Merlin Help!

use the "H" hole. Make sure the mount for the gimbal is adjusted to the setting that gets it closest to camera. The arm should be fully extended. Use all the weights. Strip your HVX of everything short of the mattebox. I actually use the large batteries without out a hitch though it's just short of the limit.

Should be fine. Also, go through the DVD.

Tim Naylor DP
www.timnaylor.com
 
Thank you guyz, I got it to balance with the stock battery is tough boy! Im gonna have arms the size of arnold. it still slightly tilts as I move fast, is that something to do with practise or do I need to do any thing else?

I gotThe leveler on the merlin centraled but when I move the gimble it moves?
 
The rig needs to be slightly bottom heavy so that it hangs vertially (all that "drop time" stuff mentioned in the manual/DVD) as a result, whenever you change speed/direction (any form of acceleration/deceleration) the bottom of the rig will want to swing out just slightly.
This is something that needs to be overcome with a little pratice. It's the basic skill of Steadicam operating, but at times can cause trouble for even the very best operators during a tough shot.

So yes, it's normal. You just need to practice to control it.


And yes, the HVX flies just fine on the Merlin in a couple of different configurations. But it is heavy; the Arm & Vest are designed to help aliviate that if you are operating for longer periods of time.

- Mikko
 
For weight issues use the NEWLY announced metal gimble to give much greater 'headroom'

Indy....

kabir said:
Im using the stedicam merlin on my hvx200 with the stock battery, I just cant balance it any help please??
Click to expand...
 
Everybody keeps talking about the Merlin vest but where's a dealer that carries it? Is it actually released because Steadicam doesnt have pricing listed, MSRP or otherwise.

I'd like to make a decision between the more affordable Smooth Shooter & Merlin, but I need some sort of tangible listing besides an announcement on the price.
 
The Merlin Arm and Vest are not shipping yet. They will be soon.

As to your descision: The NAB prices should be acurate MSRPs when the units ship.
Note there there isn't really much in the price, especially if you want a dual section arm (you want a dual section arm, trust me). - In fact, at that point, the Merlin with Arm & Vest is cheaper than the SS!.
Also note that the SS really needs at least a quick-release assembly, which is built in with the Merlin. Be sure to check all the little costs for accessories too.

- Mikko
 
Mikko or anyone else who know please help:

I just got the Merlin and the arm/vest/6 bearing gimbal upgrade.

Now, I know this is going to take time to master, but if anything, I was wondering if anyone had settings for a DVX100A, with the DVX 5 Hour Battery and a Sennheiser MKH416. This may sound like a lot, but remember I do have the 6-bearing gimbal which can handle this load, and it's my "default" dvx armaments for general use.

Checked the Merlin Cookbook site, and they're only bare-bone settings (with "battery," whatever than means, as there is no weight given).

I'm not ready to even to use the vest just yet until I at least get good using the merlin by hand.
 
Yeah, learning handheld Merlin first is a good idea.

Start with the cookbook settings, and maybe add one mid-weight to the bottom of the spar. Then chcek your drop time and move the camera fore-aft as necesarry. unless the mic is dead center, you'll probabaly need to do a bit of a side-to-side too.



Maybe start with a bare bones DVX using the cookbook settings, and then once you "get it" you can add on an accesory at a time to see how it effects the weight and you'll learn to compensate.

- Mikko
 
Thanks, for the reply, Mikko. I, and I'm sure everyone on this site, are grateful you take the time to share your knowledge.

You're right. My main goal now is just to get good at operating the Merlin bare on a DVX, with only a tape and battery, which, I finally got balanced.

I have a lot stairs and long hallways to practice with at my day job, which I just returned to today, and my arms and shoulders are already starting to get used to the weight.

Very good product, indeed!
 
Yea, the Merlin has been a valuable investment for me, i shot a wedding video two weeks ago and got some very nice smooth shots which adds to the film like quality the HVX offers. Once used to the weight the rig supports the HVX just fine, i have the camera positioned at the +3 mark, use all the weights on the bottom and have the gimble handle showing 2 threads, i have the stock battery on aswell, cant seem to balance it with a shotgun mic attached though, i think that is just slightly too much weight for the merlin.

where can this metal gimble upgrade be purchased, i would like to know a little more about it, maybe then the mic can be attached aswell?
 
Merlin have now relased a new (metal) gimble which should make the HVX much easier to fly! $160 cost

Indy In El Salvador
 
The metal gimble is currently available as part of the arm & vest kit. It will be available seperatly shortly (after all the exsisting orders for the arm kit have shipped) from Tiffen/Steadicam and the usual dealers.

- Mikko
 
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