FeiyuTech AK2000 - gimbal test. A great competitor for Zhiyun Crane 2 FeiyuTech AK2000

The possibilities of FeiyuTech AK2000 go beyond the functionality of an ordinary gimbal, as we found out during the test of the latest stabilizer for people filming with cameras.

Just a year ago I tested the FeiyuTech a2000 gimbal. This is good quality equipment that had no problems even with larger SLR cameras. Because until recently, the indicator of a good gimbal was simply that it could carry a larger camera. The last year, however, was full of premieres, and the gimbal market has visibly changed.

New models are getting cheaper and at the same time offer unattainable lifting capacity until recently. Manufacturers go a step further and now the additional capabilities of the gimbal, which is designed to work best with the camera, are becoming crucial. FeiyuTech AK2000 is one of such models.

FeiyuTech AK2000

Construction and manufacture of a gimbal

The FeiyuTech AK2000 is certainly not is one of the smallest gimbals on the market. Just like the Zhiyun Crane 2, it is a large device, so you will need a large backpack to transport it. Fortunately, the gimbal can be easily unscrewed - so that the handle and the part with the camera can be packed separately. Worse, however, with re-screwing the handle. Here you have to tighten a bit, because if we do not screw everything properly, the handle will "jump" a bit.

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

Batteries are placed in the handle - the AK2000 is powered by as many as four batteries. This affects its size and weight, as a result of which the gimbal weighs a whole kilogram. It is hardly surprising, however, because this model is supposed to handle cameras weighing up to 2.8 kg. Of course, it is always worth using a set that is slightly lighter than declared by the manufacturer, but such a load capacity definitely makes a good impression. Although it is still nothing compared to the AK4000 model, whose declared load capacity is 4 kg. We are slowly moving towards the fact that gimbals will easily carry professional cameras with large cinema lenses.

But back to our copy. A big and noticeable change compared to the predecessor in the form of the A2000 is that when we attach the camera, none of the gimbal axes covers the screen. Why couldn't it have been designed this way from the beginning? Probably everyone used to be annoyed that they can't see the camera screen well, or worse, can't tilt it properly. Thanks to this simple design solution - tilting the axis slightly back - the problem was eliminated.

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

On the front handle, in the central part, we find a screen, and below it a joystick, around which there are 4 buttons and a large knob on the left. In addition, there is a micro-USB input. The screen may not be new on the market, because it has, for example, the already mentioned Zhiyun Crane 2, but in this model it supports touch. So we have an additional "bajer".

The package we get from the manufacturer includes a small suitcase. In it, apart from the gimbal itself, we will find: a charger (unfortunately without a plug, but with a micro-USB cable only), a set of 4 batteries, a laconic user manual (it talks about the absolute basics), a set of necessary screws, camera mounts, 3 cables for connecting to the cameras from different manufacturers and a small tripod (after all, the gimbal can also act as a tripod).

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

Balancing the gimbal in three axes is done in the same way as always, so first unscrew the screw, then move the axis accordingly and screw the screw locking the axis. There is no shortage of a millimeter scale, thanks to which we can even remember what setting was ideal for a given configuration of the camera with the lens. In a convenient and easy way, you can move the plate with the camera itself - it can be easily unlocked and locked. Thanks to this, we can quickly make the necessary corrections.

There were also screws that are used to attach cameras with large lenses. The construction of the plate to which the camera is attached, as well as the aforementioned screws, make it possible to mount the camera in such a way that the lens is properly supported. Thanks to this, the whole is easier to balance and, consequently, the set is more stable.

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

Using the gimbal

The process of balancing the gimbal may be difficult for novice users, but it's all a matter of practice. However, you must know that even with an averagely balanced camera, the gimbal will also cope. There are no such problems as in the old models, when the poorly balanced and slightly heavier camera caused the gimbal to simply turn off.

The controls shouldn't be a problem for anyone. After turning on the gimbal, we can select the operating mode on the touch panel. We can use the motion blocking mode, in which the gimbal will try to keep the camera in a fixed position.

