adding mic to Steadicam Merlin

P

powerdog

Veteran
Sorry for reposting this...but I really wanna know!

What do you do about the mic-camera connection? I have a Lectrosonics wireless, but there's no obvious way to connect the receiver to the camera. And if I did, it would probably exceed the 5 lb. limit. Is strapping it to your arm an option?

Then there's the XLR cable. Do you tape it down in a known position, so it always affects the balance the same way? Otherwise, it's going to bend and shift the weight slightly each time.

Thanks!
 
I don't have a Steadicam, but I run the cable through the hand strap every time I plug something into the camera. A big XLR connector hanging off the side of the camera without some sort of strain relief could cause some expensive repairs.
 
P.Dog, I tried to answer in the other thread last night, but that's just when the server went down.. so..

Cables are always a problem with Steadicam - even on the (very stable) big rigs they cause trouble. Wireless is always prefered. So on a small rig, like the Merlin, any cable is going to cause problems.

You will want to find a way to keep your wireless reciver on the sled with your camera so you don't have a cable breaking the isolation of the gimble.

You should be able to strap a wireless reciver to a DVX and still balance it fine on the Merlin. For the HVX that would push it over the weight limit.

But here's a trick I just thought up while responding the first time:
This should work with both the DVX and the HVX
Try mounting the reciver at the *Bottom* of the Merlin, in pace of some of the counterweights. This way you will replace those lumps of metal with more usefull weight. Then run the cable up along the arch of the Merlin and up to the camera. (keep it snug so it doens't flop around, and leave a little loop at the caliper hinge so you can still fold the Merlin.)

Anyone with a Merlin care to test that trick and report back?

- Mikko
 
Mikko, interesting idea...and it addresses the exact point of my confusion, which is that there has to be some cable (however short) between receiver and camera.

I guess you could wind the cable along the arm, so the weight would be fairly even and shifting would be minimal.

The only problem is undoing it if you want to change to a tripod, and you're in a hurry.
 
Ok, I think I'll solve the whole mic issue by NOT solving it. I mean, I'll shoot silent with the Merlin and cut in sound from my tripod shots. This way I can look creative instead of awkward.
 
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