EX1, alternative to Steadicam Merlin - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

astute · 05-06-2008, 01:11 PM

Hello all,

I had a Glidecam 4000pro which worked fine with my Canon XH-A1. It was a bit heavy and clunky and it shifts a little bit but it did the job o-kay.

Now I bought a Tiffen Steadicam Merlin to see if this one would work with the EX1.
I have now been fiddling around with it for over two long afternoons and I am pretty sure I am not going to get it set up.

My Canon on the other hand found its balance in just over 15 minutes.
So, from this I kind of conclude that the EX1 just won't work with the Merlin.
(it stabilizes, but as soon as you move just a little it will choose an angle and just lean over in that direction. Maybe extra weights would help, but I am not too sure of that fixing everything).

Now the only solution that is respectable and not way out of my budget (about 1000,- euros) are the products from Varizoom.
Would a Monopod Varizoom work?

Any other suggestions in the 1k price range?

Let me know.
BR
Rik

Buck Forester · 05-06-2008, 04:59 PM

I'm looking at stabilizers for the EX1 too... why did you give up your Glidecam 4000? I was looking at getting one and I'm curious about your experiences.

astute · 05-06-2008, 11:23 PM

Hey there Buck.
I found that the Glidecam is just too light for the EX1. Adding extra weight sure did fix it but the GlideCam becomes a lot more heavy with extra weights.

If you compare a Merlin with a glidecam, for the Canon XH-A1, then the Glidecam is almost half as heavy then the Merlin. So without a vest the Glidecam is a proper workout.

I also found the Glidecam unhandy to work with because of the 2 "paddles" at the bottom. They are pretty large and easy to bump into with your knee / upper leg when hand held. I guess when using a vest, this problem doesn't occur.

In my line of work there is just not enough time for vests and cranes, I see something going on, and I have to run and shoot that. (I do a lot of live events and festivals, so everything happends unplanned around me)

I just like the Merlin better, especially for the XH-A1, but for the EX1 I couldn't get it configured with the normal amount of weights, adding extra made the whole lot just heavy and it felt not right (too much weight on the glidecam)

I found someone with a Varizoom and will check it out soon to see if the EX1 can balance on that. I just have to see when I can make time in my schedule for going there.

BR,
Rik

ezpop · 05-07-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astute

Any other suggestions in the 1k price range?

Let me know.
BR
Rik

It took me some time to figure that out,
get the Merlin accessory plate from B&H ($139), that will fix your problem,
I couldn't get EX1 in balance without it; hand held I could go about a minute;
after I got an arm and vest I thought I can load it with WA lens, QR adapter and light, but that is over the Merlin's capacity;
The cheapest decent sled I can find is $1300 from movcam, does anybody know any alternatives?
Thanks!

Buck Forester · 05-07-2008, 09:41 AM

I guess I'm confused... you're talking about the Glidecam 4000, right? I thought that one could handle cameras up to 10 lbs. But from what I read, the Steadicam Merlin is designed for cameras only up to 5 lbs... and the EX1 (even bare) weighs more than 5 lbs. The Steadicam Pilot goes up to 10 lbs, but that puppy is outrageously expensive.

I'm finding the single most difficult thing about making my complete studio package purchase is 'flying blind'... not being able to get my hands on any of this stuff and touch and feel... it's all internet investigation and online reviews. Monitors, software, tripods, cameras, capture cards, audio, jibs, lens adaptors, stabilizers, etc. Arrrgh! Ha!

astute · 05-07-2008, 09:50 AM

So ezpop, what you basically do is lengthen the arm of the Merlin so it has more leverage for the weights that connect at the end of the plate.
Or you actually put something on the plate?

I tried finding resellers for the Movcam but it seems to be near impossible. I live in Europe btw, but I cant find anything international.

Which Movcam where you talking about btw? The 350?

astute · 05-07-2008, 09:56 AM

Buck, I am talking about the 4000 and about the Merlin.
The Pilot works fine btw, but it is far out of my price range.

The Glidecam 4000 supports heavier cameras because it's just one big pole going downwards and has the weights on either side. So placing the camera in the middle should already balance it out. It's less complicated then the Merlin.

