Af101 & steadicam merlin

Oh gosh no. Way to heavy. You might in theory be able to get it balanced but it would be a nightmare.
I can't even get a gh1 balanced on that stupid piece of failquipment.
 
If you can't balance a gh1 on a merlin you didn't pay attention to the instructions or cookbook settings.

I can balance the nexvg10 (1.8lbs) with a 2 lb zeiss lens on it.
 
They are definitely tough to balance from scratch, but once it's balanced they are fun to use. I've balanced my HV30 with beachtek and G2 attached fairly good, HV 30 bare with wide angle, etc, and Canon XHA1. They take some time to really dial in each one of these, in their unique weight.
 
I think the problem with a GH1 on a steadicam is that its too light, the AF101/100 body weights 3kg.

I've used the Merlin fine with a 5D MK2 and quite heavy Zeiss Ze lens.

AF101 & light 4/3 prime should you able to get away with it ???
 
I've put DVXs on merlins before, and I've spent hours and hours trying to balance them. I should say that I did get the gh1 balanced, but it rolled and see-sawed despite my best efforts to correct the dynamic balance.
I've watched the instructional video, read the manual, and perused the cookbook.
I think its just a piece of junk.
 
A "real" Steadicam was used in The Shining, not a Merlin. I agree that a Pilot would be a much better choice for the AF100.
 
I'm hoping to fly the camera with a glidecam HD. I figured with a pancake lens it would probably be even less than my 150... so not bad at all. I wouldn't see flying with some heavy glass as other accessories will be providing that weight.
 
derbrocks09 said:
A "real" Steadicam was used in The Shining, not a Merlin.
Click to expand...

Merlin is a "real" steadicam. it still uses the same principles as it's bigger brothers, but just scaled back for smaller cameras. it's not just an unbalanced counterweight like some of these knockoffs. a big problem with DSLRs on a merlin is that they have a much different center of gravity from a conventional video camera. these things were designed way before DSLRs could shoot video, so that wasn't something to worry about at the time. most video cameras are shaped nothing like a DSLR, and their weight is distributed much differently. i've managed with my 7D and tokina 11-16 and tamron 17-50 with usable results. it takes a lot of time to get just right, but it's amazing when you do. i certainly wouldn't call it a piece of junk. that sounds like just giving up because you don't have the patience to set it up properly. it really takes A LOT of patience.

that being said: i agree, a pilot would be a better choice. you're not maxing out the weight like you would be on a merlin, and you'd probably be running a vest, so you don't have to worry about your arm falling off after 15 minutes.
 
So going full circle,

3kg AF101 and a small lightweight lens might/should work if balanced right on a Merlin ?

I'd prefer to use the Merlin over the Pilot due to its lightweight compact size.
 
The Wondlan Ares can take the weight, and it's super easy to balance any cam under 5.5 lbs on. I like it much better than the merlin.
 
derbrocks09 said:
A "real" Steadicam was used in The Shining, not a Merlin. I agree that a Pilot would be a much better choice for the AF100.
Click to expand...
As mentioned above, the Merlin is a Real Steadicam.

Jade Lane said:
So going full circle,

3kg AF101 and a small lightweight lens might/should work if balanced right on a Merlin ?

I'd prefer to use the Merlin over the Pilot due to its lightweight compact size.
Click to expand...

Yes, provided you can keep to the weight limits (which vary a little depending on which version of the Merlin you have), it will work fine with the AF100.

- Mikko
 
The Merlin is a "real" Steadicam in that it is made by Steadicam but it functions differently than every other Steadicam and Steadicam knock-off, Glidecam, Varizoom, Basson, etc. It's a real Steadicam stabilizer but it's not really a "real" Steadicam. It's operated with only one hand for example. I would think it would be difficult to operate properly with an AF100. It's just to big and heavy of a camera for a Merlin IMO. You will certainly get better results with a Pilot or a Glidecam etc.

That's just my opinion. I've owned a Pilot and currently own a Flyer. I've never owned a Merlin but I've known several people who have. I could be wrong but I would steer clear of the Merlin for the AF100. IMO
 
derbrocks09 said:
The Merlin is a "real" Steadicam in that it is made by Steadicam but it functions differently than every other Steadicam and Steadicam knock-off, Glidecam, Varizoom, Basson, etc. It's a real Steadicam stabilizer but it's not really a "real" Steadicam. It's operated with only one hand for example. I would think it would be difficult to operate properly with an AF100. It's just to big and heavy of a camera for a Merlin IMO. You will certainly get better results with a Pilot or a Glidecam etc.

That's just my opinion. I've owned a Pilot and currently own a Flyer. I've never owned a Merlin but I've known several people who have. I could be wrong but I would steer clear of the Merlin for the AF100. IMO
Click to expand...

No... it's a real Steadicam because it applies the same principles as the others.. I don't know what you mean by "one hand." Steadicams work off of gimbals & counterbalance, the Iso-elastic arm and vest is just to support additional weight and remove fatigue from the operator -- just because you buy a vest and arm does not mean your rig will be magically balanced.
 
What I mean by "one hand" is that the Merlin may operate with the same principles but in practice it doesn't work like any of the other Steadicams. Right?

You operate a Pilot with two hands. One to boom and position the sled and the other to rotate / pan the unit. It takes two hands! The Merlin operates entirely differently, with the same principles, but differently. Right?

The OP referred to The Shining. The rig used for those shots, and every other Steadicam shot in movies is operated almost exactly like the Pilot. The Merlin was designed for very lightweight cameras. There is a reason why the big rig Steadicams all look similar and operate in the same fashion. There is also a reason why Steadicam doesn't design larger versions of the Merlin. It doesn't work as well with heavy cameras because you have less control not having a large post to help control the camera.

My only two points were:

A The Pilot would be a much better tool for the AF100. I think we agree on that.

B The Merlin, while using the same principles, is a completely different tool then the Pilot, Flyer, Archer, Clipper, Glidecam, etc Yeah it's a real steadicam. It works off the same principles. But all the other Steadicams are very similar and are operated in the same way. The Merlin is the exception. And it's severly limited when using heavier cameras due to its design which is why every other Steadicam from the Pilot on up are designed the way they are. That was my only point. The Merlin is different from "real" Steadicams in it's design and in the way it's operated.

Just sayin.
 
FWIW I used to use a merlin with an XHA1, took me a few weeks solid practice to get it down, but when it was down it was as good as anything. I mean obviously you cant use it for as long as a full size steadicam but it worked great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top