Wrestling the Gimbal: my battle with the DJI Osmo 6

Welcome to my latest blog in which I share my frustration but eventual triumph in mastering the DJI Osmo 6 gimbal.

As well as taking lots of photos with my smartphone, I also occasionally like to make little videos because videos can capture emotion and atmosphere, capture movement, sound and context, things a photograph can't always do. I started out making videos using my smartphone camera - I actually have a camcorder but rarely use it - but they tended to be a bit 'jerky', not as good as I hoped they'd be.

I am not sure when or where I first came across the concept of using a gimbal to make videos, but they looked like something I might be able to employ. So last year, after a little bit of research, I took the plunge and bought the DJI Osmo 6 during one of Amazon's deals. 

It arrived: I soon had it out of its box and ready to use, or so I thought. My first impression, however, was how heavy the gimbal felt. Back to getting it ready to use. I must confess to not being the world's greatest at reading or following instructions, tending to rely on instinct and intuition to get things to work. As I was to quickly discover, my method wasn't going to work this time.

I found a YouTube video - what can't you get on YouTube these days? - which got me started. I downloaded the DJI mimo app, but in true fashion didn't bother with the tutorials. I can master this on my own, who needs tutorials or YouTube videos? 

Thinking I knew my way around the gimbal and all its buttons, trigger, and zoom, I was keen to try it out. During one of my many stays in the Lake District, I took my gimbal to a nearby nature reserve. I set the gimbal up, attached my smartphone, and opened the DJI app. (I had at least figured out how to do these!) Well, to say that my first foray into gimbal video making was a success would be a massive understatement. The gimbal just wouldn't do as I wanted, nothing to do with me madly pressing every button multiple times, of course. The videos I did manage to shoot weren't anything to write home about and were quickly deleted from my smartphone. 

Back home, I decided that for the time being I wouldn't attempt to be a gimbal-wielding videographer. The gimbal would be left on a shelf for now until I plucked up the courage to tackle this beast again.

Fast forward a year and with a bit of spare time on my hands, I decided to bite the bullet and dip into the gimbal again. It was back to the very beginning, as if I had never owned or operated the thing before. I searched YouTube and found a great video by The Drone Creative that covered everything from what comes in the box to tips and tricks to make engaging creative content. Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/b14FE8qAx8c?si=DFSx7R2x8Th5FxZx

I spent most of the next few days replaying the video and trying to get to grips with the gimbal's controls. I also discovered (why didn't I watch these before?) that the DJI app actually has a library of very helpful video tutorials, which I watched. I then made a few short videos using various modes. I was getting the hang of things.

So where am I now? Well, I feel a bit more confident about using the gimbal, but feel that if I don't start to use it regularly I will quickly forget how to use it. If I don't use it for a week or two I might have to revisit the instructions.

The problems I encountered weren't anything to do with the gimbal itself, they were to do with my inate reluctance to follow instructions. Note to self: don't think that you always know instinctively how to operate something!

The DJI Osmo 6 gimbal is a useful bit of kit for anyone wanting to take their videography to the next level. Don't let my trials and tribulations put you off. 

Thank you for reading this blog. You can follow me on Instagram and Threads @smart_phone_photographer_53. Please also follow my Facebook page 'Words and Frames'.

© Mike Young 2025.