Zhiyun CRANE-M2 User manual

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CRANE-M2
User Guide
ZHIYUN-EN-v1.00

Contents
■Packing List
Packing List····················································································1
■Get to Know CRANE-M2
Get to Know CRANE-M2 ································································2
■Charging Procedure
Charging Procedure········································································3
■Installation and Balancing
Tripod Installation ············································································4
Camera Installation ·········································································4
GoPro Camera Installation·······························································6
Smartphone Installation···································································6
Balance Adjustment Method ···························································7
■How to Use
Button Description··········································································9
Display Screen Description ·····························································10
Menu Option Description ································································11
Motor Torque Adjustment································································11
Control Mode Description ·······························································12
Manual Angle Lock·········································································14
Micro USB Power Outlet Usage ······················································14
■APP Operations
Download APP ···············································································15
How to Connect Stabilizer to Camera ··············································15

After First-time Connection······························································18
ZY Play Main Functions···································································18
■Calibration and Firmware Upgrade
When do you need to calibrate the stabilizer? ··································19
Initialization Method·········································································19
Six-Side Calibration ········································································20
Motor Fine-Tuning ···········································································22
Firmware Upgrade ··········································································22
■Calibration and Firmware Upgrade
■Product Specifications
■Disclaimer and Warning
■Warranty Terms
■Contact Card

1
Packing List
Packing List
The product package comes with the following items. In case that any item is found
missing, please contact ZHIYUN or your local selling agent.
CRANE-M2 × 1 Tripod × 1 Quick Release Plate × 1
Wrist Strap × 1 USB Type-C Cable × 1 1/4" Camera Fixing
Screw × 1
Manual
Quick Start Guide x 1 Phone Holder x 1 Storage Case x 1

2
Get to Know CRANE-M2
Get to Know CRANE-M2
1. Tilt Axis Thumb Screw
2. Quick Release Plate Thumb Screw
3. Pan Axis Latch
4. Trigger
5. Locking Pin
6. Memory Lock
7. Quick Release Plate
8. 1/4" Camera Fixing Screw
9. Pan Axis Thumb Screw
10. 1/4" Threaded Hole
11. Charging/Firmware Update Port
12. Zoom Slider
13. Wrist Strap Hole
14. Micro USB Power Outlet
15. Roll Axis Thumb Screw
16. Roll Axis Motor
17. Pan Axis Motor
18. Display Screen
19. Joystick
20. Photo/Video Button
21. Tilt Axis Motor
22. Safety Lock
23. Power Button
24. Menu Button
25. Mode Button
26. Tripod

3
Charging Procedure
When using CRANE-M2 for the first time, please fully charge the batteries to activate
them and to ensure the proper function of the stabilizer.
Charging method: please charge the stabilizer using a power adapter (not included in
the package) and the USB Type-C cable provided by connecting to the charging port
on the stabilizer.
Charging Procedure
USB 充电线
适配器电源
USB Type-C CablePower
Adapter
Electrical
Outlet

4
Installation and Balancing
Mount the stabilizer on the tripod and unfold the
tripod on a flat surface.
Tripod Installation
Camera Installation
Take Sony DSC-RX100M5 as example:
1. Take out the quick release plate, mount the camera on the plate and then tighten the
1/4" screw at its bottom.
2. Loosen the quick release plate thumb screw, slide the camera-mounted quick
release plate to the quick release module. Push the quick release plate towards the tilt
axis motor but not to rub the motor. Tighten the quick release plate thumb screw after
the safety lock is engaged.
① Long slot of the quick release plate is for installing
mirrorless camera, while the short slot is for compact
camera (Fuji mirrorless cameras can be installed in
the short slot).
② Before mounting the camera, make sure the
camera is ready for work. Remove the lens cap and
make sure the camera’s battery and memory card
are already inserted.
长槽 短槽
The pan axis motor has a latch to lock and unlock the pan axis. Please unlock the pan
axis before using the stabilizer and lock it when not in use.
For storage, fold the arms (axes) in order as shown in the picture below; Press down
and stick roll axis to pan axis by the locking pin; Tighten the roll axis thumb screw to
finalize.
Long Slot Short Slot

5
收纳状态
When pressing down and locking the roll axis, the locking pin will bounce up to lock
the tilt axis as well; When unlocking and lifting the roll axis, the locking pin will retract
automatically to get the stabilizer ready for work.
Installation and Balancing
1. Lock the latch button
under pan axis;
4. The stabilizer is
folded up for storage.
3. Press down and
stick roll axis to pan
axis by the locking
pin; Tighten the roll
axis thumb screw to
finalize；
2. Fold the tilt axis in
line with the roll axis as
shown in the picture;
收纳状态
收纳状态
收纳状态

