XF300 and Merlin Steadicam at DVinfo.net

John Gibbins · June 12th, 2011, 08:48 PM

Does anyone have or know of a place to find a recipe for this combo?
The merlin site recipe book does not have this combo listed yet.

Andy Wilkinson · June 13th, 2011, 10:35 AM

Duplicate post, somehow - ignore this one!

Andy Wilkinson · June 13th, 2011, 10:37 AM

I'm not sure how heavy the XF300 is, but if it's anything close to my EX3 I really can't image you'd want to put something of that weight (and size) on a little Merlin.

Jim Martin · June 13th, 2011, 11:17 AM

In a word.....no. The min. Steadicam you could use w/XF 300s would be the Pilot.....and you really should be looking at the Zeypher. Remember, you buy support eqipment (Steadicam, tripod pkgs, etc) based on the max. potential weight you could put on it. If you take the 300/305 and add a follow focus, matte box, on board monitor, and a lens attachment, you will be in the 15-17 Lbs department.

Jim Martin
FilmTools.com

John Gibbins · June 13th, 2011, 11:23 AM

I have used it successfully with the XHA1s and was hoping that someone had some luck with the XF300.
That combination worked quite well for me.
It is marginally heavier, maybe just a litttle too much.
Now to break the news to the wife.
Perhaps I can get some advice in that issue. ;)

Nigel Barker · June 13th, 2011, 06:00 PM

I have an XF305 & it is a bit deceptive as it is a lot bulkier than an XH-A1 but not a whole lot heavier (2.7kg vs 2.25kg) The EX3 is apparently quite a bit heavier at 3.6kg. I found flying an XH-A1 on a Merlin very hard work on my arm & I really wouldn't want to fly the XF305 on a Merlin.

Nigel Barker · June 13th, 2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Martin

In a word.....no. The min. Steadicam you could use w/XF 300s would be the Pilot.....and you really should be looking at the Zeypher. Remember, you buy support eqipment (Steadicam, tripod pkgs, etc) based on the max. potential weight you could put on it. If you take the 300/305 and add a follow focus, matte box, on board monitor, and a lens attachment, you will be in the 15-17 Lbs department.

A follow focus wouldn't be much use on a Steadicam unless it was a wireless one & there is no need for an on board monitor as you already have one at the bottom of the rig helping to counterbalance the camera you are flying. The maximum load for a Pilot is 10lbs/4.5kg so the XF300/305 at under 3kg is well within that limit.

June 12th, 2011, 08:48 PM	#1
John Gibbins New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 15	XF300 and Merlin Steadicam Does anyone have or know of a place to find a recipe for this combo? The merlin site recipe book does not have this combo listed yet.

June 13th, 2011, 10:35 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: XF300 and Merlin Steadicam Duplicate post, somehow - ignore this one! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

June 13th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#3
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: XF300 and Merlin Steadicam I'm not sure how heavy the XF300 is, but if it's anything close to my EX3 I really can't image you'd want to put something of that weight (and size) on a little Merlin. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

June 13th, 2011, 11:17 AM	#4
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	Re: XF300 and Merlin Steadicam In a word.....no. The min. Steadicam you could use w/XF 300s would be the Pilot.....and you really should be looking at the Zeypher. Remember, you buy support eqipment (Steadicam, tripod pkgs, etc) based on the max. potential weight you could put on it. If you take the 300/305 and add a follow focus, matte box, on board monitor, and a lens attachment, you will be in the 15-17 Lbs department. Jim Martin FilmTools.com

June 13th, 2011, 11:23 AM	#5
John Gibbins New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 15	Re: XF300 and Merlin Steadicam I have used it successfully with the XHA1s and was hoping that someone had some luck with the XF300. That combination worked quite well for me. It is marginally heavier, maybe just a litttle too much. Now to break the news to the wife. Perhaps I can get some advice in that issue. ;)

June 13th, 2011, 06:00 PM	#6
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: XF300 and Merlin Steadicam I have an XF305 & it is a bit deceptive as it is a lot bulkier than an XH-A1 but not a whole lot heavier (2.7kg vs 2.25kg) The EX3 is apparently quite a bit heavier at 3.6kg. I found flying an XH-A1 on a Merlin very hard work on my arm & I really wouldn't want to fly the XF305 on a Merlin.