Merlin type stabilizer

Yeah, the price makes it seem too good to be true. But, I am interested in what you find out as well. I was trying to find out some information and came across the Steadycam-Pro...under $200 dollars and the example footage looks good. Lucky? could be. Whats the weight threshold? Don't know. Seems there are quite a few cheap steadicam options out there.

Keep us posted if you wind up picking this up please.

Rick
 
I purchased my Merlin from EVS in Glendale Ca. It looks entirely different from this model. I paid $800.00 for mine and use it with my DVX100a.

I would verify that this unit will not only fit whatever camera you intend to use but support the weight as well. Merlin will support up to 5lbs confortably.

As the saying goes, "if it seems too good to be true"...

Good luck.

Mark Dalzell
 
Quote from ebay page:

"The grip is mounted on one sphere in galvanized massive brass to chromium to high resistance, in order to guarantee the maximum of the fluidity and stability"

I'm guessing it's the same ball joint like the manfrotto modo steady so it won't be the a Merlin killer. Merlin uses all ball bearings (so they say) to get 3 axis joint movement. Ball/socket joints have uneven friction unless constanly well oiled while ball bearings have inner and outer rings separated by sealed greased balls allowing smooth independent rotation of either inner or outer rings. At minimum there are 3 bearings for 3 axis of rotation, but generally for symmetry 4 are used. If the handle is perpendicular to the camcorder base as with the merlin, 5 are used or 6 for redundancy on the x-z plane.

I don't have and have never used the merlin (i'm poor) so all the above is an assumption. On paper the merlin is better for near fluid motion.
 
GTOTURBO said:
Quote from ebay page:

"The grip is mounted on one sphere in galvanized massive brass to chromium to high resistance, in order to guarantee the maximum of the fluidity and stability"

I'm guessing it's the same ball joint like the manfrotto modo steady so it won't be the a Merlin killer. Merlin uses all ball bearings (so they say) to get 3 axis joint movement. Ball/socket joints have uneven friction unless constanly well oiled while ball bearings have inner and outer rings separated by sealed greased balls allowing smooth independent rotation of either inner or outer rings. At minimum there are 3 bearings for 3 axis of rotation, but generally for symmetry 4 are used. If the handle is perpendicular to the camcorder base as with the merlin, 5 are used or 6 for redundancy on the x-z plane.

I don't have and have never used the merlin (i'm poor) so all the above is an assumption. On paper the merlin is better for near fluid motion.
Click to expand...

Very good analysis.

- Mikko
 
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