Hohem iSteady MT2 Kit Gimbal Stabilizer Review

This Hohem iSteady MT2 kit gimbal stabilizer review is going to cover everything you need to know about Hohem’s latest gimbal before you hand over your hard-earned cash.

Camera stabilizers and gimbals are an essential part of any videography kit.

They make filming smooth videos so much easier—especially when you have complex motion behind the camera.

The Hohem iSteady MT2 is one of a few gimbals that are filling the niche of being affordable yet powerful.

Gimbals like those from Hohem allowed me to explore more interesting and complicated styles of videography.

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a smartphone gimbal that’s equally adept to stabilize larger mirrorless cameras, this is the review you’ve been looking for.

Hohem iSteady MT2 Kit Gimbal Stabilizer Review

 

Hohem iSteady MT2 Specification	Value
Weight(Stabilizer)	653g/1.439lb
Main Material	Aircraft Grade Aluminum & High-Performance Composites
Payload	1200g/2lb/10.3oz
Camera Width	60mm~97mm
Mechanical Range	Pan: 360° Infinite Rotation Roll: 200° Tilt: 290°
Battery Life	17 hours (Under ideal conditions with the stabilizer fully balanced) 6-8 hours (Use AI tracking and fill light at its highest brightness) 3 hour charge time
App	Hohem Joy

The Hohem iSteady MT2 is a professional orthogonal 3-axis mirrorless camera stabilizer.

It’s a feature-packed gimbal that handles like tech that should command double the price.

This is the perfect gimbal for any videographer who wants to pick up a gimbal without picking up a brand new debt.

This is reasonably priced and is going to put you the closest you’re going to get to professional features without having to take out a loan for new equipment.

Gimbals are not a silver bullet that can magically stabilize the most shaky and poorly planned shots, but they do allow you to shoot smooth footage while moving in difficult shooting conditions.

I’m going to take you on a tour of the Hohem iSteady MT2, its features, and why I’ve come to think about this as a new go-to tool in my videography toolbox.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing I noticed when I took the Hohem iSteady MT2 out of its box was the build quality.

This does not feel like one of those gimmick gimbals that’s going to Rattle itself into pieces the first time it tries to stabilize a shot.

I won’t go as far as to say this thing is built like a tank, but it is built like a gimbal that can take some abuse.

I put my poor gimbal through some rough conditions when I was testing it out, and the Hohem MT2 performed admirably even when I was intentionally pushing things a bit too far when it came to payload and handling.

The buttons, motors, and just about every other feature on the gimbal are well-built.

Weight and Portability

This gimbal is also very lightweight and Incredibly portable.

I had no problem carrying this thing around, whether I was taking the entire case or just throwing the gimbal in my camera bag.

You can also remove the base of the gimbal by unscrewing it. This allows you to break things down for easier storage.

The weight of this gimbal was also spot on. There’s nothing worse than adding too many heavy accessories to your camera, which can make filming long shoots a nightmare.

The Hohem iSteady MT2 knows exactly the market it’s designed for, and it comes in at the perfect weight and portability ratio for videographers.

Stability and Load Capacity

Stability and load capacity are the two biggest things to consider when checking out a new gimbal.

I’m going to talk about stability first, and then we’ll get into the important issue of load capacity.

Stability simply refers to how well the gimbal handles its payload when in movement. As long as you’re coming in under that 2.2-pound payload limitation, the Hohem iSteady MT2 is going to smoothly handle whatever you put on it.

I didn’t notice any difference in stability, whether I was using my Sony or my smartphone. The only perceptible difference I saw was that the battery naturally decreases faster with a heavier payload.

Balancing the Hohem MT2 got a little picky when I was using my smartphone and portrait mode.

Ultimately, this is a very minor issue, but it did take me longer to balance that precarious load than it did to balance essentially anything that was in horizontal orientation.

The load capacity is something that you should consider. a 2.2 lb load capacity essentially rules out professional-grade lenses from big brands like Sony, Nikon, and Canon.

You can still use pro mirrorless cameras, but you’ll have to get a little creative when it comes to the glass.

