Merlin opinions and more

Alternative_3

Alternative_3

Active member
I have a DVX100a and have been looking into a stabilizer for a few weeks now. My budget is $1000. As of right this second, I am leaning towards the Merlin, which I've read almost nothing but great things about. Also in the game is the Indicam and Glidecam.

Now I've read and re-read several threads on the topic, and I feel the Merlin is the right choice. I guess I'm looking for confirmation.:)

I intend on using the stabilizer extensively for a feature I'm shooting in a couple of months. Probably have a wide angle lens on my dvx as well, so will the added weight be a problem?

Any responses are greatly appreciated.
 
Which Wide-angle lens do you plan to use? - how much does it weigh? Also, which batteries will you be using on your camera for the shots in question.


- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Which Wide-angle lens do you plan to use? - how much does it weigh? Also, which batteries will you be using on your camera for the shots in question.


- Mikko
Click to expand...

I'll be using the century optics .6 wide angle. And the standard DVX battery. I don't know the weight of the lens. I haven't received it yet, but I believe the shipping weight is 2lbs. Not sure if that's the exact lens weight though.
 
i bought a merlin about 6 months ago and love it. it took me a few days to get used to it. My shots are still not perfect but they're getting there. and every time i use it i get better at it.

weight is a huge issue with this thing. I have a small battery that came with my 100a that is perfect. i also have a larger battery that came with my 100b. the difference between the two batteries with the Merlin is night and day. With the big one it is very difficult to control and the little one is very easy. I use my big battery as a warm up - like with a heavy bat in a baseball game. Then when we're ready to shoot I put on the small battery and its like butter, baby.
 
I bought a Merlin about a week ago. I used it on a shoot today with excellent results. The more I use it the better I get at it and the better results I get. It flys a DVC 80, the 60i version of the DVX 100.
I have not used it with any other equipment yet so I can't answer how well it will work with a lens or light or mic etc.
It is very easy to balance and works like a hot damn!
 
OK first off I want to say I am a steadicam fan! I love the Merlin. So yes, if you have a need for a REAL STEADICAM device for the DVX the Merlin is your tool.
 
Now that my truck has gone kaput on me, I may only ba able to afford the Glidecam. I'd rather have the Merlin, but there's no telling when I would have the cash. Any preferences, and are the pros for the Merlin based around the wrist fatigue level?
 
The Merlin is more expensive, but generally agreed to be the better rig.

Both rigs can get you fantastic results.

The Merlin's most notable features over the Glidecam are:
  • Most importantly; the Merlin places the weight over your hand. The Glidecam puts the weight out to the side and creates huge tourqe on your wrist. You will get tired with the Merlin after some time, the Glidecam will actually hurt.
  • Merlin is hugly lighter than the Glidecam - in fact the Merlin with a light camera mounted and balanced can weigh less than the Glidecam without camera or counterweights!
  • Merlin has a built in quick-release adapter, and included matching tripod plate, for fast switching between Merlin and other mounts. For the glidecam you'll need to buy a quick-release kit that matches your tripod - this will also add more weight to the Glidecam & need more counterweights. Without a quick-release, the glidecam must be re-balanced every time you mount the camera.
  • The Merlin uses trim rollers for all adjustments - they are self-locking and can be adjusted at any time, some of theme even mid flight, in secconds. The Glidecam has 8 wingnuts that you have to unscrew to make adjustments, then tighten and check and then repeat!
  • Merlin is far more compact - you can fold it down and back to shooting mode again without having to re-adjust balance settings.
So the benefits of the Merlin won't neceserally show up in your actual shots, but they make using the rig much more convinienet, faster, and fun! A glidecam can producde similar results, but it takes more time to prep, isn't nearly as convenient, and will wear you out much faster.

The Glidecam's only main advantage is that it can carry more, however there is question as to how long the opreator can really carry that much weight and maintain control of the rig.


- Mikko
 
I'll add two more things: Steadicam just came out with and arm and a vest for the Merlin which is build like a Mini Flyer. So that if you end up using the Merlin a lot, you could upgrade to the arm and vest without loosing your initial investment. Second, because we are so close to NAB, I would wait until NAB is over to check out the new or updated products that come out of the show. I actually wouldn't be surprised if the Merlin got some kind of update as well.
 
Thanks guys. I'm scratching together some cash and credit and I'm going with the Merlin.

One question for Mikko-can the Merlin handle a DVX100a, a standard battery and a century optics .6 wide angle lens?

Thanks
 
"# Merlin is hugly lighter than the Glidecam - in fact the Merlin with a light camera mounted and balanced can weigh less than the Glidecam without camera or counterweights!"

lol, who cares, hes using a dvx!

i can balance my glidecam in under a minute, i also paid 200 bucks for it.

if you are really "scratching together some cash and credit", i would concider getting the 2000. It is slightly heavier than the merlin and perhaps the ergonomics are a bit off compared to the merlin, but the final result is identical. ( obviously with some serious practice practice practice )

If you are worrying about the difference between a setup of 20 seconds, and a setup of 2 minutes, then yes go merlin.
If a quick release plate is the difference between wanting oen and not wanting one, then yeah go merlin
If spending somewhere around double the price is important enough for those things then go merlin.

