DJI CP.ZM.000021 User manual

Zenmuse Z15-GH3 User Manual V1.02

2013.12.26 Revision

www.dji.com

Warning & Disclaimer

Camera Type

Panasonic GH3

Lens Type

OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0

No adjusting or amending is allowed to Z15.

Z15 is specialized for Camera and Lens before it leaves the factory. Please mount your camera to Z15 when get it.

No adjusting or amending is allowed to Z15. Do not modify or add any other component/device (such as filter, lens

hood, etc.) to the camera; make sure to use the original battery; otherwise it may ends up with worse performance

or even internal malfunction.

Z15 can only work with Flight control system specified by DJI Innovations (Ace One/ Ace WayPoint/ WooKong M,

make sure to upgrade the flight control system to the latest firmware version), so as to ensure the highest stability

and precision. Please download the corresponding assistant software and upgrade the flight control system MC

firmware, otherwise may lead the Z15 work abnormally.

Make sure the Flight control system operates in the safest manner when the main power battery is connected. We

strongly recommend customers to remove all propellers, use power supply from R/C system or flight pack battery,

and keep children away during gimbal calibration and parameter setup. Please strictly follow these steps to mount

and connect gimbal on your aircraft, as well as to install the assistant software on your computer. Please respect

the AMA’s National Model Aircraft Safety Code.

As DJI Innovations has no control over use, setup, final assembly, modification (including use of non-specified DJI

parts i.e. motors, ESCs, propellers, etc.) or misuse, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any resulting

damage or injury. By the act of use, setup or assembly, the user accepts all resulting liability. DJI assumes no liability

for damage(s) or injuries incurred directly or indirectly from the use of this product.

DJI and Zenmuse are registered trademarks of DJI Innovations Names of product, brand, etc., appearing in this

manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner companies. This product and manual are

any form without the prior written consent or authorization of DJI Innovations. No patent liability is assumed with

respect to the use of the product or information contained herein.

Specified Camera and Lens Type list for Z15-GH3.

Product Profile

Z15 Working Mode

Orientation-locked Mode

Non orientation-locked

Mode

FPV Mode (Reset)

Gimbal Pointing

Gimbal pointing moves with

aircraft nose direction

Gimbal pointing stays

unchanged when aircraft

nose moves.

Gimbal pointing stays the

same as aircraft nose

direction when power up

Gimbal and

Aircraft Nose

Relative Angle

Gimbal pointing keeps the same

relative angle with aircraft

nose direction

The relative angle

between gimbal pointing

and aircraft nose

direction is changeable

The relative angle between

gimbal pointing and aircraft

nose is 0°

TX Control

Controllable

Uncontrollable

Attitude stability

YES

Vibration

Reduction

YES

Stick Meaning

ROLL is locked level in 0~2/3

command stick and rotate in 2/3

~endpoint; command stick

stands for rotation angle limited

to +40o in PAN; command

stick stands for the TILT rotation

velocity of the gimbal.

Command stick stands

for gimbal rotation

velocity，Stick center

position is 0°/s，its

endpoint is the maximum

velocity.

——

Command

Linearity

YES

——

Z15 is an excellent gimbal designed for AP. The gimbal has built-in slip ring in the mechanical structure, preventing

wire rod from winding up. It also has built-in independent IMU module, special servos drive module, HDMI- AV

module, etc. Excellent job can be done by Z15 in any working mode, including Orientation-locked control, Non

orientation-locked control and FPV Mode (Reset).

Note1: Gimbal pointing means the PAN rotation angle of the gimbal.

Note2: Attitude stability means that gimbal’s ROLL/TILT will not follows the aircraft’s ROLL/PITCH.

Note3: Gimbal rotating maximum velocity is corresponding to TX 100%end-point.

In the Box

Gimbal ×1

In the mechanical structure, the gimbal has built-in slip rings,

preventing wire rod from winding up, which also enables free

rotations for the 3 axes rotating rods.

The gimbal has built-in Z15 gimbal special servos drive module,

independent IMU module and HDMI－AV module.

