ZHIYUN CRANE 4 User Guide: Setup, Operation, and Balancing

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Product List

Before using this product, please check carefully that all the following items are included in the product package. In case that any item is found missing, please contact ZHIYUN or your local selling agent.

CRANE 4 x1
Lower-layer Quick Release Plate x1
Tripod x1
Upper-layer Quick Release Plate x1
Lens Support x1
Lens Support Lock Screw x1
Camera Backing Base x1
Quick Start Guide x1
USB Type C Cable x1
Type-C to Mini USB LN-NBUC-A01 Camera Control Cable x1
Type-C to Micro USB LN-MBUC-A02 Camera Control Cable x1
Type-C to Type-C USB LN-UCUC-A02 Camera Control Cable x1
Type-C to Multi USB LN-UCUS-A03 Camera Control Cable x1
Fill Light Reflector x1
Storage Case x1
1/4" Screw x3x3
M4 Wrench x1*
Sling Grip x1*
Wrist Rest x1*

Items marked "*" are included in CRANE 4 COMBO.

Get to Know CRANE 4

The CRANE 4 gimbal features numerous components for operation and mounting. Below is a list of key parts:

Gimbal Body Components:

1. Upper-layer Quick Release Plate Lock Switch
2. Lower-layer Quick Release Plate
3. Upper-layer Quick Release Plate Latch
4. Upper-layer Quick Release Plate
5. Quick Release Plate Latch
6. Level Mount
7. Camera Installation Latch
8. Quick Release Plate Safety Lock
9. Quick Release Plate Leveling Base
10. Quick Release Plate Leveling Base Latch
11. Pan Axis Latch
12. Pan Axis Motor
13. Joystick
14. Photo/Video Button
15. Mode Switch
16. Gimbal Base
17. Sling Grip/Phone Clamp Installation Screw Hole
18. Tilt Axis Motor
19. Camera/Image Transmission Control Port
20. Roll Axis Latch
21. Roll Axis Motor
22. Touchscreen
23. Gimbal Handle
24. Tripod
25. Tilt Axis Lock Switch
26. Focus Motor Control Port
27. Roll Axis Lock Switch
28. Level Mount Safety Lock
29. Pan Axis Lock Switch
30. Fill Light Control Wheel
31. Power Button
32. Wrist Rest Screw Hole
33. Firmware Upgrade/ Charging Port
34. Fill Light
35. 1/4" Threaded Hole
36. Lens Support
37. Quick Release Plate Leveling Base Latch
38. Lens Support Lock Screw
39. Level Mount Lock Screw
40. Trigger Button
41. Adjustment Wheel

Diagrams illustrate the physical location of these components on the gimbal.

Battery and Charging

CRANE 4 features a built-in battery. For first-time use, fully charge the battery to ensure optimal gimbal performance.

Charging Method: Use the provided USB Type-C cable to connect a USB charger (not included) to charge CRANE 4. It is recommended to use USB chargers that support the PD protocol (up to 25W PD charging).

Diagram shows AC Power (100-240V) connected to a USB Charger, which connects via a USB Type-C Cable to the CRANE 4. A red circle highlights the USB port on the gimbal.

? USB charger is not provided.

? Please power off CRANE 4 before charging.

Mounting and Balancing

Mounting the Tripod

Mount the tripod to the bottom of the gimbal handle. Unfold the tripod and place the gimbal on a flat surface.

Diagram shows the tripod being attached to the base of the gimbal handle.

Mounting the Camera

Each axis of the gimbal is equipped with a lock switch for convenient installation and storage. The default state is locked. Unlock the three axes by toggling the lock switches, expand the gimbal as shown in the image, and re-lock the axes for camera installation.

? Mount the camera before powering on CRANE 4 and balance the gimbal. Do not power on CRANE 4 without a camera mounted.

? Before mounting, ensure the camera is prepared: remove the lens cap and confirm the battery and memory card are inserted.

Step 2: Attaching Camera to Quick-Release Plates

Install the camera onto the upper quick-release plate and tighten the screws. Then, attach the upper quick-release plate (with camera) to the lower quick-release plate and lock the upper quick-release plate latch. Mount the lens support onto the lower quick-release plate, adjust its height according to the lens position to support the camera lens securely, and tighten the screws.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Camera attached to upper quick-release plate. 2. Upper plate attached to lower plate. 3. Lens support attached to lower plate. 4. Adjusting lens support height. 5. Tightening screws.

? For long and heavy camera lenses, a camera lens support is necessary for secure mounting. Adjust based on your specific setup.

