What Equipment Should I use with Middle Control?
Picking the right gear around Middle Control makes a real difference in reliability and ease of use. Here is what we've learned from the field.
Networking
Routers & access points
For a stable, low-latency rig, the network router and Wi-Fi access points are the most important piece of gear. Here's what we've tested:
- Ubiquiti UniFi (Dream Router, Cloud Gateway, UniFi Express, etc.) — excellent reliability across the board, with very easy multi-AP setup. Treat the brand as an ecosystem rather than mixing components: Ubiquiti Wi-Fi APs are easier to set up, update, and configure when paired with a Ubiquiti router. The UniFi Express 7 is compact, USB-C-powered, and has built-in Wi-Fi 7 — a great all-in-one option.
- GL-iNet routers — more variable, but some great devices across the mid- to high-end range.
Avoid:
- Built-in Wi-Fi chips inside consumer routers — use a dedicated Wi-Fi access point close to the action.
- Hotel / venue Wi-Fi for camera control. Always bring your own router and feed the client or local internet connection into its WAN port.
- Mesh systems with aggressive band-steering — they cause unpredictable handoffs for APC-R Wi-Fi clients.
- Powerline / MoCA-only links between control room and camera position.
Network switches
Any gigabit unmanaged switch works for Middle Control rigs. If you're running multiple networks (camera, audio, video), a managed switch with VLAN support is worth it.
A 5-port or 8-port unmanaged gigabit switch in the camera area is often enough to consolidate APC-R + camera + power-over-Ethernet PTZ. PoE (or PoE++) support is a worthwhile investment.
USB-Ethernet adapters (for cameras)
Some cameras can be picky about the USB-C Ethernet adapter. We've found the Belkin USB-C to Ethernet 1 Gbps adapter (not the 2.5 G or 10 G variants) covers most cameras.
For Sony cameras, see the Wired LAN section of the Sony Cameras setup guide for camera-specific recommendations.
Cables
- Cat 6 or Cat 6a or newer Ethernet for camera and APC-R connections
- Data-rated USB-C for APC-R configuration and updates. A common failure mode is "the APC-R won't show up over USB" when in fact the cable just doesn't carry data.
Gimbals & mounts
Recommended DJI gimbals
We recommend the DJI RS4, DJI RS4 Pro, and DJI RS5 as the best fit for most Middle Things rigs. These newer-generation gimbals:
- Support the DJI Intelligent Tracking Module
- Provide a higher USB-C power output — enough to power compatible cameras (e.g. Sony FX3) directly from the gimbal
| Gimbal | Best fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DJI RS5 | Latest generation, integrated focus motor | Future-proof choice |
| DJI RS4 Pro | Heavier full-frame cinema bodies | Recommended for FX3, FX6, BS1H, Pyxis |
| DJI RS4 | Lighter mirrorless setups | Good for compact rigs |
| DJI RS3 Pro | Mirrorless / cinema bodies up to ~4 kg | Fully supported |
| DJI RS2 Pro | Legacy mirrorless (Pro Combo bundle) | Fully supported |
| DJI RS2 | Legacy mirrorless | Fully supported |
The original Ronin-S, Ronin-SC, and Ronin-2 use the older SBUS analog protocol — less reliable than CANBUS and with fewer features (no Position Presets, no Focus Motor control, no Active Track). They are supported by the APC-R only, not the APC-R Mini or APC-R Mini Lite.
Not supported (no RSA port): RSC2, RS3 (non-Pro), RS3 Mini, RS4 Mini.
→ See the compatibility section for the per-gimbal feature matrix.
Focus motors
DJI's three motor generations aren't fully interchangeable:
| Motor | Compatible with |
|---|---|
| DJI Focus Motor (original) | RS2 and newer |
| DJI Focus Motor 2022 | RS3 Pro and newer |
| DJI Focus Pro | RS4, RS4 Pro, RS5 |
The APC-R supports one motor at a time, used for zoom only — see Using the DJI Focus Motor.
Custom follow-focus gears
For best focus / zoom performance, use custom follow-focus gears sized to your lens (e.g., from followfocusgears.com) rather than the universal rubber ring DJI ships. The grip is significantly better and prevents slipping at endpoints.
Mounting accessories
For installed rigs and long-running shoots, you can power a DJI RS-series gimbal externally from a V-mount or Gold-mount battery using a power-supply base plate. This lets the gimbal run indefinitely off mains-powered V-mount adapters or large batteries — useful for studios, churches, and any setup where swapping the small built-in DJI battery is impractical.
- SmallRig Power Supply Base Plate (3252) — compatible with DJI RS2, RS3 Pro, RS4 Pro, and RS5. Quick-release cartridge design, dual OB302 ports (one input, one passthrough up to 60 W), with 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 mounting threads.
- Tilta Power Supply Base Plate (TGA-PBP) — compatible with DJI RS2, RS3, RS3 Pro, RS4, RS4 Pro, and RS5. D-tap to 2-pin power cable, V-mount or Gold-mount battery support, with 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 mounting threads. The RS4 / RS4 Pro version ships with a side protection bracket for car-mount stability.
Both plates work with the APC-R and APC-R Mini — the gimbal stays powered, the APC-R takes its own power from the gimbal as usual.
Powered Zoom Lenses
Fully motorized zoom + focus + iris lenses work best for remote rigs. Common options:
MFT Mount Lenses:
- Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6
- Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175 mm f/4.0-5.6
- Olympus 12-50 mm M.Zuiko f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ
- Olympus 14-42 mm M.Zuiko f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ
EF Mount Lenses:
- Canon CN-E 70-200 T4.4
- Canon CN-E 18-80 T4.4
Sony E Mount Lenses (PZ):
APS-C / Super 35:
- Sony E PZ 10-20 mm f/4 G (SELP1020G)
- Sony E PZ 16-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (SELP1650)
- Sony E PZ 18-105 mm f/4 G OSS (SELP18105G)
- Sony E PZ 18-110 mm f/4 G OSS (SELP18110G) — Super 35
- Sony E PZ 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS (SELP18200)
Full-frame (FE):
- Sony FE PZ 16-35 mm f/4 G (SELP1635G)
- Sony FE PZ 28-135 mm f/4 G OSS (SELP28135G)
Lenses with built-in powered zoom can't record zoom presets through the APC-R. To save and recall zoom presets, use a DJI Focus Motor on a manual lens instead.
Power
Powering the APC-R
- From the gimbal CANBUS — simplest, no extra cable
- USB power bank — for standalone use (e.g., wireless Blackmagic camera control without a gimbal)
- Camera USB-C output — handy when piggy-backing on a Blackmagic Pocket camera
- Regulated 12 V → 5 V D-Tap adapter — for V-mount battery rigs
Don't use: the AUX port for power. The AUX port is dedicated to the Middle Tally.
Tally lights
- Middle Tally — the world's smallest Program / Preview tally light. USB-C-powered, attaches via velcro. Compatible with the APC-R only.
- APC-R Mini — has a tally light built into the device, no extra accessory needed.
→ See Using the Tally.
Where to source
- Most of the gear above is available from B&H Photo Video, your local broadcast dealer, or Middle Things resellers.
- For Middle Things hardware (APC-R, APC-R Mini, Middle Remote, Middle Tally, Middle Fiber): store.middlethings.co.
If you have a specific configuration in mind and want a sanity check before buying, contact us at [email protected].