Steadicam Merlin Problems

NOTE: On those last few shots I did add 3 quarters taped to the bottom weights. That seemed to help. If I buy the smaller battery will I get even better results?
 
thefilmaddict said:
I've heard a lot of great things about using the Merlin with the HVX200 on this site. I purchased one a few months ago and have finally had time to try and balance it with the HVX200.

I've spent many hours trying to get the balance right but no luck. I've read the instructions and watched the DVD. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I can get it level, but once I start moving it around, it wants to tip big time. It is not stable.
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I managed to get the Merlin to balance nicely with 2 P2 cards by

(1) setting it up according to the settings recommended at http://www.merlincookbook.com/. No extra weights or quarters

(2) I removed the lens hood and skylight filter and used a Panasonic CGR-D08 battery that I bought from dsmillerdirect.com.

(3) I opened the LCD before doing the final balance.

Actually, the fact that the cameras so heavy seems to work in its favor. It floats quite well.
 
thefilmaddict said:
NOTE: On those last few shots I did add 3 quarters taped to the bottom weights. That seemed to help. If I buy the smaller battery will I get even better results?
Click to expand...
If it's now balanced with the quarters, it'll be about the same with a lighter battery, only you won't have to use the quarters to get it to work (less hassle, and a tiny bit lighter).

Bill Southworth said:
Actually, the fact that the cameras so heavy seems to work in its favor. It floats quite well.
Click to expand...
I thought the same thing. The HVX's weight seems to make it a bit more stable.

"Hold it like a glass of water." That's great advice Mikko!
 
Bill Southworth said:
(2) I removed the lens hood and skylight filter and used a Panasonic CGR-D08 battery that I bought from dsmillerdirect.com.
Click to expand...
Looks like the CGR-D08 is lighter than the one I bought, as it's a 950mAh, while mine's a 2200mAh. Good to know, yours may be the lightest battery I've seen for the HVX.
 
R Gale said:
"Hold it like a glass of water." That's great advice Mikko!
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One furthur comment about this... (this applies to prety much everything in fact, not just Merlin)

Now I'm not sayign to take out all the bumps (Merlin does that mostly). But a lot of people start with almost a death grip on the system and very tense arms. One of the keys with opreating, and this should come with practice, is to relax. have fun. your arm can hold the sytem whether your muscles are tight as a drum or not. And you will last longer if you arn't expelling extra energy into tensing, you will also be able to concentrate on the shot better when relaxed too.
Take look, and more imporatntly, LISTEN to this video I made after my experianec of the final test shot at a Workshop: http://mikko.n3.net/videos/GrandPrixSoundtrack_400K_pub.wmv that's working with big rigs, but the same advice applies to all of them.
When flying, don't worry about flying, just have fun with it! :) ... and breathe!


Also, keep track of which slot you are using for the P2 card!! The lower slot has less "leverage" (as it's closer to the gimble) and will balance easier!


- Mikko ... every little bit counts.
 
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mikkowilson said:
Take look, and more imporatntly, LISTEN to this video I made after my experianec of the final test shot at a Workshop: http://mikko.n3.net/videos/GrandPrixSoundtrack_400K_pub.wmv that's working with big rigs, but the same advice applies to all of them.- Mikko ... every little bit counts.
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LOL!!! :grin: That was great. I can see from the video how essential a workshop like that would be. And to have Garrett Brown follow you saying "stand up straight!" I love it.

Steadicam... a great way to achieve good posture.
stand up straight standupstraight standupstraight
(you must have that going through your subconscious as you operate...)

Thanks for sharing that Mikko, and for the other tips as well. I can understand the benefits of loosening the muscles, but it is a challenge with the Merlin because of the weight involved. After a minute of shooting, if I try to do hold it high (above my head, for a jib-like shot) my arm shakes! Maybe I can add more support with the other hand? (And do more push ups...)
 
I have a marlin and the HVX and thought I would share my solutions. I also had the top-heavy problems when balancing with the HVX.

I have been using the HVX with the stock battery, the lens hood and 2 P2 cards and it is working perfectly.

After reading your posts, it appears that you are doing the same things I tried and you are on the right track with adding a little extra weight down below. What I finally did was go to Home Depot and buy a pack of metal washers tha same diameter as the Merlin weights. I ended up using three of them screwed between the last four weights on the lower spar. This made the drop time just about two seconds and it flies very smooth and stable.

A pretty easy and cheap solution that cost about as much as the quarters you are using as weights now. Plus, the washers fit perfectly and match the weights so they almost look like they belong there.
 
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