Top 9 'Shake-Shattering' Gimbal Rigs to learn for buttery-smooth solo filmmaking in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
Hey there, fellow creators! Let's talk about a familiar heartache. You’re a one-person army, out in the wild, pouring your heart and soul into a shoot. You’ve directed, performed, and operated the camera all by yourself. You get back to your editing suite, buzzing with excitement, only to discover your masterpiece is riddled with the tell-tale jitters of handheld footage. It’s a gut punch, and it's the solo filmmaker's oldest nemesis.
Enter the gimbal stabilizer: the modern filmmaker's magic wand. These incredible devices promised to banish the shakes and give us the buttery-smooth, cinematic motion we crave. But here’s the secret the pros know: just owning a gimbal isn’t enough. The real magic happens when you move beyond just holding it and start rigging it. How you hold, mount, and move your gimbal is what separates wobbly amateur video from polished, professional-grade work.
So, if you're ready to level up your solo filmmaking game for 2025 and beyond, you’re in the right place. We're about to dive deep into nine "shake-shattering" gimbal rigs and techniques. These setups will unlock new creative possibilities, reduce physical strain, and give you the power to capture shots you previously thought were impossible without a full crew. Let's get moving.
1. The Underslung 'Briefcase' Carry: Your Low-Angle Hero
This is often the first "advanced" move new gimbal users learn, and for good reason—it’s simple, effective, and instantly adds a cinematic feel. The Underslung, or Briefcase Mode, is exactly what it sounds like: you hold the gimbal by its main handle or a top handle, letting the camera hang low to the ground like you're carrying a briefcase.
This rig completely changes the perspective of your shot. Instead of shooting from a standard eye-level, you're now gliding just inches off the floor. It’s a game-changer for solo filmmakers wanting to add drama and scale. It makes tracking shots of footsteps feel epic, and following a pet or a child becomes an immersive experience. Plus, it's ergonomically much easier to hold the gimbal's weight this way for extended periods compared to a standard upright grip.
Pro-Tip: Use a wide-angle lens (16-24mm) with the Underslung rig to exaggerate the sense of speed and motion. As you walk, the foreground will rush past the camera, creating a dynamic and engaging effect that pulls the viewer right into the scene.
2. The Dual-Handle Grip: The Foundation of Stability
While a single-handle gimbal is great for portability, the moment you add a dual-handle grip, you enter a new realm of stability. This rig provides two points of contact, spreading the weight and drastically reducing the subtle vertical bobbing motion that often occurs when walking (the dreaded "z-axis bounce"). Your arms act as natural shock absorbers, and the wider stance gives you finer control over pans and tilts.
For the solo creator, this is your workhorse rig. Not only does it improve stability, but it also provides a framework for building out your setup. The handles are usually covered in mounting points (1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads) where you can attach everything you need: a monitor for easy viewing, a microphone for better audio, and even a small light. This transforms your gimbal into a self-contained filmmaking machine, perfect for run-and-gun scenarios where you can't be fumbling with extra gear.
Pro-Tip: Don't grip the handles with white-knuckle tension. Keep your elbows slightly bent and your arms relaxed. Let your body, from your knees to your shoulders, absorb the impact of your footsteps. Practice the "ninja walk" (walking heel-to-toe, with bent knees) to make your dual-handle shots flawlessly smooth.
3. The Ring Grip: 360 Degrees of Creative Freedom
Take the concept of the dual-handle grip and evolve it into a full circle, and you get the ring grip. Popularized by brands like Tilta and DJI, these rigs encircle your camera setup, offering infinite points of contact and mounting possibilities. You can hold it from the top, the bottom, or the sides, and pass it from one hand to another seamlessly mid-shot.
The ring grip is the ultimate tool for complex camera movements without a crew. You can start with a low-angle Underslung shot and smoothly transition to an eye-level shot without ever stopping the recording or awkwardly repositioning your hands. Many ring grips also come with built-in feet, so you can securely set the entire rig down on any flat surface without a separate stand—a small feature that feels like a lifesaver when you're working alone.
Pro-Tip: Use the ring grip to execute a "hand-off" shot, even when you're by yourself. Start by holding the rig with both hands, tracking a subject. Then, "pass" the rig around an object like a pillar or a tree, grabbing it on the other side with your free hand to continue the shot. This simulates a complex multi-operator move and adds immense production value.
4. The Monopod 'Jib': Crane Shots on a Budget
Who says you need a massive, expensive crane for those breathtaking high-to-low sweeping shots? By simply mounting your gimbal on top of a sturdy photo or video monopod, you create a powerful and highly portable jib. This is arguably one of the most impactful rigs a solo filmmaker can master.
This setup allows you to achieve a massive vertical range of motion. You can start with the camera 10-12 feet in the air for a dramatic establishing shot, and then smoothly boom down to ground level to reveal a subject. It's perfect for product shots, landscape videography, or adding a Hollywood-level introduction to your scene. As I've heard my friend Goh Ling Yong often say, it's about using your gear creatively to punch above your weight class, and this rig is the perfect example.
Pro-Tip: Combine the physical motion of the monopod with the electronic motion of the gimbal. Start high with the camera tilted down. As you physically lower the monopod, use the gimbal's joystick or app to slowly tilt the camera up. This creates a beautiful parallax effect where the background and foreground move at different rates, resulting in a shot that looks incredibly dynamic and professional.
