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dustinw Posted
It may be difficult to talk about all of the impressive features of this gimbal. But I'll do my best to hit on the highlights. First, it's great to have a competitive gimbal with such great build quality and features that you can't find elsewhere. From a very high-level feature set, this gimbal definitely ticks all the boxes. First, the AI tracking is an excellent and time-saving feature. The fact that it's built in, and not an add-on just makes it even better. The removable remote is such a great idea too. Depending on the situation that I'm shooting in, other gimbals that I have used, the controls are sometimes difficult to reach or see. Being able to move this is such a great idea. It also makes and solo video projects much easier too. Leveraging the AI tracking with gestures or controlling framing with the remote while you're in place for filming. The payload rating for this gimbal is also very impressive for its size. I mounted my Canon R10 with a couple of different lenses without issue. I also was able to mount a Nikon ZR without any issues either. Both of those are fairly lightweight cameras, but the gimbal gave me confidence that it could handle others with ease. Another standout feature is the ease of which that you can switch from horizontal to vertical shooting. You don't have to make crazy adjustments, or swap brackets, you just unlock the bracket the camera is mounted to and rotate it. It's so easy and takes just seconds. It seems Hohem have thoroughly thought through the design of this gimbal. -- Setup This was similar to other gimbals that I have used, but it's pretty easy to set your balance. I really like the knob for fine-tuning your balance on the main mounting plate. I do wish that all the adjustment areas had something similar to this, as that would make it even easier. I used the included USB cable to connect my camera to the gimbal too. This worked without issue as well. I also connected to the Hohem Joy app as well. I didn't have any trouble during my setup at all. I was able to shoot photos and videos using the gimbal control without trouble. I do think maybe a sound confirmation from the gimbal of when you're recording might be useful, if that was possible. Since with my Canon, if I couldn't see the screen of the camera, I wasn't entirely sure recording had started. -- Performance and Tracking I was thoroughly impressed when actually using the gimbal itself. The motors and everything are completely silent, controls are excellent, and include fine-tuning for motor speed. The AI tracking worked very well. The gesture controls to start tracking me, or anyone else that I asked to make the gesture worked every time. No matter if that was framing, or to start/stop tracking. It worked even from about 15-20 feet away. I also initiated the tracking using the remote, which is extremely useful. I only had a little trouble with tracking an object when there was little light. I also really liked the controls on the gimbal. I am going to try and get the add-on motor for focus control, as well as the bi-directional handle. Mounting the controls on that bi-directional handle seems extremely useful too. After some fairly heavy sessions, I still had plenty of battery to shoot everything I was after. Having the added bonus of the gimbal charging my camera was an added peace of mind. I was almost always using the AI tracking, and I was getting easily 12+ hours out of the battery, so I believe Hohem's claims of 20 hours, if I wasn't using the AI tracking. I also really like that fill light. It is a nice little touch that shows Hohem was trying to make sure that every little piece of the gimbal was adding value and useful features. I currently have the control knob on the side set to control the brightness of the fill light. But I will likely change that to the focus control when I add the focus motor. Overall, I can't recommend this gimbal enough. It's a great, competitive option to other gimbals on the market, and has features that you won't find elsewhere. Pros: TONS of useful and well-thought out features, great tracking and stabilization, detachable remote is a huge benefit, excellent battery life Cons: I do wish the fine-tuning knobs were included for more adjustment points, it would be cool if there was a quick way to lock/unlock all axis
MrShinyCadillackness Posted
As a photographer and videographer for decades, I am in tune with the technological progress in this field. Having the correct tools to save time in the field is always at the forefront of my mind and why I am always paying attention to any gear related releases and advances to the camera industry in general. The three axis gimbal has been on the market for just over a decade and the advances have been notable in that time period. Throughout my photo and video career, I have used a wide variety of three-axis gimbals, from basic smartphone gimbals, to professional models that can carry a much heavier payload. These tools have and continue to be essential in providing the smooth level of stability that my professional work requires. The Hohem (a company I had previously never heard of) iSteady MT3 Pro gimbal introduced a few new options that intrigued me, so I decided to test it out and see if my work could benefit from these new features. This gimbal is marketed as a versatile 4 in 1 gimbal that can handle a payload of up to 5.5 pounds, while also supporting smaller mirrorless point and shoot cameras, action cameras, and even smart phones with the included attachments. I have personally tried all four scenarios and while it can easily carry my FX3 and 16-25mm lens, I am now only utilizing this gimbal mostly for action camera b-roll shots. *** PROS *** The first features that grabbed my attention were both the AI tracking with the built in front facing tracking camera and the detachable remote. The live tracking image is displayed on the detachable remote when the AI toggle switch is turned on, making it very easy to select who, or what you would like to track, and it works wonderfully. Even better is the fact that the remote is detachable and lets users work the gimbal hands free. This is great in a lot of scenarios, adds even more stability to panning/tilt shots, and gives users a live view of the scene from the remote itself. The AI tracking camera also gives users the freedom to work solo and track themselves. This can come in very handy if you are a solo content creator, or would simply like to set the camera and gimbal somewhere as you move about a room, or on a stage, etc. Another feature that is really cool, is the fact that there is a built-in CCT / RGB fill light that can be turned on or off. This light is adjustable to match interior tungsten lighting, or it can be switched to RGB colored variations if preferred. The light intensity can be adjusted by the touchscreen, or you can set the brightness with the customizable side wheel. While the light isn’t extremely bright, it is a welcome addition for low light scenarios, or to quickly achieve better close focus, and a feature I am glad Hohem has included. The side wheel can be set to various settings in the custom menu, including the built-in light brightness, panning, tilt, and even focus pulls, if you purchase the available accessory pack, and own a camera/lens that supports it. Of course, every axis is fully customizable from the remote, letting users fine tune the performance and speed of each axis individually to fit your style of filming. The build quality seems great so far. The whole system seems sturdy and well made. The design is made of both rugged aluminum and hard plastics to keep the weight down. Hohem has a companion App for the gimbal that gives users the ability to adjust all settings from your phone, but honestly, the touchscreen is bright, sharp, clear, and has everything you need to adjust your settings quickly without the need to use