I lost my dovetail plate(and screws) for my Steadicam Merlin at a shoot recently. :(

I looked at Tiffen's accessories PDF to see how much a replacement is and couldn't really find exactly what I was looking for. I saw dovetail plate's for other steadicams, but not the Merlin.

Anybody ever lose this part before? I am trying to figure out how much it costs and how quickly Tiffen ships. I have not had good luck getting an answer from them, so I hope that is not an omen.

Hi James,

Feel free to give me a call or email me and we can talk about what parts you lost.

Thanks,
Michael Craigs
Tiffen/Steadicam
800-593-3331 ext. 34
mcraigs@hotmail.com

Fantastic! Michael was very helpful!

Hi Mike, welcome to DVI! Good to have you onboard.

The Pilot review we talked about will be online here shortly, keep an eye out!

Hi Charles,

Can't wait to read the review... as I'm very close to purchasing the Pilot. A good review from you would tip me over the edge.

Mike what's going on! Nice to see you on this board (I chatted with you @ NAB & our team visited steadicam factory a month back, we chatted with you and Dan).

Charles, I look forward to your Pilot review.

Hi Charles and Michael,

Thank you for the warm welcome to the board!

-Charles, very excited about the Pilot review. I look forward to reading it.

-Michael, I hope everything is running smoothly for you. I always tell people about the great shots you showed us at the factory.

All the best,
Michael

My Pilot review package is still being formatted by our beloved leader Chris and will be up within days (hours? minutes?)--thanks folks, keep an eye out!

Well, I figured I'd try here again since I haven't had any luck through Tiffen phones & email in getting any responses.

I am the original poster and the replacement dovetail plate I ordered doesn't quite fit onto the Merlin without jimmying or scratching it up. I don't want to do it again since it might break something. Also, the locking pin doesn't even fit through the whole on the dovetail plate. It is too big. The mounting screw is the only thing that works (or is the right size).

I was hoping to get a response here, since I cannot seem to get a response at Tiffen about the wrong parts I was sent.

I have a shoot this weekend, and am freaking out since my Merlin is not operable at this point.

Thanks, -James

James, I am talking to folks at the factory tomorrow and I will ask them to check the board here regarding your issue.

Otherwise, in case anyone hasn't seen it already, the Pilot review has been posted at:

http://dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/steadicampilot1.php

Thanks Charles! I need all the help I can get at this point.

Man, I am really getting frustrated. I am now almost finished with day 3 of trying to get a hold of anybody at Tiffen that can correct the wrong parts I was sent.

I talk to receptionists who cannot help me or they give me the numbers to extensions that don't answer and don't return my messages.

Same goes for emails.

Sorry James, I did talk to Dan at Tiffen but forgot about your predicament, he just got back from vacation today which is why you were having trouble getting through to anyone. Try him tomorrow at ext 17.

Many thanks, Charles!!

solved. Thanks Michael & Charles!

I am a moron. Tiffen is fine. Everything they sent me worked. My lack of patience caused me to give up too soon on getting it to work. My apologies.