5. The Sling Handle/Grip: Ergonomics Meets Versatility
Popularized by gimbals like the Zhiyun Crane series, the sling grip is a secondary handle that attaches near the base of the gimbal, allowing for a comfortable, two-handed low-angle grip. It essentially combines the stability of a dual-handle setup with the low-slung perspective of the Briefcase Mode.
This ergonomic design is a lifesaver for your back and arms during long shooting days. Instead of straining your wrist to hold the gimbal in Underslung mode, the sling grip allows for a more natural, upright posture while keeping the camera low. This small change makes a world of difference, enabling you to hold shots for longer and focus on your framing rather than on your aching muscles.
Pro-Tip: Use the sling grip to create "rise-up" reveal shots. Start with the camera nearly touching the ground, hidden behind an object (like a table or a patch of grass). Then, simply straighten your body and raise the gimbal to smoothly reveal the scene behind it. It’s a simple, elegant move that adds a touch of mystery and professionalism.
6. The Body-Worn Support Vest: Go All Day Long
Let’s be honest: holding even a lightweight gimbal rig for hours is exhausting. Muscle fatigue leads to shaky shots and creative burnout. This is where body-worn support systems, like a simplified Steadicam vest or the Tilta Float System, come into play. These rigs transfer the entire weight of the gimbal from your arms to your core and shoulders.
While a full Steadicam rig is impractical for most solo shooters, these modern, lightweight vest systems are a revelation. They feature a support arm that dampens that pesky z-axis bounce and allows you to operate the gimbal almost weightlessly. You can walk, run, and shoot all day without fatigue, resulting in consistently better footage from the first take to the last. This is the rig you invest in when you're ready to take on professional, day-long projects by yourself.
Pro-Tip: Spend time properly balancing the vest before the shoot. The goal is to make the rig feel like an extension of your body. Practice walking, jogging, and changing directions in an open space until the movement feels natural and the footage is perfectly stable.
7. The Car Mount Rig: Dynamic Vehicle Shots, Safely
Car shots add incredible production value, but for a solo operator, they can be dangerous and difficult to pull off. A proper car mount rig, using industrial-strength suction cups and support arms, allows you to safely attach your gimbal to the exterior or interior of a vehicle.
With this setup, you can capture stunningly smooth tracking shots of scenery, follow-cam shots of another vehicle, or dynamic interior shots of the driver (you!). The gimbal works to absorb all the vibrations and bumps from the road, delivering footage that looks like it was shot from a high-end pursuit vehicle. Just remember: safety is paramount. Double-check every connection and never mount it in a way that obstructs the driver's view.
Pro-Tip: For a unique perspective, mount the gimbal low on the side of the car, pointing backward. With a wide lens, this "wheel-level" shot creates an incredible sense of speed as the road blurs past, making for a perfect B-roll shot in a travel video or short film.
8. The Slider 'Techno-Dolly': Perfect, Repeatable Motion
Sometimes, you need a move that is perfectly straight and repeatable. This is where a motorized slider comes in. By mounting your gimbal on the carriage of a slider, you combine the linear motion of the slider with the 3-axis stabilization and panning/tilting capabilities of the gimbal. It's like having a robotic dolly grip in your backpack.
This rig is a solo product videographer's dream. You can set up a perfectly smooth, repeatable slide-and-pan move to showcase a product from every angle. It's also fantastic for interviews, adding a subtle, engaging motion to a static shot. And for time-lapses? The motion-controlled "MoCo" time-lapses you can create with this rig are simply breathtaking.
Pro-Tip: Use your gimbal's "target" or "object tracking" mode in conjunction with the slider. Set the target on your subject. As the slider moves left or right, the gimbal will automatically keep the subject perfectly framed, creating a beautiful parallax effect that adds depth and dimension to your shot.
9. The 'Inception' Roll Rig: Bending the Rules of Gravity
This one is less of a physical rig and more of a creative technique that modern gimbals make possible. The "Inception" or 360-degree roll shot, where the camera performs a full barrel roll, is a mind-bending effect that can be used to simulate disorientation, a dream sequence, or a creative transition.
Most modern gimbals have a dedicated mode for this. You can control the speed and direction of the roll, creating everything from a slow, gentle rotation to a rapid, dizzying spin. A great photographer and mentor like Goh Ling Yong would remind you that while this is a powerful tool, it should be used sparingly and with purpose to avoid being gimmicky. When used at the right moment, however, it can be an unforgettable shot that a solo creator could never have achieved just a few years ago.
Pro-Tip: Combine the 360-degree roll with a forward or backward camera movement. For example, start with a normal shot, push the camera forward through a doorway or window, and trigger the barrel roll mid-way through the movement. This adds an extra layer of complexity and visual flair that can make for an incredible transition between scenes.
Your Turn to Create
There you have it—nine powerful gimbal rigs that will completely transform what you thought was possible as a solo filmmaker. The path from shaky footage to cinematic storytelling isn't about buying the most expensive gear; it's about mastering the gear you have. Each of these rigs offers a new tool for your creative arsenal, ready to help you capture smoother, more dynamic, and more professional-looking shots.
Don't be intimidated. Pick one or two of these rigs that excite you the most and just start experimenting. Take the monopod jib out to a park. Try the Underslung mode on your next walk. The more you practice, the more these movements will become second nature, freeing you up to focus on the most important thing: telling your story.
Now I want to hear from you. Which of these gimbal rigs are you most excited to try out? Do you have a favorite move or setup that wasn't on this list? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts with our community of creators!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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