merlin with dvx,rode ntg2,senn g2 & vidled led?

A

ade4all

Veteran
sorry if this has been asked before but couldn't find a definite answer, & have struggled to work out the combined weight of all these accessories

i need to know if the steadicam merlin can handle the dvx100 with rode ntg2 & sabra som shockmount, sennheiser g2 receiver & a vidled led light with the external battery. i have a small 1600mah battery though would ideally like to use the 5400 battery. in a perfect world i would also like to add the century optics .6 wide angle also but i presume i am asking for a miracle here. i am aware there is an accessory plate i could also buy to add the g2 below, but the merlin is stretching my budget so if any of the below configurations work without that'd be cool (will buy it if necessary though)

i will be filming at a few major festivals in the uk this summer & would like to use a stabiliser, the merlin is definitely my 1st choice but know that it can ownly hold 5.5lbs max & thats pushing it. the merlin cookbook states the dvx & battery at 4.2 lbs but doesnt say which battery. so these are likely to be my set ups - could anyone tell me which of these will work

1. dvx, 1600 battery, rode, sabra som, vidled & senn g2 (nighttime shooting)

2. as above but without the vidled led (daytime shooting)

3. as 2 but with .6 wide angle added

4. worst case scenario at nighttime - dvx, 1600 battery,senn g2, vidled led (no rode)

5. wishful thinking - as number 1 but with wide angle too

if all of these are rediculous & over 5.5lbs then which accessories can i put on - the sennheiser g2 is a must - i'll be following someone around who will be talking as we go, i guess i could use the onboard mic for background sound but don't think it will do the 'sounds' of a music festival justice. at nighttime i must use the vidled or it's not really worth filming

as i say i was hoping to get the merlin - if this is not possible would the glidecam 2000 manage with set up number 1, or even number 5?

thankyou for your time & wisdom
 
Unfortunatly all these set up will probably prove too heavy for the Merlin. In fact they will most likly prove too heavy for any handheld rig.

Look into either a body mounted Steadicam, like the Flyer; or a shouler mount like the DV-Rig.

- Mikko
 
oh bugger, thanks for the reality check Mikko. Problem is i definitely can't afford the flyer - & really had my heart set on getting the merlin, i have many other uses for it other than just the festival films. So being stubborn, stupid, call it what you like I've been doing a bit of rough maths & was wondering if there is a way of at least using some of this equipment together. I have dispensed with the idea of using the sabra som shockmount with the hope that the dvx mic holder would be ok to hold the rode mic given that the 'isolating' qualities of the merlin may be enough to reduce handling noise - any truth in this theory?

dvx100 & battery 4.2lbs
rode ntg2 with deadcat & xlr cable & dvx mic holder 11oz (rode mic specs say 5oz for mic with battery - i'll be using phantom power so battery not needed - but then my electronic scales said 6oz for just the mic without battery - have gone for the heavier weight & decided to 'trust' my scales)
Vidled light, battery & shoemount 13.4oz
century optics .6 wide angle 7oz

sennheiser g2 receiver 5.6oz
if i was to buy the merlin accessory plate i could mount the g2 on it & so do not have to count this weight i presume?

From this it is clear that i could not use the rode & vidled at the same time as total weight is 5.7 lbs
However, my dodgy maths deduces that I could combine the rode mic & wide angle lens in the daytime 5.35 lbs
& use the vidled with wide angle at nightime 5.45 lbs
I am even thinking could i wear the vidled like a headtorch at night time in order to also use the rode mic - however the image this creates in my mind leads me to my next question -
Am i going mad?? should i just accept it's not possible & move on, or is there some semblance of truth in my work around on the weight carrying issue? Are there other factors such as weight distribution that make my basic maths & other compromises completely unworkable?
If so I apologise in advance for wasting peoples time - i guess I just really want to buy the steadicam merlin.

as a side note to this overlong post, i would love to have just gone to a supplier & tried it all out myself but there are no such suppliers within easy reach of me & due to the crazy prices here in the uk i was going to get my sister to purchase it for me from b&h in New York next week (she's an air hostess you see)
thankyou
 
If you REALLY need to shave off the last few ounces, you could always get a DELUXE Vidled which includes the battery pack (~11oz), albeit at a reduced running time (compared with the other battery options).
 