your phone at all. While I appreciate that the attachment plate for mirrorless cameras and action cameras can quickly be attached in both portrait and landscape modes, I have a few problems with it. Which leads me to… *** CONS *** The attachment quick release plate is set and does not allow the camera to slide back and forth on the plate itself. The entire plate slides back and forth on the track and since the camera is mounted in only one spot on the plate, I had a hard time getting my Canon Powershot to balance correctly. I needed the plate to slide a bit further back with this camera to achieve the perfect balance. While this camera is well under the 5.5 pound weight limit and the gimbal has no problem flying this camera even at non optimal balance, the gimbal would perform even better and the battery would be more efficient if the balance was correct. If you plan on using this gimbal for a detachable lens mirrorless system, the included lens support bracket may end up in a spot on the lens that won’t work. In other words, it may end up right where the focus wheel is. See my review photo showing this issue. This package does not include a zippered hard case, and at the time of writing this review, I have not seen any available on their website. As a field user, it is imperative to me to have a case for my gear and this gimbal is no different. While I do own cases that could technically work, I would very much appreciate a zippered hard case be included with this Pro gimbal. The case should also have its own cutout sections inside to house the kit properly, instead of tossing it into a compartment and having all of the parts banging around inside. *** IN CONCLUSION *** With a few updates to the camera plate, and by adding a carry case to the MT3 Pro package, this would be a great gimbal for everyday users. It is a versatile 4 in 1 camera gimbal that tracks subjects well, is priced appropriately, and has some features that punch above its weight class. I will be eagerly watching the Hohem brand evolve leading into the future.
It’s ahead of his time I love using it. It makes it more easier for me to find solo shots for myself in motion shots without being in the scene.
BIGASN Posted
This thing is wicked. The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro gimbal isn’t perfect, but adding Ai tracking to a camera gimbal with feet makes it like a mini camera sentry, which is pretty cool in my book. It’s an excellent use for Ai tech and seems very much like an extension of the newer focus systems in cameras nowadays (think automatic eye detection, auto tracking, etc..). Aside from Ai tracking, it’s also loaded with other features like a built-in CCT/RGB light, a touch screen remote control with joystick, a threaded extension port, and attachable feet that fold into a handle. It works well as a gimbal too! It balances well and keeps shots fluid. It feels a bit heavier than I thought it would, but it also feels rugged and if it’s truly a professional piece of camera equipment it should be able to handle some abuse. It’s rated to handle 5.5lbs of gear and had no trouble handling a Nikon Z6 with a 105mm lens. However, I couldn’t get the remote to control the focus which is apparently something it can do, as well as control the zoom. I’ll admit it could be user error though, because there’s a bit of a learning curve to figure out all of the features. Thankfully, Hohem’s website has excellent short video tutorials to help walk you through everything because it does seem a bit daunting at first. F EATURES With power comes responsibility, and in this case a bunch of controls to learn. Hohem couldn’t just stop at Ai tracking, they added a built-in CCT/RGB light, trigger, dial, and a touch screen remote control joystick. Again, I highly recommend the Hohem tutorial videos which makes learning how to use things a breeze. The remote control joystick is second nature though. There’s a tiny bit of lag in the joystick response time, but nothing crazy. It’s more noticeable with the record button, but that also seems to vary on the platform. On the Sony A6100 it was maybe an 1/8th of a second, but more like half a second on the Nikon Z6 III. Gimbals are about video though, so it’s not an issue unless you need to start recording within fractions of a second. I also wish the remote screen had a recording indicator, because when using the remote I can’t tell if the camera is recording or not without checking the camera itself. That said, it’s still better than any gimbal that doesn’t have a remote. And a touch screen one at that! But why? Because… AI I like the Ai tracking best when the gimbal is in “sentry” mode. Just open the handle legs, activate tracking with the remote or a gesture and it automatically detects the subject to follow. How fast and smoothly it tracks are adjustable, but there’s a limit to what it can keep up with. Sports are a no go, but it works great for interviews, moderate movement, and selfie recordings. I thought using Ai while manually holding the gimbal would help track the subject better, but I couldn’t get that to work well. I think recalibrating the gimbal screen to the camera framing would fix it though. OVERALL Are you in the market for a gimbal and should you buy this one? If the answer is yes to the first question, then it’s an absolute yes for the second. It’s especially great for solo filmmakers recording themselves as it allows them to expand their “stage” while the Ai tracks them and keeps them in perspective. PROS - Well built - Smooth and steady - Loads of adjustment options - Ai subject tracking - Great for recording solo - Built-in CCT and RGB light - Remote control with touch screen and joystick - Foot converts to tripod legs - Feels like a camera sentry - Lots of features - Reasonably long battery life - Handles 5.5lbs of equipment - Threaded attachment point - Auto calibration - Online tutorial videos are extremely helpful - Gesture control works reasonably well - Comes with phone and GoPro mount - Comes with cables CONS - Shooting button lag - Tiny remote screen to box focus - Remote doesn’t show if the camera is recording when doing video - Hard to align camera lens with gimbal camera for tracking - Could not get the remote control the focus on Nikon Z6 - Learning curve - A little heavy
CrazyDogPeople Posted
Short version: The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is an impressive setup that will help any amateur photographer/videographer/vlogger. It should be a beefy enough to work for plenty of professionals as well. I won’t claim to know that for sure, and certainly the setup I’m using is not as heavy or complex as what a pro might be using. That said, the build quality of the main device, the motors, and the included features should be a good match for many situations. I cannot guarantee it will hold up to the heaviest, longest lenses or that the battery life will hold out on a location shoot. However, I think the capabilities of this setup are numerous, the expand-ability of it (with accessories like the mini motor for automated optical zoom or the extra handle for more flexibility) would make the device even more useful. That said, the features that it does include: the fill light, onboard monitoring, tracking, and in the pro setup, the removable remote, make this a huge step up for anyone looking to professionalize their video work and add new capabilities, especially for solo operators. With that said, it seems to me that the price point of the pro set is very reasonable for the components it includes, and the removable remote is fantastic. The tracking really does work, as do the gesture features. Please do note that I was asked to complete this review quickly; I admit that I have not explored every feature nor can I say for sure that every operation will work perfectly. Note: Most of my testing used a mirrorless APS-C camera on the mount; that said, I also have tested it with my cell phone and used