5D2 + Steadicam Merlin (and other options) at DVinfo.net

Peter Chang · January 23rd, 2009, 01:29 PM

Anyone out there have experience with the Steadicam Merlin+Arm/Vest combo?
The only person I've spoken to who's tried one (without the arm/vest) said that they couldn't get the drop rate from 90-0 degrees as slow as they show in the instructional video.

There's also IDC/Bruce Dorn's U-Boat Commander.

And Dynamic Motion Video tells me that they are developing an adapter for the CB105 or possibly an entirely new support system.

Any thoughts?

Keith Paisley · January 23rd, 2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Chang

Anyone out there have experience with the Steadicam Merlin+Arm/Vest combo?
The only person I've spoken to who's tried one (without the arm/vest) said that they couldn't get the drop rate from 90-0 degrees as slow as they show in the instructional video.

There's also IDC/Bruce Dorn's U-Boat Commander.

And Dynamic Motion Video tells me that they are developing an adapter for the CB105 or possibly an entirely new support system.

Any thoughts?

I have a steadicam merlin, but no vest. getting the thing "optimized" with the 24-70/2.8L lens I was shooting with was a little tricky. I was shooting at 24mm so it was quite noseheavy with the lens barrel extended fully, but I did finally get it settled. I only tried shooting with it a couple times - one day it was pretty breezy and it blew the camera all over the place. The other time I tried it, I got decent results. I too was unable to get the 90-0 drop times anywhere close to "ideal" (I can't seem to locate my DVD lately, but I do remember a rather slow drop time).

Ralph Schoberth · January 24th, 2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Chang

Anyone out there have experience with the Steadicam Merlin+Arm/Vest combo?
The only person I've spoken to who's tried one (without the arm/vest) said that they couldn't get the drop rate from 90-0 degrees as slow as they show in the instructional video.

There's also IDC/Bruce Dorn's U-Boat Commander.

And Dynamic Motion Video tells me that they are developing an adapter for the CB105 or possibly an entirely new support system.

Any thoughts?

I've own a 5DMKII and a Merlin. No problem with the droptime here. I've tryed it with a Zeiss Flektogon 20mm lens

The Eos flyes very nicely.
Could be there are some problems with zooms because of the moving lens elements...

Grant Hamilton · January 25th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Paisley

I have a steadicam merlin, but no vest. getting the thing "optimized" with the 24-70/2.8L lens I was shooting with was a little tricky. I was shooting at 24mm so it was quite noseheavy with the lens barrel extended fully, but I did finally get it settled. I only tried shooting with it a couple times - one day it was pretty breezy and it blew the camera all over the place. The other time I tried it, I got decent results. I too was unable to get the 90-0 drop times anywhere close to "ideal" (I can't seem to locate my DVD lately, but I do remember a rather slow drop time).

Keith,

Can you share your setting with me? I've had a lot of trouble getting this lens/camera balanced. Which hole did you use for the plate mount? How much weight is on the bottom arm? How about the joint?

thanks,

Grant

David Koo · January 25th, 2009, 11:55 AM

I assume that flying a 5D2 with a merlin would require 1) a fixed lens (since the movement of a zoom would really throw the balance off) and 2) a small aperture (since there is no autofocus)? I have a Merlin and am just waiting for the 5D2 to ship this week. I would be interest to hear what fixed lens would work well with the 5D2 and the Merlin... Thanks.

Bill Petropoulos · January 25th, 2009, 12:24 PM

I've tried the 5D2 on the Merlin with the Canon 28mm 1.8, works well.
I think the 24mm would work as well if not better, since it's wider.

I'll post footage with the 28mm later this week.

-Bill

Keith Paisley · January 25th, 2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Hamilton

Keith,

Can you share your setting with me? I've had a lot of trouble getting this lens/camera balanced. Which hole did you use for the plate mount? How much weight is on the bottom arm? How about the joint?

thanks,

Grant

I used the "M" hole on the plate. To balance it with the lens at 24mm, I have to put the plate on the stage at around -3. I needed something probably two holes behind the M hole to get closer to the center of balance.

As for the weights, i have a finishing weight plus a middle weight on the nose (at the joint) of the merlin, then two finishing weights and three of the middle weights on the bottom. The arc distance is about 12 1/8". To figure all this out I used a spreadsheet calculator that i found on the merlin site.

With the 24-70 on it the rig is fairly heavy - a vest would probably make it much easier to handle for longer shoots.

Mike Tucker · January 26th, 2009, 07:23 AM

Hey Guys,

Just curious???

Are you able to use an external monitor?? Is there a video out on the mkII??

Are you able to use external focus control (rock)??

If you are able to use external controls will they also permit you to capture stills as well??

Thanks,
Mike

January 23rd, 2009, 01:29 PM	#1
Peter Chang Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 46	5D2 + Steadicam Merlin (and other options) Anyone out there have experience with the Steadicam Merlin+Arm/Vest combo? The only person I've spoken to who's tried one (without the arm/vest) said that they couldn't get the drop rate from 90-0 degrees as slow as they show in the instructional video. There's also IDC/Bruce Dorn's U-Boat Commander. And Dynamic Motion Video tells me that they are developing an adapter for the CB105 or possibly an entirely new support system. Any thoughts?

January 25th, 2009, 11:55 AM	#5
David Koo Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 51	I assume that flying a 5D2 with a merlin would require 1) a fixed lens (since the movement of a zoom would really throw the balance off) and 2) a small aperture (since there is no autofocus)? I have a Merlin and am just waiting for the 5D2 to ship this week. I would be interest to hear what fixed lens would work well with the 5D2 and the Merlin... Thanks.

January 25th, 2009, 12:24 PM	#6
Bill Petropoulos Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Orange County, Calif. USA Posts: 70	I've tried the 5D2 on the Merlin with the Canon 28mm 1.8, works well. I think the 24mm would work as well if not better, since it's wider. I'll post footage with the 28mm later this week. -Bill

January 26th, 2009, 07:23 AM	#8
Mike Tucker New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 20	Hey Guys, Just curious??? Are you able to use an external monitor?? Is there a video out on the mkII?? Are you able to use external focus control (rock)?? If you are able to use external controls will they also permit you to capture stills as well?? Thanks, Mike