6
Installation
GoPro Camera Installation
1. Put GoPro camera into a GoPro
camera cage (not included in the
package). Follow the steps in “Camera
Installation” to mount GoPro camera
with its camera cage on the stabilizer.
Balance the combo according to the
steps listed in “Balance Adjustment
Method”.
2. The stabilizer is ready for use when it
is well balanced as shown above.
1. Put smartphone into the phone
holder and follow the steps in “Camera
Installation” to mount smartphone with
phone holder on the stabilizer. Balance
the combo according to the steps
listed in “Balance Adjustment Method”
(adjustable range of the phone holder is
59-90mm).
2. The stabilizer is ready for use when it
is well balanced as shown above.
There are two 1/4" threaded holes on the phone holder. Please use the shallower
one for mounting phone holder on CRANE-M2 and use the deeper one for
mounting on the tripod.
Smartphone Installation

7
Installation
Balance Adjustment Method
❶Loosen the 1/4'' screw at the bottom of the
quick release plate. Hold tilt axis arm lightly and
push camera to move forward or backward until
the camera can stay still and almost level with
its lens facing front (as shown in the picture).
Complete this step by tightening up the screw.
❷Make the lens face up, slightly loosen tilt axis
thumb screw and push the camera to move
forward or backward until the camera can stay
still with its lens facing up as shown on the right.
Complete this step by tightening up the thumb
screw.
❹Toggle off the memory lock and loosen roll axis
thumb screw. Pull the roll axis to move left or right
until it remains horizontal to the ground. Complete
this step by tightening up the thumb screw.
The rotation range of the tilt axis thumb screw is about 180° .
❸Loosen the thumb screw of the quick release
plate and move the plate to the right to make the
camera close to the motor (i.e. move the quick
release plate to the far right end). This step is for
convenient setup and balance for the next time.

8
❺After balance adjustment, toggle on the memory
lock on the roll axis to mark the balanced position
for easy and quick balance adjustment for the
next time.
❻Unlock the pan axis, slightly loosen the thumb
screw on it, then adjust the pan axis until it stays
still and horizontal to the ground (as shown on
the right). Complete this step by tightening up the
thumb screw.
Installation

9
Button Description
How to Use
1
3
5
6
7
42
1. Zoom Slider
• Push the zoom slider to control the
camera to perform digital zoom after
the stabilizer is connected to the
camera.
2. Photo/Video Button*
• Single click to start or stop recording
• Double click to take a photo
3. Joystick
• Four-way direction control of the
camera/lens on the stabilizer.
• In menu screen, push the joystick
upwards or downwards to choose;
push left to return to the previous
option; push right to jump to the next
option.
4. Mode Button
• Single press to switch among Pan
Following, Locking and POV mode.
• Double press to switch between Go
mode and Vortex mode; Single press
to back to Pan Following mode.
• Long press to enter or exit Standby
mode.
5. Power Button
• Push upwards and hold the Power
Button for more than 2 seconds to
turn on/off the stabilizer.
6. Menu Button
• Single click to enter or exit menu
screen
• Double click to lock or unlock joystick
7. Trigger
• Single press to enter Full Following
mode; Single press again to back to
the previous mode.
• Long hold (more than 2 seconds) the
trigger to enter Full Following mode;
Release to back to the previous mode.
• Double press to reset the motor to the
starting point of the current mode.
• Triple press to rotate the pan axis
motor 180°without changing the
current mode.
*Camera-control functions listed above need to be realized on ZY Play or when the
stabilizer is connected with the camera.
Single/double click the Menu Button will both unlock the locked joystick.

10
Display Screen Description
Camera Not
Connected
motor
wifi
history
axis lock
Icon Description:
相机与云台成功连接
闪烁时正在充电，停止时完成充电
稳定器蓝牙为连接状态
稳定器当前电量
提示未解除锁定状态并发出警报声（解除锁定状态，
并长按模式键恢复工作）
稳定器云台摇杆锁定
PF
稳定器当前为左右跟随模式（Pan Following Mode）
L
稳定器当前为全锁定模式（Locking Mode）
POV
稳定器当前为第一视角模式（Point Of View Mode）
F
稳定器当前为全跟随模式（Following Mode）
GO
稳定器当前为疯狗模式（PhoneGo Mode）
V
稳定器当前为三维梦境模式（Vortex Mode）
axis lock
Camera
Connected
Axis Locked Menu
Camera successfully connected to stabilizer
Stabilizer Bluetooth is connected
Stabilizer joystick is locked
Stabilizer is charging
Stabilizer battery level
Warn user that axis is being locked while sounding an alarm (unlock axis
and long press Mode Button to resume)
Pan Following Mode
Locking Mode
Point Of View Mode
Vortex Mode
Following Mode
Go Mode
How to Use

11
Menu Option Description
motor
(Motor Torque
Settings)
low Low-torque
medium Medium-torque
high High-torque
wifi
（WIFI Information）
C： Camera Brand
S： WIFI Name
history
（WIFI History）
list 1-5 WIFI History
clear Clear WIFI History
joystick
（Joystick
Settings）
reverse
vertical off
on
horizontal off
on
about Firmware Version; Stabilizer Model
Motor Torque Adjustment
The motor torque of the stabilizer needs to be adjusted (3 levels) to adapt the stabilizer
to cameras and lens of different weight for ideal use.
How to adjust:
Motor torque levels that are too high or too low may result in shakiness of the
stabilizer and affect its performance.
Option Weight
Capacity Compatible Camera & Lens Examples
low Low GoPro Camera
medium
（Default） Medium Sony DSC-RX100 Series or Smartphone
high High Sony ILCE-6000 + E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
motor
wifi
history
low
medium
high
1. Single press the Menu Button and push the joystick to select
"motor", then push the joystick right to enter motor torque
settings.
2. Push the joystick to select appropriate motor torque level and
push right to confirm and apply.
How to Use