But because of the EX1 being so extremely unstable, it doesn't work with the "long straight pole" method.
It becomes very sensitive in 2 directions (because of the two paddles), unless you weigh the glidecam down a lot (make it overweight by adding a lot of weights thus making it sensitive from the bottom).

The reason I think is, because the glidecam has these 2 paddles, and the Merlin has round weights is very centralized, where the paddles are a lot wider. Not sure though.

The glidecams are very hard to test anyways because they are hard to set up, even if they are fit for it. That is why a forum like this helps. I read several posts that the Merlin doesn't work with the camera, but also some people say they did get it working, by adding extra weights or for example above here with the plate.

Tripods, adaptors, monitors and etc you can test more easy in real life at local stores and etc. Especially here in The Netherlands where everything is very close.
And software is downloadable before you buy it.

mik · 05-07-2008, 10:30 AM

http://www.sanda100.com/

This is a new brand of handheld stabilizer made in italy. I did not tried it, but users are pretty happy.

Here is the thread on the italian filmmaker forum where they talk about it. The price is around 360-400 € (but it can be more)

http://www.videomakers.net/index.php...wtopic&t=25458

Buck Forester · 05-07-2008, 10:39 AM

Thanks, astute! I'm looking for something I can take hiking/backpacking with me. I wonder how much extra weight one needs to put on the Merlin to make it workable? As for the rest of the stuff, I guess there's nothing in my area that carries serious video production equipment in a retail presentation. I'm looking at getting the JVC DT-24L1DU monitor, Microdolly jib, Sticky Pod mount for my kayak, Kona 3 card, Century Optics adaptors, etc., stuff you just don't typically find displayed in typical electronics stores. I wish there was a B&H Photo retail store in the Sacramento area! But I guess it's the nature of the beast. There's a lot of individual components that go into make a high-end home studio, both audio and video, especially for post-production. So far I'm up to $50,000 and that's just based on one Sony EX1 for acquisition.

Buck Forester · 05-07-2008, 10:42 AM

Thanks mik... I wish was bilingual! I can't understand the forum. The footage looks nice... any other specs, such as a photo of the stabilizer, weight, weight capacity, etc.?

It seems like the EX1 is straddling the line of being too big for the small handheld camcorder stabilizers. That's one reason I'm looking forward to the RED Scarlet... it'll be 3K rez and smaller/lighter (it appears anyway).

05-06-2008, 01:11 PM	#1
astute Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 37	EX1, alternative to Steadicam Merlin Hello all, I had a Glidecam 4000pro which worked fine with my Canon XH-A1. It was a bit heavy and clunky and it shifts a little bit but it did the job o-kay. Now I bought a Tiffen Steadicam Merlin to see if this one would work with the EX1. I have now been fiddling around with it for over two long afternoons and I am pretty sure I am not going to get it set up. My Canon on the other hand found its balance in just over 15 minutes. So, from this I kind of conclude that the EX1 just won't work with the Merlin. (it stabilizes, but as soon as you move just a little it will choose an angle and just lean over in that direction. Maybe extra weights would help, but I am not too sure of that fixing everything). Now the only solution that is respectable and not way out of my budget (about 1000,- euros) are the products from Varizoom. Would a Monopod Varizoom work? Any other suggestions in the 1k price range? Let me know. BR Rik

05-07-2008, 10:30 AM	#8
mik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Parma - Italy Posts: 112	http://www.sanda100.com/ This is a new brand of handheld stabilizer made in italy. I did not tried it, but users are pretty happy. Here is the thread on the italian filmmaker forum where they talk about it. The price is around 360-400 € (but it can be more) http://www.videomakers.net/index.php...wtopic&t=25458 __________________

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05-06-2008, 04:59 PM	#2
Buck Forester Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 635	I'm looking at stabilizers for the EX1 too... why did you give up your Glidecam 4000? I was looking at getting one and I'm curious about your experiences.

