5 Advanced Gimbal Transitions You Need to Try
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In today’s video, we dive into five advanced gimbal transitions that can elevate your video production. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned videographer, with a bit of practice, these transitions will quickly become second nature. For this demonstration, I'm using the Zhiyun Weebill 2, paired with the Sony A7 III and a Tamron 17-28mm lens. Let’s jump into the transitions!
1. Semi-Orbit Transition
This first transition requires your gimbal to be in pan follow mode—the tilt is locked, but the gimbal follows your wrist's panning movements. To pull this off, you'll need to keep the subject centered as you orbit around them. Start with your subject in the middle of the frame and perform a semi-circle around them. When transitioning to the next shot, replicate the same movement. Speed ramps in post-production will help smooth out the transition even more.
2. POV Orbit
Here, you’ll use POV mode to create a point-of-view effect. For this example, I performed an orbit around a subject’s hand, revealing the same hand with a watch on it in the next shot. The key is ensuring both shots follow the same motion. With some speed ramping in post, you can make the transition seamless.
3. Vortex Transition
Set your gimbal to vortex mode for this one. The goal here is to not only track your subject forward but to also slowly roll the camera, either with the joystick or the gimbal handle. This one takes practice, but if you focus on keeping your subject centered, it will result in a smooth, dynamic transition.
4. POV Roll
In POV mode, you’ll perform a roll with your camera while tracking your subject. Start by tilting the camera in one direction, and for the next shot, roll the camera to match the same direction. This transition works best when the textures or colors in both shots are similar, allowing the transition to blend seamlessly.
5. Push Back and Tilt
Set your gimbal in follow mode to track both pan and tilt movements. In this transition, you’ll back away from the subject and slowly tilt the gimbal downward to reveal the ground. For the next shot, start by tilting down from an object (e.g., a building or the sky) and reveal your second scene. Blending the two shots together gives a smooth roll into the next frame.
Bonus: Simple Track-In Transition
This one is a bit more straightforward. Keep your gimbal in lock mode, which ensures it doesn’t tilt or pan during the shot. For the transition, track forward in both shots, and use speed ramping at the beginning and end of the clips to make the transition feel fluid and seamless.
I hope these advanced transitions give you some fresh ideas for your next video! With practice, they’ll add a professional touch to your footage. See you in the next one!
