7D + Merlin Steadicam

Nathanael Iversen · August 27th, 2010, 03:42 PM

I have a nice balance going with the Merlin, 7D, 17-55IS, and the Canon lens hood. Parameters set for 17mm:

Spar opened to one line shy of max opening
(1) mid + 1 finish on the front
(1) start + (2) mid + 1 (finish) on the bottom
Camera mounted in Hole "M" on mounting plate
mounting plate registering at "-0.75" mark

The L-R adjuster is almost totally to the Right
The F-R adjuster is about 3/4 forward

Obviously the fine adjusters take some tweaking, but both have play and work well.

I tried 3 Mid weights on the bottom, but it was too bottom heavy and had a pendulum effect. Going back to 2 mid weights gave me the 1 sec drop and very smooth action.

Hopefully this can help anyone get in the ballpark with this combo.

Andy Wilkinson · August 28th, 2010, 01:05 PM

Hi Nathanael,

You're right! Curiosity got the better of me so I just tried your setup with my 7D and Canon 17-55mm IS set at 17mm, focussed at about 1.5m (but in my case with a cheap Marumi 83-J hood on plus a filter on the front of the lens). Got the Merlin Steadicam balanced in a just a few seconds with no problems at all.

I will say it seems much, much heaver than flying with the Canon 10-22mm on (so I'll probably stick with that for my main flying stuff as it covers the same focal range). However, I imagine it might be less susceptible to light breezes when outside.

Seems an excellent start point (really stable!) so thanks for posting!

Nathanael Iversen · August 29th, 2010, 09:57 AM

Andy,

Glad it worked for you - these things really ought to be fairly repeatable! Your reply did make me realize that I also have a UV filter on the front and I forgot to list that. The camera, lens and lens hood are around 3.5lbs. I don't have the 10-22, to compare weight, but it isn't for indefinite use for sure... That's why they make the vests, I'm sure.

Patrick Scott Fisher · February 5th, 2011, 11:25 PM

Was considering Merlin to replace my glidecam 2000 pro. Still undecided but lots of great material here.

Andy Wilkinson · February 6th, 2011, 05:14 AM

Hi Patrick,

Yep, DVinfo is the place to look for anything Video related for sure!

The Merlin gets better and better with lots of practice (doesn't everything!). There are a few shots using the Merlin/Canon 7D in my new showreel (it's on my website if your interested) which shows I'm getting better at it - I hope! Many talk of the Blackbird being an easier stabiliser to master than the Merlin but I'm very happy I went with the Merlin - albeit it still frustrates me at times - less and less now. Which stabiliser is one of those really difficult choices that many seem to agonise over - good luck in choosing what's right for you but be aware it's very susceptible to breezes as mentioned a bit earlier.

But since you already have it, what is not working for you with the Glidecam 2000 Pro that you think a Merlin might fix?

On a side note, I spent many happy years doing a different kind of flying - into STL on business from the UK every few weeks. Used to hang out a lot in Riddles Penultimate and a few other bars and restaurants on "The Loop" in University City. Hope they are still as good/still going strong!

August 27th, 2010, 03:42 PM	#46
Nathanael Iversen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 34	7D + 17-55IS + Merlin I have a nice balance going with the Merlin, 7D, 17-55IS, and the Canon lens hood. Parameters set for 17mm: Spar opened to one line shy of max opening (1) mid + 1 finish on the front (1) start + (2) mid + 1 (finish) on the bottom Camera mounted in Hole "M" on mounting plate mounting plate registering at "-0.75" mark The L-R adjuster is almost totally to the Right The F-R adjuster is about 3/4 forward Obviously the fine adjusters take some tweaking, but both have play and work well. I tried 3 Mid weights on the bottom, but it was too bottom heavy and had a pendulum effect. Going back to 2 mid weights gave me the 1 sec drop and very smooth action. Hopefully this can help anyone get in the ballpark with this combo.

August 28th, 2010, 01:05 PM	#47
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Canon 7D and Canon 17-55mm IS plus Merlin Steadicam Hi Nathanael, You're right! Curiosity got the better of me so I just tried your setup with my 7D and Canon 17-55mm IS set at 17mm, focussed at about 1.5m (but in my case with a cheap Marumi 83-J hood on plus a filter on the front of the lens). Got the Merlin Steadicam balanced in a just a few seconds with no problems at all. I will say it seems much, much heaver than flying with the Canon 10-22mm on (so I'll probably stick with that for my main flying stuff as it covers the same focal range). However, I imagine it might be less susceptible to light breezes when outside. Seems an excellent start point (really stable!) so thanks for posting! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production Last edited by Andy Wilkinson; August 28th, 2010 at 02:09 PM. Reason: typo!

February 5th, 2011, 11:25 PM	#49
Patrick Scott Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 32	Thanks Was considering Merlin to replace my glidecam 2000 pro. Still undecided but lots of great material here. __________________ Patrick Fisher patrick@milestoneprofilms.com www.patrickfishervideo.com

February 6th, 2011, 05:14 AM	#50
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Hi Patrick, Yep, DVinfo is the place to look for anything Video related for sure! The Merlin gets better and better with lots of practice (doesn't everything!). There are a few shots using the Merlin/Canon 7D in my new showreel (it's on my website if your interested) which shows I'm getting better at it - I hope! Many talk of the Blackbird being an easier stabiliser to master than the Merlin but I'm very happy I went with the Merlin - albeit it still frustrates me at times - less and less now. Which stabiliser is one of those really difficult choices that many seem to agonise over - good luck in choosing what's right for you but be aware it's very susceptible to breezes as mentioned a bit earlier. But since you already have it, what is not working for you with the Glidecam 2000 Pro that you think a Merlin might fix? On a side note, I spent many happy years doing a different kind of flying - into STL on business from the UK every few weeks. Used to hang out a lot in Riddles Penultimate and a few other bars and restaurants on "The Loop" in University City. Hope they are still as good/still going strong! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

August 29th, 2010, 09:57 AM	#48
Nathanael Iversen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 34	Andy, Glad it worked for you - these things really ought to be fairly repeatable! Your reply did make me realize that I also have a UV filter on the front and I forgot to list that. The camera, lens and lens hood are around 3.5lbs. I don't have the 10-22, to compare weight, but it isn't for indefinite use for sure... That's why they make the vests, I'm sure.