Features and Accessories

Here’s a breakdown of everything that you’re going to get when you unbox your Hohem iSteady MT2.

• The MT2 gimbal
• Quick release plate and mounting bracket
• Smartphone mount
• AI Vision Sensor and fill light—optional
• GoPro action camera mounting kit
• Gimbal tripod-style base and handle extender
• A pack of cables, including those for micro USB camera charging, mini USB camera charging, and others to connect your gimbal and camera gear
• Hohem MT2 carrying case for all your goodies

Honestly, it feels like a birthday opening this thing up. There’s just so much in the unboxing of this gimbal that I enjoyed.

Half of the stuff included with this gimbal are accessories that I can use with my other photography and videography gear. Now that’s what I call good value.

The gimbal has a joystick-like design which puts all of the controls within reach of whichever dominant hand is gripping the upper half of the gimbal while you’re shooting.

You can do everything from changing modes, using the thumbstick to manually adjust the gimbal’s angle, to even automatically resetting the gimbal’s position by double tapping the Z trigger on the back of the MT2’s grip.

Here I’ve got the gimbal set to pan tilt follow mode.

The controls for the AI Vision light sensor and fill light are located next to the control panel on the control wheel. It’s a lot of options to get used to, but once you do, you’ll be flying through the settings like a pro.

The Arca-Swiss style quick-release plate makes switching between a horizontal and portrait mode a breeze.

It’s a two-button process to release the safety locks and switch modes, but you might have to rebalance the gimbal after switching.

The magnetic AI tracker is one of the stars of the show with any Hohem gimbal. The sensor works by detecting a gesture control that you make with your hand.

The gesture control feature allows for another layer of hands-free control in addition to the Bluetooth control features.

The automatic tracking feature allowed me to film shots that would have honestly been impossible to get without an assistant helping me shoot. Solo videographers and YouTubers are going to love this feature.

This gimbal also features an ultra-wide unobstructed view angle option.

By tapping the Z button four times, the swing arms will move out of the way, allowing you to shoot ultra-wide without worrying about eclipsing your own shot with the gimbal itself.

I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to the ports on the side of the Hohem iSteady MT2.

Not only can you connect more of your camera gear together, but the MT2 also supports pass-through charging for your camera or smartphone.

This means that you can use the gimbal’s battery to keep your devices topped up to optimize your filming without having to stop and charge everything.

Ease of Use and Setup

The Hohem iSteady MT2 is essentially ready to use right out of the box. There are just a few things about the setup that I want to highlight.

The first thing I want to mention is that it’s incredibly easy to use this gimbal.

Even if you don’t have any prior experience with gimbals, which can be very tricky, the video guide provided by Hohem’s YouTube channel is more than enough to get you started with this gimbal.

The most important thing that you can do is balance your gimbal properly. I’ve seen plenty of people complain that their gimbal is broken when it’s just been down to user error.

You should also take the time to set up the Hohem Joy app. This app allows you to control your gimbal using Bluetooth from your smartphone.

You can use this for things like adjusting settings or even using your smartphone as a remote shutter while you’re connected to your gimbal.

The MT2 does seem like it has a steep learning curve, but that’s just because there are so many features and options available to users. You can master the core settings of the gimbal in a few hours even if you’re starting from scratch.

Price and Value for Money

I’m going to be upfront and say that the Hohem iSteady MT2 is well worth the money. It’s an incredibly powerful gimbal that supports a decent payload and won’t put too big of a dent in your photography gear budget.

The Hohem MT2 becomes even more worth the price when you consider that this gimbal actually comes in at two separate price points.

You can spend a little over $300 to purchase the MT2 with the AI fill light. This provides you with a fill light that also offers an AI tracking feature which opens up the potential to film solo videos that you otherwise just couldn’t.

If you don’t need the features offered by the AI fill light, you can knock about $50 off the price of this gimbal. That’s great savings for a videographer who’s not interested in the automated tracking features.

You can’t go wrong with the cost of this gimbal, no matter which of the two kits you purchase.

