Setting up the new Merlin with a sony z1 at DVinfo.net

Marcus Martell · July 10th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Hi guys, i don't wanna crosspost but im having issues in the settings of the Merlin with the z1. Could you help me guys?I don't find in the plate the correct position of the cam.The stage on the merlincookbook.com says 5 but in the plate it counts till 4...maybe i'm mistaking somewhere...could u helpme please?
sorry 4 my english

MM

Marcus Martell · July 11th, 2009, 06:14 AM

Maybe all my problems depend from adjusting the guide ring.I don't know the exact parameters on how to set because i tourned clockwise and counterclockwise different times and now i don't know how to set the -2 turns as stated on the cookbook.Is there any tips that could u give me?ùthx

Nick Tsamandanis · July 11th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Forget about the cookbook. Open the spar all the way. Add enough weights-turn ring until you have a drop time around 2 seconds. Trim and you are ready to go.

Marcus Martell · July 11th, 2009, 08:32 AM

Ummm Nick,i'll try as u suggest!Just 2 things:compliments 4 your videos on your website
Awesome photography;
On the pictures of the steadicam operator there's a pic with a guy that looks a friend of mine and he is from Australia,David Nugent,is he?It's impossible to be true!

Nick Tsamandanis · July 11th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the compliments, it's not your friend -)

Marcus Martell · July 11th, 2009, 10:18 AM

Dave is an Aussie director, do u know him?He's from Cronolla....

Talking about The z1 and the Merlin, if i add the wide hg-0872 with the lightest battery do u think will be possible to handle it?
I'm trying as u suggest acting on the ring but i'm not able..I feel very dumb!
I wanna learn before wednsday(there will be this rugby tournament in here)....
thx 4 da help

Nick Tsamandanis · July 11th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Don't know him, the hg-0872 wide angle lens weighs 550 grams so with the metal gimbal you should be ok, sorry but if you are just starting out with the Merlin you will not be ready by Wednesday. Good luck though...

Marcus Martell · July 13th, 2009, 02:17 AM

Hey Nick, last night after un hour of tests i finally balanced the merlin.It seems steady even if the the dovetail plate is almost at 3 stage position (is it a problem)?In that way the "Gezornenplatz" doesn't touch anything.....
BTW i wanna ask you 2 quests:
1- there's a little move between the lower and the upper spar even it's locked;is it normal?
2- when i shoot should i put the camera in wich focus mode?I guess infinity right?It's impossible to change the focus values.
Thx for now
Have a good starting week mate!I reAlly appreciate your help!

MM

Nick Tsamandanis · July 13th, 2009, 02:35 AM

Yes, there is a bit of movement, should not be a problem. I was using mine when it was damaged and very loose, still got great shots. I always put the camera in auto focus mode, I would not recommend infinity, 3 metres would be a better manual setting. It is very important that the G platz screw always has firm contact with the camera.

Marcus Martell · July 13th, 2009, 03:18 AM

HI NICK! thanks a lot for your help!So u think that if i put the sony wide hg0872 with the wide should not be a problem right?I m gonna use the NP-f570 batttery with this combo!

i'm scared to make damages to the gimbal during the drop test!LOL

i ve read that u had damages on your!Do them change every damage on the merlin?Do you have to ship it back to them...just in case?

Thx mate 4 your precious help

MM

Nick Tsamandanis · July 13th, 2009, 03:26 AM

You would probably be ok with the large battery as well, just make sure you have the metal gimbal, not the plastic one. I would buy a scale to make sure. My gimbal was not damaged, my upper spar became loose and was rotating off centre. Tiffen were nice enough to replace it for me when I sent it to them.

