Zhiyun CRANE-M3 User Manual
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Zhiyun CRANE-M3 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Zhiyun CRANE-M3

  • Page 1 The following features are available in this PDF document. Quick Keyword Search Enter the keyword in the search box and hit the search button Quick Jump between Chapters Click the title of a specific chapter on the Contents to jump to it *Reading software such as Adobe Reader is needed to support the functions above.
  • Page 2 CRANE - M3 U se r Gu id e...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Product List ■ Product List ······················ 1 Get to Know CRANE-M3 ■ Get to Know CRANE-M3 ················· 4 Battery and Charging ■ Battery and Charging ·················· 5 Mounting and Balancing ■ Mounting the Tripod ·················· 6 Mounting the Camera ················· 6 Mounting the Phone ··················...
  • Page 4 Firmware Upgrade and Calibration ■ Firmware Upgrade ··················· 26 Six-side Calibration ·················· 28 Product Specifications ■ Disclaimer and Warning ■ Reading Tips ····················· 32 Warnings ······················· 32 Safe Operation Guidelines ··············· 33 Warranty Card ■ Warranty Period ···················· 35 Warranty Exclusions ·················· 35 Warranty Claim Procedure ···············...

  • Page 5: Product List

    Before using this product, please check carefully that all the following items are included in the product package. In case that any item is found missing, please contact ZHIYUN or your local selling agent. CRANE-M3 x1 USB Type-C Cable x1...
  • Page 6 Product List Tripod* x1 Tripod** x1 Phone Clamp** x1 TransMount EasyGo Backpack** x1 CTIA2.5 to CTIA2.5 LN-TRS25TRS25-B01 CTIA2.5 to CTIA3.5 LN-TRS25TRS35-B01 Audio Cable*** x1 Audio Cable*** x1 TransMount CRANE-M3 Expansion 6.5mm to XLR Audio Cable*** x1 Base*** x1...
  • Page 7 Product List TransMount Shotgun Microphone*** x1 TransMount Microphone Sponge*** x1 Items marked “*” are included in CRANE-M3. Items marked “**” are included in CRANE-M3 COMBO and CRANE-M3 PRO. Items marked “**” are included in CRANE-M3 PRO.

  • Page 8: Get To Know Crane-M3

    Get to Know CRANE-M3 Get to Know CRANE-M3 1. Quick Release Plate Safety Lock 17. Photo/Video Button 2. Quick Release Plate Release Button 18. Tilt Axis Lock Switch 3. Quick Release Plate 19. Tilt Axis Latch 4. 1/4"Camera Lock Screw 20.

  • Page 9: Battery And Charging

    Battery and Charging Battery and Charging CRANE-M3 is equipped with built-in battery. When using CRANE-M3 for the first time, please fully charge the battery to activate them and to ensure the proper function of the gimbal. Charging method: Use provided USB Type-C cable to connect the USB charger (not provided, recommend chargers that meet the USB Power Deliver y Specification, supports 12W at most) to the charging port of CRANE-M3.

  • Page 10: Mounting And Balancing

    Mount the tripod to the bottom of the CRANE-M3 handle, then unfold the tripod and place the CRANE-M3 on a flat surface. Mounting the Camera 1. Each axis of the gimbal is equipped with a lock switch.You can use these lock switches to lock the axes for convenient installation and storage.
  • Page 11 Mounting and Balancing Lock state for installation 2. Mount the camera on the quick release plate. Tighten the bottom screw.
  • Page 12 Mounting and Balancing 3. Toggle the quick release plate safety lock to unlock ① , install the whole quick release plate on CRANE-M3 ② and make sure a firm installation. ① ② When detaching, toggle the quick release plate safety lock to unlock ① , press the quick release plate release button ②...
  • Page 13 ② The camera control/charging port is only available for controlling certain Sony cameras. For other cameras, you can purchase the “ TransMount CRANE-M3 Bluetooth Control Unit” and install it on the gimbal to control. For the detailed tutorial of the unit, please visit the official website of ZHIYUN (www.zhiyun-tech.com) and check the “...

