NX5/AX2K with Steadicam Merlin at DVinfo.net

Eugene Damianov · April 21st, 2010, 03:16 PM

Has anybody tried this combination? Because i read that 2 kg is approx. the limit of Merlin.. and we know that NX5 'naked' is 2.1 kg.

I'm asking because this is the stabilization i intend/can afford to buy with the NX5.

Greets!

Nick Popa · April 21st, 2010, 03:59 PM

Hey, I had a very similar question so I'll post here too...

In addition to Eugene's question, does anyone know how the nx5u will hold up on either a glidecam 2000 pro or 4000 pro? The camera is right on the line and I really want to be able to get away with the 2000 pro, but don't want to end up with a $250 paper weight if it doesn't work with the camera.

Niall Megahey · May 12th, 2010, 04:57 AM

The nx5 works like a charm on the merlin.

Heres a wedding i shot with it. Could have used the merlin a bit better but the wind was bad enough, thats my excuse ;)

Stephen Pinchback · May 12th, 2010, 07:26 AM

Nice video. Can you post your setup that you used with the Merlin? Weights, position, etc...

Thanks

John Mulvihill · May 13th, 2010, 08:21 AM

Very nice, it kept me watching till the end even though I hate weddings. On to the mechanics. I have a GlideCam 2000 I used with consumer sized mini DV cameras. Worked great except changing setting mid shot. IMO, can't be done, at least alone. When I threw a DVX100B on it I soon realized I needed to start lifting weights, it is heavy. So I put it on the optional belt pack but soon you realize those limits. So I have yet to do this but I also have a Vari-Zoom controller I want to install on the GlideCam so at least I might have a chance to make some on the fly adjustments without having to use auto settings for those ever changing conditions. I have yet to try it with the NXCam but truely believe the camera is just to heavy for the GlideCam 2000.I could go on for ever so now the questions.

Naill, It looks as though you did not use auto setting except focus, right? How do you handle the weight while using the Merlin? About how long can you operate (shoot) continuously before fatigue sets in?

Once again that video was very good.

John

Niall Megahey · May 16th, 2010, 06:15 AM

Hi. Cheers for the comments on the clip. It was the first time using the camera, shame about the formats but that's another story!

OK the setting I'm used on it. One finish weight in the center and all the remaining weights at the bottom. the whole lot! The arm is opened the full length. I don't have the Merlin next to me here but I'm quite sure its mounted on the m hole. Its the center one.. The thing i find when balancing the Merlin is making sure the cam is tightly against the screw that the lens sits on. once again i cant remember the name of it. On the nx5 i had the screw sitting between the focus ring and the zoom ring.

John I normally shoot all manual but except when I'm on the Merlin i set the focus to auto.
Fatigue? well i use the Merlin all day apart from the church and the speeches. Its much more then just a Steadicam its great for handheld shooting. if you hold the it against your body its great for pan, still shots etc. Great for getting the cam up high too. i would hold the gimbel and the bottom weights up high to get different perspectives on shots. The clip i posted i would say 95% of the shots i had the camera on the merlin.

Im did two weddings in a row this weekend and my right arm is feeling it a bit but your muscles get use to it. At the start i was tired. U feel it in your legs. Im not sure how long i would shoot continuously. probably bout 10 minutes now. one side effect of the Merlin is that my right arm looks bigger then my left :)

Hopes this helps, its a great bit of kit

Eugene Damianov · May 16th, 2010, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the input Niall !

Very nice video! But how do you zoom when your camera is on the Merlin? Wire remote control would disbalance the rig.. Is it possible to use the camera's rockers?

Robert Turchick · May 16th, 2010, 05:26 PM

Sorry to throw this into the Merlin discussion BUT, I played around with my HMC-150 which weighs just over 2 kilos with the big battery on my CMR Blackbird. It works beautifully but my arm was about to fall off after 10 minutes! I'm gonna stick to flying my T2i until I can get a vest! (the Merlin arm & vest fit the Blackbird too!)

Ben Gourlay · June 12th, 2010, 01:55 AM

Hi Niall,

Would you be so kind as to tell us the other few settings, including the stage mark and z? Really excited when I got it, but can't get the correct settings.

Thanks heaps in advance!

Cheers
Ben

Allan Phan · June 15th, 2010, 10:58 AM

Great video btw. I am also considering the Merlin for my NX5U as well. I wish the Merlin is a bit cheaper.

