RETROSPECTIVE
REVIEW
MICHAEL HALLET T
WEEBILL 2 PRO
REVIEW: WEEBILL 2 PRO Video content is in higher demand year by year as the need for engaging online content is rapidly growing, and the gadgets and equipment to facilitate high production value are evolving alongside it. For most videographers, gimbals have become an essential part of the tool kit for capturing fast-paced subjects while giving the camera operator freedom of movement without detriment to the final video results. Ok, so we know gimbals are good, but which one should you buy? Well, in this review below, we will explore the Weebill 2 Pro by Zhiyun Tech. After teaming up with the Zhiyun Tech, the BIPP decided to put their Weebill 2 PRO to the test, in conjunction with running a Christmas giveaway competition for one lucky winner to win their very own Weebill 2.
A first glance:
His latest project, A Great City, documents Birmingham over 20 years, beginning in 2000, launched this September. Alternatively the project can be seen as a website at www. brumpics.co.uk. The exhibition draws influence from Michael’s past encounters, “In this exhibition, each of the eighteen landscape exhibition frames recall a photo story based on Stefan Lorant’s creation of Weekly Illustrated and Picture Post. Each frame has a main/ key photograph, along with supplementary photographs plus a detailed caption all bringing the story together. As the viewer engages through the sequence of these frames, this twenty-year record of a great city unfolds.”
Image Above: German-born American photographer and photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt taken by Michael for his book Being There. Alfred most notbale photograph is V-J Day in Times Square, which captures an American sailor grabbing and kissing a stranger during the V-J Day celebrations in 1945
The exhibit is in the Library of Birmingham until end February 2022. And now, at 81-years-old this is testament to Dr. Hallett’s unmoving passion. But now he is negotiating his next project either in words or pictures to be seen on a variety of publishing platforms.
Image Right: A letter to Michael from Alfred Eisenstaedt thanking him for the work he published.
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Slick, stylish and ergonomically crafted. Opening the box to assemble the gimbal was a joy in itself, as the aesthetically conscious design brings a particular feel that makes the equipment visually stand out as a professional and contemporary bit of gear.
Getting started: When you attach your pricey video camera to something, you want to know it’s safe and secure, and the Weebill 2 Pro gives you exactly that reassurance. The sturdiness and robust manufacturing instils confidence in its functionality while giving it a durability that you can operate in any environment and under any condition.
Stand out features: Stabilisation: we decided to put it to the test, capturing fast-travelling subjects and tracking subjects while on the move. The 3-axis feature paired with the Infineon two-filter interruption vector-splitting sensor allowed smooth movements and pans while also removing the shake and wobble when moving alongside a subject while filming.
Battery Life: there is nothing worse than running out of power, it happens to all of us at some point, and it’s not fun! With a built-in 2600mAh battery, the Weebill 2 gives an astounding 9-hour battery life that takes only 1.6 hours to charge, allowing the freedom of a full day of shooting without the worry of it going flat. Monitor: for every camera operator, getting creative with angles and producing dynamic perspective is part of making a captivating video. The 2.88” Fullcolor Touch Screen provides this, as the retractable & flip-out design give a diverse viewing range to capture content, while also allowing the autonomy to operate the settings directly through the interactive screen. Control Wheel: being able to respond to your environment in an instant is essential, especially when in an active and fluctuating setting where things change from one moment to the next. The focus control wheel supports adjustments on a roll axis for adapting aperture, ISO, electronic/mechanical follow focus and zoom. The easy access and use of these key features give you the headspace to concentrate on your subject and remove any clunky movement when changing settings. Videographer Tom Walmsley of award-winning marketing agency, Wash Studio, says: “It’s not often you open a box of brand new equipment and don’t immediately start assembling it because it just looks so perfect, separate in its place inside the case the crafted parts came in. I wanted to slowly assemble this ergonomically crafted piece to understand the engineering behind it and to take enjoyment out of the assemblement. “ The Weebill 2 Pro by Zhyuin is the full throttle gimbal for your cinematic needs; it effortlessly transforms your cinematography, aiding and gliding your every arm movement. This comes down to the core build of this kit. I’ve had a blast filming with the Weebill 2. It is an impeccably built piece of equipment, and the results were solid. It will be your new assistant in whatever new project you’re about to tackle.” the PHOTOGRAPHER / 2021 / Issue Four 59