  • Page 14: Mounting The Phone

    Mount the action camera to the camera base (not provided) and mount the whole base to the quick release plate. Make sure to tighten the screw. CRANE-M3 only provides stabilization for mobile phones and action cameras. Button controls are not supported.

  • Page 15: Balancing

    Mounting and Balancing Balancing 1.Horizontal Balance of the Tilt Axis Unlock the tilt axis arm ① and loosen the tilt axis latch ② . Push the camera to move forward or backward ③ until the camera is steady and is at almost level with the ground ④...
  • Page 16 Mounting and Balancing 3. Roll Axis Balance Unlock the roll axis ① , loosen the roll axis latch ② , push the roll axis arm to move left or right ③ until the camera can stay still and horizontal to the ground (as shown below) ④...
  • Page 17 Complete this step by tightening up the pan axis latch ④ . ③ ④ ① ② After balancing CRANE-M3, the motor torque needs to be adjusted for proper function. For the adjustment details, please see the methods introduced in "Motor Torque Adjustment".

  • Page 18: How To Use Crane-M3

    Push the joystick up/down/left/right to control the gimbal to rotate. Adjustment Wheel* Adjust customized setting (aperture, shutter, ISO, zoom， roll axis), can customize on the touch screen “ * ” ① Available in later upgrade. ② Use with TransMount CRANE-M3 Bluetooth Control Unit for camera parameter adjustment.

  • Page 19: Touch Screen Introduction

    Using the CRANE-M3 Touch Screen Introduction Touch Screen Interface Main page (set as default) Parameter Settings Motor Torque Smoothness Follow Speed Swipe right at the left edge of the screen (return to the previous menu)
  • Page 20 Using the CRANE-M3 Touch Screen Menu Mode： For selecting gimbal modes. Available modes are: Pan Follow Mode (PF)/Lock Mode (L)/POV Mode (POV)/Follow Mode (F)/Go Mode (GO)/Vortex Mode (V)/Portrait Mode Balance: To see the balance status of three gimbal axes. Info: 1.

  • Page 21: Motor Torque Adjustment

    After balancing CRANE-M3, the motor torque needs to be adjusted for proper function. You can adjust the motor torque according to the weight of your camera and lens, so that the CRANE-M3 can be used in its ideal state. Following are two methods for adjustment. It is recommended to use auto-calibration.

  • Page 22: Gimbal Modes Description

    Using the CRANE-M3 ① If the motor torque is too low/high for the payload, the camera will shake and affect the gimbal performance. Please choose proper motor torque. ② It is recommended to use auto-calibration. If the gimbal is not yet in...
  • Page 23 Using the CRANE-M3 Follow mode (F): The roll axis motor is locked, and the tilt axis and pan axis motors follow the rotation of the handle. Push the joystick up/down to change the tilt angle of the camera and left/right to...
  • Page 24 Using the CRANE-M3 Go mode (GO): The roll axis motor is locked, and the tilt axis and pan axis motors quickly follow the rotation of the handle. Tilt axis Roll axis Pan axis Portrait mode The tilt axis motor rotates upward by 90° and the pan axis rotates by 90° . You can...

  • Page 25: Manual Reposition

    Changing Fill Light Filters The fill light filters for CRANE-M3 are magnetic and easy to detach. There are four colors for the filters: red, yellow, blue, and orange. You can change your fill light...

  • Page 26: Using With Transmount Shotgun Microphone

    Using the CRANE-M3 Using with TransMount Shotgun Microphone 1. Mount the TransMount CRANE-M3 Expansion Base to the bottom of the CRANE-M3 handle. Tighten the screw and make sure a firm installation. 2. Connect the microphone and the MIC IN port at the base with the 6.5mm to...
  • Page 27 Using the CRANE-M3 3. Connect the microphone input port of the camera to the audio transmission port of CRANE-M3 with the proper audio cable corresponding to the input port type of the camera microphone. ① There are two modes in the microphone: HYPER-CARDIOID and CARDIOID.

  • Page 28: Download The App

    Bluetooth name can be found on the side of the tilt axis USER ID: XXXX). 3. If the CRANE-M3 is being used for the first time, you need to activate the gimbal via "ZY Play" to use the advanced features in the app. Internet connection is required.