the app on my phone to control the gimbal. Details: Out of the box, the gimbal needs some setup. It’s intuitive up to a point, and the quick start guide helps, but I needed to use the tutorials online—for which there are qr codes included in the box and in the quick start guide. I eventually also found the pdf of the manual, which is very good to have on hand. The tutorials are nice because they make it easy to see what buttons to press or how to orient the gimbal, etc. but the manual gives you a cheat sheet for key operations without having to scroll back or pause or try to see something tiny on a screen. I later realized that the Hohem Joy app does put the tutorials at your fingertips. That said, the app is probably more necessary for the MT3 rather than the MT3 Pro because the MT3 Pro remote does a lot of the other features that the app allows—like give the user a virtual joystick for remote operation of the gimbal. Setup takes some time—whatever camera is being used needs to be balanced before operation. This takes some time. Each camera needs to be balanced, but Hohem has done a good job making the interfaces for the cameras easy to work with, though the job is a little touchy. Once it is setup, the gimbal will also calibrate when turned on. The fun then finally begins. The gimbal itself is hefty without being difficult to manage. The hand included basically also works as a tabletop tripod. This means that the setup is great for motion—creating sweeping shots, following sports, pov follows—but it also works for “talking head” videos and vlogging for solo creators. The versatility comes from two key features: first, the tracking feature on the gimbal. The MT3 uses an included camera that sits on the main rig and sends a live image to the remote/handle. It’s through this image that the operator can turn on tracking. The Pro setup can recognize people, animals, and objects (the MT3 can, I believe, only pickup people). The operator can select the subject for tracking through different controls, depending on comfort. Tapping the touchscreen on the remote, using the trigger on the gimbal handle, or using the buttons on the remote can all work. But, human subjects can also use hand signals to start the tracking, which actually works and is really pretty cool. I dislike a lot of things called “ai,” and I’m not really sure how this particular application is “ai,” but it works. The setup also includes a fill light, which can be set to different brightness and temperature. This feature can save a lot of headache and extra setup. Second, the remote is the other great feature. It pops out of the handle, and it allows the operator to control the gimbal and see the tracking screen easily. It’s not necessary to use your phone as a monitor (though, the phone adapter can be mounted on the side of the handle and used as an additional screen/monitor/capture device), but moreover, the remote allows an easy assessment of the tracking, to reset the gimbal, and to start and stop recording or take still shots on the connected camera. You can also control the fill light (which is an awesome plus on this gimbal as well) from the remote or from the side wheel on the main handle. The remote is the main way to adjust all the features of the gimbal, from calibration to setting the mode, to setting up special scenarios, like time lapse shooting, panorama shots, grid shots, and to set movement path follow shots. Finally, the remote allows solo operators to set up self-recording with excellent control. The gimbal also features a sidewheel and a trigger in the handle. The wheel can be set to control a variety of different features depending on operator preference. The trigger can be used to start and stop the tracking feature. I had a few glitches using this setup. The gimbal got confused a few times when it lost track of its tracking subject and the camera ended up incorrectly oriented, but clearing the tracking before resetting the gimbal seems to work. The remote also had trouble going from being connected to the joy app/phone camera and then back to my APS-C camera. But, turning the handle off and on ultimately got everything sorted out. Balancing the camera can be a pain, and then changing the focal length or forgetting the take the lens cap off during balancing can throw everything off. I think these are pretty minor complaints ultimately, and that user error is part of the problem. I look forward to experimenting with this gimbal and trying to make some creative work.
Akire Posted
I’ve been using the MT3 Pro Gimbal with several devices and, while there is definitely a learning process, the stabilizer and AI tracking have elevated my recordings immensely while giving me the ability to record myself as well. I used this gimbal with a 2lbs DSLR, an iPhone, and a GoPro 360 Max. *AI* The AI tracking is phenomenal. A target can be set in a second with a trigger, an OK sign, or a tap on the remote screen. It will track people, animals, and even objects. I had it track my kids and myself separately, and it did not falter. It took amazing skating shots of my teen. If we hid, it would immediately find us once we reappeared. I had it track a countertop object, and it stayed on it as I moved around. Furthermore, it can detect gestures from up to 5 meters away for hands-free control. *Removable Screen Remote* The included removable remote will show what the AI camera is seeing to easily allow for setting controls from a distance. The stick’s transmission provides seamless movements across the axes. It also provides and shows what changes are being made in settings, Bluetooth connections, calibration, and battery life, among other things. *Knob and Buttons* The rotating knob can be used in various ways depending on how many times you click its button. It can be used to focus, tilt, or roll, as well as help change the lighting brightness and color. The AB buttons help set automatic start and end points for a smooth shot with time length that is customizable. *Ease of Use/Intuitiveness* While the gimbal is extremely user-friendly, it is still quite the learning process to get it going. There have been several instances where I miss one of the unlock buttons before powering on the gimbal and has no awareness that an axis is still locked so it tries to calibrate causing the motor to overheat until the gimbal triggers its safety power off. There were also times when the gimbal struggles with a certain axis, begins vibrating, and then seeks calibration. This of course has been user error on my part. For the GoPro, for example, I found that even though the balancing in the mount acted properly, according to the video’s instruction, I had to extend the GoPro to the left (away from the AI tracker), to get the proper stability. After doing so I was able to rotate up and down without any issue. I highly recommend watching all of their video tutorials and following along until getting the hang of it if you are a beginner. Along with that, just play with it before trying it out on a serious project. It seems simple, but there are a lot of nuances to it. *App* The Hohem Joy App is a great resource and pair for the gimbal. It found the gimbal as soon as I downloaded it – I had already paired my phone beforehand. The app provides easy access to all the video tutorials also found on their website. It also provides a camera with additional settings not available on the basic phone’s camera app, and it is where I found more info on the other hand gestures beside the OK for tracking. Additionally, it includes editing templates that will put together videos for you. *For reference, the other gestures are a peace sign gesture to start and stop shooting, and a stop gesture to stop face tracking.* *Durability/Battery Life* The battery life is stated to run 20 hours with regular use, 14 hours with AI tracking, and 8 hours with AI and fill light. Personally, I have charged it once and used it for a few hours over the past five days with and without AI tracking and fill light and still have half my battery left. I trust that it is definitely something that will last a full day of shooting. *Important Notes* This gimbal does not have connection compatibility with all devices. They can be used on the gimbal, but they cannot be connected via wire or Bluetooth to control with the remote. My Nikon DSLR was not on their compatibility list, and I was not able to get it to connect via Bluetooth. I was still able to shoot using it and use the AI function so long as I manually controlled settings and pressed record on my camera first. My iPhone and GoPro 360 Max both connected right away via Bluetooth, and I was able to use the remote. *Conclusion* This gimbal is honestly amazing! It had been a while since I had used one, but this one makes mounting changes extremely easy. While balancing is definitely an art to perfect, it gets easier and more second nature the more I use it. The star is, of course, the AI tracker and remote. The AI tracker is so effective and allows for perfect action shots as well as makes solo set ups easy. Highly recommend for professional results.
