Steadicam Merlin at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · February 10th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Has anyone used the Steadicam Merlin without a vest with the FX1000? If so how is it working out. I was about to buy one and luckily came across some info that cast doubt into my mind as to whether it will work.

I have double posted, but since this is relatively new camera I felt my chances of a response would be much greater doing so. I hope the powers that be will let this slide!

I am looking at a used Merlin so time is of the essence, hence the double post.

Franklin Bencosme · February 10th, 2009, 06:38 PM

Hey Jeff !!
I think merlin is for cameras below 5 pounds,Z5 or FX1000 are
to heavy for merlin!,but who knows maybe somebody has try it?

Franklin

Jeff Harper · February 10th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Thanks Franklin. The FX1000 is 4lbs 9oz, so according to the specs it should work. The Z5 weighs 5lb 1oz so it definitely will be over spec.

Even though the FX1000 is within spec, I want to know it works before spending the money. With a small LED and smaller battery it will come in at just under 5lbs.

Wacharapong Chiowanich · February 10th, 2009, 07:55 PM

The specs say its OK for the Z1, FX1 so it is possible to put the FX1000 on and not breaking the gimball. But, believe me, a bare Merlin with a camera, and often on board accessories like lights, mic, bracket etc., is just too heavy and fatiguing to hold for longer than 2-3 minutes at a time. it is also cumbersome to operate the camera's controls while one of your hands has to carry the whole rig. You absolutely need the arm and vest accessories, period.

Wacharapong

Jeff Harper · February 10th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Thanks Wach, the info you provided is not what I wanted to hear, but I knew it to be the case (regarding the vest).

After I read your post I took a 10lb dumbbell and held it like a Merlin and walked around with it
and in absolutely no time my arm was tired.

I very much appreciate your post. Thank you.

Tim Akin · February 10th, 2009, 10:40 PM

Hi Jeff, I have a Merlin and have used it with the 1000 with good results. The Merlin is maxed out with a bare 1000 and 760 battery, but it will balance.

Jeff Harper · February 10th, 2009, 11:11 PM

Tim, you said the Merlin is maxed with only a 760 battery. Any wiggle room for 2 more oz? (Sima Light) or would I have to try it to find out?

Jo Ouwejan · February 11th, 2009, 02:11 AM

I would skip the Merlin, due to the fatigue problems in time.
Try the CB-105, from Dynamic Motion Video, I checked compatibility with the FX1000.
Here is a link: About CB-105 Video Camera Stabilizer Shoulder Support

Jeff Harper · February 11th, 2009, 02:33 AM

Interesting. I need to be able to use a mounting plate, that is a deal breaker, along with the closeness of the cam to my face, I am far sighted.

It is a very nice little item though.

If I buy a merlin I would buy a vest eventually. Until then the device would be of limited usefullness. I am still reeling from the prospect of $1900 for a vest. My wife has given the OK, for when I can manage it, but wow, that is a lot of money for a freakin vest!

Jo Ouwejan · February 11th, 2009, 02:56 AM

And if I am not mistaken, it is highly recommended, that you follow a traing course. To ensure, that you will not strain your back . . .

Tim Akin · February 11th, 2009, 07:13 AM

Yeah Jeff, you would probably just have to try that light, I don't know.

Ethan Cooper · February 11th, 2009, 07:56 AM

When you say the Merlin is maxing out with the FX1000 and a 760 are you talking about the plastic or metal gimbal? It was my understanding that the plastic supports a max or 5lbs but the metal tops out at 7lbs, or is that only when using the arm and vest?

Ethan Cooper · February 11th, 2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

If I buy a merlin I would buy a vest eventually. Until then the device would be of limited usefullness. I am still reeling from the prospect of $1900 for a vest. My wife has given the OK, for when I can manage it, but wow, that is a lot of money for a freakin vest!

Well to be fair, most of the cost is the Arm and not the Vest. Have you ever strapped one on at a show or anywhere? It's really slick. I haven't bought one yet cause I'm cheap and can get the job done without one, but if I had the money and actually needed one to do the job it would be a no brainer.

Tim Akin · February 11th, 2009, 09:42 AM

No Ethan, I'm talking about being able to get the Merlin balanced correctly. I think the merlin is maxed out with the 1000 as far as getting it balanced. I have all the weights on it and the gimbal adjusted as far as it will go.

