LuckyStudio 13
The Tapeless One
Would the merlin be a good substitute for a tripod or make shift tripod ? I travel in the outdoors much and trying to get as lightweight as possible.
Steadicam Merlin as tripod replacement ?
- Thread starter LuckyStudio 13
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dailyrushes
Active member
I have shot a lot of interviews with no tripod, but what I do is hold my elbows next to my body and try to also have the eyepiece against my cheek, and using the flip-out viewfinder for focus, composition, etc. This triangulates the camera pretty well and then the motions you get are much slower and dependent on your upper body motion only, which leave those little motions you make when adjusting the camera focus etc. while shooting. They don't look too bad for a lot of what I shoot. (interviews with bands and movie stars, etc.)
Thinking I could use some sort of steady option but not having the money, I bought a Manfrotto pogo stick which looked pretty useful and light, but then what you get is a side-to-side tilting motion if you move your body at all and this looks even worse!
So I've used the thing like, twice.
Another thing I use is a small flip-out handle for still photography which can be angled at a 45 degree angle upwards, this allows me to more securely hold the camera with my wrist motion minimized on the left.
But since buying the HVX, I've not used this much as I seem to be able to cradle the camera from below and still operate focus, zoom, iris etc.
I've been interested in getting the Merlin but can't justify the cost when I really need Cineform for my PC editing system.
Thinking I could use some sort of steady option but not having the money, I bought a Manfrotto pogo stick which looked pretty useful and light, but then what you get is a side-to-side tilting motion if you move your body at all and this looks even worse!
So I've used the thing like, twice.
Another thing I use is a small flip-out handle for still photography which can be angled at a 45 degree angle upwards, this allows me to more securely hold the camera with my wrist motion minimized on the left.
But since buying the HVX, I've not used this much as I seem to be able to cradle the camera from below and still operate focus, zoom, iris etc.
I've been interested in getting the Merlin but can't justify the cost when I really need Cineform for my PC editing system.
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
A Steadicam isn't really a tripod, and won't give you identical results in most situations. However you can in deed hold a perfectly still shot from a Steadicam too in many situations. Most Steadicam shots are part lockoff, though normally with a move too. If you need to walk around and then grab a still shot, or a quick pan, and then move on, a Steadicam would work. But if you need it to replace a tripod to hold the camera, for longer shots, etc, then it's not the right tool by far.
Note: You have zero chance of holding a tripod like shot with a Steadicam if it's windy. Even a light breeze will blow the camera around enough to loose the Tripod like lockoffs.
The real question becomes: Do you also need/want it for the Steadicam moves?
If yes, then a Merlin can also do most locked off shots. If not, then look into a lightwight monopod or super-lightweight tripod (Manfrotto has some prety light Carbon Fiber ones).
- Mikko
Note: You have zero chance of holding a tripod like shot with a Steadicam if it's windy. Even a light breeze will blow the camera around enough to loose the Tripod like lockoffs.
The real question becomes: Do you also need/want it for the Steadicam moves?
If yes, then a Merlin can also do most locked off shots. If not, then look into a lightwight monopod or super-lightweight tripod (Manfrotto has some prety light Carbon Fiber ones).
- Mikko