Merlin and HVX?

H

Hawkeye

Active member
Hi,
Does the Merlin stabilizer work well with the HVX?
I need a simple, compact stabilizer that I can travel light with, so no vests or big kits, I just have too much gear already for my travels.
I plan to shoot alot of dance, moving around quickly among dancers on the stage, also doing alot of moving shots in streets following people.
Can anyone with experience of Merlin with HVX please advise if it will be suitable for this and how much of a difference it will make as opposed to good handheld work?
Please propose any alternatives to the Merlin which will offer max versatility of movement from high angle to low angle shots without rerigging?
Will it be difficult to use for first time user, will it require big muscles! when fully rigged?
I was also considering the FlowPod but I feel it will not allow me to go from high shots to low angle shots uninterrupted because of the bottom part of flowpod preventing getting close to floor unless rerigged with camera at bottom end. Although I like the monopod facility.
Does the Merlin stabilize the camera in all directions, left - right movements and front - back movements? Is the camera angle always level during stabilization or can it be set to stabilize for a tilted angle?
Thanks:huh:
 
Hawk,

Yes the Merlin will work will with the HVX, provided that you wont' want to put any accasories on it. - Extra kit will put the HVX over the Merlin's limit.

A Steadicam will stabilize the camera on all axis, and is normally balanced in a way that will cause it to hang level. (but you can trim it to hang at an angle too).
It will float very freely (due to the isolation) but it will also take a little time (a few hours) to learn to control. Some people learn fast, it takes others longer. Normally with a bit of practice each evening, you can have good shots in about a week. Faster than you can learn to use your camera properly :)

Comparing Steadicam to handheld is like comparing a tripod to handheld for stability. Yes they are that good.

The Merlin is by far the lightest and most compact stabilizer made. It folds down to half it's size in mere seconds, and snaps back open into balance again just as fast.

It will work great for "floating around the dance floor" shots. There are a few people on the forum who have, or are in the process of getting, Merlins to use with the DVX and or HVX.

- Mikko
 
Mikko, hate to hijack this thread for a minute, but did you see the problem I found with the Artemis (under DVX100 hardware)? It would have to be remounted and adjusted every time you use a tripod, unless you have a Sachtler tripod. No, no, no!!
 
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