How I Tested the Hohem iSteady MT2

I decided to put the Hohem iSteady MT2 through an interesting test.

I’m not currently working on any particular video projects, but what I am doing is working on building up my core camera skills to let me be more creative on my next project.

Part of that has been increasing my ability to work with a gimbal.

I first tested the Hohem iSteady MT2 with my Sony A7s II and a DIY lens. I made a lens by cutting the lens out of a disposable camera and attaching it to the body cap of my Sony.

The MT2 handled beautifully with my trusty Sony and DIY camera lens. Not only was I getting some beautiful, nostalgic shots with that lens, but the footage was buttery smooth, thanks to the gimbal.

After testing things out with my Sony for a few days, I decided to switch things out for my smartphone camera. I still do a lot of smartphone videography, and it was curious to see how this gimbal would work with my phone.

To be honest, it was easier using this gimbal with my phone than it was using the Hohem M6 gimbal. The added payload, more powerful motors, and extra features of the Hohem iSteady MT2 made it handle my iPhone 14 Pro Max with ease.

You still need to keep in mind the weight limits of the iSteady MT2 while you’re shooting with it. Even though this is a powerful little gimbal, it likely cannot support the weight of your pro-level lenses.

So, you’re going to have to think a little bit more creatively about the glass you use with your favorite compact camera while you’re shooting with this Hohem gimbal.

Alternatives

Hohem isn’t the only game in town when it comes to gimbals. You’ve got some other options to consider, whether you’re looking for something that’s a bit more budget-friendly or you’ve got some cash to throw at your investment.

Let’s take a quick look at a few popular alternatives to the Hohem iSteady MT2:

• Hohem iSteady M6—This is the little brother of the Hohem MT2, but it still has plenty to offer if you plan on shooting mobile video exclusively
• Zhiyun Crane M3S C—A solid choice at a similar price, but with fewer features and a style that calls more attention to itself than the working aesthetics of MT2
• DJI RS 3 Mini—This gimbal costs more but adds a full-color touchscreen, simplified controls, and the ability to handle a heavier payload. However, only Hohem appears to offer the AI tracking feature

FAQ’s

Do professionals use gimbals?

Professional videographers absolutely use gimbals. Gimbals are an essential tool that can help stabilize your footage infinitely better than you can achieve with built-in camera stabilization or editing in post-production.

What are the disadvantages of a gimbal? 

Gimbals have a few disadvantages that you should consider. Gimbals tend to be expensive, you might not be able to get the right shot in low light or fast-moving conditions while using a gimbal, and you need to consider your sound recording environment as some gimbals have Motors that are louder than others.

How much should I spend on a gimbal?

You can expect to spend between $100 and $1,000 on your first gimbal. Things that are going to influence your cost include the features that you’re looking for, how much weight you need your gimbal to support, and how many axes of movement your gimbal can stabilize.

Do you need to rebalance a gimbal every time?

You should not need to rebalance your gimbal every time you use it. as long as you’re using the same camera, lens, and other accessories, your gimbal should have the correct balance every time. If you change anything about the camera, lens, and accessories you’re using, then you need to rebalance your gimbal.

Should I turn off lens stabilization when using a gimbal?

You should turn off lens and camera body image stabilization or sports mode when using a gimbal. The gimbal will already be compensating for any shake or movement, which can cause errors in image stabilization and even cause lens image stabilization to create distortions in your image.

Hohem iSteady MT2 Review | Conclusion

I was a big fan of the Hohem M6 smartphone gimbal, but the Hohem iSteady MT2 absolutely blew me away. for the price point, this is an incredibly well-designed piece of kit that’s going to be a boon for every videographer out there.

If you’re looking for a gimbal that can support a lightweight or budget-friendly videography setup, then you can’t go wrong with the Hohem MT2. This is also a fantastic choice for smartphone shooters, videographers, and social media influencers who want something a little bit more robust than the m6.

Got any other videography gear you want a review of? Let me know down in the comments and if you have questions about the latest gear or gimbals, I’ll answer your questions in a future article.