HI there

Have there been any reports of any problems with the Merlin?

My friend just got one on Friday and it broke already. The metal rods at the top of the merlin slide back and forth and the camera swings on it's mount when it moves.... :(

Is your friend "Saturnin Kondratiew" who just started the other thread on the topic?

- Mikko

yah....i know Ron, hes a trouble maker..lol .....he broke my ankle yesterday because i didnt let him direct.... u will notice a cast in the video that i posted in the other thread, lol! THANX RON!!! THANX!!

That was payback for ramming into me with your motorcycle as I was carrying the three layer wedding cake to my sister's wedding.

hee

Man, am I surprised that Merlin got broken. ;)

I made up a similar rig out of alumina,complete with a self-centring bearing and gimbal handle. These rig’s work ok, but make no mistake, even if you have strong wrists they are tiring to use. If you intend shooting for any length of time you’re better off with a rig that can attach to some kind of waist or shoulder support.

Self centering?
Want to share details?

- Mikko

Hi Mikko
I got a JR a couple of months ago for use with a fully loaded PD150 (W/A, big battery etc) and whilst it needs practice, I've got some great bits which I've used in corporates. I'm sure its not up to "proper" Steadicam standards, but certainly impressed a client or two!
Anyhow, whilst its fine now, the JR seems flimsy (although Charles's posts about his JR suggest otherwise!) so I thought a Merlin might be a wise investment. So finally my question(!):-
With no built-in-monitor, it easy to balance using a camera's flip out screen?
I know someone who has the JR, and they tell me that the PD150 is too heavy for it. I read the specs on the Merlin, and I know it is supposed to take cameras up to 5 lbs; however, looking at the online "cookbook" for cameras and weights, I did not see the PD150/170 listed.

Is anyone using the Merline with their PD150/170, and are there any weight issues?

Yes the Steadicam Merlin will take the PD150/170 perfectly. - Infact I'd say that's about one of the best weight cameras for the Merlin.

Well noticed about the Cookbook settings missing. I think they'll probably have them up for the PD-150 sometime soon soon.
(or you can use their snazzy onlines calculator to get teh settings too!)

- Mikko

A follow up to my previous post...

Some PD-150/170 settings are now online in the user-supplied section of the Merlin cookbook: http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php

- Mikko

I wonder if this resulted from my e-mail to them? :o)

It is similar to the Sony 2100. That is where I would start for
balancing.
Thanks
Kyle

Kyle Young
Steadicam Customer Service Manager
Tiffen Steadicam
www.steadicam.com
kyoung@tiffen.com