Steadicam Merlin + 22fps

T

tonacidigital

Well-known member
*over exposure warning* sorry in advance for hurting your eyes. Not intentional. Just view for the steadicam demo on my first run. Purpose is to show anyone interested in the Merlin what they can pull off on a first try.

http://homepage.mac.com/tonesto/hvx/iMovieTheater39.html

http://homepage.mac.com/tonesto/hvxkungfu/index.htm *new

Please excuse the blownout footage. I literally had about a couple hours with the camera and 30 mins with the steadicam merlin (after I balanced it) before shooting this. I just hit the record button (no camera setting adjustments) and decided to give the 22fps a try with this short martial arts sequence my girlfriend's brother did.

I threw in some cheesy sound effects to make the video more entertaining.

I'll post up pics of a balanced HVX/Merlin combo tommorow. I followed the advice of getting a smaller battery and I used one p2 card in the bottom slot.

I definitely need lots of practice. Regardless, I am satisfied with my first merlin test run.

To do list:

1) do some arm curls. this hvx+merlin combo is one heavy mug.
2) learn the camera so I can get some real eye candy footage. This footage is horribly blown out..

more to come.
 
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The exposure is killing me. But as far as the whole steadyness of the clip, it didn't look too bad. It did seem like there was some rocking going on from the side stepping or whatever you were doing. I'm sure if you had more time with the step-up you could have gotten rid of that.
 
exposure... but looked pretty clean moves. How do you like the Merlin?


Also... let me guess the style: Hung Gar? Choy Li Fut? Mantis? Pai Lum/ Bagua?


Inquiring marital arts minds want to know.... I still have to put up some ving tsun/Wing Chun.... Maybe that is what I'll throw up tonight....
 
Justyn said:
exposure...
Click to expand...

yeah.. I should have included an "over exposed" shot warning. My apologies for hurting your eyes.

but looked pretty clean moves. How do you like the Merlin?
Click to expand...

My advice for anyone considering a Steadicam, if you can swing the Flyer..without question do it (as Mikko has said before). The Merlin is definitely the "poor mans" steadicam (800 vs 5 or 6 grand). Not the Merlin's fault, but the set up is heavy. I could only use it for probably 5-10 minutes at a time. Which is okay since I only have one p2 card..and even when I get two... I'll have break periods. After ten minutes, my arms gets to weak to keep the footage steady. I still don't regret getting it, however, because it is allowing me to get some great looking shots that can't be done at this price point. With some practice, I think you can produce some amazing shots with the Merlin.

Also... let me guess the style: Hung Gar? Choy Li Fut? Mantis? Pai Lum/ Bagua?
Click to expand...

He was in some type of Shaolin Kung Fu school for three years but he quit awhile ago. Not sure the specific style.


Inquiring marital arts minds want to know.... I still have to put up some ving tsun/Wing Chun.... Maybe that is what I'll throw up tonight....
Click to expand...

please do!
If I have time this weekend, I am going to do another shoot of my other friend. It'll be good Merlin practice.
 
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