There is also a mode where the camera locks up and down - Pan. And finally, the one I use most often - the Follow mode. This one is best suited for everyday use. The gimbal follows our movements - left, right, up and down. This gives you a lot of freedom to move the camera. Of course, it also requires practice.

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

The gimbal is very sensitive to movements, so if our hand does not turn smoothly, the image will show a lack of fluidity. Of course, using the software, we can change parameters such as work sensitivity, or turn off the beeping accompanying the gimbal switching on, which, for example, irritates me a lot. If we want to pan, like from a slider, or we want to make a movement imitating camera driving, then it is worth switching to blocking modes, which will work better for such shots.

If, however, you want to have full fluidity in your movements and be able to react quickly to what is happening around you, the full automatic mode will work best. In blocking modes, however, you can make movements, but with the joystick. It's not always that fluid. The large dial can also move the camera up and down. It is programmable, so it can also have other uses. The basic one, of course, is to set the motley if we have a follow focus system. It can also set the zoom on the camera. So there are plenty of possibilities.

The gimbal allows you to smoothly rotate the camera by a full 360 degrees. It also has the option to quickly point the camera backwards towards us. So we can record ourselves, or just take a selfie. This mode is a great option especially for all vloggers, because it gives them the ability to quickly and easily change the frame between themselves and what they see. There were also options for photography lovers, such as the timelpse function. Thanks to it, the camera will move minimally, so that within a few hours, for example, an interesting timelapse with panning will be created. Of course, a tripod will also help here, on which we will put the gimbal with the camera on the ground so as not to touch it.

I mentioned at the beginning that the set includes cables to connect the gimbal to the camera. They will fit Panasonic, Sony and Canon cameras, i.e. the most popular models for filming. However, the camera can also be connected to the gimbal wirelessly - using WiFi or Bluetooth. What benefits does this give us? Really big. After connecting, we will be able to control many camera parameters from the gimbal. Not only turn recording on and off, but also change exposure, ISO or white balance.

FeiyuTech AK2000/photo. fotoManiaK.pl

Thanks to the touch screen, we can also set many gimbal functions from the menu level, without having to install the application (although this method is also possible). However, setting functions directly in the gimbal will simply be faster and easier. The screen also shows us the state of battery consumption. And this allows you to work really long. We can easily use the gimbal all day long. The manufacturer declares 12 hours of work on a single charge and that's how much we actually get.

Stabilization quality remains impeccable. The work of the motors has been improved compared to its predecessor, ensuring even greater smoothness and stability. I did not notice any micro-vibrations or problems with stabilization. Of course, you need to gain some practice in the movements to get the perfect results.

The only thing I've noticed is that sometimes the camera tilts slightly to the left for a moment after turning it on, and it takes a few seconds for it to align to a horizontal position. It's possible that the motors need a moment. Unfortunately, wireless camera control is not perfectly smooth - you can see a small delay between selecting the option in the gimbal and the camera's reaction. Apart from that, however, it's hard for me to see major flaws in the model, because it works really well.

FeiyuTech AK2000 – test video

Summary and evaluation

The FeiyuTech AK2000 is one of those models that start a new chapter in the history of gimbals. It is not only a camera stabilizer, but a tool that fully allows you to work with the camera, making working with it very comfortable. This gimbal will easily replace a monopod and slider, and if we screw it to a high tripod, then a camera crane. The high lifting capacity of the model means that we can also use heavy lenses, even those with a long focal length. A large zoom combined with a blurred, moving background can give really interesting visual effects.

I also suggest paying attention to the price. FeiyuTech AK2000 was valued at less than PLN 1,800. This is PLN 400 less than the competitive Zhiyun Crane 2, which has a slightly higher load capacity, but has much fewer functions. So if you hesitate between the choice of these two models, and the main factor for you is not the load capacity, then with a clear conscience I can recommend FeiyuTech AK2000 as worth buying. That's why this model receives the manic "Good Buy" award.

Final test score [1-10]: 8.0

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