Why the Hohem iSteady M7 Became My Go-To Gimbal for Behind-the-Scenes Content
By Photography by Gallagher
A Shift Toward Motion and Momentum
If you’ve been following my journey, you know I live at the intersection of light, sound, and motion. My world has always been about storytelling — from commercial food and beverage photography to podcasting, ASMR production, and cinematic content creation. But here’s the truth: the modern audience doesn’t just want perfect lighting and sharp detail anymore. They want movement. They want to feel like they’re in the room with you.
That’s where mobile gear changed the game for me.
I’ve built my workflow around the iPhone 16 Pro, paired with Freewell’s 1.33x anamorphic lens, ND + mist filters, and compact audio gear like the Lark Max II mics or Zoom H5. Together, that rig gives me a pocket-sized cinema setup for spontaneous content, behind-the-scenes clips, and social storytelling between client shoots.
But the one piece that pulled it all together — the tool that gave my mobile content a cinematic rhythm — is the Hohem iSteady M7.
The Discovery: A Gimbal That Didn’t Feel Like a Toy
I’ve owned plenty of gimbals — some clever, some gimmicky, and some now living in the drawer of shame. Most smartphone stabilizers fall into two camps: they either feel like plastic toys, or they try too hard to be “pro” and end up bulky, fragile, and slow.
I wanted something solid enough for filmmakers but simple enough to toss in a backpack.
Then I found the Hohem iSteady M7.
What caught my attention wasn’t the design or price — it was the independent AI tracking system. Not app-based tracking that locks you into a clunky interface, but a fully self-contained camera and processor that follow your subject using real optics. That meant I could shoot in Blackmagic Camera, Filmic Pro, or even the native iPhone app and still have flawless tracking.
Two months later, it’s earned a permanent spot in my mobile kit.
Build Quality and First Impressions
Right out of the box, the M7 feels like a real filmmaking tool. It’s compact but substantial — not heavy, not cheap. The matte black finish, tactile buttons, and textured grip all feel intentional.
The control layout is intuitive: joystick, trigger, record, and a smooth scroll wheel for tilt or roll. Then there’s that clever little module perched on top — the AI lens unit. It magnetically attaches to the gimbal head and can be popped off to act as a wireless remote and tracking sensor.
If you’d like to pick up the Hohem iSteady M7—or explore any of the iPhone gear I use in my mobile rig—[click here to check out my recommended equipment list.]
That’s the M7’s secret weapon.
I realized quickly this wasn’t a gimbal pretending to be smart. It was actually smart — using onboard vision processing rather than relying on my phone’s CPU.
For the first time, I could set up my iPhone in its cinematic rig — anamorphic lens, filters, grip, and all — hit record in my preferred app, and the gimbal would still track me like a full-blown camera crew.
Tracking That Actually Works
Most gimbals that promise “AI tracking” require their companion app to function. Those apps are often restrictive — they override your exposure settings, limit resolution, or crush bitrate. That’s fine for casual users, but for creators shooting ProRes LOG or Cinematic HDR, it’s a deal-breaker.
The Hohem iSteady M7’s AI module flips that equation entirely.
It has its own built-in lens, image sensor, and processor dedicated to visual tracking. It’s not borrowing your phone’s camera feed; it’s watching you independently.
Here’s why that matters:
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🎯 The onboard camera “sees” you and directs the gimbal motors directly.
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🧠 It processes movement in real time, without needing Bluetooth or Wi-Fi feedback loops.
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📱 Because it’s separate, you can use any camera app — the native iPhone app, Blackmagic Camera, Filmic Pro, Beastcam, or whatever suits your workflow.
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🎥 You keep full creative control: ProRes, Log profiles, custom LUTs, external audio — no app limitations.
That independence is what sets the M7 apart. It’s a hardware-based tracking system, not a software workaround.
And it’s not just clever — it’s reliable. The AI lens locks onto a subject with surprising accuracy. I’ve had it follow me around my studio, behind lighting stands, even while I’m resetting props, and it stays glued to me like an attentive camera operator.
If you walk out of frame and return, it reacquires you automatically. If you want to pause tracking, just make a simple hand gesture. No buttons, no menus — it just works.
It’s the kind of feature that quietly changes how you shoot.
Pairing It With the iPhone 16 Pro Rig
My iPhone setup isn’t lightweight. I’m usually running:
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Freewell 1.33× Anamorphic Lens
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Magnetic ND + Mist Filters
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Sherpa Grip Cage
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Lark Max II Mics
Most gimbals groan under that much front-end weight, but the M7’s torque and balance system handle it with ease. The motor arms are strong, the counterweight adjustments have range, and the quick-release plate actually gives you fine control for balancing more complex rigs.
