Merlin Vs Glidecam HD-1000 for Canon HF S100 at DVinfo.net

Frank Grygier · May 18th, 2009, 02:47 PM

I am looking at both of these stabilizers to use with my HF-S100. Is the Merlin worth the difference in price?

Tony Neal · May 19th, 2009, 05:52 AM

I've used the Merlin and the Glidecam but the Merlin is the one I bought. Being a real Steadicam, its a very finely engineered piece of kit - you can quickly make fine adjustments to the trim without moving any weights as on the Glidecam, and of course the Merlin can be folded up and carried in your camera bag (just about) - I take mine on holiday.

My main dislike with the Glidecam is the side-mounted gimbal wich exerts a twisting force on your wrist that I find very uncomfortable - its fine if you have the arm and vest but that is overklll with a small camcorder.

Frank Grygier · May 19th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Thanks for your input Tony,

I am still in the hobby phase and would like to get some experience with a stabilizer. I have been leaning towards the Merlin.

Frank

Charles Papert · May 19th, 2009, 12:25 PM

Just to confuse things, here is another good option:

The Blackbird Camera Stabilizer by Camera Motion Research

Frank Grygier · May 19th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the input Charles.

I see this is similar in design to the Merlin. It weighs in at about 2lb vs the 13 oz for the Merlin. The Canon is very light. In your opinion would the camera balance better on the Merlin or on of the others mentioned.

Frank Grygier · May 19th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Charles,

Is it possible to get the 1 sec drop time with the Merlin using the Merlin without adding much additional weight when balancing the Canon HF-S100. The camera weighs about 1.1 lbs.

Thanks,

Frank

Pavel Houda · May 19th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Frank, since you mentioned that you are still in learning stage, I would recommend the Blackbird. I wouldn't underestimate the learning. It is like learning to play the violin. To get really good at it takes very long time. I think that the Blackbird makes it easier with the adjustable friction feature.

Frank Grygier · May 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM

Hello Pavel,

This "friction feature" you speak of. Is it the pan lock?

Frank

Charles Papert · May 19th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Unless the type of shooting you plan to do relies on the rig being as light as possible (i.e. very long walking shots), I would recommend that you add a bit of weight (accessories etc.) A 3lb camera will handle a LOT better than a 1.1 lb camera on any of these stabilizers.

Frank, the friction control on the Blackbird (they call it Smoothtouch) is a dialable friction element on roll and tilt. I used the unit at NAB and felt that it is a potentially helpful feature especially for new operators.

Frank Grygier · May 19th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Charles,

I read your review of the Blackbird and looked at video on their website.Very helpful.

The "Vertical Balance" bar seems to add a lot of length to this stabilizer. Did this get in your way? It look a little ungainly.

Frank

Frank Grygier · May 20th, 2009, 08:07 AM

Thanks for the input.

I have settled on the Merlin.

Charles Papert · May 20th, 2009, 02:03 PM

A fine choice.

Frank Grygier · May 20th, 2009, 02:14 PM

If you don't mind I will have some footage for you critique in a few weeks.

I may be overly optimistic but I am excited to learn to use the Merlin.

Bill Pryor · May 20th, 2009, 03:53 PM

I've used a non-Steadicam full size rig before with 2/3" chip cameras, and when I got a Merlin with arm and vest for my XH A1, I found the Steadicam quality even in this small system was much better that others I've used. I think it's worth the difference in cost if you can afford it. And if you get a heavier camera, you can add the arm/vest package with the extra weights.

Frank Grygier · May 21st, 2009, 08:34 AM

I worked as a camera man for a PBS station when I was a lot younger. I have had the yearning to get back in behind the camera for a long time. We used studio cameras on pedestals to do all kinds of productions. This will be fun to "fly" the little HD camera around.

May 18th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#1
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Merlin Vs Glidecam HD-1000 for Canon HF S100 I am looking at both of these stabilizers to use with my HF-S100. Is the Merlin worth the difference in price?

May 19th, 2009, 12:25 PM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Just to confuse things, here is another good option: The Blackbird Camera Stabilizer by Camera Motion Research __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 19th, 2009, 01:36 PM	#7
Pavel Houda Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 352	Learning Curve Frank, since you mentioned that you are still in learning stage, I would recommend the Blackbird. I wouldn't underestimate the learning. It is like learning to play the violin. To get really good at it takes very long time. I think that the Blackbird makes it easier with the adjustable friction feature.

May 19th, 2009, 02:22 PM	#9
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Unless the type of shooting you plan to do relies on the rig being as light as possible (i.e. very long walking shots), I would recommend that you add a bit of weight (accessories etc.) A 3lb camera will handle a LOT better than a 1.1 lb camera on any of these stabilizers. Frank, the friction control on the Blackbird (they call it Smoothtouch) is a dialable friction element on roll and tilt. I used the unit at NAB and felt that it is a potentially helpful feature especially for new operators. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 20th, 2009, 02:03 PM	#12
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	A fine choice. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 19th, 2009, 05:52 AM	#2
Tony Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fareham, UK Posts: 160	I've used the Merlin and the Glidecam but the Merlin is the one I bought. Being a real Steadicam, its a very finely engineered piece of kit - you can quickly make fine adjustments to the trim without moving any weights as on the Glidecam, and of course the Merlin can be folded up and carried in your camera bag (just about) - I take mine on holiday. My main dislike with the Glidecam is the side-mounted gimbal wich exerts a twisting force on your wrist that I find very uncomfortable - its fine if you have the arm and vest but that is overklll with a small camcorder.

May 19th, 2009, 11:37 AM	#3
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Thanks for your input Tony, I am still in the hobby phase and would like to get some experience with a stabilizer. I have been leaning towards the Merlin. Frank

May 19th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#5
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Thanks for the input Charles. I see this is similar in design to the Merlin. It weighs in at about 2lb vs the 13 oz for the Merlin. The Canon is very light. In your opinion would the camera balance better on the Merlin or on of the others mentioned.

May 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM	#8
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Hello Pavel, This "friction feature" you speak of. Is it the pan lock? Frank

May 19th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#10
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Charles, I read your review of the Blackbird and looked at video on their website.Very helpful. The "Vertical Balance" bar seems to add a lot of length to this stabilizer. Did this get in your way? It look a little ungainly. Frank

May 20th, 2009, 08:07 AM	#11
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Thanks for the input. I have settled on the Merlin.

May 20th, 2009, 02:14 PM	#13
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	If you don't mind I will have some footage for you critique in a few weeks. I may be overly optimistic but I am excited to learn to use the Merlin.

May 20th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#14
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I've used a non-Steadicam full size rig before with 2/3" chip cameras, and when I got a Merlin with arm and vest for my XH A1, I found the Steadicam quality even in this small system was much better that others I've used. I think it's worth the difference in cost if you can afford it. And if you get a heavier camera, you can add the arm/vest package with the extra weights.

May 21st, 2009, 08:34 AM	#15
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	I worked as a camera man for a PBS station when I was a lot younger. I have had the yearning to get back in behind the camera for a long time. We used studio cameras on pedestals to do all kinds of productions. This will be fun to "fly" the little HD camera around.