  • Page 29: Zy Play Feature Description

    ZY Play Feature Description Virtual Joystick Video and Photo Control Taking Motion Sensor Control Timelapse ZY Play Firmware Upgrade Panorama For more details of the “ZY Play” app features, please visit the official website of ZHIYUN (www.zhiyun-tech.com) and watch CRANE-M3 video tutorials.

  • Page 30: Firmware Upgrade And Calibration

    Firmware Upgrade and Calibration Firmware Upgrade You can use "Zhiyun Gimbal Tools" or "ZY Play" App to upgrade the firmware of CRANE-M3. Method 1: 1. Connect the Type-C charging /firmware upgrade port at the side of the CRANE-M3 vertical arm to the computer with the USB Type-C USB cable, power on CRANE-M3, and enter standby mode.
  • Page 31 Uploading, please wait Cancel Method 2: Connect CRANE-M3 to the “ZY Play” app. If “ZY Play” app prompts to upgrade the firmware, follow the instructions to upgrade. Internet connection is required. Before upgrading the firmware, please ensure that the CRANE-M3 has more than 50% power remaining.

  • Page 32: Six-Side Calibration

    Type-C USB cable, Open "Zhiyun Gimbal Tools", click "open" on the top and click "calibration" on the bottom. Please conduct the process according to the following steps. A " √ "...
  • Page 33 Firmware Upgrade and Calibration STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6...

  • Page 34: Product Specifications

    Product Specifications Product Model： CR119 Min. Standard Max. Remark Operation Voltage 9.6V 11.1V 12.6V Operation Current 130mA 4700mA Output Voltage (Camera Control Port) Output Current (Camera Control 1.2A Port) Tilt Mechanical 309° Range Roll Mechanical 333° Range Pan Mechanical 360° Range Controllable Tilt -45°...
  • Page 35 Lab Data 1: The above data is collected at a specified temperature of 25℃ . The CRANE-M3 is fully charged with 1150mAh battery and mounted with Nikon Z50+DX 16-50mm. The CRANE-M3 is properly balanced and put on a flat surface. The maximum runtime is 8h in static status.

  • Page 36: Disclaimer And Warning

    Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as "ZHIYUN") reserves all rights for final explanation on this instruction and other documents related to CRANE-M3. The information is subject to update without notice. Please visit www.zhiyun-tech.com to obtain the latest product information.

  • Page 37: Safe Operation Guidelines

    2. Make sure the rotation of the gimbal axes is not blocked by external force when CRANE-M3 is turned on. 3. CRANE-M3 is not waterproof. Prevent contacts of any kind of liquid or cleaner with the CRANE-M3. It is recommended to use dry cloth for cleaning.
  • Page 38 Disclaimer and Warning of any electrolytes with your skin or eyes, rinse immediately with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice as soon as possible. 10. Do not use the battery if it has been involved in a crash or heavy impact. 11.

  • Page 39: Warranty Card

    1. Customers are entitled to replacement or free repair service in case of quality deficits found in the product within 15 days upon receipt of the product. 2. Customers are entitled to free repair service from ZHIYUN for any product proven defective in material or workmanship that results in product failure during normal consumer usage and conditions within the valid warranty period, which is 12 months counting from the date of selling.
  • Page 40 Warranty Card Customer Information Customer Name: Phone Number: Address: Sales Information Sales date: Product Serial Number: Distributor Name: Distributor’ s Contact Number: First Maintenance Record Service Date: Repairman Signature: Cause of Problem: Service Result: □ Solved □ Unsolved □ Refunded/Replaced...

  • Page 41: Contact Card

    Contact Card Website Weibo Vimeo Google+ Facebook Facebook (Zhiyun Support) (Zhiyun Tech) Youku Youtube Wechat Instagram...
  • Page 42 This product is confirmed to meet quality standards and permitted for sale after strict inspection. QC Inspector: For full product information, please visit ZHIYUN's official website: Content on www.zhiyun-tech.com is subject to update without notice. ZHIYUN ™ is a trademark of ZHISHEN All product names or brands referred to hereunder may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
  • Page 43 Contact Card FCC Caution. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Any Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This manual is also suitable for:

Crane-m3 comboCrane-m3 pro

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