DJI has launched the new Ronin 4D Flex. Essentially, it’s an addon cable and set of accessories for the Ronin 4D that allows you to disconnect the sensor and gimbal module from the rest of the camera. This allows you to massively reduce the weight from the sensor end of the camera, not to mention size, letting you mount and use it in more places than would be possible with the standard Ronin 4D setup.
The Ronin 4D Flex opens up a lot of filming opportunities and makes rigging certain situations a whole lot easier. And while we’ve seen other cameras with removable heads like this in the past, this is the only one with native gimbal control, which expands those opportunities even further. Potato Jet’s had his hands on one for a little while and has posted a video going over its features and capabilities.
DJI Ronin 4D Flex
As you can see from the video above, the Ronin 4D Flex is compatible with a whole bunch of stuff from DJI’s ecosystem – because the standard Ronin 4D is. But because you can shed several kilograms of weight from the business end of the camera, you’re able to mount it in positions that would otherwise be impossible without a lot of time-consuming and expensive rigging. There are a lot of shots in the video above that the Ronin 4D would not be able to achieve without the new Flex addon.
The Ronin 4D Flex is a 2 metre cable, supporting lossless video transmission at up to 8K resolution. DJI says this allows high-speed signals from the camera sensor to instantly reach the main body. You’re also able to get full remote control over the gimbal and camera, as well as remote monitoring, in real-time, too. It has native compatibility with the Ronin 4D’s handgrips, and you still get to keep the LiDAR focusing system.
The DJI Ronin 4D Flex is also compatible with other DJI tools, such as the DJI Master Wheels.
The DJI Ronin 4D Flex is available to pre-order now for $929 and is compatible with both the Ronin 4D 6K and the Ronin 4D 8K cameras and starts shipping very soon.
DJI DL PZ 17-28mm T3.0 Lens
As well as the new Ronin 4D Flex, DJI has also announced a new DJI PZ 17-28mm T3.0 lens. This DL mount autofocus lens is the first “cinema-grade” zoom lens from DJI. About the new lens, DJI says that its “precise back focus control and native system calibration, autofocus, manual focus and automated manual focus (AMF) are all more outstandingly accurate”. When mounted on the DJI Zenmuse X9, it boasts edge-to-edge sharpness, with high resolution, and a minimum focus distance of only 19cm.
The full-frame lens features built-in motors for both focus and zoom, allowing the camera to take control of both. You also get control of both remotely when using the Ronin 4D Flex above. It has 13 elements in 11 groups, with a 67mm filter thread on the front. There’s no built-in stabilisation, but when you’re using it on the Ronin 4D, you’re getting 4 axes of stabilisation anyway and you still get 3 axes of stabilisation when using it with the Ronin 4D Flex where you don’t get that Z bounce compensation.
| Focal Length | 17-28mm |
| Maximum Aperture | T3.0 |
| Minimum Aperture | T22 |
| Lens Mount | DJI DL |
| Format Compatibility | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | Unspecified |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 19cm |
| Optical Design | 13 Elements in 11 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | Unspecified |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Tripod Collar | None |
| Filter Size | 67mm |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 78 x 100.1mm |
| Weight | 520g |
This and DJI’s DL primes aren’t the only lenses you can use with the Ronin 4D (with or without the Flex) as DJI joined the L mount alliance last year. This means that you’re also able to use the ever-growing range of L mount lenses from Panasonic and Sigma with your Ronin 4D. Of course, none of those are powered zoom lenses like the new DJI PZ 17-28mm T3.0, but you do get full autofocus with LiDAR capabilities.
The DJI DL PZ 17-28mm T3.0 lens is available to pre-order now for $1,339 and begins shipping soon.
Ronin 4D finally gets Apple ProRes RAW
As a little addendum to the Ronin 4D Flex press release, DJI also made a little announcement about Apple ProRes RAW.
Finally, an activation license key for the Apple ProRes RAW codec on Ronin 4D is now available for purchase at the DJI Store, making it even easier to integrate Ronin 4D footage into cinema productions.
Well, it’s about time and it’s not cheap, either. With a cost of $979, the licensing cost is significantly more than the $400 discount DJI offered on the cameras when they announced the format was being pulled from the Ronin 4D in February 2022.
Still, it’s available to buy now from the DJI website.
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