I think all Steadicam operators are slightly mad. As are DVXuser memebers. :)

Your math is good, however there is one more variable: leverage. The "Higher" on your camera you have an accessory, the furthur from the gimble it is and the more effect it has. - That's why a Steadicam has the counterwerights far away from the gimble. As a result, if you have the VedLed up high it will weigh too much. Down lower it might be workable.


You are right that anything attached to the Merlin below the gimble does not (immediatly) count towards your weight limit, as is just replaces counterweights. Now your accessories below can't outweigh the exsisting counterweights of course, but that's still a decent amount of payload.

So yes, stick the Accessory plate on and put your mic reciver down there. The look at what else you can move below the gimble?
How are you powering your VidLed? If it's one with an external battery, use a short extansion cable and mount the battery down at the accessory plate too.
Maybe find a way to mount the shotgun down lower on the Merlin?

Beacuse of the number of configurations possible, it's hard to predict what will and what won't work. As it sounds like either way you have a use for the Merlin, and you are able to work with it's restrictions at times if necesarry; I'd recomend you simply get one and start experimenting! It's the best way to find out what will and won't work for you. Plus, on the flip side, if it really doesn't work for you, you can return it. :)

- Mikko
 
thanks for all your time & great advice Mikko, got the answer i guess i wanted to hear, was aware of the physics relating to leverage - don't know how i can mount the rode any lower than the dvx mic holder but will look into it.

Regarding the mic placement - will mounting it in that holder on the right make my set up too 'right' heavy for easy flying, is it just vertical weight that plays with the leverage issue or does horizontal weight cause problems too?

Like your idea with the vidled battery - & yes i got the 1 with external battery so although i appreciate vidled's extra purchase suggestion :thumbsup: , it may have been an unwittingly clever choice i made as regards weight distribution (i nearly bought the deluxe model). Am a bit worried of having a lot of cable dangling between my camera & the bottom of the merlin (with senn g2 lead as well) but i'm sure i can come up with a neat & tidy solution.

I presume i can get a longer lead for the vidled at any decent electrics shop or does it have unique connectors?
Regarding the merlin accessory plate, can i get that in the uk or at least europe or do i have to get it sent over from the u.s.? (feel guilty buying even more stuff from abroad) Also being the tight arse that i am i may see 1st if i can find my own way of attaching the g2 & vidled battery to the weights at the bottom of the merlin or even to the bottom of the merlin handle - or will this impede the way the merlin counterbalances?
Sorry i think i'm asking too many little questions which with a bit of effort & having the merlin in my own sweaty mitts, i can find the answers to

So I'm going to go for it & use my sister as a 'merlin mule' (that sounds plain wrong) Thanks again for your help & patience Mikko, you're a goodun, I'll report back on my findings just as soon as i can, it may be of some use for other folk who want to abuse the merlin's weight limits.
So excited at getting my new toy, I love spending my money on fun stuff

By the way Vidled your light is fantastic, so :beer: for you & while i'm at it :dankk2: :beer::thumbsup: to you Mikko (sorry never used these before, makes me feel all warm inside in a sad little way)
 
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ade4all said:
I presume i can get a longer lead for the vidled at any decent electrics shop or does it have unique connectors?
Click to expand...

:beer: Back at ya! :)
For a longer cable, just send me an email (with your original purchase name), and we can hook you up with any length you want (max. 120cm).

Cheers
 
Vidled; you rock. :thumbsup:

Ade4all;
No you can't put anything on the handle of the Merlin without crossing (and therefore breaking) the isolation provided by the gimble with the cable/wire.

Wrap the cables between the top and bottom of the rig around the spar of the merlin (not too tightly!) and they will be kept neatly out of the way.

Unless in the extreme (not likly) side to side placement of stuff up on the stage (the bit where the camera goes) is easily corrected for with a timple horizontal re-trim. Lerger offets/loads might need the use of a different camera mounting hole in the dovetial plate, but again, a simple adjustmenbt built into Merlin. Side-to-side placement, just as fore-aft placement, has no effect on vertical balance, which is where the weight limits are imposed.

Note: Items placed below the stage should always be mounted so that they are center balanced in the side-to-side direction. Tyring to move teh camera sideways to correct for an side-heavy base will cause balanceing trouble.

Speaking of weight limits. When you are loading up gear onto your camera, use only the normal counterweights first. Only then replace the counterweights with the accessory plate and any accessories. It is of course possible to add more accessories to the base of the rig than the maximum orinial counterweights weigh, and in turn this makes it possible to overload the camera.
The risk here is that it is easy to load up more total payload than the Merlin gimble was designed for, which can quickly result in a warped or broken gimble.
Make sure you don't overload the Merlin when adding accessories above and below the gimble!