Marcus Martell · July 13th, 2009, 04:08 AM

Hi Nick, yep i have the latest model with the metal gimbal!I'll try to test as u said.I fell like a child that is learning how to drive a bike..lol!

thx 4 everything

Marcus Martell · August 12th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Do u have any shots made with the wide and the merlin?

thx

Marcus Martell · August 13th, 2009, 03:48 AM

Another question:If u use the wideangle what do the gezornenplatz touch?
thx

July 10th, 2009, 05:58 AM	#1
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Setting up the new Merlin with a sony z1 Hi guys, i don't wanna crosspost but im having issues in the settings of the Merlin with the z1. Could you help me guys?I don't find in the plate the correct position of the cam.The stage on the merlincookbook.com says 5 but in the plate it counts till 4...maybe i'm mistaking somewhere...could u helpme please? sorry 4 my english MM

July 11th, 2009, 07:28 AM	#3
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Forget about the cookbook. Open the spar all the way. Add enough weights-turn ring until you have a drop time around 2 seconds. Trim and you are ready to go. __________________ Nick

July 11th, 2009, 10:08 AM	#5
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Thanks for the compliments, it's not your friend -) __________________ Nick

July 11th, 2009, 10:32 AM	#7
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Don't know him, the hg-0872 wide angle lens weighs 550 grams so with the metal gimbal you should be ok, sorry but if you are just starting out with the Merlin you will not be ready by Wednesday. Good luck though... __________________ Nick

July 13th, 2009, 02:35 AM	#9
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Yes, there is a bit of movement, should not be a problem. I was using mine when it was damaged and very loose, still got great shots. I always put the camera in auto focus mode, I would not recommend infinity, 3 metres would be a better manual setting. It is very important that the G platz screw always has firm contact with the camera. __________________ Nick

July 11th, 2009, 06:14 AM	#2
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Maybe all my problems depend from adjusting the guide ring.I don't know the exact parameters on how to set because i tourned clockwise and counterclockwise different times and now i don't know how to set the -2 turns as stated on the cookbook.Is there any tips that could u give me?ùthx

July 11th, 2009, 08:32 AM	#4
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Ummm Nick,i'll try as u suggest!Just 2 things:compliments 4 your videos on your website Awesome photography; On the pictures of the steadicam operator there's a pic with a guy that looks a friend of mine and he is from Australia,David Nugent,is he?It's impossible to be true!

July 11th, 2009, 10:18 AM	#6
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Dave is an Aussie director, do u know him?He's from Cronolla.... Talking about The z1 and the Merlin, if i add the wide hg-0872 with the lightest battery do u think will be possible to handle it? I'm trying as u suggest acting on the ring but i'm not able..I feel very dumb! I wanna learn before wednsday(there will be this rugby tournament in here).... thx 4 da help

July 13th, 2009, 02:17 AM	#8
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Hey Nick, last night after un hour of tests i finally balanced the merlin.It seems steady even if the the dovetail plate is almost at 3 stage position (is it a problem)?In that way the "Gezornenplatz" doesn't touch anything..... BTW i wanna ask you 2 quests: 1- there's a little move between the lower and the upper spar even it's locked;is it normal? 2- when i shoot should i put the camera in wich focus mode?I guess infinity right?It's impossible to change the focus values. Thx for now Have a good starting week mate!I reAlly appreciate your help! MM

July 13th, 2009, 03:18 AM	#10
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	HI NICK! thanks a lot for your help!So u think that if i put the sony wide hg0872 with the wide should not be a problem right?I m gonna use the NP-f570 batttery with this combo! i'm scared to make damages to the gimbal during the drop test!LOL i ve read that u had damages on your!Do them change every damage on the merlin?Do you have to ship it back to them...just in case? Thx mate 4 your precious help MM

July 13th, 2009, 03:26 AM	#11
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	You would probably be ok with the large battery as well, just make sure you have the metal gimbal, not the plastic one. I would buy a scale to make sure. My gimbal was not damaged, my upper spar became loose and was rotating off centre. Tiffen were nice enough to replace it for me when I sent it to them. __________________ Nick

July 13th, 2009, 04:08 AM	#12
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Hi Nick, yep i have the latest model with the metal gimbal!I'll try to test as u said.I fell like a child that is learning how to drive a bike..lol! thx 4 everything

August 12th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#13
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Do u have any shots made with the wide and the merlin? thx

August 13th, 2009, 03:48 AM	#14
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Another question:If u use the wideangle what do the gezornenplatz touch? thx