Tiffen announces new low cost Steadicams at NAB 07 - *** Now Shipping! ***

I'll have pics up soon, however..

The Merlin & Pilot (having the same arm & vest) have a standard "Flyer size" Steadicam socket block. (You can use the Flyer arm & vest interchangably if you want) You have full trim control of the angle of the arm.

The pilot is a fully featured Steadicam, it uses the same low-mode kit as the Flyer, and other accessories (like the vehical mount kit). The Pilot is even built so that it can be retrofitted with a Tilt-Stage! (You won't find that on a Glidecam!)

And yes, the metal gimble upgrade will be available for the Merlin without the arm and the vest if you want (though it is included with them).

- Mikko
 
I wasn't expecting the Pilot, so now I have a tough decision between getting the Merlin setup or saving up a little more for the Pilot... anyone have any insight on what factors should cause a person to sway one way or the other?
 
for_mlove said:
I wasn't expecting the Pilot, so now I have a tough decision between getting the Merlin setup or saving up a little more for the Pilot... anyone have any insight on what factors should cause a person to sway one way or the other?
Click to expand...
The cool thing is that Mikko said there will be an upgrade path from the Merlin setup to the Pilot (which is what I'm probably going to do)... so you can spend $2K now for the Merlin arm & vest, and later upgrade to the Pilot. (As Mikko said, it's already the same arm/vest as the Pilot.)

I wore the new Merlin rig at NAB, for over an hour. It's awesome-- the Merlin just floats effortlessly in front of you-- I couldn't feel the weight of it. :thumbsup:
 
No word on prices for the individual parts that will be available (Metal Merlin Gimble, Pilot Sled...)

As for Merlin vs Pilot. The question is simply how much do you want to fly? Pilot holds more, but Merlin is smaller and can still go handheld whenever you want/need to.
Pilot does also have a monitor included, and a 12v power output at the stage.

For example:
A HVX with a screw on filter and a shotgun for weddings; Merlin with Arm & Vest would be better.
A HVX with a Vidled, a mattebox & filters, and a audio reciver; The Pilot would be the way to go.


- Mikko
 
Flyer vs Pilot?
Mikko - How would you compare these two?

is the extra 5lbs weight limit worth the extra $$$?
the cams I would fly would mostly be in the HDV/ HVX type cam.

...Because the Flyer is slightly larger and heavier, is it inherently more stable than the Pilot?


How different are the vests?

telescoping post...is that a huge advantage to the Pilot?

is the stage the same?

any info/comparison between the two would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, your info/insight has been great for those that didn't make it to NAB.

shm
 
Good questions shm.

The 5lbs extra weight is worth the $$$ if your camera weighs 12lbs.
If you are absoloutly sure you arn't going over 10lbs, then the Pilot is enough.

Yes, a heavier rig is inherently more stable. Both rigs offer a multitude of balancing options. - For example, I think the Pilot can actually be made more resistive to motion than the Flyer due to how it's masses can be spread.

The Flyer vest has clips and is designed to hold a heavier sled. It's a little faster to take on and off. The Pilot vest is lighter and more adjustable. It's also more compact when packed away.


In some situations the Pilot's telescoping post is a huge advantage over the Flyer's non-telescoping post.

No the stage is not the same. The Flyer uses a dovetail plate. The Pilot uses a different type of stage plate.
The Pilot has micro-adjustments in both directions, the Flyer's fore-aft adjustment isn't quite so precise.
The Pilot's stage can be retrofitted to become a tilting stage, the Flyer's can't.

The Pilot is only available as a 12v / SD system. the Flyer is available with Frameline generators, a 24v version and a HD version (with HD monitor).

The Pilot sled is a little more flexibile in the way it can be configured. The Flyer is a simpler base rig that holds more payload and has more options for bigger cameras.

- Mikko
 
That is the regular Plastic gimble. The Metal gimble will cost more. (Why? Well, it's metal, not plastic!)

- Mikko
 
Mikko...thanks for the Flyer vs pilot comparison...wouldn't it be nice if the Flyer had a tilting stage and telescoping post? The Pilot seems like a great option for the smaller cams these days...and also a great way to "get in the steadicam game" so to speak with an arm that acts like it's bigger brothers
 
Mikko- is the balance kind of funky with the Merlin on the arm? Do you adjust the rig before you add the arm and then again when you put the merlin on the arm? What are the nuances of the set-up? thanks-
 
Hello everyone...

I've been working with one of the prototypes for the past few weeks. I'm starting up a website called MerlinResource.com which will be opening soon!!

I've been a Steadicam operator for 6 years or so, starting with the JR and progressing. I've done booth demos with Tiffen Europe showing off Merlins, Flyers, Archers, Clippers, etc. - so I may have seen you guys at some point before and not realised!

In answer to some requests for close ups of vest and arm stuff, please see a quick gallery I've put together at:
http://www.merlinresource.com/merlinvestarm/

I've had it for a few weeks so I'll be happy to answer any questions - I do not work for Tiffen so I dont know pricing other than what Mikko has already said. In the UK, we (Tiffen Europe and myself) are thinking of running Merlin workshops with the rigs and vest and arms and giving demos/lessons for colleges and schools, etc.

I hope you are all well
- JE
 
shm said:
Mikko- is the balance kind of funky with the Merlin on the arm? Do you adjust the rig before you add the arm and then again when you put the merlin on the arm? What are the nuances of the set-up? thanks-
Click to expand...

No... You balance the Merlin as you would do then simply place the handle on the arm and adjust the arm if needed.

- JE
 
Cheers Mikko!

I saw this post a while ago and there seemed loads of questions! I thought I'd ease the load if I could.

:-D

- JE
 
Mikko,

It was a pleasure to meet you at NAB. Thanks for letting Jaron and I try out the steadicam merlin with the vest and arm. It was great to 'try before we buy' and get instruction from an expert. Thanks for your attention and patience.

Best Regards,

Robert Eldon
 
sorry if this is a bit off topic but just looked at the updated tiffen website & they say in the new arm & vest section
"...Merlin was rated to carry camcorders weighing only as much as six pounds (2.7 kg)."
whilst the existing information has always stipulated (& still says) maximum of 5 pounds. Just wondered if 6 pounds is now understood to be ok with the original plastic gimbal - this could make a big difference to me as far as adding accessories to the dvx. Don't want to try it though only to break my gimbal cause of a typo
 
I heard the Steadicam inventor in an interview say that merlin can do 5 to 5 1/2 pounds, you could probably strech it to 6 but I'd stop at 5.5, if you need more I guess get that metal part that's coming out.
 
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