Please help! why won't my HVX200e balance on my merlin steadicam?

K

kenbostero

Member
This is driving me crazy. Does anyone know how this can be achieved as the cookbook settings are not working for me.
1. stage position at +1? the how does that extra screw come into play with the heavy cams if its no where near it on the stage?
2. turning the guide ring to -2? ok how does that work? do I turn the guide all the way out till I can see all the grooves? the manual does not explain this well at all, please can someone clarify or just tell me as if I am dumb.
3. Can I use the bigger battery with this unit as I only have that size?

I figure if I can't balance this sucker its going back tomorrow, even the M2 converter was easier to construct than this nightmare...
thanks,
kenb
 
Patience. :)


Turn the guide ring all the way in, then back it out 2 turns, and you will be at "-2".

The "Gezornenplatz" screw is supposed to press softly against the underside of the from of the camera/lens. It basically takes out any "play" in the camera mounting to the stage.


Not sure how big your larger battery is. Is this a new Merlin with metal gimbal, or a "classic" "Signature Series" version?

If you suspect you have too much weight on there, try removing the lens shade and see if you can balance that way (note that that will mean a slight re-balance.

Learning to balance the Steadicam is the first - and initially most humbling - step of learning to operate. But learning to do it properly is well worth it, and will help you in the long run. Don't let the rig frustrate you. If you are having trouble, take a break, and come back later, watch the DVD again, take another look at the manual. Look, feel, how the rig is acting. What is wrong? Then work one adjustment at a time, experimenting with how each one affects the system, and you will get there and it'll be a snap to use.

Don't give up; it's more afraid of you than you are of it. :)

- Mikko
 
kenbostero said:
3. Can I use the bigger battery with this unit as I only have that size?
Click to expand...

I had the same problem when I got my "signature series" Merlin.
I needed to get a smaller size battery for the HVX, then I could balance it fine.
Once it's balanced, the results are awesome.

Good luck.
 
I opted for a smaller sized battery in my testing, because the stock battery still made the Panny a little top heavy.

Other Panny users report, however, that you can use a stock Panasonic with the Merlin with the larger battery. They add a couple of large metal washers between the lower weights.

Tiffen advises against this procedure because it affects the overall rigidity and the precision milled nature of the Merlin.
 
thanks very much guys I'll try it again and resist sending it back, hopefully my wrist will recover soon which is a ***** as I edit for a living.
cheers again!
ken
 
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