Steadicam Merlin Troubles...

K

kager

Active member
Well I just got a merlin and tried to balance my dvx100B using the online cookbook. So far, with those settings, no success what so ever. It says to use mounting hole "G" and I find it's sooo off that I ended up going with hole H and putting a mid and finish in front and a start, 4 mids and a finish down below. For the "Z" knob or w.e. I did -4 or 4 twists counter clockwise. Anyways, i have had some okay balnacing with this set up but when I move it's still really swaying and almost boaty or like your on a boat. So please share your in depth success set ups for the merlin! I really need some dumbed down advice. Thanks.
 
You really should watch the DVD that comes with the Merlin before you try to balance it.

There's absolutely no reason that a DVX couldn't balance with a Merlin.

Depending on the shot you want, you decide if you want the system to be top heavy or bottom heavy. Here's the tests I do:

Hold the Merlin completely still with camera on top. Is it almost impossible? If so, it's top heavy.

Do some fast movement with the Merlin and then stop it abruptly. Does it keep swaying like a pendulum? If so, it's bottom heavy.

You adjust the top and bottom heaviness with the weights or with the arc length.

The final test is the drop test. Keep the handle upright, but twist the camera so that the base is perpendicular to the handle. Let go. The camera should take 1 full second to pass through the original rest position. Only do these tests once the camera is already reasonably balanced. A 1-second drop test time means that you're at a good balance between top and bottom heaviness.

Some shots benefit from being extra top heavy, and some shots benefit from being extra bottom heavy. That's why these cookbook settings don't work very well in my opinion. Don't give up with the Merlin. I spent a few frustrated days messing with it until I decided to watch the DVDs and really learn the principles of balancing for Steadicam.
 
I watched the DVD before even touching it and still had issues. I'm working it out but it's still not perfect. I wish I had someone local with experience so they could help me out.
 
The merlin is a tool which is very precise. Dont give up and keep at it. it actually will take lots and lots of practice to learn how to use it. They make it look so easy in the DVD's but then again those guys are professional operators. Its not something you set up and then it magically flys for you. you definitely need to work at it. It took me a couple of weeks to get my HMC150 balanced without any help form the cook book and trial and error. All though I did use the cookbook settings for my DVX and it seemed to balance it quite well.

have you looked at the user supplied settings as well?

http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php
 
JFEditorIV said:
There isn't a reason the dvx can't balance with a merlin........but there is a reason that Tiffen and the steadicam pros used sony cams in the demo video displaying how "perfect" the balance is.
Click to expand...

I dont know what you are getting at with this post but Garrett Brown balances a DVX on the dvd perfectly with the cookbook settings.
 
JFEditorIV said:
Garrett Brown IS merlin, he can do whatever he wants with it. He knows the ins and outs of the design and the angles, that's stuff cookbook settings can't convey to us. That's like saying Kobe Bryant can throw a basketball into the hoop so I can too. It can be done, I get it. But if the dvx was so easy to balance and it was so consistent on a merlin, they would have used the dvx in the demonstration video. They chose to use the sony hd cams for a reason, because they are much easier to balance and are much more consistent.
Click to expand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VosoqTH3Fq4

There is a video of someone using the DVX with the Merlin.

And I am having a really hard time understanding your argument. You state, as a fact, that the camera doesn't balance well which is why it isn't featured in the videos, someone states that it is featured AND balanced in the videos, and you change arguments and say that doesn't matter because the guy balancing it is a master....what?

By definition, yes, it is possible to balance a DVX. You can see it being done. Just because "it's hard" doesn't mean that it's impossible.

The video above proves it as do a number of other videos online.

In fact, here is a video of someone putting the thing together with a DVX.

http://www.vimeo.com/4381534
 
Not sure if you guys noticed, but on the DVD Garret's setting for the DVX is different than the one's listed in the cookbook. On the DVD, he uses

Front: 1 mid, 1 finish.
Lower: 1 start, 4 mids, 1 finish

Zero on the plate.

Let me know how that works for you guys.

I can't test it because the weights are screwed on so tight I'm unable to separate them. Any tips on uncrewing the weights from each other?
 
I've never personally used a Merlin, but it's important to remember that this isn't a simple device like a shoulder mount. Practice, practice, practice. I use a Steadicam SK-2 and I have settings marked on her, but I still have to fiddle with it each and every time I put it on. Patience young grasshopper. Re-watch your DVD's, read what other users are doing, experiment, re-read the manual, and practice, practice, practice.

Oh and for wind you can built some antlers so that the weight load on the top stage is wider
 
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