How to balance and set up the DJI RS 4

To set up a DJI RS 4, charge the grip, attach it and the tripod, activate the gimbal in the Ronin app, then mount your camera and balance four things in order: vertical tilt, tilt depth, roll and pan. Finish by powering on and running Auto Tune (hold the M button and trigger). DJI's manual uses the same steps for the RS 4 Pro, and the RS 4 Mini follows the same order.

In the box (DJI RS 4)

DJI's store lists: gimbal, BG21 battery grip, Arca-Swiss/Manfrotto quick-release plate, extended grip/tripod (plastic), lens-fastening support, USB-C charging cable, multi-camera control cable (USB-C, 30 cm), screw kit and a sticker. The RS 4 Pro adds a briefcase handle and carrying case; the RS 4 Mini comes with its own tripod, plate, cables and screw kit.

First use

1. Charge and wake the battery. Connect the grip's USB-C port to a charger with the included cable. DJI says this activates the battery for first use. Full charge takes about 2.5 hours with an 18 W PD charger.
2. Attach the tripod to the grip and unfold it.
3. Remove the foam and film from the axis arms, attach the gimbal to the grip, and turn the grip lever until it can't rotate further.
4. Activate: hold the power button, pick a language, scan the on-screen QR code for the Ronin app, log in, choose the gimbal, enter the default password 12345678 and follow the prompts. It needs internet. DJI allows up to five uses before activation is required.
5. Update firmware if the app asks. See RS 4 firmware update.

Mount the camera

1. Power off the gimbal. Check the camera has its battery and card in, and the lens cap off.
2. Screw the upper quick-release plate to the camera, with the placement guide snug against the body.
3. Slide the lower plate into the mounting plate and lock it, then slide the camera's upper plate in and lock it.
4. Use the lens-fastening support for long or heavy lenses.

For vertical shooting, the horizontal plate comes off and remounts vertically. See RS 4 vertical shooting.

Balance in four steps

Before you start: power on the camera if the lens zooms, and set the focal length you'll shoot at. The gimbal must be off or asleep.

1. Vertical tilt. Unlock tilt and point the lens straight up. If it falls back or forward, loosen the mounting plate knob and slide the plate until the camera stays put. Tighten.
2. Tilt depth. Point the lens forward. If it's front-heavy, move the camera back; if back-heavy, forward. It's balanced when the camera holds still tilted 45° up or down. Lock tilt.
3. Roll. Unlock roll. If the camera rotates left, move it right, and the reverse. It's balanced when it stays level. Lock roll.
4. Pan. Unlock pan, tilt the whole gimbal forward and turn the pan arm parallel to you. If the lens swings, slide the pan arm until it stays still at any angle.

Switching from horizontal to vertical doesn't require rebalancing tilt depth or pan, according to DJI.

Run Auto Tune

Power on (hold the power button 2 s); the axes unlock and unfold automatically. Put the gimbal on a flat, steady surface and press and hold the M button and trigger. Some shaking and noise during calibration is normal. Re-run it after changing lenses, focal length or cameras.

Check the balance status on the touchscreen: green or gray is balanced, yellow is slightly off, red needs rebalancing. Tilt the gimbal 15° left or right to check it.

RS 4 Mini differences

• The battery is built into the grip; charge it with a 30 W PD charger (about 1 hour 50 minutes).
• DJI recommends not using a cage with the Mini's quick-release plate.
• After switching from a camera to a phone, rebalance from scratch.

If it still shakes or tilts

Lower stiffness on the shaking axis, or raise it if the gimbal feels soft. For a tilted horizon, use Horiz Calibration in system settings. More fixes: RS 4 not calibrating and RS gimbal shaking.

Next, learn the RS 4 modes, or shop the DJI RS 4 and RS 4 Mini.

Related guides

• DJI RS gimbal shaking or joystick not working: balance and calibration fixes
• DJI RS 4 accessories: plates, handles and cases
• DJI RS 4 camera compatibility list (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji)
• DJI RS 4 firmware update and Ronin app guide
• DJI RS 4 Mini with Canon R5, R6 Mark II, R8 and R10
• DJI RS 4, RS 4 Mini and RS 4 Pro payload: which cameras fit?

All model guides →