Zoom controller with Steadicam Merlin?

S

SantaCruzMichael

Well-known member
Has anyone tried mounting one of the small dvx100a-compatible controllers on a Merlin?

I'm thinking about picking up a Libec ZC-3DV or a Manfrotto 521p.
Looks like the Manfrotto is a little smaller, but for twice the money?

My plan is to carefully screw a small flange to the Merlin handgrip, so it extends to the left between the fingers of my right hand. Then I'd remove the controller's bulky tripod attachment and fix the controller directly to the flange.

Sound workable?

Mikko, whaddya think?

The most troublesome thing I have found so far with the Steadicam is having to disturb balance to start and stop recording.
The resulting clips also require more editing because every shot begins with the camera swinging around from my pressing the record button.


Or does anyone have plans for a DIY start/stop controller? A really small one? I don't really need the zoom control....And I'm pretty technically capable when it comes to electronics.

Thanks,
Michael

Hey GARRETT! How about making a new Merlin that's big enough for my future HVX with accessories. Ooohh, and a trigger-style start/stop button built in with LANC/Panny compatibility. That would rock my world!!!
 
Micheal...
...Generally speaking wires crossing the gimble can cause problems, especially on light rigs like the Merlin.

One trick is to use the IR remote to start and stop your camera! - The zoom on the IR remote sucks, but doesn't sound like you need it.

It would also be possible to make a tiny wireless - or wired (with a very thin wire) - start/stop button for the DVX/HVX. - LANC is harder though.


I however have a ZC-3DV (love it so far!) and a few mintues.. so what the heck, I'll see what I can throw together. I'll post results in a few minutes.


In the mean time, what accessories do you want to use with a HVX on a Merlin?

- Mikko
 
Wireless!? How?

Wireless!? How?

Wow Mikko,
That was an amazingly fast reply. This site rocks.

I figured the wire-across-gimbal would be problematic. I'll be excited to hear if you can work around it.

The wireless option sounds like the best. From what I understand the Panasonic controller port just responds to resistance changes in a low-voltage circuit...
If you or anyone has an idea about how to set up a wireless controller for the Start/Stop function, bring it on!

-Michael
 
remote...

remote...

I've used the wireless remote to start/stop, keeping it in my shirt pocket.

It seems kind of unprofessional, though. Also, the camera's sensor is so touchy about the angles from which it can pick up a signal.

I've always thought that was strange with the DVX.

-Michael
Santa Cruz, CA
 
Yes the DVX uses just a simple contact closure for start/stop. So any 1-channel remote system could be modified to work. - Or as I mentioned above, you could build a simple pushbutton.

The 3DV does work supprizingly well, depeding on how you pull teh cable. It's a nice thin cable so it works prety well, and you can actually use a thinner cable if you want (it disconects from the controller end too :) ).
If you run the cable thoguh one of the front holes int eh stage and then down to the controller it works ok. It had a little influence on the light camera i'm testing with, a heavier cam like the DVX should be no problem, especially if you keep teh supporting hand pointed in roughtly the same direction as the camera anyway - pull to far and the cable will pull on the rig.

As to the positioning of the controller..
I tried first clamping it to the handle and then a bracket similar to what I think you are sugesting. Both seem to be workable, though I think clamping directly to the handle will probably work better.

I have pics I'm prepping now...

- Mikko
 
Ok, here are some pictures of the 2 setups I tested..

First with the ZC-3DV Clampped to the Merlin's handle...
Clampped_Right.jpg

Clampped_Left.jpg


Then with a small peice of bent metal used to make a backet for the controller off the handle...
Bracket_Back.jpg

Bracket_Top.jpg

Bracket_Left.jpg

Bracket_Front.jpg


With the backet, the tightening nob on the clamp of the ZC-3DV gets very close to, and can hit the caliper arc adjustment knob. So you have to be carefull with the clearance.

There's a coueple of options and some food for thought.

..What accessories did you want to attach to a HVX?


- Mikko
 
Cool!
Thanks for trying out the idea Mikko!

I'm glad to see there's a way to attach it directly to the Merlin with no mods. The bracket you mocked up is similar to what I envisioned.

However, I was thinking the flange would rotate 90 degrees from where you have it, so that the flat part is horizontal. That way, it could just slip between two fingers, allowing a normal grip on the Merlin.
This might require drilling a couple holes, but then you could remove the whole clamp assembly (does it come off the controller?) to reduce bulk and avoid striking the Steadicam as you described.

I've got a feeling I'll end up buying the Libec. But for fun, I'm going to try a push button switch- the momentary type- with a very thin wire.
Is the controller cable a tip-ring-sleeve with three conductors? If so, does anybody know which conductor triggers START/STOP?

As for the HVX/Merlin combination, my ideal setup would be able to support a polarizer or perhaps a wide angle lens, and the accessory plate with a stereo receiver. Maybe a HoodMan on the LCD if it's a bright sunny day.

So, basically, nothing too heavy that would put me in Steadicam Flyer range. I would just like to feel like I have room to experiment a bit. It may be a year or more before I think seriously about an HVX anyway.

For the moment I'm really happy shooting with my DVX on this rig!

-Michael
 
I looked into using a bracket of a different shape but I came to the conclusion that the zoom controller is best accessable in this position - but that is personal preferance. I'm happy with the 3DV, and at $100 it's well worth it.

Here's instructions on making your own controller: http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/remote/

Unfortunatly the clamp assembly doens't come off the 3DV very easiy (from the outside) I can't remember for the life of me what it looked like on the inside when I took a peak. :)

- Mikko
 
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