RonH Posted
My first stabilizer was this contraption with a bicycle handle and a long post with weights. Balancing was a nightmare and using it was a disaster. When I opened the Hohem MT3 Pro it was like the diamond sparkles shining at me from the precision pieces and the smooth craftsmanship. The MT3 is mostly metal construction with plastic on the handle. In the box you get the gimbal itself with RGB fill light and AI tracking camera, a tripod base, a camera quick release plate/mount, smart phone clamp, an action camera adapter, and lens support along with an assortment of patch and charging cables and the remote control with preview screen for AI tracking . There is a QR code that directs you to a bunch of tutorials - these are worth the watch! There is no carrying case included with this set but these along with several other attachments like a follow focus motor and briefcase handle are also available. The box is nice and sturdy for storage and the layout for the pieces is printed on the lid. Balancing the MT3 couldn't be easier. The tutorials show you step by step. My only criticism of balancing is that I would like adjustment screws for easier minute adjustments on all three axes rather than just the camera balance. It's also very easy to switch your camera from horizontal to vertical shots. One thing to note is that the motors do not lock down on power off. There are individual slide locks that can be used when storing the gimbal. Using the MT3 couldn’t be easier. Once your camera/device is balanced and the gimbal is calibrated, power the unit on and you’re ready to go. The gimbal can connect to your devices with bluetooth and/or a patch cord if your camera is compatible. In manual there are three preset modes for pan, tilt and follow as well as a custom mode. You can adjust follow and response speed to your specific shooting needs. You control everything from the detachable remote control via the touch screen, joy stick and side button. The real beauty of the MT3 however is its AI tracking! This is the feature that is going to take your content to the next level. The MT3 has a built-in camera that will follow your every move. You can control the tracking with hand gestures, the remote control or the Hohem Joy application for your phone. AI tracking works up to about 25 feet for people and about 45 feet for large objects like cars. If you go out of frame the MT3 waits until it sees you again and it resumes tracking. The remote control is amazing. I love that you can see what it sees from the AI camera. You can adjust it so it matches what your actual camera sees so your shots can be their best. Selecting your follow subject is as easy as double tapping it on the remote screen - the gimbal does the rest. While the MT3 is self sufficient, adding the Joy phone app makes some tasks a little easier due to the larger phone screen area. It also gives you the ability to do motion time-lapse photography - something I love the look of. Another cool feature of the MT3 is the built in RGB fill light. This little light is plenty bright for closer up shots. It has full-color RGB for creative shots and white for everyday lighting. Battery life is rated at between eight and 20 hours depending on if you're using AI and the fill light. I’ve been using it for a couple of days with still over 50% battery life. Overall, I really like the Hohem MT3 pro - it's the perfect prosumer device to take your video shoots to the next level.
Gizmo Posted
After using the Hohem MT3 Pro for the past week, I can say that it’s an amazing tool for creators and amateur videographers. I recently used it to capture a graduation photoshoot, making use of its AI tracking features and 5.5lb (2.2kg) payload capacity. Opening it, I was impressed by its build quality and thoughtful design. Unboxing it, the aluminum body had a premium and solid feel to it, and reassured me that it could support my ~2.7lb camera setup. Setting it up, I accessed Hohem’s video tutorials linked on their website, making the whole process smooth and seamless. In reviewing this product, I was curious to see how well it would support my camera setup. The weight of my FX30, a camera cage, and 16mm lens weighed around 2.7lb (1.246 kg), which is under the 5.5 lb limit. After balancing the gimbal, it holds the camera quite well. Additionally, the levers and knobs on each joint made it extremely easy to calibrate the balance, allowing for precise adjustments. The design of the buttons and adjustment levers felt intentional and well thought out. Throughout the shooting session, I noticed that the motors never got too warm, even though I would hold the camera horizontally for low-angle shots or at other stressing angles. However, one thing that I noticed was that ‘Inception Mode’ (Inception mode rotates the camera to allow for rotating shots) whilst holding the gimbal and camera horizontally wasn’t able to rotate my camera, proving too heavy for the pan motor to handle. Overall, this gimbal does a great job at handling the weight of heavier DSLRs (as long as it’s under 5.5lbs, of course), making it perfect for mid-weight setups. In my case, I was somewhat limited to what movements I could pull off, but it still was able to meet most of my needs. One of the coolest features of this gimbal is the AI tracking capability. It allows you to become a one-man camera crew, great for those who are filming scenes alone or at home. The AI feature, combined with the detachable remote, allows me to set up shots where I’ll be walking through a field or somewhere far from the camera, streamlining my filming process. When trying to calibrate it, I made extensive use of the gesture-tracking features to center myself in the image, as the camera would often center me or the object being tracked in the bottom right corner of the screen rather than the center. With a little bit of hand motioning, I was able to easily adjust the image and tracking as needed. PROS: Good at handling DSLRs and heavier setups - I will mostly be using this with my FX30, and it does a great job at handling its weight even in straining positions. Accurate AI tracking - With the gesture tracking and detachable remote where you can reselect the subject to track, it’s extremely easy to track a subject, and it has a decent range as well. Solid build quality - The aluminum body and arms feel premium, ensuring me that it’ll be strong enough to support my setup. Detachable Remote allows for independent filmmaking - Allows me to get shots where I would otherwise have to call for some help to do, making my filming process more efficient. CONS: No carry case included - I would have liked to see a case for the gimbal, because now I have to carefully store it in my bag and make sure that it’s not damaging everything else in there.
