SoundFlow29
@soundflow29
Joined: Jun 2024
Istanbul
Forum Topics Started
Best budget-friendly gimbal for Sony A7IV with heavy 24-70mm GM II?
<img src="/uploads/sony-a7iv-24-70mm-gm2-dji-rs3-gimbal-1785650356.jpg" alt="Sony A7IV with 24-70mm GM II lens mounted on DJI RS 3 gimbal in a studio" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I've been shooting with my Sony A7IV for about a year now, mostly run-and-gun documentary style content. I just picked up the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens, and the combo is a bit heavier than my previous setup (I was using a 35mm prime). My current gimbal, a DJI Ronin SC, is struggling to balance the added weight, especially when I have a wireless mic and a small monitor attached. The motors are working overtime and I'm getting micro-jitters in footage. I'm looking for a budget-friendly gimbal that can handle this payload comfortably without breaking the bank. Ideally, I'd like to stay under $400, but I'm open to used options. I've been looking at the DJI RS 3 (non-Pro), the Zhiyun Crane M3S, and even the Weebill S, but I'm not sure which one is the best value. My main priority is smooth, reliable operation for run-and-gun shooting, and I don't need crazy features like lidar or auto-lock. I also want something that's not a pain to balance quickly in the field. Any advice or personal experiences with these gimbals (or others in that price range) would be hugely appreciated! Also, if you've used a gimbal with the A7IV + 24-70mm GM II specifically, I'd love to hear how it performs.
AdSense RPM dropped 60% after switching to vertical videos – is this normal?
Hey everyone, I run a small tech review channel with about 40k subs, and I recently pivoted from 16:9 horizontal videos to vertical (9:16) Shorts-style content to boost reach. My average view duration went up, and my impressions are through the roof, but my AdSense RPM has tanked from $4.50 to $1.80 over the last month. I'm not seeing any change in my CPM for regular long-form videos, but the vertical ones are pulling down my overall revenue. Is this a known thing? Should I expect lower RPM for vertical videos, or am I doing something wrong? Any tips on how to optimize monetization for vertical content without sacrificing the format?
AdSense RPM Dropped 40% After YouTube Shorts – Anyone Else Seeing This?
Hey everyone, I've been a long-form content creator for about 3 years now, mostly tech reviews and tutorials. My RPM has been pretty stable, around $8-10. But last month, I started posting Shorts to boost my channel's reach, and my overall RPM has tanked to about $5. I know Shorts have lower RPM, but I didn't expect it to drag down my long-form revenue so much. Is this normal? Does the algorithm penalize channels that mix Shorts and long-form? I've also noticed my long-form CPM has dropped in the last few weeks, even though my watch time and CTR are the same. Could it be seasonality (Q1 ad spend drop) or something else? I'm considering removing my Shorts to see if that helps, but I don't want to lose the subscriber growth. Any insights would be appreciated!
AdSense RPM tanked after algorithm update – anyone else seeing this?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-studio-rpm-drop-gaming-channel-2026-1785072261.jpg" alt="YouTube Studio analytics dashboard showing RPM drop and revenue decline for a gaming channel in 2026" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I'm a gaming channel with about 85k subs and I've been monetized for two years. My RPM used to sit around $4.50-$5.00 consistently, but since the last YouTube algorithm update in early 2026, it's dropped to $2.80. I haven't changed my content style, upload schedule, or audience targeting. I'm in the US, so that's not a geo issue. My CPM is actually up slightly ($12.10 vs $11.80), but the RPM drop is hitting my monthly revenue hard – down about 40%. I've checked my Studio analytics and I'm seeing a big increase in 'non-skippable ad' impressions but a drop in 'skippable ad' views. Also, my average view duration dropped from 9:30 to 7:15. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is this just a seasonal dip or did the algorithm change how it serves ads on gaming content? I'm thinking about switching to longer videos (20+ min) to get more mid-rolls, but I'm worried that might hurt retention. Any advice or data points would be hugely appreciated.
Best workflow for integrating 3D camera tracking with After Effects and Blender?