12
How to Use
Control Mode Description
Red circle means the motor’s rotation follows the movement of the stabilizer handle
while grey circle means the motor’s rotation is independent from the handle’s
movement.
Pan Following Mode (PF): Single click
Mode Button to switch to this mode.
Camera pans left/right following the
movement of the stabilizer handle while
the tilt and roll axis motors are locked.
Push the joystick up/down to control the
tilt axis manually.
Locking Mode (L): Single click Mode
Button to switch to this mode.
This mode locks the movement of all
three axes and the orientation of the
camera is fixed. Push the joystick to
control the orientation of the camera
manually.
POV Mode (POV): Single click Mode
Button to switch to this mode.
All three axes move following the
movement of the stabilizer handle.
Go Mode (GO): Double click Mode
Button to switch to this mode.
The camera pans left/right and tilts up/
down following the movement of the
stabilizer in fast speed while the roll axis
motor is locked.
俯仰轴
航向轴
横滚轴
横滚轴
俯仰轴
航向轴
航向轴
横滚轴
俯仰轴
俯仰轴
横滚轴
航向轴
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis
Pan Axis
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis
Pan Axis
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis
Pan Axis
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis
Pan Axis

13
Vortex Mode (V): Double click Mode
Button to switch to this mode.
Tilt axis turns upward 90°automatically
and follows the movement of the handle;
Roll axis follows the handle’s movement.
Push the joystick right/left to rotate the
pan axis to create a “Vortex-like” special
effect.
Full Following Mode (F): Single press or
long hold the trigger for 2 seconds to
switch to this mode.
The roll axis motor is locked while the
camera pans and tilts following the
movement of the stabilizer handle.
Pushing the joystick left/right allows
manual control of the roll axis.
俯仰轴
航向轴
横滚轴
How to Use
横滚轴
俯仰轴90°
航向轴
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis-90°
Pan Axis
Roll Axis
Tilt Axis
Pan Axis

14
Manual Angle Lock
Micro USB Power Outlet Usage
Under pan following mode (PF) and locking mode
(L), you can manually rotate the camera to a
certain angle, then loosen the grip and the camera
position will be fixed. Under pan following mode
(PF), you can manually adjust the angle of tilt axis.
Under locking mode (L), you can manually adjust
the angle of pan axis and tilt axis.
Connect the Micro USB port on the stabilizer
to the charging port on the camera with an
appropriate cable (not included in the package).
The stabilizer will start charging the camera after it
is turned on.
DO NOT charge the stabilizer via the Micro
USB port on the tilt axis arm. Otherwise, the
circuit board may be burnt.
How to Use

15
Download APP
APP Operations
Scan the QR code on the left (Android 5.0 and above, iOS
9.0 and above required) or search "ZY Play" in App Store or
Google Play to download.
1. Users can make better use of the various functions of
CRANE-M2 with the dedicatedly designed app “ZY
Play”.
2. ZY Play is subject to update. Please always refer to the
latest version.
How to Connect Stabilizer to Camera
Take Sony DSC-RX100M5 connection as example:
First-time Connection:
1. Mount the camera, balance, and power on the stabilizer. Power on the camera and
find camera’s WIFI name and password from the menu. Turn on the Bluetooth on
your phone.
To learn how to find camera’s WIFI name and password, refer to the following
examples:
① Sony DSC-RX100M5: turn on the camera > MENU button > network 1 > Ctrl w/
smartphone > Ctrl w/ Smartphone - On > Connection > Connect with Password
② Sony ILCE-6400: turn on the camera > MENU button > network 1 > Ctrl w/
smartphone > Ctrl w/ Smartphone - On > Connection > Connect with Password
③ Panasonic DC-ZS220GK: turn on the camera > MENU/SET button > Wi-Fi
>{Wi-Fi setup >Wi-Fi password >ON
Wi-Fi Function > New Connection >Remote Shooting & View
④ GoPro HERO6 Black: turn on the camera > SETTINGS > CONNECTIONS >
CONNECT NEW DEVICE > GoPro App
2. Open ZY Play and select the product page of CRANE-M2. Tap "Connect now", and
select the Bluetooth name of the corresponding stabilizer. Click “Enter now” to pair.

16
3. After pairing, please select device type - Camera or Phone.
4. After the selection, a corresponding control interface appears on the screen. The
camera control interface is shown on the left and the smartphone control interface is
shown on the right.
APP Operations
If your connecting device is Phone, connection is finished at this step. If your
connecting device is camera, continue the following steps: