ZHIYUN Smooth 5S | Complete beginners Guide - Start Here | Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial is designed for beginners who want to learn how to use the Zhiyun Smooth 5S gimbal stabilizer for smartphones. We will walk through the essential steps, from setup to advanced features, ensuring you get the most out of your gimbal.

Step 1: Setting Up the Tripod

• Start by attaching the tripod to the base of the Zhiyun Smooth 5S.
• Ensure the tripod is securely fastened to avoid stability issues during use.

Step 2: Charging the Zhiyun Smooth 5S

• Locate the charging port on the gimbal.
• Use the provided USB cable to connect the gimbal to a power source.
• Allow the gimbal to charge fully before the first use, indicated by a solid light.

Step 3: Using the Lock Feature

• Familiarize yourself with the lock mechanism on the gimbal.
• Engage the lock to keep the gimbal stable when not in use, preventing unnecessary movement.

Step 4: Balancing in Landscape Mode

• Place your smartphone in the gimbal's holder.
• Adjust the counterweights and tilt until the gimbal remains level and balanced without any support.
• Make sure the camera is facing forward for best results.

Step 5: Balancing in Portrait Mode

• Rotate the gimbal 90 degrees to switch to portrait mode.
• Repeat the balancing process, ensuring the gimbal is steady in this orientation as well.

Step 6: Powering On and Off

• To turn on the gimbal, press and hold the power button until the lights activate.
• To power off, press and hold the button again until the lights turn off.

Step 7: Using the Gimbal as a Power Bank

• Connect your smartphone to the USB output on the gimbal.
• This allows you to charge your phone while filming, ensuring you don’t run out of battery.

Step 8: Understanding Controls and Modes

• Familiarize yourself with the buttons on the gimbal:
  • Joystick for movement control.
  • Mode Button for switching between different shooting modes.
• Explore the various modes, such as follow mode and lock mode, to see which best suits your shooting style.

Step 9: Using the Lights on the Gimbal

• The Zhiyun Smooth 5S features built-in lights for low-light conditions.
• Activate the lights using the designated button and adjust brightness as needed for your shooting environment.

Step 10: Exploring the ZY Play App

• Download the ZY Play app on your smartphone.
• Connect the app to your gimbal for additional features like remote control and advanced settings.
• Experiment with app settings to enhance your filming capabilities.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should now have a solid understanding of how to set up and operate the Zhiyun Smooth 5S gimbal stabilizer. Practice balancing your phone in both landscape and portrait modes, explore the features, and consider using the ZY Play app for advanced functionalities. Enjoy capturing smooth, professional-looking videos!