The DJI Ronin 4D is one of the most advanced cinema camera systems available. It's a fully integrated 4-axis stabilized camera with the Zenmuse X9 gimbal, LiDAR focusing, and internal recording up to 8K. It's an incredible tool, one that we use often in our own productions. But like any gimbal-based system, it relies on precise balance to function correctly.
When you mount heavier lenses (cinema primes, zooms with large front elements, or lenses with lens motors and follow focus systems attached) the tilt axis can struggle to maintain balance. The gimbal motors work harder, battery life drops, and stabilization quality suffers. That's exactly what DJI's counterweight system is designed to solve. But the price was... let's say we just we developed an upgraded version.
Why You Need a Counterweight
The Zenmuse X9 gimbal is designed to handle a range of lens weights, but physics is physics. Every gram of weight in front of the tilt axis pivot point needs to be offset by weight behind it. Without a counterweight, heavy lenses cause the gimbal to tilt forward, forcing the tilt motor to constantly fight gravity instead of smoothly controlling camera movement.
Symptoms of poor balance include jittery or oscillating footage, motor overheating warnings, shortened battery life, and the gimbal drifting or not holding position when powered off.
Adding a counterweight solves all of these issues by bringing the system back into physical balance so the motors only need to handle intentional movements, not constant gravity compensation.
ProAm USA Custom Counterweight vs. OEM
DJI makes their own Zenmuse X9 counterweight, and it works fine (even at $400). So why did we make one? Because we saw an opportunity (less than $400) to add functionality that the OEM version doesn't offer.
Same weight, more features. Our counterweight matches the OEM at 294 grams. It's designed as a direct swap. But we added four 1/4-20 threaded mounting holes on multiple faces of the counterweight.
Threaded mounting points. Those four 1/4-20 holes let you attach directly to the counterweight; additional weight plates or articulating arms to lock off the gimbal. The OEM counterweight has no mounting options. Ours turns dead weight into a usable addition to your rig.
Build quality. Our counterweight is machined from a solid piece of steel (not cast) and finished with a sleek powder-coat that matches the Ronin 4D aesthetic. The included hardware (four screws and a hex tool) makes installation a 30-second job.
Installation
The counterweight mounts to the rear of the Zenmuse X9 gimbal using the same four-screw mounting pattern as the OEM version. Remove the existing counterweight (if installed), position the ProAm counterweight, and secure with the included screws. That's it.
After installing, re-run the Ronin 4D's auto-calibration routine to let the system register the new balance point. The gimbal will adjust its motor parameters automatically.
When to Use the Counterweight
Always use it with lenses over 500g. Lighter lenses (small primes, pancake lenses) generally don't need a counterweight. But once you're mounting full-size cinema primes, zooms, or any lens with a follow focus motor, the counterweight should be installed.
Add it for any lens with a large front element. Even if the lens isn't exceptionally heavy, a large front element shifts the center of gravity forward and creates the same imbalance that weight alone would cause.
Use it when mounting accessories to the lens. Matte boxes, lens motors, and filters all add front weight that the counterweight compensates for.
Browse our full lineup of camera and lighting accessories for more solutions designed to improve your production gear.
FAQ
Is the ProAm counterweight compatible with both the 6K and 8K Ronin 4D? Yes. It works with both the Zenmuse X9-6K and X9-8K heads, as well as the four-axis stabilization kit.
Does it weigh the same as the DJI OEM counterweight? Yes. 294 grams, which is identical to the DJI original.
Can I stack additional weight on top of the counterweight? Yes. The 1/4-20 threaded holes allow you to bolt on additional weight plates or accessories for extremely heavy lens setups.
Will it affect gimbal performance? It improves gimbal performance by restoring proper balance. After installation, run the Ronin 4D's auto-calibration to optimize motor settings for the new balance point.
Where can I buy it? The counterweight is available on proamusa.com, B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay.
