Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini Introduced – Compact Camera Crane System

Accessory News

by Francesco AndreolaJune 23^rd, 2022

Tilta has recently released a new car-mounted self-stabilized arm for filming moving vehicles, the Hydra-Arm Mini. The arm can support a maximum payload of 10kg/22.05lbs and is compatible with some of the most popular gimbals on the market, including the DJI RS3 PRO. Pricing starts at $9,999.

Car-mounted setups allow filmmakers to achieve very complex camera movements, but usually require a good amount of gear and expertise. By releasing the new Hydra-Arm Mini, the company is trying to make this technology a little less cumbersome to work with.

Built on the legacy of the original Hydra Arm and Hydra Alien systems (review here), the Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini features a more compact and lightweight design. Also, it should also be easier to setup and use. Let’s take a closer look.

Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini: overview

The new Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini is a portable cinema camera crane system designed specifically for automotive applications. According to Tilta, it can be mounted on top of virtually any car’s roof, allowing users to achieve dynamic perspectives of other moving vehicles.

The arm extends for 1.87m/152” in length and can reach heights of 4.5m/177”. Moreover, it can withstand a maximum payload of 10kg/22.05lbs, including the weight of the gimbal. This might be a little limiting for productions working with large cinema cameras. The Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini is compatible with the newly-released DJI RS 3 Pro as well as the RS 2, Ronin 4D, Freefly Systems Mōvi Pro, and other equivalent stabilizers.

Design, size, and weight

The system features a counterweight-free design, which helps reduce its weight and footprint. Indeed, the Hydra-Arm Mini weighs a total of 70kg/154lbs (without camera and gimbal).

Even better, the whole system comes packed into three cases that can be conveniently checked in as luggage on a plane (packing dimensions: 100x50x40cm/39.97×19.69×15.75”). This is great news for big productions traveling long distances since it takes away the hassle of shipping gear in advance.

Price and availability

Pricing for the new Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini should start at around $9,999. The company will first begin shipping the system to members of their Tilta Partner Program in July (application here). All other customers should receive their order in fall.

For more information, please visit Tilta’s website here.

Have you ever worked with a car-mounted camera crane system? What do you think of the new Tilta Hydra-Arm Mini? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!