That sinking feeling of reviewing your footage only to find it riddled with distracting shakes and jitters is an experience all too familiar for creators. In the quest for smooth, professional-looking video, the camera gimbal has emerged as an indispensable tool. But owning a gimbal is only half the battle. To truly unlock its cinematic potential, you must master its language—the core operational modes that dictate its every move. Understanding What Are Pan Follow And Lock Modes is the foundational step that separates amateur footage from breathtaking, cinematic sequences. These modes are the grammar of gimbal movement, and learning to use them effectively is the key to telling your visual story with precision and impact.
The Foundation: Understanding the 3 Axes of a Gimbal
Before we dive into the specific modes, we must first understand the anatomy of a gimbal. At its heart, a gimbal uses a series of motors and intelligent sensors to stabilize a camera along three distinct axes. Think of it like your own head and neck—a sophisticated biological stabilization system.
- The Pan Axis: This is the left-to-right movement, like shaking your head “no.” It allows you to follow a subject moving horizontally across the frame or perform a sweeping panoramic shot.
- The Tilt Axis: This is the up-and-down movement, like nodding your head “yes.” It’s essential for looking up at a tall building or tilting down to reveal an object on the ground.
- The Roll Axis: This is the rotational movement, like tilting your head to the side. The gimbal’s primary job is to keep this axis perfectly level with the horizon, preventing that unsettling “dutch angle” look unless you specifically want it for creative effect.
Every gimbal mode is simply a different set of instructions telling the motors how to behave on these three axes.
Decoding the Core Gimbal Modes
Now, let’s explore the two most fundamental modes that form the backbone of all gimbal operation. These are the modes you will use for the vast majority of your shots.
Pan Follow (PF) Mode: The Storyteller’s Companion
Pan Follow mode is often the default setting on most gimbals, and for good reason. It’s the most intuitive and versatile mode for general-purpose filmmaking.
In Pan Follow (PF) Mode, the gimbal smoothly follows your left and right panning movements while keeping the tilt and roll axes locked. This ensures the horizon remains perfectly level and the camera doesn’t unintentionally drift up or down.
Imagine you are a documentary filmmaker tracking a chef as she moves through a bustling kitchen. You need to follow her horizontal movements seamlessly, but you don’t want the camera to tilt up at the ceiling or down at the floor every time your hand moves slightly. Pan Follow mode is designed for precisely this scenario. It provides a natural, organic following motion that feels fluid and controlled.
When should you use Pan Follow Mode?
- Vlogging: When walking and talking to the camera, PF mode keeps the shot stable while allowing you to naturally pan and show your surroundings.
- Following a Subject: Perfect for tracking a person walking, a car driving by, or an athlete on the field.
- Establishing Shots: Creating sweeping panoramic shots of a landscape or cityscape.
- Real Estate Videography: Smoothly panning across rooms to give a sense of space and flow.
Lock Mode: The Tripod in Your Hand
If Pan Follow is about fluidly following motion, Lock Mode is about defiantly resisting it. It is the pinnacle of stability, designed to keep the camera pointed in one single direction, no matter how you move the handle.
In Lock Mode, all three axes—pan, tilt, and roll—are locked. The gimbal will actively resist any movement of the handle, ensuring the camera remains fixed on a single point in space.
Think of it as a virtual tripod. You can walk, run, or even circle around a subject, and the camera will remain locked on its target. This mode requires a bit more practice to use effectively, as any unintentional handle rotation will be fought by the motors, but the results are incredibly powerful.
As our lead gimbal engineer, Dr. Alistair Crane, often states, “Lock Mode transforms the gimbal from a tool of following into a tool of gliding. It decouples the operator’s movement from the camera’s direction, opening up a world of slider, dolly, and jib-like shots without the extra gear.”
When should you use Lock Mode?
- Product Shots: When you need to move the camera around a stationary product (like in a cosmetic or food commercial) while keeping the product perfectly centered.
- Simulating Dolly/Slider Shots: By walking forward or sideways in Lock Mode, you can create perfectly straight push-in or tracking shots.
- Architectural Reveals: Start with the camera aimed at a wall and walk sideways to reveal a grand entrance or a stunning view through a window.
- “Parallax” Effect: Circle a subject while keeping the camera pointed at it in Lock Mode. This creates a dynamic shot where the background appears to shift behind the stationary subject.
Beyond the Basics: Exploring Other Essential Gimbal Modes
While understanding what are pan follow and lock modes is crucial, modern gimbals offer more specialized modes for creative shots.
