Steadcam Merlin + T2i = ? at DVinfo.net

Tony Nguyen · March 23rd, 2010, 03:44 PM

Anyone attempted to successfully do this yet? I have... sorta...it feels too light with the kit (18-55) lens. It works but it's slightly bottom heavy causing it to wobble (very little) when starting and stopping. Definitely can't run with it though.

Andrew Waite · March 30th, 2010, 03:36 PM

I just picked up a Merlin and a T2i, I've got a Canon 10-22mm that should work nicely... I think I'm going to give it a shot tonight... I'll let you know what happens.

Sam Kanter · March 30th, 2010, 06:47 PM

I tried the T2i with Canon 10-22 on a Steadicam Jr. Couldn't get it to balance, felt too top-heavy, not a good shape for the Steadicam Jr. I decided to sell it and find another solution if possible - not sure Merlin will be much different, but curious about your results...

Robert Turchick · March 30th, 2010, 08:08 PM

a buddy of mine had a merlin and while he didn't fly a DSLR on it, (FX1) he always had issues with weight. Just seemed like the merlin was meant for palmcorders. If that lens isn't too heavy, you might be ok but my T2i weighs a lot with the 50mm f1.4 and if I put my 24-70 on it, it's more than the fx1.

Tony Nguyen · March 30th, 2010, 08:29 PM

I can balance the steadicam merlin with my XHA1 flawlessly, but for my t2i with kit lens or the 50mm 1.8...... no go. Too light. I'm thinking of finding ways to add more weight like a zoom h4n. I'll try to post some results with the kit and the 50mm.

Nigel Barker · March 31st, 2010, 12:30 AM

The problem is going to be with the 550D/T2i being too light & not too heavy. Both the 5DII & 7D fly OK on a Merlin but do weigh a couple of hundred grams more. You need a certain mass to help damp down movement.

Robert Turchick · March 31st, 2010, 12:04 PM

Ok so my theory's blown!
I got the battery grip for mine and that with two batteries might add enough...thoughts?

Tony Nguyen · April 6th, 2010, 10:34 AM

I'm on the same boat with getting a battery grip for weight. Wonder if those grips on ebay any good. I read that the generic batteries are just as good as the canon brand ones though.

Andrew Waite · April 6th, 2010, 10:48 AM

So I think I got a good recipe for the Merlin and the T2i w/ Canon 10-22mm. Here it is:

Mounting hole: M
Stage Position: -2
Caliper: -.5 or approx 11 1/2 inches
Spar weight: 1 finish weight
Bottom weight: 1 starter, 1 mid, and 1 finish weight.

The camera with lens weights in at exactly 2 lbs 0.4 ounces with battery and card. It is really light, but not too light to fly and there really isn't any reason to add more weight to make it solid. I think it's an ideal weight! The other nice thing about this recipe is that if you remove the battery door (it comes off easily for use with battery grip) before mounting you can change batteries without having to remove the stageplate to change the battery! Pretty convenient! I'm really digging the setup!

Stan Chase · April 6th, 2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Nguyen

I'm on the same boat with getting a battery grip for weight. Wonder if those grips on ebay any good.

Tony, have you found any generic BG-E8s on eBay? The cloned BG-E5 grip I had for my T1i doesn't work on the T2i.

Skye Giebink · April 8th, 2010, 02:10 PM

Is there a better stabilizer to use with Canon 17-55mm IS lens? It's pretty bulky. I might also be using a Tokina 11-16mm in the near future.

Alessandro Pasini · May 9th, 2010, 10:58 AM

do u find any good setup with the t2i and the 18-55?
it's my first post here, and i'm a newbie for everything related to camera... but i learn quite quickly...

i try to make a good setup with merlin and t2i but still invane... the camera is pretty fixed, but when u start and stop moving it gives movement L+R

tnx
ale

Daniel H. Buchmann · May 9th, 2010, 03:24 PM

Here's the recipe I used with the kit lens for good results:

Front 1 finish weight
Bottom 2 finish weights, 1 middle weight
Arc 9 3/8"
stage +4
Mounting hole M

Robert Turchick · May 9th, 2010, 04:47 PM

to change it up, I picked up a Blackbird. Balances perfectly with the battery grip/2 batteries and the Tokina 11-16 and a 577 QR plate. Camera/grip/lens/QR plate weighs 3.5lbs.

Sam Kanter · May 9th, 2010, 10:26 PM

Could you post some video to show how well it works on the fly?

