Trying Merlin at DVinfo.net

Buba Kastorski · September 9th, 2007, 10:16 PM

Looking at the Merlin footage I decided (thank yhou guys) to get one.
Except for the fact that it just felt apart the first day I brouht it home, it's a very ncie piece fo equipment and much easier (compare to Glide\Fly Cam)
to work with.
Learning the art of balance, take a look ;-)

http://66.49.133.206/merlin.html

Stu Holmes · September 10th, 2007, 10:12 AM

thats an US$800+ piece of equipment, quite high-priced and for it to fall apart on you think is completely unacceptable, especially considering Steadicam's history and reputation and the fact that it's way more expensive than its competitors - the engineering & construction of it *should* be 1st class.

Any Tiffen representatives on the board?

Charles Papert · September 10th, 2007, 10:44 AM

Call the factory at 818-843-4600 extension 17, talk to Kyle Young.

Tom McDougal · September 10th, 2007, 12:52 PM

First off, your footage is very smooth and nice. Seems you picked it up quick

Second, i believe they have lifetime warranty, i'm sure Tiffen will take care of you in regards to a busted unit...

Mikko Wilson · September 10th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Yup, a quick call to Tiffen/Steadicam will fix this immediately.

Part of what you pay for with Steadicam is that in the rare case that you do have a problem (keep in mind that they have sold LOADS of Merlins, and every process is subject to an occasional problem, so the % with a problem seems to be really low) is the top notch support you get when you need it.

- Mikko

Buba Kastorski · September 10th, 2007, 05:39 PM

Thank you guys,
I wanted to bring it back, but they would send it back to manufacturer, and I didn't want to waist a few weeks on waiting when it's gonna come back, I wanted to put my hands on it right away, so I just glued it with super glue ;-)
now it works better than new, when it was new upper spar was shaiking and turning, now it's solid, the way it should be!
Yeah, I know, it's kinda suks, but I love the piece anyways, it's just great!
Now I'm thinking to get an arm and vest, hopefully that will not brake, at least for the first couple weeks :-)
Cheers!

Mikko Wilson · September 11th, 2007, 12:50 AM

Buba, if you insist on rapiring it yourself; check the small "set screw" in that joint to make sure it's tight and doing it's job.

- Mikko

Derran Rootring · September 11th, 2007, 09:46 AM

Great footage Buba, it looks like you have been flying the Merlin for weeks already! Beside the fact that the Merlin fell apart, I'm glad to hear that you are happy with your buying decision.

I'm also interested in buying the arm and vest system. I had a change to fly my camera and Merlin on it, at IBC last Saturday, and I never wanted to give the arm and vest back. :) I will post a short video later, where you can see the system 'in action'.

Sean Seah · September 11th, 2007, 09:46 AM

nice piece of work. I like the music, whaz the title? Its very clear and pretty steady as well.

Buba Kastorski · September 12th, 2007, 12:00 AM

Thank you guys,
practice with flycam makes flying Merlin piece of cake, I mean it's much lighter when the CG is right on top of your palm not on the side, good balance is something that comes with practice, I'm trying to fly every day 20- 30 min, downstairs, upstairs, straight and backwards, but the best part is that with Merlin you actually see how you getting better and better;

sorry don't even know the title of the track, or the artist name;

Thanks again guys, I learn a lot from all of you;
:-)

September 9th, 2007, 10:16 PM	#1
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	Trying Merlin Looking at the Merlin footage I decided (thank yhou guys) to get one. Except for the fact that it just felt apart the first day I brouht it home, it's a very ncie piece fo equipment and much easier (compare to Glide\Fly Cam) to work with. Learning the art of balance, take a look ;-) http://66.49.133.206/merlin.html Attached Thumbnails

September 10th, 2007, 10:12 AM	#2
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	thats an US$800+ piece of equipment, quite high-priced and for it to fall apart on you think is completely unacceptable, especially considering Steadicam's history and reputation and the fact that it's way more expensive than its competitors - the engineering & construction of it should be 1st class. Any Tiffen representatives on the board? Last edited by Stu Holmes; September 10th, 2007 at 10:54 AM.

September 10th, 2007, 10:44 AM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Call the factory at 818-843-4600 extension 17, talk to Kyle Young. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

September 10th, 2007, 05:35 PM	#5
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Yup, a quick call to Tiffen/Steadicam will fix this immediately. Part of what you pay for with Steadicam is that in the rare case that you do have a problem (keep in mind that they have sold LOADS of Merlins, and every process is subject to an occasional problem, so the % with a problem seems to be really low) is the top notch support you get when you need it. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

September 11th, 2007, 12:50 AM	#7
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Buba, if you insist on rapiring it yourself; check the small "set screw" in that joint to make sure it's tight and doing it's job. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

September 10th, 2007, 12:52 PM	#4
Tom McDougal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Port Jefferson, New York Posts: 62	First off, your footage is very smooth and nice. Seems you picked it up quick Second, i believe they have lifetime warranty, i'm sure Tiffen will take care of you in regards to a busted unit...

September 10th, 2007, 05:39 PM	#6
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	Thank you guys, I wanted to bring it back, but they would send it back to manufacturer, and I didn't want to waist a few weeks on waiting when it's gonna come back, I wanted to put my hands on it right away, so I just glued it with super glue ;-) now it works better than new, when it was new upper spar was shaiking and turning, now it's solid, the way it should be! Yeah, I know, it's kinda suks, but I love the piece anyways, it's just great! Now I'm thinking to get an arm and vest, hopefully that will not brake, at least for the first couple weeks :-) Cheers!

September 11th, 2007, 09:46 AM	#8
Derran Rootring Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 204	Great footage Buba, it looks like you have been flying the Merlin for weeks already! Beside the fact that the Merlin fell apart, I'm glad to hear that you are happy with your buying decision. I'm also interested in buying the arm and vest system. I had a change to fly my camera and Merlin on it, at IBC last Saturday, and I never wanted to give the arm and vest back. :) I will post a short video later, where you can see the system 'in action'.

September 11th, 2007, 09:46 AM	#9
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	nice piece of work. I like the music, whaz the title? Its very clear and pretty steady as well.

September 12th, 2007, 12:00 AM	#10
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	Thank you guys, practice with flycam makes flying Merlin piece of cake, I mean it's much lighter when the CG is right on top of your palm not on the side, good balance is something that comes with practice, I'm trying to fly every day 20- 30 min, downstairs, upstairs, straight and backwards, but the best part is that with Merlin you actually see how you getting better and better; sorry don't even know the title of the track, or the artist name; Thanks again guys, I learn a lot from all of you; :-)