Dylnel Posted
Love this gimbal. I’ve used it with both my phone and mirrorless camera and have had some great results. Initially I had a learning curve to overcome as I was having issues calibrating but that was user error as I realized I did have my camera mounted correctly. Once I figured that out I was off to the races. The AI tracking has been extremely accurate keeping the subject in frame while maintaining smooth stable recording. My videos have really been amazing and very professional looking using this gimbal. The remote is really a tool that has come in handy more than I realized it would, especially when shooting selfie videos. With it I can activate the AI tracker and choose my subject which is usually me with live view. I simply used the live view to highlight me and from that point on the camera was on me at all times. Tracking did seem to have limitations in low light conditions as it started to struggle the further I was away from the camera but the reality is I would be well within the limits so it’s now light range really isn’t an issue for me. I was concerned with the size of the remote because I tend to fat finger my phone screen but the remotes screen has not posed any issues and I am able to use it with zero issues. This gimbal is solid and well made and does everything it claims. I’ve been using this almost daily since I received it and would recommend it to anyone in the market for a great gimbal.
gadgetguy11 Posted
Hohem, the undisputed global leader in stabilization for cameras, smartphones & action cameras, just released the revolutionary iSteady MT3 Pro, the world’s first camera gimbal with an Ai visual sensor. It literally has a 2 megapixel Ai camera built in that is designed to track any subject. This Ai Tracking keeps your subject in the frame, whether you are shooting weddings, travel, cars, or any type of event. The Lithium-ion battery capacity is 4,350 milliampere hour & can be charged in 3.5 hours using a USB-C charger. iSteady MT3 Pro is a precision, heavy duty tool that weighs 2.36 pounds. It is made of aluminum and features payload capability of 5.51 lbs. Each axis has independently adjustable follow speed, each with a range from 1 to 100. New to this model are Smooth Follow & Tight Follow modes. It features a color detachable remote. Hohem was smart to use the industry-standard Arca Swiss Mount System on this gimbal; I have a number of Arca Swiss brackets mounted on various bodies that will make interchanging cameras on this gimbal a breeze. iSteady MT3 Pro works great on my Sony Mirrorless body, my iPhone 17 Pro Max, and even on my GoPro HERO13 Black! CONCLUSION: The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is in a class by itself, accurately tracking any subject while producing silky smooth video. It earns my highest recommendation.
NanoEthan Posted
I shoot a lot of family content with my Olympus E-P7 including clips for Reels and Shorts where I'm running around with my kids and the camera at the same time. The handheld content has always been a compromise. Either I leaned on in-body stabilization and accepted some wobble, or I fought with a gimbal that really wasn't meant for my camera with interchangeable lenses. The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro caught my eye because it actually scales up to a real camera payload while still playing nice with my phone, and the AI tracking is built into the gimbal itself instead of relying on an app on a mounted phone. After using it the last week I have a good picture of where it shines and where it might require a little patience. - Unboxing - The box is a little bigger than I expected but it's well organized inside with perfect cutouts for each piece. Packaging is quality. You get the gimbal, a mini table top tripod that doubles as a hand extension, an Arca quick release plate, a phone clamp, an action camera adapter, a lens support, two camera fixing screws, a thumb screw knob, a hex key, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a USB-C camera control cable, a Sony multi-camera control cable, and documentation. The detaachable touchscreen remote is already mounted to the gimbal head when you pull it out. For my use case, this setup has everything I need to start shooting same day. I plugged it in and topped off the battery while I downloaded the Hohem Joy app. - Design & Build - This is a serious premium feeling piece of gear. The arms have a teflon coated finish where the locks slide which makes the balancing feel smooth. The handle has a textured grip that I've found comfortable for longer shooting. I do start to feel the weight on my wrist after about 45 minutes to an hour, but by no means does it feel heavy like some gimbals for a full frame setup. For a MFT body like the E-P7 with a small lens, it feels like a good match. The folded form factor fits nicely in my camera bag. The locking mechanisms fit firmly into place. The fit and finsh are even better than I expected. The matte black plastic and metal combo feels sturdy. There is a lot going on visually. The latches, dials locks, ports, switches all serve a purpose and I had to look at the guide to figure out what was going on. Once you get through the routine a few times, it feels natural. - Specs & Features - There's a 5.5 lb max payload, iSteady 10.0 stabilization algorithm with a claimed 40 percent jump in motor torque over the previous generation, and the usual three axis range you'd expect from a gimbal in this category. Hohem rates the battery at roughly 20 hours when idle, 14 hours with AI tracking, 8 hours with the fill light, and charging takes about 3.5 hours for a full charge. The AI vision sensor is an excellent feature. It's a small 2MP camera mounted to the front of the gimbal head and it handles tracking, no phone or app required in the background. It can track people, pets, vehicles, and other moving objects. You can start tracking by drawing a box around the subject on the touchscreen, hand gesture, or by pressing the trigger on the handle. The 1.4 inch touchscreen on the back doubles as a remote. You can pop it off the gimbal and use it as a handheld monitor and controller from up to about 10 meters away with a bluetooth link. The mount is Arca Swiss compatible so cages and L brackets attach directly. There's a fine