Once it’s balanced, the movement is cinematic — smooth pans, buttery tilts, graceful reveals. It’s like handheld motion with the polish of a dolly.
And that hidden 7.6-inch extension pole inside the handle? That’s a stealth feature I use constantly. It lets you boom up for overhead shots or drop low to skim along a table for that signature “floating” motion that looks like a slider move.
Behind-the-Scenes Storytelling: Adding Cinematic Motion
In client work, the story is in the final image. But on social media, the story is in the making — the process, the atmosphere, the rhythm behind the work.
That’s where the M7 shines.
I’ll mount it beside my main rig while lighting a drink, styling a dish, or prepping a set. It tracks me naturally as I move through the studio. No operator. No assistant. Just me and motion.
That subtle movement — a gentle drift, a soft follow — transforms setup footage into something cinematic. It’s no longer a “BTS clip”; it’s a micro-documentary.
Even small pans and glides make the content feel alive. That’s the beauty of motion: it pulls the viewer through the frame instead of leaving them static in front of it.
If you’d like to pick up the Hohem iSteady M7—or explore any of the iPhone gear I use in my mobile rig—[click here to check out my recommended equipment list.]
Real-World Use: Studio, Field, and Travel
Over the past two months, I’ve used the M7 everywhere.
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In the studio: It’s my invisible assistant. Mounted on a mini tripod, it quietly tracks while I set lights or plate food.
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In the field: It’s perfect for ASMR or ambient videos — slow, steady movement over textures and materials.
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On travel shoots: It folds down small, fits into my backpack, and sets up in seconds.
Battery life is around 8 hours, and the motors handle light wind or heavy phone rigs without complaint. It even has a built-in RGB/CCT fill light for quick handheld illumination when you’re shooting late or in dim restaurants.
Workflow Tips and Tricks
A few hard-earned tips from daily use:
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Balance first. Even though the motors are strong, good balance means longer life and smoother performance.
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Use gesture controls. Raise your hand to start or stop tracking — great for solo work.
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Slow the follow speed. Lower speed gives that professional, cinematic glide.
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Use the fill light sparingly. It’s perfect for eye catchlights but don’t rely on it for key lighting.
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Keep your rig minimal. The joy of the M7 is freedom — resist the urge to over-accessorize.
Why It’s Not for Client Shoots — and Why That’s Fine
I don’t use the M7 for client deliverables. My commercial work demands controlled movement, heavy tripods, and full-frame cinema rigs.
But for behind-the-scenes, social reels, and ASMR field content, it’s perfect.
It’s the bridge between my professional world and my audience’s world. It lets followers step inside the process without me stopping to frame every shot. It captures the atmosphere of creativity — the quiet clicks, the laughter, the little flubs that make it real.
And those moments build connection. People don’t just see your finished product — they see you.
The Hidden Benefits: Engagement, Creativity, and Momentum
What surprised me most wasn’t the footage — it was the freedom.
Once your hands are free and the camera follows your rhythm, you stop worrying about the frame and start living in it. That shift changes everything.
I find myself shooting more, experimenting more, posting more. The AI lens becomes your silent collaborator — no crew, no setup stress.
That’s where engagement happens: not from perfection, but from presence.
When your camera moves with you, your audience moves with you.
Why I Recommend It
Would I recommend the Hohem iSteady M7? Without hesitation.
If you’re a content creator, photographer, or filmmaker who wants fluid motion without giving up creative control — this gimbal hits the sweet spot.
It’s not trying to replace your main camera rig. It’s a creative amplifier — a portable companion for storytelling.
It’s especially valuable for creators like me who use the iPhone 16 Pro with external lenses, filters, and mics. The M7’s AI lens makes all that compatible because it doesn’t care which camera app you use. It simply follows your story.
That’s why it’s one of my favorite mobile tools of 2025.
Gear That Makes You Want to Shoot
At this point in my career, I’ve realized that the best gear isn’t necessarily the most expensive — it’s the gear that makes you want to create.
The Hohem iSteady M7 does that.
It doesn’t demand your attention; it rewards it. It gives motion to your moments, depth to your behind-the-scenes, and energy to your brand.
In a world obsessed with algorithms and attention spans, this little gimbal gives you something better—momentum.
Because storytelling isn’t static. And neither are we.
If you’d like to pick up the Hohem iSteady M7—or explore any of the iPhone gear I use in my mobile rig—[click here to check out my recommended equipment list.]
Written by Robert “Bigbobby” Gallagher
Commercial Photographer | Podcaster | ASMR Creator
📸 Studio L7 | Photography by Gallagher
