Merlin + DVX100B + Anamorphic Lens + Battery?

Z

ZoeNecrosis

New member
Hello, all. Just joined. Aspiring filmmaker with theatrical ambitions.

I was planning to purchase a DVX100b, and was also interested in getting an anamorphic lens as well as a Merlin, but the combined weight exceeds the Merlin specifications. Now I know that some have had success with the HVX and a Merlin, which is heavier than 5lbs right off the bat, but I'm also concerned that the balance of the anamorphic lens and also possibly a larger battery will make using it obsolete (and would be way off cookbook settings?)

Does anyone have any experience using a DVX100b with an anamorphic lens and a larger battery on a Merlin?

If this combination of equipment would work it would give me everything I need to make this work, but I'm on a shoestring budget and can't afford to make any purchasing mistakes.

Thanks.
 
First off, welcome to DVXuser! :thumbsup:

Depending on the lens, it should work without trouble. What lens do you plan to get? (- how much does it weigh?)

The actual limit on the Merlin is ~5.5lb (and I think the specs are even saying this now, but the factory agrees it's 5.5lb, not 5lb now)

The Merlin alows for a LOT of fore aft adjustment, so you can use a heavier lens accessory and a smaller battery on the back if you want. And them move the whole camera backwards (there's a over an inch of space for the dovetail alone to slide back form the cookbook settings, plus an inch by moving the camera back to hole "L" on the dovetail plate, PLUS the trim roller (up to another inch possibly) - So you can move the camera back anywhere from 2 to 3 inches from the cookbook settings with a bigger lense and smaller battery.)
Looking at the weight settings, you should be able to add at least a pound of weight, or more, to the DVX and still balance just fine.

So what you want to do should work ok, unless you haver a really heavy lens and *must* have a large battery for long runtimes.
My recomendation however would be to use a lighter battery and move the whole camera back to account for the lens. The cookbook settings are only a recomendation/starting point for ballance. I can help you though any adjustments needed for other configurations if necesarry.

- Mikko
 
Swell

Swell

That's very good news. Thanks for the advice. As to which one I wanted to use, I was planning on the AG-LA7200G...

But truth to be told I thought that was the only one applicable to the dvx.

There are others I could conceivably use?
 
You will do better with a simple wide angle lens (NOT the anamorphic one).
Century Optics has a 0.6x or a 0.7x that work very well, and they will lend themselves well to Merlin (or other stabilizer) use.
 
I regularly shoot with a DVX100a, 0.7x Century Lens, and Lectrosonics UCR100 wireless receiver all mounted on the Merlin with a BIG battery. No problems here. In fact, this rig is VERY stable. Highly recommend you get one for yourself!
 
mikkowilson said:
Where do you mount the receiver thisiswells? On top of the camera?
Click to expand...
Hey Mikko!
I usually put the Lectro on the side of the camera, in between the body and the handstrap. The whole thing feels wobbly if you put it on the top, IMHO. Hope this helps.


Also, here is a general idea of how mine is set up:

(1) The post should be fully extended with 6 large weights and one small weight on the bottom and one small weight in the middle.

(2) Gimble should be one full turn away from the closest setting to the stage (think that makes sense). In other words, if you've hit the stage, go back a full turn.

(3) Use mounting hole C on the quick release plate.

(4) Slide the quick release plate to the furthest rear setting on the stage.

(5) Adjust the "front/back" dial to "all the way towards the front" then adjust the "side/side" dial to taste.

These settings should get the DVX100/.7x Wide Angle/Wireless Receiver/5600mAh battery combo to balance quite well on the Steadicam Merlin.

Cheers.
 
Thanks for the detailed info thisiswells!

Is the rig in Dynamic Ballance with these settings? (when you pan it, does it pan flat or does the camera try to tilt up or down?)

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Thanks for the detailed info thisiswells!
Click to expand...
Sure, no problem!

mikkowilson said:
Is the rig in Dynamic Ballance with these settings? (when you pan it, does it pan flat or does the camera try to tilt up or down?)
Click to expand...
Yup, it's in Dynamic Balance so far I can tell...
 
I usually mount my wireless receiver on the hotshoe... Merlin seems to balance up nicely with it.
 
I have a honkin' lectro 187 receiver with an 8" antenna, great sound but cumbersome to mount on the hotshoe, does anyone have one or experience with how to mount it to the dvx, and specifically with the merlin? (the metal boxes that attach to the mount are too heavy as the lectro adds so much already)...
 
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