tuning knob on the camera plate for dialing in balance, plus the vertical switch design for flipping to 9:16 mode (I use this mode a lot for Reels and Shorts.) There's also a built in fill light with adjustable brightness and CCT or RGB color, controllable from the side wheel or the touchscreen. - Performance - Balancing the E-P7 was the easiest gimbal balance I've done. The fine tuning knob on the camera plate lets you dial in fore aft position by twisting rather than sliding, and the tilt arm has a cog wheel for the same reason. Once those are set, the rest of the axes lock and adjust without much trouble. With my body and small lens I had it ready to film in maybe five minutes the first time, and a couple of minutes the second time. Walking shots with the E-P7 came out clan. I didn't get any microjitters or motor whine that shows up when the gimbal is fighting at the edge of it's capacity. Faster pans held up well too. I did notice if I whip around the joystick falloff at the end of a move is a little steeper than I would like. I ended up turning the follow speed down to make moves feel more cinematic. The AI tracking is the feature I've used the most. I would set the gimbal on the tabletop tripod drawing a box around myself, and then walk around while it pans to keep me in frame. This is great for solo content. The tracking holds up well as long as I don't move to erratically. Gesture control seemed to work a few meters out. The touchscreen is small. It's useful but I found myself squinting to read settings when I was outdoors. The live feed from the AI camera is a nice feature on the remote, but it seemed like it was framed slightly different. I'll try to calibrate the alignment in the near future. Overall, performance was exceptional. - Pros/Cons - *Pros* * The AI tracking works without an app. * The detachable touchscreen remote works as both a monitor and controller. * Balancing is easy. * Switching from horizontal to vertical is quick which is great for short form video. * Battery life is long with normal use. * Build quality is premium with confident motors when a camera is mounted. * The built in CCT/RGB fill light is a nice touch for indoor shooting. *Suggestions/Needs Improvement* * Touchscreen is small and a little hard to read in daylight. * The joystick falloff is steep at higher speeds and takes some dialing in. * There are a lot of latches and buttons to learn before it feels natural. * The battery isn't replaceable which means you have to plan around recharge time. - Conclusion - After spending a week with the MT3 Pro it feels like the right tool for my use case. The AI tracking makes it much easier for a one person crew, and the payload headroom means my camera isn't taxing it too hard. The detachable remote opens up shots I couldn't get before like setting the camera on a tripod across the yard and shooting from where I stand. There's definitely a learning curve, and I do wish the screen was a bit bigger, but those are minor complaints against everything the MT3 iSteady Pro does so well. If you're a creator who jumps between a camera and a phone the way I do, this gimbal genuinely keeps up with your content. I highly recommend it. You will be impressed with the build quality and the performance.
RSingh Posted
The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro, a stabilizer for advanced camera users with built-in AI features. The first impression— build quality. The gimbal has solid build quality, I would say a bit heavy for single-hand use for long shooting sessions with an SLR camera. It comes with a small tripod which can also be attached to the side as a second arm to use as double-handed. A camera mount and phone mount are included and USB-C cables to connect with the camera. The AI camera is on the camera/phone mount arm and a detachable remote is included that can display the live feed from the AI camera. It has three-axis active stabilization. On the gimbal, a wheel can be customized to control the gimbal or zoom in the attached camera. The remote also includes a zoom and shutter button and a touch screen can be used to select the subject for AI tracking and various settings. Set-up and functionality Setup is straightforward. It has a quick setup guide that takes you online to watch video tutorials. I found those tutorials very helpful to set up the gimbal. It explains everything in detail and is worth watching those tutorials. There are so many things this gimbal offers that I have not been able to use them all and am still trying new techniques with this. Before turning on, unlock all the axes, and the gimbal auto-stabilizes. Then follow the video tutorials to mount the camera and balance the camera. The phone balancing is the same as the camera balancing. But the camera and phone must be balanced for all three axes to effectively use the gimbal. The gimbal can shoot in vertical and horizontal camera settings, and stabilization and movement are very smooth. The AI tracking works as expected. It can track people and pets I have tried and works all the time. Gesture controls are there for AI tracking and shooting for selfie mode. The trigger button on the gimbal offers additional functionality. The gimbal can be charged with a standard USB-C cable, and the good thing is that when the compatible camera is connected through a USB-C cable with the gimbal, the camera can be controlled directly through the gimbal remote. During emergencies, the camera can also be charged with the gimbal battery, which I do not suggest because it will decrease the battery runtime for the gimbal, but it is a nice thing to have. The gimbal can be paired with a dedicated app, Hohem Joy. The Hohem Joy app acts as a control center that unlocks creative filming modes and allows you to customize gimbal settings that aren't available through a phone’s standard camera app. It provides additional modes such as Moment mode and Smart Tracking in the camera. It also gives direct control over camera parameters like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. The app also allows you to adjust motor speed, follow modes, and perform firmware updates to keep the device current App also has a tutorial for the gimbal that can be accessed anytime, which is very handy. Overall, it is a perfect gimbal for pro shooters.
