1A Tools DJI Ronin 2 Tilt Stage Upgrade Released – Power 24V Cameras with Hot Swap Capabilities

Gimbal News

by Jeff LochMarch 14^th, 2023

1A Tools released an interesting tilt stage upgrade for the DJI Ronin 2 that allows you to power any 24V camera, including the ARRI ALEXA 35, the RED V-Raptor XL, or film cameras such as the ARRI 435 and 416. This power module integrates perfectly with the DJI Ronin 2, but you will need to send your gimbal to 1A Tools for them to modify it. So let’s take a closer look at it!

The DJI Ronin 2 was launched in 2017 and to this day, along with the MōVi Pro, it remains one of the go-to gimbals for filmmakers that need to fly a heavy camera setup. Of course, smaller one-hand gimbals like the recent DJI Ronin RS 3 Pro made serious progress over the years and can take heavier payloads (10lbs/4.5kg for the RS 3 Pro). Nonetheless, we’re still nowhere close to the 30lbs/13.6kg maximum payload capacity of the Ronin 2.

One thing that has changed in recent years is how high-end cinema cameras are powered. Cameras are now like miniature computers, and with more resolution/dynamic range/recording formats/features than ever, they need more power. Indeed, some big players like RED with the V-Raptor XL or ARRI with the ALEXA 35 are moving away from 12V to join what we could call the upcoming 24V standard. As a result, until we see a full-size DJI Ronin for cinema applications that natively supports 24V output, 1A Tools has launched the Tilt Stage upgrade for the Ronin 2.

1A Tools DJI Ronin 2 Tilt Stage Upgrade features

One Alpha Tools, or 1A Tools, is an American company that made itself a solid name in the cinema industry for its third-party gimbal accessories, including the Inertia and Alpha wheels that allow you to control your gimbal wirelessly with fine control.

The company is now back with the DJI Ronin 2 tilt stage upgrade. As its name suggests, this power module is attached to the gimbal’s tilt axis. The power module features one 21-26V unregulated LEMO port, which allows you to power any 24V camera. And there are other ways to power 24V cameras from your Ronin 2, including the A1 Tools’ TB50 battery to ALEXA 35 cable, their 24V power hub extension, or mount a B-Mount or 24V V-Mount battery directly on your camera or gimbal.

As you can tell in the chart above, the A1 Tools tilt stage upgrade for the DJI Ronin 2 combines the best of all worlds. But there are a couple of downsides:

• You’ll need to send your gimbal to A1 Tools for them to do the modification.
• This service involves a semi-permanent modification to your Ronin 2, inevitably affecting the warranty on your gimbal.
• This is the most expensive way to power 24V cameras via your Ronin 2.

But if you’re a rental house or owner-operator often working with high-end cinema cameras, this upgrade might be worth it.

Price and availability

The A1 Tools tilt stage upgrade for the DJI Ronin 2 is available now for $900, excluding shipping costs if you can’t drop off your gimbal locally in Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit A1 Tools’ website here.

What do you think about this tilt stage upgrade? Have you already shot with the DJI Ronin 2? Do you believe DJI will eventually launch an upgraded version of its gimbal? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!