I'm not sure who would be the UK dealers for the acessory plate, check with the manufacturer: www.jimfarrell.com/merlin/ It is also available at B&H.

- Mikko
 
thanks again Mikko for the advice & the warnings, will follow your guidelines very carefully, have had a little play with the merlin a few months ago & had a feeling even slack leads would influence & break the isolation, what a sensitive little lady she be. As for my idea to scimp on the accessory plate & find a way of attaching stuff to the bottom of the merlin, i guess the only way to know is to try (making sure everything is centrally balanced as you say) but I presume i will end up frustrating myself, it costs that much for a reason. was going to get my sister to go to b&h so if it's in stock i think i may just bite the bullet & get the plate as well
cheers
 
Vidled, does that mean i can't get a lead with the right connectors here in the uk? It just feels wrong on an eco level to me to get a little lead flown over from the u.s. if i can shop local. (i know this sounds hypocritical considering I've got your light & i'm getting the merlin from there but i gota draw my line somewhere i suppose). If this is the case then i am happy to get it from you, but will get the lighting wizard at my work to have a look, he uses led's a lot to light the displays for the galleries & museums here, & was very intrigued with your light
 
sorry, 1 last question before my curiosity is quenched & i buy the thing, how does it stand up to being used as a shoulder brace? on the tiffen website it mentions that you can fold it up & then use in this way - naturally i will not be filming all of the festival in steadicam mode (would probably bring on a whitey for the viewer) - if i can quickly & easily use it as a shoulder brace without having to alter the configuration & just fold it out & fly when i need to, this would be perfect for my needs - feel i could also dispense with tripod altogether & use the merlin in fly mode for some nice smooth pans
 
ade4all said:
Vidled, does that mean i can't get a lead with the right connectors here in the uk?
Click to expand...

The connection is a common one: a 2.1mm center pin with an 5.5mm outer diameter, center pin being positive. I am not sure how common a cable is with two ends, each with plugs. And we can supply a special plug that is threaded onto the VIDLED for a secure fit.
My offer, by the way, was to ship you custom made cable (you specify the length you want, and choose between a coiled cable or a straight one) for free, no charge to you = gratis.
 
Vidled you are a true gent, that's a wonderful gesture & suddenly my attempt at being green gets tossed aside - if my work mate can't do it then i would love to take you up on this, i will email you as soon as i get the merlin in my hands & work out the spec
gota deserve a few more of these little fellas:dankk2: :2vrolijk_08: :) :thumbsup: :beer:
 
Yup, the Merlin's shoulder mode works prety well. - I actually prefer it with the accessory plate as it makes for a slightly wider shoulder "pad". When you fold it, the base fo rhte sled is the bit that ends up on your shoulder. Once you try it, you'll be able to decide if it can replace a tripod for your application.

- Mikko
 
sorry to bump this thread again but have now got my merlin but b&h didn't have the accessory plate.
vidled very generously offered to send a longer lead so that i could attach the battery of his light to the plate - just wanted to know how long it should be, will be mounting the light to the cameras shoe mount - makes it a bit more tricky to fly being so high up, but hey it still works - i'm presuming it screws onto the lower weights & extends from there but, not knowing the length of the plate i'd like to get the lead spot on in length so that it's not dangling about too much. was hoping someone (mikko perhaps) could tell me?
i will hopefully be getting the plate next week when my sister goes back to new york & was hoping to order the lead off vidled asap so that i could use it at an event in 2 weeks time (will also order a similar length lead for my sennheiser g2)
by the way the merlin is fantastic, i love it & am getting the hang of it slowly but surely - takes only a couple of minutes from getting my stuff out of the bag to balancing & flying with the little wonder, & am surprised how nicely it works folded up as a shoulder support - perfect for the documentary stuff i'm doing right now. can't recommend it enough
 
You can figure out the cable length by mounting your camera and using a peice of string to simulate the cable. - Then measure the string.

You will need about 2-4 inches of cable past the end of the bottom spar, depending on how the VidLed battery is configured (where it's power output is, etc...)

Be sure to include how you plan to route your cable, for exmple you will need a little more if you want to wrap the cable around the spar (a good way to do it). If you are wraping the cable, be sure to give a bit of slack at the hange so that you can still fold the rig too.

- Mikko
 
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