Forgive This Poor Clip - Merlin For Mikko

mikkowilson said:
You don't need a QR plate, the Merlin has one built in and comes with the extra plate for the tripod too!
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Do either of these plates enable you to use your tripod as a balancing stand for trimming the Merlin?



mikkowilson said:
Also, try to relax your carying arm a little (strange as it's holding the weight) but make it a little more flexible so that it "rides" the bumps of your steps. - Don't be too tense :)
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Do you mean like when you are carrying a full to the brim cup of hot coffee with no lid and you're walking fast....you have to let your carrying arm relax and sort of absorb or smooth out your walking so you dont spill anything? :)


rlm7189 said:
I have to say, you have me sold. It really is on my wish list, now.
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Yeah, I've got the cash to spend, and cant find one in stock anywhere I would feel comfortable sending my money. :mad: Figures.

We will have to keep living vicariously through you, ncje! So keep the clips a'coming!
thumbsup.gif
 
heisest said:
And what is this?? Or are your pulling our legs??
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No, its a real thing. To kinda paraphrase the manual, "Because mounting structures are often less than rigid, when you are running or moving violently and your hands are shaking, there may be some relative movement between the front of the camera and the Merlin stage."

You use the "thingy" to help dampen this vibration and beef up the rigidity of the mounting structure.
 
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thartley said:
Do either of these plates enable you to use your tripod as a balancing stand for trimming the Merlin?
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No the plate is only for mounting the camera on the Merlin or on your tripod. - To balance a Merlin you just pick it up to do it. - the major adjustments (weights and the arc-size) need you to hold the rig anyway, and the finer adjustments are done with the trim rollers when holding it in flight (you can even do it mid shot if you are good!)

thartley said:
Do you mean like when you are carrying a full to the brim cup of hot coffee with no lid and you're walking fast....you have to let your carrying arm relax and sort of absorb or smooth out your walking so you dont spill anything? :)
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EXACTLY!
You still have to provide the same upwards force to carry it, but you let your arm flex a little (actually "lowering" your arm when your body moves up) to keep the Merlin (or cup) at about the same height.


Yes the G-platz screw is real. To add to Thartley's explanation: It's a little screw that you screw into the front of the Merlin to "wedge" in under the front of the camera to make sure it's nice and tight. (without ripping out the threads in your camera by over tightening the main camera-mounting screw.)


Given the current stock pattern at B&H, I'd be willing to bet that if you order one from them, they will ship it within about 10 days as they tend to get just enough to go in stock - they must then fill any orders they have by then too before listing "in stock". Waiting until they are listed as in stock might end up being one of the first orders from the next batch they get if you are unlucky. :(

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Given the current stock pattern at B&H, I'd be willing to bet that if you order one from them, they will ship it within about 10 days as they tend to get just enough to go in stock - they must then fill any orders they have by then too before listing "in stock". Waiting until they are listed as in stock might end up being one of the first orders from the next batch they get if you are unlucky. :(

- Mikko
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I am calling them tomorrow and asking if I can go ahead and do that. Feels kinda like buying a lottery ticket and hoping your number comes up this week. heh!
 
mikkowilson said:
I play the lottery every week.

- Mikko ... "next week"
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What the hell...I'll buy both. Lottery ticket AND a Merlin. (I should have a dollar left after the Merlin purchase!)

cant waiting! (I know its not a phrase for real, but it should be) :p
 
Not to go off subject, but does anyone know the music used in the DAy 2 practice. I loved it! Great footage you are definitely more steady than I.
 
spotlightpro said:
Not to go off subject, but does anyone know the music used in the DAy 2 practice. I loved it! Great footage you are definitely more steady than I.
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Or just PM ncje...I'm sure he'd let you know. :)
 
spotlightpro said:
Not to go off subject, but does anyone know the music used in the DAy 2 practice. I loved it! Great footage you are definitely more steady than I.
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I believe that's from the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack.
 
The track on Day two practice is from Requiem for a dream. I have day four practice, but its late so Ill post it up tomorrow.. Im a little tired.
 
ncje said:
Third Practice Session

Powerdog next time, already finished this one.

I was bumbed because I thought I handled the merlin much better today and when I viewed my footage on a large screen I noticed a problem. I did not install a screw correctly today which left the camera mildly loose from the merlin, it could not move but in the footage you may notice a bumo like a heartbeat throughout.

Anyway heres practice session 3

http://www.scarlet-films.com/THIRDATTEMPTWRONG.wmv
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i dunno about that one man,.

i looked really bad in terms of i could almost see every step you were taking because of the huge camera jerk that happened consistantly for the walk. reason?
 
Hi ncje,

It is nice to share some video of a city in Japan. I have never been to Japan and this is my first time to see some streets in Japan. :thumbup:

Regards
Leigh
 
PaPa said:
i dunno about that one man,.

i looked really bad in terms of i could almost see every step you were taking because of the huge camera jerk that happened consistantly for the walk. reason?
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Exactly due to the reason I explained. If you watch the camera framing though I have been able to keep it more aligned than my first two outings, thus why I was annoyed at the bumping do to the cam not sitting properly on the G-platz screw.
 
Practice Four

Practice Four

Its official! I am king of the idiots... Last night I went to reception hall and took some more merlin shots. On my way home I realised that once again I did not correctly place the cam on the g-platz. I kicked myself over and over. Good news is I doubt I will forget again.. :S

Anyway here is practice four... with my stupidity branded all over it. However I was this time able to keep pretty good framing on a couple of difficult moves you can see in the clip, I think you will agree.

Anyway I wanted to get some time in with the Letus Flip today so I added some flip shots, forgive my backward focusing once or twice. Heh.

Keep in mind people this is all just practice and that these shots are used as experimentation only.

Heres link: http://www.scarlet-films.com/merlinletusflip.wmv

Here are some stills from letus shots. I should add here that the flip footage was shot using a cokin circular polarizer in addition the the first three clips are using a 50mm canon fd and the final flower shots are using a canon 85mm fd both 1.4. Flip shots have been color corrected.

Now to rip a DVD and check them out on the 42 inch plasma EDIT the footage looked much better than I expected on the 42inch.

letustill.jpg

letustill1.jpg
 
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Nice stuff! :thumbsup:

The G-platz beieng open definatly cause seom touble there! - You should be able to set it once and not have to adjust it agian (if you have the same camera).

Ignoring that vibration. Your footage si lookign much better.
The framing was ok. Definatly had pupose other than just walking, especially the first shot. Always try to make the shots have som purpose
The oprating is looking much better too. You have yrou horizon almost under control - much less roll and sway in the shots. :)

Tighten that G-platz and I'm sure the next clip should be getting prety solid :)

- Mikko
 
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