Others as well with Merlin or other stabilizers??

March 23rd, 2010, 03:44 PM	#1
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	Steadcam Merlin + T2i = ? Anyone attempted to successfully do this yet? I have... sorta...it feels too light with the kit (18-55) lens. It works but it's slightly bottom heavy causing it to wobble (very little) when starting and stopping. Definitely can't run with it though.

March 30th, 2010, 03:36 PM	#2
Andrew Waite Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 307	I just picked up a Merlin and a T2i, I've got a Canon 10-22mm that should work nicely... I think I'm going to give it a shot tonight... I'll let you know what happens. __________________ http://www.higherdefinitionmedia.com RED One #6135 "Spartacus"

March 30th, 2010, 08:08 PM	#4
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	a buddy of mine had a merlin and while he didn't fly a DSLR on it, (FX1) he always had issues with weight. Just seemed like the merlin was meant for palmcorders. If that lens isn't too heavy, you might be ok but my T2i weighs a lot with the 50mm f1.4 and if I put my 24-70 on it, it's more than the fx1. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

March 31st, 2010, 12:04 PM	#7
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Ok so my theory's blown! I got the battery grip for mine and that with two batteries might add enough...thoughts? __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

April 6th, 2010, 10:48 AM	#9
Andrew Waite Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 307	So I think I got a good recipe for the Merlin and the T2i w/ Canon 10-22mm. Here it is: Mounting hole: M Stage Position: -2 Caliper: -.5 or approx 11 1/2 inches Spar weight: 1 finish weight Bottom weight: 1 starter, 1 mid, and 1 finish weight. The camera with lens weights in at exactly 2 lbs 0.4 ounces with battery and card. It is really light, but not too light to fly and there really isn't any reason to add more weight to make it solid. I think it's an ideal weight! The other nice thing about this recipe is that if you remove the battery door (it comes off easily for use with battery grip) before mounting you can change batteries without having to remove the stageplate to change the battery! Pretty convenient! I'm really digging the setup! __________________ http://www.higherdefinitionmedia.com RED One #6135 "Spartacus"

March 30th, 2010, 06:47 PM	#3
Sam Kanter Major Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 205	I tried the T2i with Canon 10-22 on a Steadicam Jr. Couldn't get it to balance, felt too top-heavy, not a good shape for the Steadicam Jr. I decided to sell it and find another solution if possible - not sure Merlin will be much different, but curious about your results...

March 30th, 2010, 08:29 PM	#5
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	I can balance the steadicam merlin with my XHA1 flawlessly, but for my t2i with kit lens or the 50mm 1.8...... no go. Too light. I'm thinking of finding ways to add more weight like a zoom h4n. I'll try to post some results with the kit and the 50mm.

March 31st, 2010, 12:30 AM	#6
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	The problem is going to be with the 550D/T2i being too light & not too heavy. Both the 5DII & 7D fly OK on a Merlin but do weigh a couple of hundred grams more. You need a certain mass to help damp down movement.

April 6th, 2010, 10:34 AM	#8
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	I'm on the same boat with getting a battery grip for weight. Wonder if those grips on ebay any good. I read that the generic batteries are just as good as the canon brand ones though.

April 8th, 2010, 02:10 PM	#11
Skye Giebink Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 54	Is there a better stabilizer to use with Canon 17-55mm IS lens? It's pretty bulky. I might also be using a Tokina 11-16mm in the near future.

May 9th, 2010, 10:58 AM	#12
Alessandro Pasini New Boot Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: forli (italy) Posts: 6	do u find any good setup with the t2i and the 18-55? it's my first post here, and i'm a newbie for everything related to camera... but i learn quite quickly... i try to make a good setup with merlin and t2i but still invane... the camera is pretty fixed, but when u start and stop moving it gives movement L+R tnx ale

May 9th, 2010, 03:24 PM	#13
Daniel H. Buchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 57	Here's the recipe I used with the kit lens for good results: Front 1 finish weight Bottom 2 finish weights, 1 middle weight Arc 9 3/8" stage +4 Mounting hole M

May 9th, 2010, 04:47 PM	#14
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	to change it up, I picked up a Blackbird. Balances perfectly with the battery grip/2 batteries and the Tokina 11-16 and a 577 QR plate. Camera/grip/lens/QR plate weighs 3.5lbs. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

May 9th, 2010, 10:26 PM	#15
Sam Kanter Major Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 205	Could you post some video to show how well it works on the fly? Others as well with Merlin or other stabilizers??