Alternative Mounting (Dual-layer Plate Issues)

If balancing is difficult with a dual-layer quick-release plate, use a camera backing base and a lower quick-release plate. First, mount the camera onto the camera backing base and tighten screw ①. Then, install the camera backing base and camera assembly onto the quick-release plate ② and secure with screws ③. Mount the camera lens support onto the quick-release plate, adjust its height to support the camera lens ④, and finally, tighten the screws ⑤.

Diagram shows: 1. Camera on backing base. 2. Backing base assembly on quick-release plate. 3. Securing with screws. 4. Lens support adjusted. 5. Final screw tightening.

Step 3: Installation for Landscape Orientation

Unlock the quick release plate latch ①. Install the dual-layer quick-release plate and camera assembly onto the quick release plate leveling base ②. Finally, tighten the latch ③.

Diagram shows: 1. Unlocking the quick release plate latch. 2. Attaching the camera assembly to the leveling base. 3. Locking the latch.

Step 4: Installation for Portrait Orientation

Unlock the quick release plate leveling base latch ①. Hold the leveling base safety lock and push it left until it detaches from the level mount ②. Install the leveling base onto the tilt axis arm ④, then lock the leveling base latch ⑤. Install the camera and dual-layer quick-release plate assembly onto the leveling base ⑥, and finally, lock the quick release plate latch ⑦.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Unlocking leveling base latch. 2. Detaching leveling base from mount. 3. Attaching leveling base to tilt arm. 4. Locking leveling base latch. 5. Attaching camera assembly to leveling base. 6. Locking quick release plate latch.

Removing the Camera

To remove the camera (in horizontal/vertical orientation), first unlock the upper quick-release plate latch. Then, hold down the safety lock of the upper quick-release plate ② and slide the camera and upper quick-release plate assembly out together ③.

Diagram shows: 1. Unlocking the quick release plate latch. 2. Holding the safety lock. 3. Sliding the camera assembly out.

Step 5: Connect Camera Control Cable

Connect the camera control port and camera/image transmission control port of the gimbal using a suitable camera control cable.

Diagram shows a USB Type-C cable connecting the gimbal to a camera's control port.

? Available camera control cables include: Type-C to Multi USB, Type-C to Type-C USB, Type-C to Micro USB, and Type-C to Mini USB. Select the cable that matches your camera's USB port type. For detailed compatibility information, visit the official ZHIYUN website (www.zhiyun-tech.com) and consult the CRANE 4 Camera Compatibility List.

Installing a Fill Light Reflector

Align the opening of the fill light reflector with the fill light on the CRANE 4. Cover the reflector over the fill light to complete the installation.

Diagram shows the fill light reflector being attached to the fill light on the CRANE 4.

Installing TransMount Wrist Rest 2S and TransMount Extendable Sling Grip 2S

(Hereinafter referred to as "Sling Grip" and "Wrist Rest")

Installing Sling Grip

Align the sling grip's installation screw with the installation screw hole ①. Adjust the sling grip to the desired position and tighten the screw ②. Rotate the sling grip to the far right ③, and tighten the sling grip lock screw after adjustment is complete ④. The sling grip can also be rotated to the far left for dual-hand use.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Aligning sling grip screw with hole. 2. Tightening screw. 3. Rotating sling grip. 4. Tightening lock screw. Also shows "Dual-Hand Mode" and "Sling Mode" configurations.

Installing Wrist Rest

Align the wrist rest's installation screw with the installation screw hole ①. Adjust the wrist rest to the appropriate position and tighten the screw ②. The installation is complete. Adjust the screw's position by rotating the wrist rest angle ③ as needed for usage.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Aligning wrist rest screw with hole. 2. Tightening screw. 3. Adjusting wrist rest angle.

? Please adjust the sling grip and wrist rest to a proper position for a comfortable user experience. The sling grip is extendable; adjust its length to suit you best.

Balancing

1. Horizontal Balance of the Tilt Axis

Unlock the tilt axis lock switch ① and loosen the quick release plate latch ②. Move the camera forward or backward ③ until it remains still and is almost level, with the lens facing forward ④. Tighten the quick release plate latch ⑤ to complete this step.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Unlocking tilt axis lock. 2. Loosening quick release plate latch. 3. Moving camera forward/backward. 4. Camera is level. 5. Tightening quick release plate latch.

2. Vertical Balance of the Tilt Axis

With the lens facing up, loosen the level mount lock screw ⑦. Push the entire level mount forward or backward ② until the camera remains still and vertical to the ground ③. Tighten the screw ④ to complete this step.

Diagram sequence shows: 1. Loosening level mount lock screw. 2. Moving level mount forward/backward. 3. Camera is vertical. 4. Tightening screw.

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