Follow (F) Mode / Pan and Tilt Follow
This is a step up from Pan Follow. In this mode, the gimbal smoothly follows both your pan (left/right) and tilt (up/down) movements, while the roll axis remains locked. It’s perfect for when your subject isn’t just moving horizontally.
- Best for: Tracking a subject that is walking up a flight of stairs, a drone taking off, or a bird descending to land.
FPV (First-Person View) Mode
This mode unleashes the gimbal’s full potential for dynamic, action-oriented movement. In FPV mode, all three axes—pan, tilt, and roll—will follow your handle’s movement. This allows you to introduce intentional roll into your shots, creating a disorienting, immersive “barrel roll” effect.
- Best for: Action sports, music videos, or any sequence where you want to create a high-energy, first-person perspective that mimics the feeling of being in the action. Use it sparingly, as it can be jarring for the viewer.
What Are Pan Follow and Lock Modes Best For? A Practical Showdown
To make the choice clearer, here is a direct comparison of the primary gimbal modes:
| Mode | Primary Function | Best For | Analogy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Follow (PF) | Follows horizontal pan; locks tilt & roll. | Vlogging, subject tracking, establishing shots, general use. | A documentary cameraman. |
| Lock (L) | Locks all three axes; camera points one direction. | Product shots, slider/dolly simulation, architectural reveals. | A tripod in your hand. |
| Follow (F) | Follows both pan and tilt; locks roll. | Following subjects that move vertically and horizontally. | A curious observer. |
| FPV | Follows all three axes, including roll. | Action sequences, immersive POV shots, creating a “barrel roll” effect. | An action hero’s perspective. |
How to Choose the Right Gimbal Mode for Your Shot
Choosing the right mode isn’t a technical decision; it’s a creative one. Follow this simple process to make the right choice every time.
- Define Your Shot’s Goal: What is the purpose of this shot? Are you introducing a location? Following a character? Revealing a product? The story you’re telling dictates the movement you need.
- Analyze Your Subject’s Movement: Is your subject stationary? Are they moving horizontally? Or are they moving up, down, and all around? Match the gimbal mode to the subject’s path of motion.
- Consider the Desired “Feel”: Do you want the shot to feel grounded and stable (Lock Mode), natural and observational (Pan Follow), or dynamic and high-energy (FPV Mode)?
- Practice and Experiment: The best way to learn is by doing. Before a shoot, spend time simply moving around in each mode to build an intuitive understanding of how the gimbal will react. For more tips, check out [our guide to advanced gimbal movements].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the default mode on most gimbals?
The most common default mode is Pan Follow (PF). It offers a great balance of stability and natural movement, making it the most versatile and user-friendly option for beginners and for a wide range of shooting scenarios.
Q2: Can I switch between gimbal modes while I am recording?
Yes, most modern gimbals allow you to switch modes mid-recording, usually via a button on the handle. This can be a powerful creative technique, allowing you to transition from a stable Lock Mode shot into a fluid Pan Follow shot within a single take.
Q3: Does Lock Mode completely eliminate all movement?
Lock Mode eliminates any rotational movement by keeping the camera pointed in one direction. However, it does not eliminate the up-and-down “bobbing” motion caused by walking. To minimize this, practice the “ninja walk” technique by bending your knees and walking heel-to-toe.
Q4: When should I avoid FPV mode?
Avoid using FPV mode for standard interviews, calm scenic shots, or product videography. The intentional roll movement can be highly distracting and appear unprofessional unless it’s used for a specific, high-energy creative effect.
Q5: How can I get smoother results in Pan Follow mode?
To get smoother pans, use your entire torso to turn, not just your wrists. Keep your movements slow, deliberate, and gentle. Many gimbals also have settings in their companion app to adjust the “follow speed,” which you can lower for slower, more cinematic pans.
Conclusion: Your Next Step in Creative Control
The world of gimbal videography is vast, but it all begins with a firm grasp of the fundamentals. Learning what are pan follow and lock modes is not just about technical knowledge; it’s about gaining a new level of creative control over your camera. By understanding how each mode behaves and when to use it, you transform your gimbal from a simple stabilization device into a powerful storytelling partner. You can now direct the viewer’s eye with intention, create motion that serves your narrative, and ultimately elevate the production value of every video you create. The next step is simple: pick up your gimbal, start shooting, and put this knowledge into practice.