emiliosic Posted
As an amateur photographer, I'm familiar with other gimbals, like the ones for phones, which I had for years. However this is next level, particularly at this price point. The unit itself is very well built, mostly of aluminum, with some rubberized sections where it matters. The operation itself is very smooth, allows for 360 degrees of movement horizontally, in a 3-axis configuration, one can walk normally, rotate the handle and the camera remains in position. This is what's expected from a motorized gimbal. The next level in this is that it has its own camera, like a phone camera, and also has an embedded light, which has adjustable kelvin and brightness in white mode and full RGB in color mode. The light can be controlled from a wheel on the handle or via the remote control. The remote control is a standout feature that I have not seen in other products double its cost: The screen is a small touchscreen that receives a live feed from the gimbal's camera and allows one to select via the touchscreen what to track. It also has a joystick to move the gimbal, zoom and trigger for the connected camera. The AI tracking has various modes and can track people or animals. The gimbal can also perform other tricks like different rotation patterns that can be triggered from either the handle or the remote, which can of course stay attached to the handle as well. The gimbal has an internal battery that can also charge the remote, which has its own battery, and is powered by an USB-C connector. The gimbal can control mirrorless/reflex cameras, action cameras or phones via either USB-C or Bluetooth. My camera is on the basic mirrorless side, a Canon R100. When I tried connecting it to the gimbal via USB-C it recognized it as a PC, so the remote trigger confused the camera, but works perfectly when paired as a remote via Bluetooth. The gimbal also has several mounting points for different accessories like flashes, as well as additional USB-C output connectors that could be used for accessory lights. It also comes with a phone adapter and a mount that could come handy in some action cameras (GoPro, etc.). Initially, one needs to manually balance the gimbal based on the weight distribution of each camera. It can be a chore. Took me about 15 minutes initially and with some minor adjustments got the hang of it. The gimbal does have an automatic calibration, but the initial balancing needs to be done manually. The gimbal can be paired with the 'Hohem Joy' phone app when it's attached to a phone and want to use the remote to shoot and to upgrade the gimbal's firmware, which was not needed in my case. Otherwise there is no requirement to use it. The feed from the gimbal's camera is not streamed to the phone. It supports up to 2.5 Kg weight for the camera. Overall, I'm extremely impressed by this. Professional build quality and features at a prosumer price.
Linksys Posted
If you’re a creator or just a tech enthusiast that creates video the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro can help you create amazing content. Unboxing the gimbal you notice how nice the box and packaging of the device is, though this has no bearing on the product, it just makes a nice first impression. Once you get it out, the heft and substantial feel of the gimbal is apparent as soon as you take it out. From the tactical feel of the buttons to the precision of the aluminum body and parts. Setup is easy with the instructional videos on Hohem’s website. The videos make setup up a breeze and as they walk you thru setting up your device and all the functionality of the gimbal. Included with the gimbal are mounts for smartphones and action cameras as well. Probably one of the coolest features is the AI subject tracking and how easy it is to use with just a flip of a switch and a hand gesture if you're the subject. When filming you use the removable display to use the AI function and from either way you have an indicator light so you know when it’s on or off. The AI camera serves as basically an extra screen when using a DSLR/mirrorless camera and your screen turns off to save battery. You also have a configurable fill light that is customizable for temperature and brightness with CCT and RGB modes. I have a gimbal for my smartphone that I thought was sweet, but the versatile and functionality of the Hohem iSteady MT3 is amazing. Having the ability to use it for smartphones and action cameras is a real plus also. About the only thing I wish Hohem included was a carrying case, that would make transporting it a little less of a worry.
First opening this box, I felt almost overwhelmed. I've never used a gimbal mount before, and there is a lot included in the box. The quick start guide doesn't go into too much detail, but it does include a QR code for video tutorials. I found the video tutorials for setting up the gimbal very helpful and I'm appreciative of that. However, even after watching the video tutorials, there is still a lot to get used to with this gimbal. There are a lot of buttons, and they all have functions for one, two, three, or even four or five presses. In that regard, I wish some of it was a bit more intuitive sometimes. You can connect the gimbal for remote camera control via a provided USB-C cable, and also a cable for Sony mirrorless cameras. You could also connect to the camera with bluetooth (as a bluetooth remote). Of course, these are features your camera needs to support (control over USB-C or Blueooth). If your camera doesn't support these control methods, you won't be able to use the remote for triggering the camera. The remote also has a W/T rocker for controlling zoom, but this did not work on my Canon Mirrorless with a motorized zoom lens. I wonder if this may change with a firmware update on the gimbal and/or camera. You are also able to charge your device from the gimbal, but for some reason, the USB-C cables it comes with didn't work for charging, and I had to use a different USB-C cable to charge my camera from the mount. Very frustrating. The remote is touchscreen and is what you use to see through the AI camera on the gimbal, and select subjects for AI tracking. The tricky part of this is the gimbal camera has a very wide angle lens (e.g. wider than 20mm). There is a mode to try and adjust the AI area, but I found this to be finnicky and unclear. So, the problem becomes, is the AI camera is tracking a subject, but it's still out of frame from your cameras POV. The camera is still useful because you can see the live feed from the remote screen and get a decent gist of what your camera is looking at. I mostly used the AI tracking on my dogs, which it was able to do, but not super well. Probably because the dogs have more erratic, and fast movements. It was able to keep up for awhile, but if they got too far away, or moved quickly to the edge of the AI cameras POV, it would lose track. When it loses track of the subject, or if it goes out of range of what the gimbal can do, it seems to act unpredictably (may recenter/relevel, point a random direction, or go into standby mode). For tracking myself just walking around, it worked really well (it's kind of freaky almost watching the camera watching your every movement!). You can adjust all the settings of the gimbal and tracking on the remote touch screen. I mostly found myself accidentally tapping things I didn't mean to, I think because the screen is so small. If you have big fingers, I can see you having difficulty with using the touchscreen. For some reason, with my Canon Mirrorless, of very modest weight, the gimbal would start shaking if I tilted the camera to look straight up, and then it would enter standby and say the motor is unstable and needs to be recalibrated. No matter how much I recalibrated it, I couldn't get it to look straight up with this camera. The pan axis (X-axis) can do a full infinite 360. The tilt axis (y axis) goes roughly 300 degrees. The roll axis (XY axis) has a similar rotation limit. I don't know if this is common with gimbals, but worth calling out, in case you were expecting full freedom of movement. The control wheel and button on the mount can be set to control tilt, pan, or the front LED light. The front LED is usable, but I don't see it being very practical in most scenarios. The box this comes packaged in I'm keeping to store the gimbal when not in use. It has all the foam cutouts to keep everything safe. Overall, this is a very nice gimbal with neat features and a lot of thought put into it, but definitely has a few quirks, some that can hopefully be smoothed out with a firmware update.
