Ex on a merlin.... at DVinfo.net

Christopher Witz · December 1st, 2007, 05:08 PM

My EX1 showed up today from abelcine.... thanks guys!

And the 1st thing I did was put it on the merlin..... took about 2 mins to dial in and it flys very nicely!

I had to put all the weights + 3 from the vest/arm kit to get it right.

I'll try to post pics and .mov's when I get a chance.

Brad Vaughan · December 1st, 2007, 07:08 PM

Cool.

Can't wait to see the pics and video.

Octavio Gasca · December 1st, 2007, 07:26 PM

If you can make some test using a lens adapter, like the letus extreme would be very interesting to know if the Merlin could handle the extra weight.

Christopher Witz · December 2nd, 2007, 09:40 AM

a little more info....

the EX1 takes the same hole config as a Z1... but the bottom of the EX1 has a bevel at the lens side which gives you less flatness to mate against... but still seems sturdy.

I think the EX1 is more back heavy as opposed to the Z1 which is front heavy.

Ray Bell · December 2nd, 2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Witzke

a little more info....

the EX1 takes the same hole config as a Z1... but the bottom of the EX1 has a bevel at the lens side which gives you less flatness to mate against... but still seems sturdy.

I think the EX1 is more back heavy as opposed to the Z1 which is front heavy.

I bet with the wide angle lens attached it gets balanced better.. ???

Matt Duke · December 2nd, 2007, 06:20 PM

I look forward to seeing your photos and feedback from using it as I'm currently deciding on which stabaliser device I will get with my EX1 and the Merlin was up there on the list.

Luis Figueroa · April 29th, 2008, 08:08 AM

I want to bump up this thread to see if anyone can give us updates on using the Merlin steadicam with the EX-1. Does it really work well?

This would be for documentary production. We will use a matte box but *not* a 35mm lens adapter. Would the rig w a matte box be too heavy for the Merlin?

We are about to make some purchases and knowing more about this would help a lot.

Thanks.

Sean Seah · April 29th, 2008, 10:34 AM

the steadicam pilot would be a better choice i tink.. u will be threading on the limits of the merlin.. someone here has his rigged up Z1 slip from the merlin..

Jason Bodnar · April 29th, 2008, 02:35 PM

I am in the same boat, still researching but am considering the Merlin. I think Mr. Phillip Bloom has a Merlin as well, Maybe he could chime in on this thread.

Christopher Witz · April 29th, 2008, 04:43 PM

yes... I flew an ex1 on a merlin/vest/arm for many hours without a problem... flew well, but the pilot is streets ahead in stability.

Chris Medico · April 29th, 2008, 08:17 PM

I took a Pilot with an EX1 for a test drive at NAB a few weeks ago. My pilot should arrive here next week if that tells you what I thought about it. I think you could fly the EX1 with a few options and still make the weight limit. Not a lot though.

Performance wise, it was a DREAM!!!

Luis Figueroa · April 29th, 2008, 10:29 PM

Folks, thanks for the responses, all are very helpful.

In this and other threads it was mentioned that Phil Bloom said he has the Merlin with vest & arm, but I can't find a response from him giving us some idea of how well that set up works. So far it seems the consensus is to go with the Pilot.

Paul Curtis · April 30th, 2008, 02:27 AM

For what it's worth i had a merlin with a Z1 which i found barely useable and i have a pilot for the EX1 which is in a different world.

Although i suspect you can set up the merlin faster if that's an important factor.

But my vote is for the pilot, but if that's too expensive i would look at hand and shoulder mounts instead of the merlin.

cheers
paul

Mike Williams · May 1st, 2008, 07:38 AM

I use the Glidecam 4000 and an EX, sans vest. Went from the Z1 and the weight did take some time to get accoustomed to.

Anyone using the vest for events?

Mike

December 1st, 2007, 05:08 PM	#1
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	Ex on a merlin.... My EX1 showed up today from abelcine.... thanks guys! And the 1st thing I did was put it on the merlin..... took about 2 mins to dial in and it flys very nicely! I had to put all the weights + 3 from the vest/arm kit to get it right. I'll try to post pics and .mov's when I get a chance.

April 29th, 2008, 08:08 AM	#7
Luis Figueroa New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 12	Bumping Up for Updates I want to bump up this thread to see if anyone can give us updates on using the Merlin steadicam with the EX-1. Does it really work well? This would be for documentary production. We will use a matte box but not a 35mm lens adapter. Would the rig w a matte box be too heavy for the Merlin? We are about to make some purchases and knowing more about this would help a lot. Thanks.

April 29th, 2008, 08:17 PM	#11
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	I took a Pilot with an EX1 for a test drive at NAB a few weeks ago. My pilot should arrive here next week if that tells you what I thought about it. I think you could fly the EX1 with a few options and still make the weight limit. Not a lot though. Performance wise, it was a DREAM!!! __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

May 1st, 2008, 07:38 AM	#14
Mike Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USVI Posts: 232	Glidecam 4000 I use the Glidecam 4000 and an EX, sans vest. Went from the Z1 and the weight did take some time to get accoustomed to. Anyone using the vest for events? Mike

December 1st, 2007, 07:08 PM	#2
Brad Vaughan Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 241	Cool. Can't wait to see the pics and video.

December 1st, 2007, 07:26 PM	#3
Octavio Gasca New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chihuahua, Mexico Posts: 22	If you can make some test using a lens adapter, like the letus extreme would be very interesting to know if the Merlin could handle the extra weight.

December 2nd, 2007, 09:40 AM	#4
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	a little more info.... the EX1 takes the same hole config as a Z1... but the bottom of the EX1 has a bevel at the lens side which gives you less flatness to mate against... but still seems sturdy. I think the EX1 is more back heavy as opposed to the Z1 which is front heavy.

December 2nd, 2007, 06:20 PM	#6
Matt Duke Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 69	I look forward to seeing your photos and feedback from using it as I'm currently deciding on which stabaliser device I will get with my EX1 and the Merlin was up there on the list.

April 29th, 2008, 10:34 AM	#8
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	the steadicam pilot would be a better choice i tink.. u will be threading on the limits of the merlin.. someone here has his rigged up Z1 slip from the merlin..

April 29th, 2008, 02:35 PM	#9
Jason Bodnar Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 376	I am in the same boat, still researching but am considering the Merlin. I think Mr. Phillip Bloom has a Merlin as well, Maybe he could chime in on this thread.

April 29th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#10
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	yes... I flew an ex1 on a merlin/vest/arm for many hours without a problem... flew well, but the pilot is streets ahead in stability.

April 29th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#12
Luis Figueroa New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 12	Folks, thanks for the responses, all are very helpful. In this and other threads it was mentioned that Phil Bloom said he has the Merlin with vest & arm, but I can't find a response from him giving us some idea of how well that set up works. So far it seems the consensus is to go with the Pilot.

April 30th, 2008, 02:27 AM	#13
Paul Curtis Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canterbury Posts: 411	For what it's worth i had a merlin with a Z1 which i found barely useable and i have a pilot for the EX1 which is in a different world. Although i suspect you can set up the merlin faster if that's an important factor. But my vote is for the pilot, but if that's too expensive i would look at hand and shoulder mounts instead of the merlin. cheers paul