If you want something that will give you aamzing shots in the end of the day, either one will do.

I took my glidecam out 5 days straight when i visited prague, and recorded more than an hour of footage each day, completely glidecam'd. Basically going around the streets in increments of 3-4 hours at a time using my little bad boy and i was extremely happy with. All htat to say, by the fifth day, my elbow area was starting to give me some pain, but thats my fault as i was too trigger happy to capture absolutely everything i saw.

Either one will do, just figure out what works for your needs.
 
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not to change the topic here but is it possible to use Merlin with DVX100b + M2 combo? I have been thinking about a steadcam and Merlin is within my budget .

Thanks,

-Krish
 
krish said:
not to change the topic here but is it possible to use Merlin with DVX100b + M2 combo? I have been thinking about a steadcam and Merlin is within my budget .

Thanks,

-Krish
Click to expand...

no. you would need a rig that supports cameras up to 10 pounds.

if i may suggest, most poeople who own an adapter decide to take it off for steadicam shots. Reason being its impractical when it comes to focusing and so on. Just zoom in slightly to creat SOME depth of field, lock your camera onto auto focus, and match the image in post.
 
PaPa said:
"# Merlin is hugly lighter than the Glidecam - in fact the Merlin with a light camera mounted and balanced can weigh less than the Glidecam without camera or counterweights!"

lol, who cares, hes using a dvx!

i can balance my glidecam in under a minute, i also paid 200 bucks for it.

if you are really "scratching together some cash and credit", i would concider getting the 2000. It is slightly heavier than the merlin and perhaps the ergonomics are a bit off compared to the merlin, but the final result is identical. ( obviously with some serious practice practice practice )

If you are worrying about the difference between a setup of 20 seconds, and a setup of 2 minutes, then yes go merlin.
If a quick release plate is the difference between wanting oen and not wanting one, then yeah go merlin
If spending somewhere around double the price is important enough for those things then go merlin.

If you want something that will give you aamzing shots in the end of the day, either one will do.

I took my glidecam out 5 days straight when i visited prague, and recorded more than an hour of footage each day, completely glidecam'd. Basically going around the streets in increments of 3-4 hours at a time using my little bad boy and i was extremely happy with. All htat to say, by the fifth day, my elbow area was starting to give me some pain, but thats my fault as i was too trigger happy to capture absolutely everything i saw.

Either one will do, just figure out what works for your needs.
Click to expand...

Arg! I'm torn. Obviously saving $400 would be great for me as I could put that money into something else. The wrist thing doesn't make me too apprehensive because I'm a carpenter and frankly, my wrists elbows and shoulders are pretty well conditioned for abuse after ten years.

I'll have to see how my finances shake out over the next day or so. But I would welcome more opinions, so keep 'em coming.
 
I feel for you... And unfortunatly there isn't a good answer. I like the Merlin because I like Steadicam, I own a Flyer, I have tried the Merlin once, an was impressed by its portability, it folds neatly (good it you take it on your travel), and like everything from Steadicam, you pay for a very well engineer piece of gear. As far as the technology, it is superior to the Glidcam and more precise. But it doesn't nessecerely make it better, as far as the end result, to the Glidecam. So what's the answer? Well if my budget was limited, I would get the Glidecam and use the $400 toward some other equipment I might need as well. Actually I would try to get a used Glidecam on ebay. If you find yourself using it a lot, a year or so from now you can always get something that's nicer.
 
PaPa said:
"# Merlin is hugly lighter than the Glidecam - in fact the Merlin with a light camera mounted and balanced can weigh less than the Glidecam without camera or counterweights!"

lol, who cares, hes using a dvx!
Click to expand...

The heavier the camera, the more important the lightness of the rig is.


I'm genuinly curious; Papa, How much does your Glidecam weigh when balanced with a DVX? (Including weights, betwttery, the lot)
I'll check on the Merlin...



If you can afford it, the Merlin is well well worth the price diference. If you positivly can't afford it, then the Glidecam can be used to achive similar shots at the cost of incovenience, longer setup time, etc..

I've never heard of a Merlin owner who regretted their purchase.


No handheld stabiliser will work with a 35mm adapter. The whole system just wieghs too much to carry. Then keep in mind that to control focus on a 35mm lens (which is the whole point of a 35mm adpater) you will need a wireless follow-focus which adds more weight, and some thousands to the cost. Plus you need a very good focus-puller to pull focus with a Steadicam. Run a search for "Steadicam adapter" and you'll find some threads that go into the details.

- Mikko
 
HVX and Merlin?

HVX and Merlin?

If the DVX100 is at the limit of the Merlin, does that mean the HVX200 won't fly?

(I've got an old Steadicam JR, which I had a lot of fun with in my Hi8 days, and I'm wondering what a good miniDV or HDV camera would be to put on the JR...that I could cut in with my HVX footage.)
 
The Merlin will fly the HVX200 with one card and a medium or small size battery.

Any accessories (like a mic reciever) need to be mounted to the Merlin below the gimble in place of some of the counterweights. The Merlin Accessory plate is the best bet for this.

- Mikko
 
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