KS-4

17 threads in the archive

Based on 17 threads · 12 cited

AI draft, not reviewedDraft, written by AI from the archive, every statement linked to its source — not yet reviewed.

The KS-4 is the gyro you reach for when you want a steadier pan, and one unit is typically all you run 1. It works on an ARRI Trinity without hurting pan performance 1, and it still earns its place on a Volt, mainly in wind 5. Pick it over the KS-2, which is considered insufficient power 1, and don't wire a fully charged 14.8V lithium pack straight into a standard 12V inverter 10.

The questions 6

Can I use the KS-4 on an ARRI Trinity?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Yes. The KS4 runs reliably on the Trinity sled through Low/High mode transitions without hurting pan performance 1.

How the pros do it

Mount it horizontally on the rear battery plate with an AB-Mount 2. Balance the rig fully without the gyro first, then switch it on at about 15% authority so you don't over-damp the boom 2.
Power it from a slim third battery opposite the gyro, so it doesn't drain the camera battery 2. Put counterweights opposite that battery and gyro for a coplanar feel 2.
Use one gyro to stabilize pan only, because the head already handles tilt and roll 1. The KS4 is adequately weighted and dampens pan movement 1.
On Trinity 2 straight shots with pan drift, run the KS4 at about 70% of rated speed 3. One operator reports a 2×2 gyro at the nodal point below the post beats a single KS4 3.
In X-Mode, a single KS-2 or KS-4 covers most shots, while a KS-6 significantly restricts movement range and speed 4. Skip the gyro for whip moves and very rapid dynamic shots 4.
Tell sound about it, because gyros are audible on the recording 1.

Opinions differ here

Operators don't agree on how much a gyro helps in X-Mode 4. One side calls gyro stabilization nearly essential there, since it dampens the repurposed tilt axis and smooths High-to-Low transitions 4. The other side says the benefit varies by shot type and operator preference 4.

Ask a follow-up

Is the KS-4 still useful with Volt stabilizers?3 threads · latest 2024

In short

Yes, mainly in wind, where a gyro still helps a Volt 5. Volt plus KS4 gives you near three-axis stabilization 6.

How the pros do it

Bring a gyro when it's windy and pair it with wind blocking accessories to steady the pan 5.
Mount the gyro lower on the post or away from the center of gravity for better stabilization 5.
If you run a pair, align the two units at exactly 90 degrees to each other and match their weight 5.
Expect extra inertia, which makes quick reactions to sudden actor moves harder, so practice first 5.
Skip three-axis gyros unless the wind is extremely severe 5.
One operator gets results similar to the new pan-axis Volt prototype from a Betz KS4 at 9 volts 7.

Opinions differ here

Operators don't agree on how much gyro you need with a Volt 5. Some say three-axis is overkill except in extremely severe wind 5, while others pair Volt with a KS4 for near three-axis stabilization 6.

What changed

Earlier, in 2022, Volt plus KS4 was described as near three-axis stabilization 6, today, in 2023, three-axis gyros are called unnecessary for most Volt work unless the wind is extremely severe 5.

Ask a follow-up

Where do I mount the KS-4 on my camera rig?3 threads · latest 2021

In short

One operator mounts a Kenyon KS4 horizontally on the rear battery plate with an AB-Mount 2. Older threads put gyros on the center post instead 8 9.

How the pros do it

Balance the rig fully without the gyro first 2.
Mount the KS4 horizontally on the rear battery plate with an AB-Mount 2.
Put the counterweights opposite the gyro and the slim battery so the rig feels coplanar 2.
Run the gyro off its own slim battery, opposite the gyro, so it doesn't drain the camera battery 2.
Enable the gyro at about 15% authority to avoid over-damping the boom 2.
Keep the mounting hardware rigid and flex-free, because flex stops the stabilization reaching the camera 9.

Opinions differ here

Operators don't agree on one spot 9 2. One side centers the gyro on the post, between gimbal and sled bottom or between post and rack, to spread the weight and avoid a bottom-heavy rig 9. Another mounts the KS4 on the rear battery plate with counterweights opposite 2, and a variant uses a KS2 on a post clamp near the post base 2.

What changed

Earlier (2016-2017), operators post-mounted gyros below the gimbal or halfway down the center post 8 9, today (2021) one operator runs the KS4 on the rear battery plate 2.

Ask a follow-up

Can I power my KS-4 gyro with lithium batteries?4 threads · latest 2009

In short

Yes, but not straight into a standard 12V inverter 10. A fully charged 14.8V lithium pack can overvoltage and damage it, so you need a 14.4V inverter or a step-down regulator 10.

How the pros do it

Check your inverter first, because the KI-12-D is designed for 12V and does not tolerate higher voltages well 10.
Know the risk: fully charged lithium batteries can deliver overvoltage that damages standard 12V inverters 10.
The proper fix is the dedicated 14.4V inverter that Kenyon offers for higher-voltage batteries 10.
The alternative is a voltage regulator module retrofitted to step the 14.8V input down to a level a standard inverter accepts 10.
One operator used a 7812S regulator as the step-down and ran dual gyros without excessive heat 10.
Treat that regulator as a field workaround, because it was one operator's temporary fix, not officially tested or endorsed, and no installation or heat-management details were given 10.

Caution

Overvoltage from a fully charged lithium pack can damage a standard 12V inverter 10. The thread dates to 2009, so check what Kenyon currently offers before you buy 10.

Ask a follow-up

Can I use the KS-4 with a Betz Wave 1?2 threads · latest 2022

In short

Yes. Operators often pair the Wave 1 with a Betz KS4 gyro, especially outdoors and in wind 6. Gyros mounted on the post or under the gimbal also work alongside the Wave-1 11.

How the pros do it

For rough terrain, mount a single gyro vertically on the post next to the Wave-1 11.
For pan control, mount a single gyro horizontally under the gimbal 11.
For a telephoto lens on a motorized vehicle, run two gyros together: one horizontal for pan and one vertical on the post 11.
Set up the Wave 1 carefully, with the camera center of gravity exactly at the Wave pivot point and adjusted top/bottom and sideways 6.
Watch your total weight, because builds with camera, zoom, motors, wireless, eyepiece and battery approached or exceeded the Wave limit and sometimes vibrated at long focal lengths 6.
Heavy lens setups change the weight distribution on the gimbal, so rebalance after every lens change 11.

Ask a follow-up

How many KS-4 gyros do I need, and KS-4 or KS-2?2 threads · latest 2021

In short

One KS-4 is typically what you run, and it handles the pan axis 1. Take the KS-4 over the KS-2, because the KS2 is considered insufficient power 1.

How the pros do it

Start with a single KS-4 aimed at the pan axis 1. The head already stabilizes tilt and roll 1.
Skip the KS2. When it slips, you get image instability 1.
On the ARRI Trinity sled, the KS-4 worked reliably through Low/High mode transitions without hurting pan performance 1. It is adequately weighted and dampens pan movement 1.
On a Steadicam® rig, one gyro mounted horizontally on the center post below the gimbal needs the least rebalancing and still gives meaningful stabilization 12.
Size the gyro to your payload weight and the pan stabilization you want 1. More or bigger gyros add stability, but they also add weight and power draw 12.
Tell your sound person, because gyros make audible noise 1.

What changed

Earlier, in 2012, a common setup was two KS-6 units combined vertically and horizontally 12, today, in 2021, a single gyro typically just stabilizes the pan axis 1.

Ask a follow-up

Sources 12

All 12 sources

What operators found

Still argued about

Often in the same threads

Volt5, Artemis2, Low Mode2, Trinity 22, KS-65

All threads

Ask about KS-4The answer cites the archive