A1 with Steadicam Merlin at DVinfo.net

Bhanu Neti · May 5th, 2008, 11:57 AM

I just bought a steadicam merlin, trying to using it with A1. Was not able to balance the A1 with battery. Appreciate if any one can share their settings/setup/photos.

Thanks

Jack Walker · May 5th, 2008, 01:19 PM

Try the 4.98 lbs. setting for the Canon XH-A1 here:
http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php
A lot of people have found these settings useful.

Also, there are a lot of postings on this subject in the camera support section of the forum:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=119

Bhanu Neti · May 6th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Thanks Jack. It was very helpful.
I tried the 4.98 lbs settings from cookbook , it is better now, but still there is slight oscillation to side ways. Tried adjusting the trims but did not work.

Jack Walker · May 6th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Here is another thread that may be helpful with settings for the Merlin and the XH-A1:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=90447

Once you've got it working the best you can, post a specific question about what's happening in the Steadicam/Stabilizer forum. You should get very good answers on what may be wrong and what to change (or whether it's just a matter of practice).

Jerrod Cordell · May 7th, 2008, 01:27 PM

I used the one from the cookbook for mine, but it didn't work that well. I honestly just messed around with it until I got it right. The major parts of the cookbook are right though, like the number of weights and the location of the plate, etc. Mess around with the gimbal though. That may help you out a bit.

Jack Walker · May 7th, 2008, 03:26 PM

It is also imperative to watch the video and follow the steps precisely to get a feel for setting up the Merlin.

Jose Ortiz · May 8th, 2008, 06:34 AM

I was wondering how far you guys were able to go in terms of max weight.
I am planning to buy one for my A1 but I would like to use it with my Canon Light+ battery, and the G2 lav receiver on top.

I now that this is put in a weight close to the max or a bit higher of 6 pounds.

Any one that can tell me if this is able to handle with the merlin?
Any good results?

Brett Daly · May 8th, 2008, 11:30 AM

Hi Jose,

I think if you wanted to get up around the 6 pound mark, then I'd suggest looking at getting the arm and vest attachment, as I believe it's then capable of supporting up to 7.5lbs. I'm using the Merlin with my A1, 970 battery, and a Red Eye wide angle lens that's putting it at approximately 5.3 pounds. Even though it's working okay, I sure wouldn't want to add any more weight to it, as I don't think the gimbal would last too long, and neither would my arm.

The Merlin's a great little unit, but it's rated at 5 pounds max for a good reason.

May 5th, 2008, 11:57 AM	#1
Bhanu Neti Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 60	A1 with Steadicam Merlin I just bought a steadicam merlin, trying to using it with A1. Was not able to balance the A1 with battery. Appreciate if any one can share their settings/setup/photos. Thanks

May 5th, 2008, 01:19 PM	#2
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Try the 4.98 lbs. setting for the Canon XH-A1 here: http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php A lot of people have found these settings useful. Also, there are a lot of postings on this subject in the camera support section of the forum: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=119

May 6th, 2008, 09:31 AM	#3
Bhanu Neti Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 60	Thanks Jack. It was very helpful. I tried the 4.98 lbs settings from cookbook , it is better now, but still there is slight oscillation to side ways. Tried adjusting the trims but did not work.

May 6th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#4
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Here is another thread that may be helpful with settings for the Merlin and the XH-A1: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=90447 Once you've got it working the best you can, post a specific question about what's happening in the Steadicam/Stabilizer forum. You should get very good answers on what may be wrong and what to change (or whether it's just a matter of practice).

May 7th, 2008, 01:27 PM	#5
Jerrod Cordell Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 136	I used the one from the cookbook for mine, but it didn't work that well. I honestly just messed around with it until I got it right. The major parts of the cookbook are right though, like the number of weights and the location of the plate, etc. Mess around with the gimbal though. That may help you out a bit.

May 7th, 2008, 03:26 PM	#6
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	It is also imperative to watch the video and follow the steps precisely to get a feel for setting up the Merlin.

May 8th, 2008, 06:34 AM	#7
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	I was wondering how far you guys were able to go in terms of max weight. I am planning to buy one for my A1 but I would like to use it with my Canon Light+ battery, and the G2 lav receiver on top. I now that this is put in a weight close to the max or a bit higher of 6 pounds. Any one that can tell me if this is able to handle with the merlin? Any good results?

May 8th, 2008, 11:30 AM	#8
Brett Daly Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 28	Hi Jose, I think if you wanted to get up around the 6 pound mark, then I'd suggest looking at getting the arm and vest attachment, as I believe it's then capable of supporting up to 7.5lbs. I'm using the Merlin with my A1, 970 battery, and a Red Eye wide angle lens that's putting it at approximately 5.3 pounds. Even though it's working okay, I sure wouldn't want to add any more weight to it, as I don't think the gimbal would last too long, and neither would my arm. The Merlin's a great little unit, but it's rated at 5 pounds max for a good reason.