April 21st, 2010, 03:16 PM	#1
Eugene Damianov New Boot Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: EU Posts: 11	NX5/AX2K with Steadicam Merlin Has anybody tried this combination? Because i read that 2 kg is approx. the limit of Merlin.. and we know that NX5 'naked' is 2.1 kg. I'm asking because this is the stabilization i intend/can afford to buy with the NX5. Greets!

April 21st, 2010, 03:59 PM	#2
Nick Popa Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 120	Hey, I had a very similar question so I'll post here too... In addition to Eugene's question, does anyone know how the nx5u will hold up on either a glidecam 2000 pro or 4000 pro? The camera is right on the line and I really want to be able to get away with the 2000 pro, but don't want to end up with a $250 paper weight if it doesn't work with the camera. Last edited by Nick Popa; April 21st, 2010 at 04:32 PM.

May 12th, 2010, 04:57 AM	#3
Niall Megahey Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 96	The nx5 works like a charm on the merlin. Heres a wedding i shot with it. Could have used the merlin a bit better but the wind was bad enough, thats my excuse ;) Mark & Claire on Vimeo

May 16th, 2010, 05:26 PM	#8
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Sorry to throw this into the Merlin discussion BUT, I played around with my HMC-150 which weighs just over 2 kilos with the big battery on my CMR Blackbird. It works beautifully but my arm was about to fall off after 10 minutes! I'm gonna stick to flying my T2i until I can get a vest! (the Merlin arm & vest fit the Blackbird too!) __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

May 12th, 2010, 07:26 AM	#4
Stephen Pinchback New Boot Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11	Nice video. Can you post your setup that you used with the Merlin? Weights, position, etc... Thanks

May 13th, 2010, 08:21 AM	#5
John Mulvihill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 32	Very nice, it kept me watching till the end even though I hate weddings. On to the mechanics. I have a GlideCam 2000 I used with consumer sized mini DV cameras. Worked great except changing setting mid shot. IMO, can't be done, at least alone. When I threw a DVX100B on it I soon realized I needed to start lifting weights, it is heavy. So I put it on the optional belt pack but soon you realize those limits. So I have yet to do this but I also have a Vari-Zoom controller I want to install on the GlideCam so at least I might have a chance to make some on the fly adjustments without having to use auto settings for those ever changing conditions. I have yet to try it with the NXCam but truely believe the camera is just to heavy for the GlideCam 2000.I could go on for ever so now the questions. Naill, It looks as though you did not use auto setting except focus, right? How do you handle the weight while using the Merlin? About how long can you operate (shoot) continuously before fatigue sets in? Once again that video was very good. John

May 16th, 2010, 06:15 AM	#6
Niall Megahey Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 96	Hi. Cheers for the comments on the clip. It was the first time using the camera, shame about the formats but that's another story! OK the setting I'm used on it. One finish weight in the center and all the remaining weights at the bottom. the whole lot! The arm is opened the full length. I don't have the Merlin next to me here but I'm quite sure its mounted on the m hole. Its the center one.. The thing i find when balancing the Merlin is making sure the cam is tightly against the screw that the lens sits on. once again i cant remember the name of it. On the nx5 i had the screw sitting between the focus ring and the zoom ring. John I normally shoot all manual but except when I'm on the Merlin i set the focus to auto. Fatigue? well i use the Merlin all day apart from the church and the speeches. Its much more then just a Steadicam its great for handheld shooting. if you hold the it against your body its great for pan, still shots etc. Great for getting the cam up high too. i would hold the gimbel and the bottom weights up high to get different perspectives on shots. The clip i posted i would say 95% of the shots i had the camera on the merlin. Im did two weddings in a row this weekend and my right arm is feeling it a bit but your muscles get use to it. At the start i was tired. U feel it in your legs. Im not sure how long i would shoot continuously. probably bout 10 minutes now. one side effect of the Merlin is that my right arm looks bigger then my left :) Hopes this helps, its a great bit of kit

May 16th, 2010, 04:12 PM	#7
Eugene Damianov New Boot Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: EU Posts: 11	Thanks for the input Niall ! Very nice video! But how do you zoom when your camera is on the Merlin? Wire remote control would disbalance the rig.. Is it possible to use the camera's rockers?

June 12th, 2010, 01:55 AM	#9
Ben Gourlay New Boot Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 14	Hi Niall, Would you be so kind as to tell us the other few settings, including the stage mark and z? Really excited when I got it, but can't get the correct settings. Thanks heaps in advance! Cheers Ben

June 15th, 2010, 10:58 AM	#10
Allan Phan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 95	Great video btw. I am also considering the Merlin for my NX5U as well. I wish the Merlin is a bit cheaper.