Stephen H Posted
Upon unboxing, this gimbal is gorgeous! The orange accents really set it apart. With its ability to handle up to 5.5 lbs this is quite a useful bit of gear! The gimbal and remote touchscreen charge together on one cable so I plugged it in to top off both batteries. Tap the power button when the device is off and it will display the state of charge. The manufacturer recommends a 5v 3A USB charger (not included). While it was charging, I downloaded the Hohem Joy app and looked through the included accessories. Besides the ARCA compatible camera mount and quick release plate, there is a tripod, a phone clamp, an action camera adapter, a lens support to help stabilize longer lenses, a short charge cable, mounting screws, and a pair of control cables to connect compatible cameras to the gimbal (one is usb-c, the other works with Sony Multi). No carry case is included on this model but the Pro Kit will include one. There isn’t a paper manual in the box but there is a QR code that takes you to some very detailed videos to get the gimbal set up and show you how to operate it. That’s probably the best way to go because online resources can be updated to correctly reflect any changes made through firmware updates throughout a product’s lifecycle. Once it was charged and I had my camera mounted and balanced I made sure all axis were unlocked and powered it on. I noticed right away that the controls are pretty much identical in function and layout to my GoPro Fluid Pro AI which is not a surprise since Hohem is credited on the knob of the Fluid with “Powered by Hohem”. But the iSteady MT3 Pro adds even more features including a neat detachable remote that allows you to select an item to track or manually operate the gimbal from a distance of up to 10 meters. Very handy when the gimbal is across the room. Like the Fluid, the MT3 also has the ability to track people and adds the ability to track objects and pets. In my experience the person tracking works great, it’s been really rainy here when I’m not working so my object tracking has only been indoors. I used it to track my robotic vacuum around the family room and, provided that it didn’t lose sight of the vacuum, it tracked it 100%. If the vacuum went out of sight, like behind a chair, the tracking was lost and did not continue when the vacuum came back into view. I had it set to tight and fast initially but the tracking was a bit jerky. Changing it to medium and smooth was better in this case. Selecting an object to track is pretty easy, you can just draw a box on the touchscreen that encompasses the object and a quick double tap on the box to start tracking. If you draw the box and you’re off a bit you can just quickly draw it again. If you need to stop tracking you can just tap the side button on the remote to clear the box. Person tracking can be done the same way or several functions can be controlled through gestures if you’re in front of the camera which works well and is very convenient. You can also initiate person tracking if you see a yellow box displayed on the touchscreen by tapping the trigger and then tap again to stop. I would advise you to look hard at the Pro Kit version if you’re considering this gimbal? You get the same great gimbal plus a carry case, an additional adjustable handle, and the Spot Mini Motor attachment for not much more money.
Yale Posted
This gimbal is great. The detachable screen is Its best feature. The ability to be able to control the gimbal without holding it is crazy!! It holds its own vs top competitors when it come to the subject lock and can lock on to not only humans but animals and object which most comp gimbals can’t do. Its biggest negatives to me is the weight load that it can hold and the process of mounting and center the camera is super tedious.. other than that though I believe this is a great purchase especially for its price!
JASONB Posted
In regrads to this product, there is absolutely nothing that I dislike about it. Definitely user friendly and an awesome product. Also, DEFINITELY!!!!!! recommand if looking for an awesome stabilizer.
Hudson Posted
Amazing gimbal! Strong motor to handle anything from an action camera to mid size DSLR. The color remote is also a big plus making gimbal functions super simple
dlowen Posted
The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is the most advanced gimble I have ever used. I can remember back to the early days of gimbles when they were not even electronic, they would use sophisticated counterweights to balance your camera and give you smooth video. Over time electronic gimbles became popular and have gotten smaller. The MT3 Pro takes gimbals to a whole another level with AI tracking features. AI tracking has been present in smaller phone gimbles in the past but AI tracking in a full-blown cinema rig is new to me. The MT3 PRO Is built extremely high quality. A Teflon coating allows for less friction and smoother balancing. Although the gimbal is compact, it has a payload capacity of just over 5.5 pounds. This allows you to add a full-size camera with accessories such as a cage and microphone. One of my personal favorite features is the vertical quick switch which allows you to easily switch the camera to shoot vertically. This is perfect for TikToks, Instagram, and other short form media. The Arca Swiss mount works seamless with most brackets and cages without needing extra adapters. Battery run time is rated at 20 hours which gives you plenty of battery life to shoot all day long without needing to recharge. The biggest thing that sets the MT3 PRO above other gimbals is the AI tracking features. The gimbal has a built in AI camera that can track humans. Animals. Vehicles, or any other subject. This comes extremely handing when you are doing run and gun. You can focus on getting the perfect shot and allow the gimbal to keep the subject in frame. You can also use the tripod, set this on a flat surface and allow it to track something without needing an operator. This could be extremely useful for weddings or live stream events. There is also a detachable touch screen remote with a live feed monitor. The remote gives you full control of the gimbal from up to 10 meters away. You can not only preview your shot but also control the shutter. This comes in handy when getting awkward high or low angles. The fine-tuning knob allows you to get millimeter level precision when adjusting. Whether you film with a phone or a full frame camera, the MT3 PRO is the perfect gimbal for the job. I am most excited to use this for filming car content. The AI features make this extremely easy for anyone to use and get the perfect frame for every shot. I highly recommend this gimbal for all content creators. It will take your content to the next level.