Merlin killer from Manfrotto? at DVinfo.net

Paul Leung · August 31st, 2007, 03:26 PM

http://enw.manfrotto.com/mnews.htm?70.n.Py.z2.BC.P.DIPV

The 585 looks interesting. It can be used as a shoulder/table support and a stabilizer as well. Wow, can't wait to see it.

Harrison Murchison · August 31st, 2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

The new 585 MODOSTEADY. New piece for the MODO family, it is a revolutionary three in one video camera support (shoulder, table and steady), studied to obtain creative and almost professiona shooting with light cameras.

Nice..does look "Merlin'ish" I wonder how much it's going to cost.

Mikko Wilson · August 31st, 2007, 05:05 PM

That looks *very* Merlinish....

- Mikko

Jon Fairhurst · August 31st, 2007, 06:34 PM

"studied to obtain creative and almost professiona shooting with light cameras."

Apparently, their copy writer is "almost professiona" too! ;)

Looks nice though. I'm a big fan of passive stabilizers for small cams. They're inexpensive and they make hand held shots more tolerable.

Allan Black · September 11th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrison Murchison

I wonder how much it's going to cost.

So far...140 Euro = $US193.7 or $AU 232.4.

Noa Put · September 11th, 2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

So far...140 Euro = $US193.7 or $AU 232.4.

140?? Now that's cheap! Can't wait to read about the first reviews.

Vincent Deconinck · September 12th, 2007, 07:16 AM

I saw it at the IBC this week-end and it looks awesome indeed. I could not test it in real conditions, but the versatility makes it a top companion, particularly for HD shooting where stability is a must. I really love the 3-in-1 feature and the fact that it can be completely folded...

I believe targeting the home users (I've been told a price of EUR120-140 too) is a very smart move by Manfrotto compared to Merlin's more professional target.

Can't wait to get hold of one :-).

Here are a few pictures from the press-kit in case you're interested...

Steven Davis · September 12th, 2007, 07:19 AM

Cute toy, too bad it is probably to light for any of my cameras, except my handy cams.

Duane Steiner · September 12th, 2007, 07:32 AM

Looks nice and versatile. Wonder what the weight limit is. If it works with the HV20 w/accessories then I will get one.

Wes Vasher · September 15th, 2007, 12:00 PM

That looks pretty slick.

Mikko Wilson · September 15th, 2007, 02:30 PM

Sorry to rain on the parade, but I tried it out in depth at IBC last week, and it's a piece of junk.

It's made of plastic (why it's cheap) and it's *really* felxible, as in parts bounce & wobble as you move it - so it adds vibration to the shot.
It also has no gimble, but just a ball socket in it's place - there is so much firction there that I was actually isntructed by the Manfrotto Rep. at the show to control it simply by moving the handle - they completly missed the idea of isolating the camera from the operator to provide stabilty - if your hand wobbles, so will the camera.

About the only usefull feature is the "table tripod" mode, but you can find a small table-tripod for a lot less than the $120 you'd waste on this thing.

- Mikko

Vincent Deconinck · September 19th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Well, of course, if you're a professional Steadycam operator, I would be surprised if you were convinced by a 100 EUR plastic gadget :-).

This item is obviously not targeted at the pro shooter as I said, but in my case, I can't afford a 500+ EUR stabilizer so even if there is a perfect solution above that price, it's not for me.

Is it any good ? Only real-life testing will tell, and that's what I'm waiting for... If it stabilizes a great deal, even if not perfectly, I'll be happy...

Just my opinion, of course...

Vincent

John C. Chu · September 19th, 2007, 05:49 PM

From those photos, I can see situations where this thing will work nicely for small cameras.

That one mode where the unit presses against your shoulder pocket-- sort of like a UZI submachine gun with the extended stock---should add all kinds of stability.

For real super smooth high quality Hollywood steadicam shots? Hmmmmm, probably not.

Mikko Wilson · September 20th, 2007, 04:20 PM

Vincent; That's the problem; this thing does not stabilize much at all! It looks good in photos, but that's about it.

I have no problem with cheap if it works, I've used plenty of such gear. The probem here is isn't that it's not targetted at "professionals" but rather that the only people who will buy this are those uneducated in how a good stabilizer works and, more importantly, performs.

There are plenty of low cost stabiliers out there that work just fine. Just because this one is made by Manfrotto (who make great stuff, I've owned varios gear of theirs over the years, and work with a lot of it on a regular basis) doesn't automatically mean it will be better than a low-cost "cheapo" unit you see on e-bay.