05-06-2008, 11:23 PM	#3
astute Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 37	Hey there Buck. I found that the Glidecam is just too light for the EX1. Adding extra weight sure did fix it but the GlideCam becomes a lot more heavy with extra weights. If you compare a Merlin with a glidecam, for the Canon XH-A1, then the Glidecam is almost half as heavy then the Merlin. So without a vest the Glidecam is a proper workout. I also found the Glidecam unhandy to work with because of the 2 "paddles" at the bottom. They are pretty large and easy to bump into with your knee / upper leg when hand held. I guess when using a vest, this problem doesn't occur. In my line of work there is just not enough time for vests and cranes, I see something going on, and I have to run and shoot that. (I do a lot of live events and festivals, so everything happends unplanned around me) I just like the Merlin better, especially for the XH-A1, but for the EX1 I couldn't get it configured with the normal amount of weights, adding extra made the whole lot just heavy and it felt not right (too much weight on the glidecam) I found someone with a Varizoom and will check it out soon to see if the EX1 can balance on that. I just have to see when I can make time in my schedule for going there. BR, Rik

05-07-2008, 09:41 AM	#5
Buck Forester Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 635	I guess I'm confused... you're talking about the Glidecam 4000, right? I thought that one could handle cameras up to 10 lbs. But from what I read, the Steadicam Merlin is designed for cameras only up to 5 lbs... and the EX1 (even bare) weighs more than 5 lbs. The Steadicam Pilot goes up to 10 lbs, but that puppy is outrageously expensive. I'm finding the single most difficult thing about making my complete studio package purchase is 'flying blind'... not being able to get my hands on any of this stuff and touch and feel... it's all internet investigation and online reviews. Monitors, software, tripods, cameras, capture cards, audio, jibs, lens adaptors, stabilizers, etc. Arrrgh! Ha!

05-07-2008, 09:50 AM	#6
astute Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 37	So ezpop, what you basically do is lengthen the arm of the Merlin so it has more leverage for the weights that connect at the end of the plate. Or you actually put something on the plate? I tried finding resellers for the Movcam but it seems to be near impossible. I live in Europe btw, but I cant find anything international. Which Movcam where you talking about btw? The 350?

05-07-2008, 09:56 AM	#7
astute Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 37	Buck, I am talking about the 4000 and about the Merlin. The Pilot works fine btw, but it is far out of my price range. The Glidecam 4000 supports heavier cameras because it's just one big pole going downwards and has the weights on either side. So placing the camera in the middle should already balance it out. It's less complicated then the Merlin. But because of the EX1 being so extremely unstable, it doesn't work with the "long straight pole" method. It becomes very sensitive in 2 directions (because of the two paddles), unless you weigh the glidecam down a lot (make it overweight by adding a lot of weights thus making it sensitive from the bottom). The reason I think is, because the glidecam has these 2 paddles, and the Merlin has round weights is very centralized, where the paddles are a lot wider. Not sure though. The glidecams are very hard to test anyways because they are hard to set up, even if they are fit for it. That is why a forum like this helps. I read several posts that the Merlin doesn't work with the camera, but also some people say they did get it working, by adding extra weights or for example above here with the plate. Tripods, adaptors, monitors and etc you can test more easy in real life at local stores and etc. Especially here in The Netherlands where everything is very close. And software is downloadable before you buy it.

05-07-2008, 10:39 AM	#9
Buck Forester Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 635	Thanks, astute! I'm looking for something I can take hiking/backpacking with me. I wonder how much extra weight one needs to put on the Merlin to make it workable? As for the rest of the stuff, I guess there's nothing in my area that carries serious video production equipment in a retail presentation. I'm looking at getting the JVC DT-24L1DU monitor, Microdolly jib, Sticky Pod mount for my kayak, Kona 3 card, Century Optics adaptors, etc., stuff you just don't typically find displayed in typical electronics stores. I wish there was a B&H Photo retail store in the Sacramento area! But I guess it's the nature of the beast. There's a lot of individual components that go into make a high-end home studio, both audio and video, especially for post-production. So far I'm up to $50,000 and that's just based on one Sony EX1 for acquisition.

05-07-2008, 10:42 AM	#10
Buck Forester Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 635	Thanks mik... I wish was bilingual! I can't understand the forum. The footage looks nice... any other specs, such as a photo of the stabilizer, weight, weight capacity, etc.? It seems like the EX1 is straddling the line of being too big for the small handheld camcorder stabilizers. That's one reason I'm looking forward to the RED Scarlet... it'll be 3K rez and smaller/lighter (it appears anyway).