<img src="/uploads/after-effects-blender-3d-camera-tracking-workflow-1784821633.jpg" alt="After Effects 3D camera tracker and Blender 3D scene integration workflow for VFX compositing" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I'm working on a short film where I need to composite a 3D model into a live-action shot. I've been using After Effects for years but I'm relatively new to Blender for 3D. My usual workflow is to track the footage in After Effects using the 3D Camera Tracker, then export the camera data to Blender via the 'Export as FBX' script. However, I'm running into issues with scale and coordinate system mismatches. The tracked camera in AE uses a right-handed Y-up system, while Blender uses Z-up. I've tried converting the track with a Python script but the rotation seems off. Is there a more streamlined pipeline? I've heard about using fSpy for manual camera solving but that seems overkill for a simple tracking shot. Any tips on aligning the two programs properly?
My first talking head video looks flat and lifeless – what am I missing?
<img src="/uploads/talking-head-video-lighting-setup-sony-a6400-1784696783.jpg" alt="Sony A6400 video setup with softbox lighting for talking head video production" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I just uploaded my first proper talking head video to my channel. I spent hours scripting and recording, but the final result feels... flat. The lighting seems okay (I have a key light and a fill), the audio is clear (using an AT2020), but there's zero energy or depth. It looks like I'm just reading a script to a camera. I'm editing in Premiere Pro 2026. I've tried adding some basic contrast and a slight vignette, but it still feels like a home video. I see other creators with these rich, punchy, almost cinematic talking head shots. Is it a color grading thing? A lens choice? Or am I missing some fundamental lighting technique? I'm using a Sony A6400 with the kit lens. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
CTR dropped 5% after thumbnail change – did YouTube shadowban my video?
I’ve been running a tech review channel for about 6 months and one of my videos was performing decently with a 7.2% CTR and steady impressions. Last week I decided to swap the thumbnail to something more clickable (brighter colors, bigger text overlay). Almost immediately, impressions flatlined and CTR dropped to 2.1%. The video has not been demonetized and I didn’t change the title or description. I know YouTube doesn’t officially shadowban, but this feels like an algorithm reset. Has anyone else experienced a CTR crash after a thumbnail change? Could it be that the new thumbnail is underperforming in the testing phase, or did I somehow trigger a penalty? I’m using YouTube Studio on desktop, and the thumbnail was uploaded in 1280x720 at 2MB, which should be fine.
Replies Posted
Topic: Best budget-friendly gimbal for Sony A7IV with heavy 24-70mm GM II?
"Thanks for the detailed response, @rendercore95! I actually took your advice and picked up a used DJI RS 3 from a local photographer for $330. I spent an afternoon balancing it with the A7IV, the 24-7..."
Topic: Stuck at 1.2K subs – is my CTR tanking because of my thumbnails?
"[QUOTE=zoomwizard38]I use bright colors and big text, but maybe they're too cluttered?[/QUOTE] @zoomwizard38, @directorwave67 nailed the CTR part, but let's talk audio, because that can secretly affe..."
Topic: YouTube CTR tanked after new thumbnail style – what am I missing?
"[QUOTE=vibeexpert14]I feel your pain! I went through a similar phase when I switched to a more minimalist thumbnail style – CTR dropped from 5% to 2.5% almost overnight. The key thing I learned is tha..."
Topic: Shorts algorithm tanked after posting 3x/day – what am I doing wrong?
"I've seen this happen to a lot of creators. The algorithm for Shorts is heavily based on 'session time' – if viewers watch your Shorts and then keep watching other Shorts, that's good. But if they wat..."
Topic: Best way to create realistic camera shake for action scenes in After Effects?
"[QUOTE=videohustler59]Hi! For realistic camera shake, I'd recommend using the 'Wiggle' expression but with a few tweaks. Instead of applying it directly to the camera layer, create a null object and p..."
Topic: How do you structure a short film script when you have no budget for locations?
"Great question! I've made several no-budget shorts, and the key is to write with 'location constraints' as a creative challenge, not a limitation. I always start by listing every location I have acces..."
Topic: AdSense RPM dropped 60% after switching to vertical videos – is this normal?
"Thanks everyone, that really helps! I didn't realize that vertical videos automatically have lower RPMs – I thought it was just my content. I'll definitely try making longer vertical videos with mid-r..."
Topic: Best way to stream 4K gameplay with a single PC and capture card?
"As a sound guy, I'll chime in on the audio side – stuttering can sometimes be caused by audio sample rate mismatches. Make sure your capture card and microphone are both set to 48kHz in OBS, and disab..."
Topic: AdSense RPM dropped 40% overnight – is it just me or a platform-wide issue?
"Adding to what @editormaster14 said – I’ve noticed a similar trend on my finance channel. But there’s another angle: YouTube changed how they calculate 'AdSense for YouTube' revenue for some creators ..."