- Mikko

Paul Leung · September 21st, 2007, 05:02 PM

What a disappointment. I should rename this thread to "Name killer from Manfrotto".

August 31st, 2007, 03:26 PM	#1
Paul Leung Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 173	Merlin killer from Manfrotto? http://enw.manfrotto.com/mnews.htm?70.n.Py.z2.BC.P.DIPV The 585 looks interesting. It can be used as a shoulder/table support and a stabilizer as well. Wow, can't wait to see it.

August 31st, 2007, 05:05 PM	#3
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	That looks very Merlinish.... - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com Last edited by Mikko Wilson; August 31st, 2007 at 07:46 PM.

August 31st, 2007, 06:34 PM	#4
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	"studied to obtain creative and almost professiona shooting with light cameras." Apparently, their copy writer is "almost professiona" too! ;) Looks nice though. I'm a big fan of passive stabilizers for small cams. They're inexpensive and they make hand held shots more tolerable. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

September 12th, 2007, 07:16 AM	#7
Vincent Deconinck Tourist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brussels Posts: 2	I saw it at the IBC this week-end and it looks awesome indeed. I could not test it in real conditions, but the versatility makes it a top companion, particularly for HD shooting where stability is a must. I really love the 3-in-1 feature and the fact that it can be completely folded... I believe targeting the home users (I've been told a price of EUR120-140 too) is a very smart move by Manfrotto compared to Merlin's more professional target. Can't wait to get hold of one :-). Here are a few pictures from the press-kit in case you're interested... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Vincent Deconinck; September 12th, 2007 at 01:40 PM.

September 12th, 2007, 07:19 AM	#8
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Cute toy, too bad it is probably to light for any of my cameras, except my handy cams. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

September 12th, 2007, 07:32 AM	#9
Duane Steiner Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA Posts: 195	Looks nice and versatile. Wonder what the weight limit is. If it works with the HV20 w/accessories then I will get one. __________________ www.speedandmotion.com

September 15th, 2007, 12:00 PM	#10
Wes Vasher Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 440	That looks pretty slick. __________________ Clips \| Stills

September 15th, 2007, 02:30 PM	#11
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Sorry to rain on the parade, but I tried it out in depth at IBC last week, and it's a piece of junk. It's made of plastic (why it's cheap) and it's really felxible, as in parts bounce & wobble as you move it - so it adds vibration to the shot. It also has no gimble, but just a ball socket in it's place - there is so much firction there that I was actually isntructed by the Manfrotto Rep. at the show to control it simply by moving the handle - they completly missed the idea of isolating the camera from the operator to provide stabilty - if your hand wobbles, so will the camera. About the only usefull feature is the "table tripod" mode, but you can find a small table-tripod for a lot less than the $120 you'd waste on this thing. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

September 19th, 2007, 03:47 PM	#12
Vincent Deconinck Tourist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brussels Posts: 2	Well, of course, if you're a professional Steadycam operator, I would be surprised if you were convinced by a 100 EUR plastic gadget :-). This item is obviously not targeted at the pro shooter as I said, but in my case, I can't afford a 500+ EUR stabilizer so even if there is a perfect solution above that price, it's not for me. Is it any good ? Only real-life testing will tell, and that's what I'm waiting for... If it stabilizes a great deal, even if not perfectly, I'll be happy... Just my opinion, of course... Vincent

September 19th, 2007, 05:49 PM	#13
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	From those photos, I can see situations where this thing will work nicely for small cameras. That one mode where the unit presses against your shoulder pocket-- sort of like a UZI submachine gun with the extended stock---should add all kinds of stability. For real super smooth high quality Hollywood steadicam shots? Hmmmmm, probably not.

September 20th, 2007, 04:20 PM	#14
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Vincent; That's the problem; this thing does not stabilize much at all! It looks good in photos, but that's about it. I have no problem with cheap if it works, I've used plenty of such gear. The probem here is isn't that it's not targetted at "professionals" but rather that the only people who will buy this are those uneducated in how a good stabilizer works and, more importantly, performs. There are plenty of low cost stabiliers out there that work just fine. Just because this one is made by Manfrotto (who make great stuff, I've owned varios gear of theirs over the years, and work with a lot of it on a regular basis) doesn't automatically mean it will be better than a low-cost "cheapo" unit you see on e-bay. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

September 21st, 2007, 05:02 PM	#15
Paul Leung Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 173	Name killer from Manfrotto What a disappointment. I should rename this thread to "Name killer from Manfrotto".