. That will help you a lot.Most of the neg reviews are likely due to ‘human error’ rather than device error.But ahh us humans… we don’t like to be wrong do we? Lol

Well it looks well constructed solid, complicated and I bought this specifically for my iPhone 13 Pro max. Yes it holds the phone securely with a thin case fitted. It’s well worth looking at the videos in the booklet before starting and not to power up without a phone fitted.I charged before fitting the phone to the gimbal. Registering and downloading firmware were fairly intuitiveand after completing that everything just worked as per the video.I think the combo was well worth buying for the bag and tripod. The tripod makes it easy to assemble, fit to the phone, and forms a long handle which is good for me.I have only tried for a few hours but it is very stable just like other videos show. Either the camera can be operated from the gimbal buttons or the on screen display of the phone.

The function is good.

Please get customer service from the manufacturer to contact me to allow a return. The quality of this product looks good but unfortunately it never worked for me. Amazon do not allow a return because the item passed the return time, I was very ill and couldn't make an attempt to return it, item is brand new, tried to use it once, that's all. Please help!

Unit works well ... for about 8 minutes. I've contacted customer service and had zero reply.