Topic: How to Write a Documentary Script That Keeps Viewers Hooked?
"Great question! The key is to think of your documentary as a story, not a report. Start with a central question or mystery that your video will answer. For example: 'Why did the arcade that once ruled..."
Topic: Feeling completely drained after 2 years of daily Shorts – anyone else hit this wall?
"Honestly, the fact that you already posted the community update is the hardest part done. I did the exact same thing about six months ago—posted that I was scaling back, braced for the worst, and inst..."
Topic: AdSense RPM Dropped 40% After YouTube Shorts – Anyone Else Seeing This?
"Thanks for the replies! I checked the revenue by content type, and you're right – my long-form RPM is actually still around $8.50, so it's just the Shorts pulling down the average. I also looked at my..."
Topic: Best OBS Settings for 1080p60 Twitch Stream with Single PC Setup?
"Adding to that: for advanced settings, make sure you set your video output to 1920x1080 with Lanczos downscale filter (sharpness is good for fast-paced games). Under Advanced -> Video, set Color Forma..."
Topic: Best AI tools for automated video captioning and translation in 2026?
"[QUOTE=rendercore95]If you want native Premiere integration without leaving the app, check out [B]Autocaption Pro[/B] – it's a Premiere Pro extension that uses OpenAI Whisper locally.[/QUOTE] I've us..."
Topic: AdSense RPM tanked after algorithm update – anyone else seeing this?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed breakdowns. I followed @focuswave46's advice and turned off 'Sponsored segments' in Ad settings – that alone bumped my RPM from $2.80 to $3.40 in three days. Then I im..."
Topic: How do I price my first brand deal without underselling myself?
"I'd also factor in the time and effort for scripting, filming, and editing the integration. A 60-second segment can take an extra 2-3 hours. I usually charge a flat fee of $1,500 for a 60-second integ..."
Topic: Best workflow for integrating 3D camera tracking with After Effects and Blender?
"[QUOTE=shortsprime62]instead of using the default FBX export from AE, try using the 'AE to Blender' script by David Torno[/QUOTE] Thanks shortsprime62, that script was a lifesaver! I installed it and..."
Topic: Best Practices for Affiliate Links in Video Descriptions Without Getting Penalized
"Great question! I've been doing affiliate marketing on my channel for over 3 years now and never had any issues. Here's what I've learned: First, yes, you absolutely need to verbally disclose in the ..."
Topic: Why does my talking head footage look flat and lifeless? (Sony A7IV + Sigma 24-70)
"[QUOTE=audiocraft39]For grading, use a CST on your clip node to convert from S-Log3/S-Gamut3.Cine to Rec.709 Gamma 2.4.[/QUOTE] Great advice from audiocraft39! I'd add that for more depth, consider a..."
Topic: My first talking head video looks flat and lifeless – what am I missing?
"Wow, thank you all so much! @rendercore95, I just ordered a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 – everyone raves about it. @soundlab51, the reverb reduction tip was magic. I didn't even realize my room had that echo unt..."
Topic: Best strategies for affiliate marketing in video descriptions without looking spammy?
"[QUOTE=editormaker84]I use a custom link shortener (like Bitly with a branded domain)[/QUOTE] Good tip, but I'd add that the verbal mention matters more than the description. I've been doing affiliat..."
Topic: My talking head videos feel lifeless – any critique on lighting and delivery?
"[QUOTE=cutwave45]Try cutting out every “um” and “ah” and adding jump cuts[/QUOTE] Jump cuts work, but if you want a more polished look, use the “Morph Cut” transition in Premiere Pro 2025 – it smooth..."
Topic: New Creator Here – Need Advice on First Camera and Growth Strategy for 2026
"Welcome Sam! I started a tech channel last year and hit 5k subs in 6 months. I'll be the contrarian here – the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is actually fantastic for a beginner if you vlog or do handheld B-roll...."
Topic: My AdSense RPM dropped 40% overnight – anyone else seeing this in 2026?
"I’ve been doing audio post-production for creators for years, and I can tell you that the biggest RPM killer is low viewer retention combined with high skip rates on mid-roll ads. The algorithm tracks..."
Topic: CTR dropped 5% after thumbnail change – did YouTube shadowban my video?
"Thank you all for the detailed responses! I checked the real-time analytics and saw the CTR dip exactly at the thumbnail change timestamp. I reverted to the old thumbnail about 4 hours ago and impress..."
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