Ethan Cooper · February 11th, 2009, 09:56 AM

But if you've got the metal gimbal and I'm reading their specs correctly then you may be able to buy an additional weight or two and get it to balance properly. Maybe...

February 10th, 2009, 06:09 PM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Steadicam Merlin Has anyone used the Steadicam Merlin without a vest with the FX1000? If so how is it working out. I was about to buy one and luckily came across some info that cast doubt into my mind as to whether it will work. I have double posted, but since this is relatively new camera I felt my chances of a response would be much greater doing so. I hope the powers that be will let this slide! I am looking at a used Merlin so time is of the essence, hence the double post.

February 10th, 2009, 10:40 PM	#6
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	Hi Jeff, I have a Merlin and have used it with the 1000 with good results. The Merlin is maxed out with a bare 1000 and 760 battery, but it will balance. __________________ Tim

February 11th, 2009, 07:13 AM	#11
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	Yeah Jeff, you would probably just have to try that light, I don't know. __________________ Tim

February 11th, 2009, 07:56 AM	#12
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	When you say the Merlin is maxing out with the FX1000 and a 760 are you talking about the plastic or metal gimbal? It was my understanding that the plastic supports a max or 5lbs but the metal tops out at 7lbs, or is that only when using the arm and vest? __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

February 11th, 2009, 09:42 AM	#14
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	No Ethan, I'm talking about being able to get the Merlin balanced correctly. I think the merlin is maxed out with the 1000 as far as getting it balanced. I have all the weights on it and the gimbal adjusted as far as it will go. __________________ Tim

February 10th, 2009, 06:38 PM	#2
Franklin Bencosme Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 135	Hey Jeff !! I think merlin is for cameras below 5 pounds,Z5 or FX1000 are to heavy for merlin!,but who knows maybe somebody has try it? Franklin

February 10th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thanks Franklin. The FX1000 is 4lbs 9oz, so according to the specs it should work. The Z5 weighs 5lb 1oz so it definitely will be over spec. Even though the FX1000 is within spec, I want to know it works before spending the money. With a small LED and smaller battery it will come in at just under 5lbs.

February 10th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#4
Wacharapong Chiowanich Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 400	The specs say its OK for the Z1, FX1 so it is possible to put the FX1000 on and not breaking the gimball. But, believe me, a bare Merlin with a camera, and often on board accessories like lights, mic, bracket etc., is just too heavy and fatiguing to hold for longer than 2-3 minutes at a time. it is also cumbersome to operate the camera's controls while one of your hands has to carry the whole rig. You absolutely need the arm and vest accessories, period. Wacharapong

February 10th, 2009, 08:24 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thanks Wach, the info you provided is not what I wanted to hear, but I knew it to be the case (regarding the vest). After I read your post I took a 10lb dumbbell and held it like a Merlin and walked around with it and in absolutely no time my arm was tired. I very much appreciate your post. Thank you.

February 10th, 2009, 11:11 PM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Tim, you said the Merlin is maxed with only a 760 battery. Any wiggle room for 2 more oz? (Sima Light) or would I have to try it to find out?

February 11th, 2009, 02:11 AM	#8
Jo Ouwejan Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Veenendaal, Holland Posts: 225	I would skip the Merlin, due to the fatigue problems in time. Try the CB-105, from Dynamic Motion Video, I checked compatibility with the FX1000. Here is a link: About CB-105 Video Camera Stabilizer Shoulder Support

February 11th, 2009, 02:33 AM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Interesting. I need to be able to use a mounting plate, that is a deal breaker, along with the closeness of the cam to my face, I am far sighted. It is a very nice little item though. If I buy a merlin I would buy a vest eventually. Until then the device would be of limited usefullness. I am still reeling from the prospect of $1900 for a vest. My wife has given the OK, for when I can manage it, but wow, that is a lot of money for a freakin vest!

February 11th, 2009, 02:56 AM	#10
Jo Ouwejan Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Veenendaal, Holland Posts: 225	And if I am not mistaken, it is highly recommended, that you follow a traing course. To ensure, that you will not strain your back . . .

February 11th, 2009, 09:56 AM	#15
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	But if you've got the metal gimbal and I'm reading their specs correctly then you may be able to buy an additional weight or two and get it to balance properly. Maybe... __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper