SMACKDOWN: Merlin Vs. Pilot

gco

gco

Veteran
I have been using (or trying to use) the Merlin for a while now and I am just not happy with the performance I am getting. Yes, I can balance it and get relatively good results with effort and concentration. However, my primary use is in outdoor situations and if there is the slightest breeze, twigs, leaves, forget it. Basically it just does not balance to the level of stability that I want. I am wondering if I have discovered the limit of its design performance. It seems to me that from a mechanical point of view, it would be far more mechanically efficient to have a counterbalance weight (bottom weight) linked to the cameras center of gravity directly through a rod or post rather than indirectly through an arc. With that in mind, it seems to me that the pilot sled might perform significantly better than the Merlin. So my question to you guys with experience is; is my thinking straight on this?, i.e. is better performance to be had with the Pilot sled over the Merlin or am I still clueless about balancing the Merlin?
Any comments/suggestions/opinions appreciated.:Drogar-Smoke(DBG):
 
I have never used the Merlin but I have used the old DV Junior Steadicam for years and IMHO, you are only as good as your skills allow you to be.

With the cheap plastic DV Junior, I was able to accomplish some moves that were indistinguishable from those of a "real" Steadicam, but only after months of practice and intense concentration. I have seen footage shot with the Merlin that looked incredible so I know that the apparatus is capable of making killer moves. The variable is probably you. Of course, if you want to know for sure, just rent or borrow a Pilot and try it.

The item that separates good Steadicam moves from great seems to be the vest mount. The smaller units that are handheld are so much more fatiguing to use than even the smallest, cheapest vest mount because using your back, instead of your arm is always going to allow for more stamina and smoothness.

Dan
 
Hey GCO

I'm just getting into the steadicam thing myself and having been doing a good bit of research into it all the past couple of months. Wind seems to be a big problem even with larger rigs and operators and the grip crew many times have to build wind blocks. A smaller rig will only be effected by the wind more. Giving your rig a little more bottom weight should help but of course will effect its handling as well.

But like Dan said the vest/arm of the pilot will make your life a bit easier. I'm currently debating between the pilot and flyer for a first rig. Might want to take a look at the current list of workshops scheduled as well. They do a cool two day flyer/pilot workshop I'm taking in a few weeks. www.steadicamforums.com also has a plethora of valuable information about all things Steadi.
 
Dan, Jeff, thanks for the input.
Without a doubt, I am "the variable"--no misgivings about that. I actually have gotten some great shots using the Merlin with a modified Indicam rig. I have since upgraded to the pilot arm/vest which is a significant improvement over the Indicam. Just feel like the level of stability could be better and I still get the impression that a sled with a straight post might have better balancing characteristics. For one thing, all the other rigs in the Steadicam line use a straight post as opposed to an arc. Interesting to know about the wind though. I would have thought the larger rigs would be more immune.
Regardless, it might be time for an operator reality check--gonna check the workshop schedules.
 
I believe that the larger rigs are more immune to wind than the smaller ones but it is definitely still a problem to be dealt with. Think about how little touch a well balanced rig needs to tilt the post a little - wind can easily do that. Presenting more surface area with a larger rig also creates more of a "sail" so thats a bit of an issue. Perhaps a more experienced person than I can chime in on this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top