Well look at what has arrived today on my desk. The latest updated (again) version of the CAME-TV 7800 Gimbal.
These changes are so new that at the time of this writing, the images for the CAME-TV 7800 Gimbal have not yet been updated on their website. If you plan on ordering one, I would double check with them about these new parts being available, since it's not yet posted on their website.
The system I have here has received a much needed aesthetic and functional overhaul. Finally they have professional looking side handles (not fond of the old yellow foam ones). These side handles require no tools to remove, and they have also updated to a matching new Top Handle. The biggest change of course is the addition of tool-less adjustments for the rear Roll Bar and YAW Motor and a slightly modified QR baseplate.
Previously they had only tool-less adjustments on the Pitch, and making adjustments to the Roll and YAW was a tedious task - but not any longer. The system now comes with a semi-hard travel case with a Gimbal Stand. The 7800 has certainly stood the test of time to be one of the most affordable entry level gimbal systems, and it seems like it's just getting better.
So the new changes look great, and in theory should make life a lot easier, but i'll still need to put it through the paces and test this thing out over the weekend. If you're interested in finding out more, the CAME-TV 7800 3-Axis Gimbal can be found on their website (CLICK HERE).
CAME-TV 7800 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with Case + Stand
Emm
Post author@Ema - If you purchased a 7000 version, that does not come assembled. I'm not sure where your system went wrong, but here's a full step by step article: https://gimbal.cheesycam.com/diy-build-came-7000-32-bit-3-axis-gimbal-stabilizer/
You can also watch all the videos at https://minigimbal.com
Ema
I bought this gimbal directly for their site, Once it arrived i opened the box and saw the parts shabbily arranged. I immediately smelled a rat. I had to assemble most of the parts my self even though i ordered a 'pre assembled ready to use gimbal'.
I spent days trying to balance the gimbal and it would not work. I contacted CAME TV and they claimed that i had tampered with the PID settings. I knew that i was going left with a worthless piece of crap when they refused to take the gimbal back, even after uploading 2 videos to prove that their gimbal doesn't work.
I feel duped. Please save your self the hassle and do not buy from this scam company CAME TV.
Stevan
Ive had some terrible luck with the 7800 swaying to the side when turned on and it jerking around. I used your auto tuning video as a tutorial to try to auto tune the PID and now its kinda worse off.
any advice on to what I can do to reset it or slowly bring it back?
as well I seen in your review you're using the 5D mark 3 with it and using it in briefcase mode. Is that a setting for the motors ?
Emm
Post author@theIdol - Did you check moving the handles forward and 'over' the camera? That's another balance to check and is fixed by rotating the YAW post on top. Watch how I balance this: httpss://youtu.be/OBbbG58SYkc?t=3m54s
theIdol
@Emm - Thanks so much that did it. I'm almost there. Here is the strange part. If I take the gimbal and put it on it's side with the joystick side toward the bottom the yaw arm stays in the middle perfectly, but if I reverse that, the yaw arm completely flops around inside out. I did not see any examples of this behavior on the balance videos. Do you have any insight into that issue?
Emm
Post author@theIdol - Yes, the bolts that clamp the rear bar that sits horizontally across connected to the Roll motor.
theIdol
@Emm - are you talking about the 4 hex bolts on the bar like the original 7800?
Emm
Post author@theIdol - If your camera is flipping over, then the side arms might be pointing up too high. Loosen the clamp on the rear roll bar and move the side arms pointing downwards a little.
theIdol
I just got this unit yesterday. Emm do you have any tips on getting a A7s balanced in the new 7800? Adjusting the cage so it's not bottom heavy causes the unit to flip upside down. I am using a metabones mark IV and a 11-16 tokina.
Any advice would help alot.
konsta
does a 7' monitor leave enough space in between the upper handle? i mean if there have to be quick changes between handles maybe a 5' monitor would be better?
thecat
@Eric ok I see, thanks for your answer.
Eric
@thecat, you don't go wireless, you just get a super flexible HDMI cable.
thecat
How does the monitor attach to the camera in gimbal setup? Is it wireless?
I have a GH4. Can you recommend any monitor wireless that can display 4K and fits nicely on the CAME-7800?
Thanks emm
johnny
I am actually liking the new Came-7800, it only took me 5 mins to set it up with the gh4, however, it will still be a bit of time spent to adjust the cage to fit and balance but it's not hard compared to the one before.
One thing to pay attention is the vertical bar that holds the 2nd IMU, it may come assembled off center (mine came crooked) so once I centered it, and turned it on, it was off a bit (a quick acc/imu/gyro calibrate fixed the issue)
Also, although I don't like the new stand (it was made a slight shorter than the gimbal), it serves a good purpose to keep the gimbal balanced for GUI (if need to).
BUT, while messing around, we noticed you can take the tips off of and add suction cups and making it to be a stand to mount the gimbal on cars. 🙂 So maybe I'll start liking it more.
Eric
Emm, same question as above but vs the Defy G2x. Very similar specs but almost $1k in price difference between the two.
Akira
Emm,
Between this and DJI Ronin, which one will you pick? the Ronin has a $500 price drop now.
OldCorpse
It used to be said that one downfall of the 7800 compared to the Birdycam 2 was that it was harder to set up. So now that this aspect has improved, is the 7800 easier to set up than the Birdycam 2? That's what I'm hoping Emm can tell us.
Emm
Post author@Joseph - It can be added but that means taking the whole system apart and rewiring everything.
Joseph
Do you know if this is something we can add to our existing 7800, its kind of hard to tell by these pictures? I just bought mine about 3 weeks ago, had I just waited a bit longer:-(
Kevin
If they make the same changes on the Came-Mini, I would finally buy it. Otherwise I am waiting until the Came-mini makes those changes.
Emm
Post author@Dan Eckert - The 3rd axis (panning) makes a big difference if you are planning to walk or follow. Otherwise if you are just moving the camera around while minimally walking, the 6000 does an excellent job of keeping the horizon level.
Emm
Post author@Guillaume - Good suggestion, maybe they will. It's still based on the same frame, but it would take having to rebuild the whole system from scratch and rewire everything.
Guillaume
I wish we could by parts to upgrade the old system.
Louis
The one I'm interested in seeing is their up coming mini. Do you have any news on it and are your gonna have one to review?
Dan Eckert
I just purchased one of the last CAME 6000 2 Axis Brushless Gimbals. You featured it a while back. I hope I made the right decision!