DJI Ronin S Easy Setup Guide

Image Credit (dji.com)

DJI Ronin S Easy Setup Guide | Ronin-S Quick Start Guide

The DJI Ronin-S can be a bit of a daunting tool to a newcomer, but once you get the hang of it then it becomes a really valuable filmmaking tool.

Locking the Ronin S to its battery

The battery slides in to the top section of the Ronin-S and they communicate when the metal pins are aligned. Once they are slid together you need to lock the battery in place using the silver locking lever. The lever doesn’t catch or click when it is in place which is a bit disconcerting, but you just need to lock it in place gently and then just test that it is firmly attached. Don’t over tighten it as this can result in the level being snapped, rendering the gimbal unusable. Most importantly, make sure it is attached firmly before using it or the top section can come loose, tumbling to the floor with your camera and other equipment which is an expensive lesson to learn.

Charging the Ronin S

The Ronin-S comes bundled with a charging adapter plug and USB-C cable to attach the plug to the Ronin. You need to be sure that you always use the included cable and charging adapter as using 3rd party cables and adapters could damage the battery. The battery cannot be charged directly or independently, it needs to be connected to the top part of the gimbal as that is where the USB-C port is located. This is slightly annoying as it is a big and clunky gimbal to have lying next to a plug socket and the lead is relatively short. The next thing to note is that it cannot be powered over USB directly, so plugging it in to a laptop directly will not work as it cannot draw enough power. You can always be sure when the Ronin-S is charging because the lights on the battery will be stepping up to show it is charging.

Register the Ronin S

To use the Ronin app you will first need a DJI account if you don’t have one. You also need Bluetooth and GPS enabled to find your Ronin or you won’t be able to connect to it. Then connect in the Ronin app by selecting it from the list and the default password is 12345678.

Upgrading the Ronin S firmware

Download the Ronin S assistant for Mac or PC from here. Then you can plug the Ronin S into your computer using the USB C cable. It does not need to be switched on to do this. From there you can check the current firmware and upgrade it if necessary

Balancing your camera on the Ronin S

Loosen the screws and push the plates along make the camera balance as well as it can on all of the axis. Make sure that the plates do not touch when moving the axis and that it has fully free movement all around. Any wires from mics or accessories must be kept clear to avoid them getting tangled in the gimbal as it rotates fully. Remember that every time you add something to your camera, you will then need to re-balance it.