The Steadicam Merlin is available!

mikkowilson

mikkowilson

Steadi-Guru
Heads up those of you who have been waiting for, or have interest in, the Steadicam Merlin.

It is now listed as "In Stock" at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=382099&is=REG :)

382099.jpg


...I can only presume EVS will be getting them soon too.. Rush?

- Mikko
 
We had 5 on order, so they are probably already in stock. :) I will check tomorrow.
 
steadicam merlin

steadicam merlin

merry christmas everyone! I got my merlin today after palcing my order 8 weeks ago!. will try it out and let you guy know my opinion in awhile. what a christmas present for myself! :happy:
 
Yes, Nitsel, please let us know. I'm looking at either a Glidecam 2000 or the much more expensive Merlin. Of course, if the Meriin is the superior tool, it will pay for itself in frustration saved down the road.
 
steadicam merlin

steadicam merlin

The merlin shipped to me come as a limited edition signature series by GB and come in a semi hard case. Hmm.. nice touch. Took it out of the box and went online to copy the cookbook setting and start to balance it. I would said the manual is very well written and the dvd help alot, BUT maybe this is the first time i use a steadicam so i had a bit of a hard time try to balance it. I was maybe a bit naive and expect to just adjust according to the cookbook setting and bang! ready to go, how wrong was I ! I realize i need alot of fine trimming and still i think i am only at about 90%. It feel too "floaty" to me maybe thats why i think its not 100% balance yet. I have a hardtime framing my shot, as i move in a straight line sometime it would just pan towards the side. Be prepare to train your arm cause using it with a DVX is definitely taxing on your bicep. I dun think i can expect to shoot with it a long peroid of time as i would like too. Another thing i realize is that the other hand play an equal important role in controlling the merlin. So practically its a two handed instrument.


As for comparing merlin to glidecam - I only played with a glidecam for 5min awhile ago in an exhibition, I would the same principle apply when handling both. Its matter of cost, upgrading option and of course liking. The glidecam has alot more upgrading option like forearm brace and bodypod. But not everyone will like to wear a bodypod! that why i chosen the merlin without even laying my hand on it first. Like GB said in the manual - this is true instrument and I really need to spend time practicing it whether its a glidecam(stratocaster) or merlin(les paul) :P
I would said I felt abit frustrated in a first couple of hour trying to balance it, but as I go along i realize i am getting better. thats when i realize what all those pro operator keep saying Practice Practice Practice!

Its a beautiful piece of instrument as compare to the glidecam. The most important part i realize is balance it before you "fly" it. and thats the most difficult part. I think for a beginner like me I would liken more help in operating it other than the great manual/dvd and guess what? according to the manual version 1 Tiffen will update the manual with more infomation to help its owner. another nice touch from them. Let's hope they stay true to their words cause there is definitely not alot of information pertain to those "cheaper" steadicam in the net. ok GOODDAY I'll go practice now.
 
Practice Practice Practice!

Practice Practice Practice!

nitsel said:
I was maybe a bit naive and expect to just adjust according to the cookbook setting and bang! ready to go, how wrong was I !
...
I would said I felt abit frustrated in a first couple of hour trying to balance it, but as I go along i realize i am getting better.
...
thats when i realize what all those pro operator keep saying Practice Practice Practice!
...
Tiffen will update the manual with more infomation to help its owner. another nice touch from them. Let's hope they stay true to their words cause there is definitely not alot of information pertain to those "cheaper" steadicam in the net.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the report nitsel!

All stabilizers are the same in this regard...
It is the nature of the beast... It won't move (including 'incorrectly') if you don't move it! :shocked:
With freedom comes responsibility. - The more freedom a camera has to move, the more responsibilty you have to control it.
Don't worry, after a bit of practice you will get the nack. (this time varies.. )I actually found it a little..hmm "squirly", compared to big rigs at first.

A bit of practice and anyone can get it down. And will. :)

You'll be up and shooting some great shots (which you will post, won't you? :thumbsup: ) in no time.

I think one of Tiffen's goals with having a deicated website to balancing the Merlin is to allow them to respond to customers quickly. :)

Do you have any accesories on your DVX when you are Flying it? and how close were those online settings?

- Mikko
 
Thanks, Nitsel. Please keep the updates coming. I want to buy a stabilizer soon and I value your opinion.
 
hi mikko, I had a D54s battery and thats it - its already killing my arm haha. I find the cookbook setting rather confusing, its doesn't state the battery used and in the dvd GB were setting up the dvx without battery and he uses a different setting! and there is setting called the "vertical CG" what's that? what i need to adjust? any way i am using the cookbook setting and suspect its a bit top heavy but its the closest i can get to balancing it, i might change the setting in future depending what i learn and discover.

Hi engr, for someone who assemble my own pc, i really do not know how to post picture here :P maybe you can email me at nitselarts@singapore.com i will send you some.
 
Nitsel,
The only settings you need are the ones listed on page 5 of the manual. The "Vertical CG" is just how high up inside the camera it's cneter of gravity is. - A low heavy camera will have the same apparent effect and a tall lighter camera. (as it's the mass of the camera times that vertical CG that determins how much it needs in counterbalance.
If you are just a little top heavy, use the "Z" adjustment. If you are top heavy, try going to "Z "-2 instead of -4.
- if you need a larger adjustment then change the arc size (but only a little!)

I think the settings in the online cookbook for the DVX are for a similar size battery as the D54.

Don't worry, your arm will gain strength with a bit of practice - at least your wrist is comfterble, right?

If you can e-mail me a pic I can post it for you. :)

- Mikko
 
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