Gimbal Controller Unit (GCU)×1

Connect the gimbal controller to the flight control system by

CAN- Bus. The GCU will control the gimbal’s pan, roll and tilt

rotation.

Lens Retaining Ring×1

For fixing the camera lens.

Mounting Bracket ×4

For gimbal and landing gear connection.

Mounting Board for Receiver ×1

For fixing the GCU, and providing the mounting position for the receiver or other device.

Cable Clamp ×1

For tidying the cables on gimbal.

Camera Mount Screw×1

For camera mount.

Lens Retaining Ring Screw×1

For fixing the lens retaining ring to the gimbal.

Screw×8

For mounting gimbal to aircraft (M2.5*8 Head-cup screw).

Gimbal Video Power Cable×1

For GCU and Wireless Video Transmission Unit connecting,

transmitting AV signal.

Micro-USB Cable×1

For adjusting parameter and upgrading firmware via PC.

CAN-Bus Cable×1

Use CAN-Bus to power and communicate with the flight control

system

DJI

Spare Package×1

Damping units, Spare Screw, and Mounting Bracket.

Contents

WARNING & DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................... 2

PRODUCT PROFILE .......................................................................................................... 3

IN THE BOX ..................................................................................................................... 4

CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... 6

GIMBAL DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................... 7

CAMERA SETUP .............................................................................................................. 8

MOUNT .......................................................................................................................... 9

CAMERA WIRING/SHUTTER CONTROL ......................................................................... 12

VIDEO SIGNAL TRANSMISSION ..................................................................................... 14

GCU WIRING ................................................................................................................. 15

WORKING MODES/HDMI/AUX2 SWITCH SETUP ........................................................... 17

ASSISTANT SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND USAGE ....................................................... 19

TEST ............................................................................................................................. 19

APPENDIX ..................................................................................................................... 21

MATTERS NEEDING ATTENTION .............................................................................................. 21

1-PILOT SOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 22

2-PILOT SOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 23

PORT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 24

GIMBAL LED INDICATOR ....................................................................................................... 24

TROUBLE SHOOTING ............................................................................................................ 25

SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 25

Gimbal Description

Notes:

 Ensure nothing blocks the servo driver module rotation, to avoid motor damage.  Clear obstacle at once if the rotating gimbal is blocked.

Tips:

 Servo driver module is with two motor command input ports and one encoder private port.  HDMI-AV module converts HDMI video signal to AV video signal with a cable connecting to camera

HDMI port; also transforms TX signal into shutter control signal with a shutter control module.

 The camera shutter control cable is pluggable, user can unplug it if nonuse the shutter control function.

Servo Driver

Module 1

Servo Driver

Module 1

Pan

±±±360°

Pan

±±±360°

Roll

±±40°

Roll

±±40°

Tilt

±±360°

Tilt

±±360°

Servo Driver

Module 2

Servo Driver

Module 2

Servo Driver

Module 3

Servo Driver

Module 3

Motor Input Port

To G6 port of GCU

Motor Input Port

To G6 port of GCU

8-Pin Port

To G8 port of GCU

8-Pin Port

To G8 port of GCU

Camera Mount

Holes

Camera Mount

Holes

Camera LED

Indicator

Camera LED

Indicator

Camera Shutter

Control Cable

Camera Shutter

Control Cable

HDMI-AV Module

Camera Mount

Position

Camera Mount

Position

Receiver Mount Board

IMU Module

Damping Unit

Camera Setup

Panasonic GH3

C3

C

2

C

1

M

S

A

P

SCN

MF

AFC

AFS

/

AFF

M

iA

Tips:

In the Menu settings, the mandatory values are in red italic font while recommended values in blue. Flashing

image output may occur if not follow the recommended settings.

Configure your camera by the following settings to meet the requirements of Z15. Please read the related content

according to your camera.

 Please set the Mode as  MF/AFC/AFS/AFF Select: Select  Select the Shutter-priority AE mode in the Menu and adjust the shutter speed to 200.  Please enable the AF when using the Auto Focus function.

Creative video

AFC

(M).

.