Merlin info from Garrett Brown!

powerdog,

So far no external mic on the merlin.

No extra lenses or adapters. Just the standard DVX100B with the 5400 battery.

Hendrik
 
I don't know if I'm crazy to think this is big deal or not! And I've noticed that every handheld stablizer company shows the same kind of photos: user holding barebones camera on stablizer. No attachments, no mic. Who works that way? To me, this is the equivalent of "serving suggestion" in small type on a package of frozen food.
Maybe I'm just getting old and cynical.
 
:-)

Getting old: maybe, cynical, nah

I shoot mostly music video stuff and where we need audio, we have a audio guy with a boom and a mixer/recorder so we don't need to mount a mic on the cam... So for me it is not an issue bit I can see how it can be :-)


hendrik
 
Pdog,
I have to add in here that using the tripod adapter system might have issues with the mic reciver beeling left on the Merlin. - thoguh I think it should be prety wuick to pull off there too, not more than a few seconds. I doubt it will be anything of an issue.

It would be great to see some pictures of systems set up with accesories.
I woudl like to point out that Steadicam does picture their rigs in shooting configuration. For example if the rig has a monitor they cable it up so it looks like it would to fly in that config.

Handrik,
Any chance of a video clip? :)

- Mikko
 
Hendrik, somebody working with me would be the ultimate accessory. As a lone wolf, I know why they invented crews and assistants. Owwwww!

Mikko, yes to Steadicam's pictures of larger rigs, but not the Merlin. Of course, addons would spoil its beauty.
 
mikkowilson said:
Handrik,
Any chance of a video clip?

- Mikko
Click to expand...

Mikko

Well when I get the drifting issue fixed (maybe you have some suggestions here ;) ). So the rig is in balance it seems but drifts a bit away on its vertical axis. Not a tilt movement but rather a pan, maybe it's just me not controlling the guide enough I dunno. But I promise to post some footage when I get it a bit more under control. I am learning you see !

pdog, having an audio friend makes me feel very warm inside :-)
Hendrik
 
Does it pan even if you arn't touching the gimble at all? (and not moving)

Does it always pan the same way? Does it tend to find a "center" spot?

- Mikko
 
I take it there aren't many actual Merlin users here (or anywhere), so it would be hard to say whether Hendrik's problem is unique or common.

You might contact Frank Rich at Tiffen/Steadicam or Garrett Brown himself. They're the Merlin masters.
 
powerdog said:
I didn't see a shoe mount in the list of Lectrosonics accessories. Always one step forward, two steps back!
Click to expand...
BEC Group makes receiver boxes for the Lectro stuff. They are top shelf in build quality. However, the shoe mount adapter (part #BEC HSA) is just about worthless. I have one for a Lectrosonics 100 system and to be quite honest with you, I have to tape it on there to get it to stay put. It would have been cheaper to just use tape (or velcro, whatever) in the first place. The boxes work flawlessly on broadcast cameras because of the considerably better designed mounting hardware.. But, they totally missed the mark on the hot shoe mount.
 
I'd also like to add that I, too, am a fan of Merlin. If Jim Farrell comes out with a line of accessories to mount a wireless unit and I can get ahold of one of those super lightweight ZOOM through .7x aspheric lenses from Collinscraft and figure out a way to mount my Zoe' controller on the gimble (or fabricate my own controls) then this would be one killer rig!
 
I want to see someone come up with a wireless link for the focus controller for the HVX and 100B .. now *that* would rock.

- Mikko
 
Wells, ever added up the weight of alll those, plus a reasonable amount for Jim Farrell's receiver mount? You have just over a half pound to play with, I think.

Hey, I've been looking around....seems not too many good things are said about the low-end Glidecams. But take a look at the vineyard clip from the 2000:

http://www.glidecam.com/videos.php

and tell me if you think it's shabby. I don't.
 
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Meh, the operator is holding the post way too hard in most all of those demos. The shots are mostly all over the place.

- Mikko
 
Was just thinking: the mount for a wireless receiver will replace the Merlin's end weight. So I guess the receiver does NOT count against the 5 lb total weight limit, right? Only what's mounted on top counts.

That would be a major advantage.
 
Correct! Merlins limit is a ~5lb Camera - that means everything on the stage above the gimble.

Putting accesories down below will just alow you to remove counterweights to match. Same wieght, but a reciver is more usefull that a lump of metal.

- Mikko
 
That's cool.

OK, here's another problem: is there any good way to have a cable attached to the camera and something that's not even near it? I'm either going to use an Nnovia FW drive or DV Rack w/laptop, and one way or another....it needs to end with a FW cable going to camera. Trying to figure out how to prevent cable from pulling and unbalancing the Merlin.

Do I attach it first to the spar? If I leave slack, it's going to shift. If I don't, the Merlin can't tilt forward/back.
 
Now you are stuck.
Handheld stabilizers are so light that any cable will basically destroy any control of the rig. - Especially a cable as thick as a firewire cable, it jsut won't work with a Merlin. You will want to record in camera.

- Mikko
 
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