Who has a Steadicam Merlin?

Donald White · August 4th, 2006, 06:03 PM

I've had my Merlin for a couple of months, but haven't used it much with my older Sony cam - I've put my name on the list for the new Canon XH A1. Any thoughts or input about how this might fly with the weight, etc? Should I consider a larger rig?

Another question considering the previous post - is there a system with an arm and a vest that will connect with the Merlin? I read that there was one in the works...

I will also work on getting together some footage and learning how to post it to the site...

Don

Mikko Wilson · August 4th, 2006, 08:43 PM

Based on the weight and shape of the camera, I'm confident that the Canon A1 and G1 will fly perfectly on the Merlin. I think they will handle similarly to the FX1.

I understand that there is a lightweight vest & arm in the works for the Merlin. But I don't know any more than that.

- Mikko

Michael Donne · August 5th, 2006, 04:10 AM

i dont know anything about this vest except what i noticed here

http://www.varizoom.com/products/sta...vzdvsport.html

While not listing the Merlin, it may be worth asking them !

Given most of these systems seem to support the stabiliser by a 'pole' up the handle, i'm interested to know if the Merlin handle is up to the job anyway...

i've been tempted to rig a lighting stand with a manfrotto arm so i could rest the fx1 on merlin onto it via a pole into the tube that runs up the handle.....the shop where i got the merlin said i could do this, but i've been nervous of the strength of construction on the merlin handle.

Does anyone know if this is safe with an fx1?

Mikko Wilson · August 5th, 2006, 08:14 AM

The Merlin should be fully exchangebale with the JR on 3rd party support systems.

The hole in the handle is in deed created for docking. There is a docking bracket available from Tiffen. You can also dock the Merlin on a Flyer or Archer (as I do with mine) balancing stand.

You can actually fly the Merlin on a Flyer arm!

- Mikko

Donald White · August 5th, 2006, 08:47 AM

That's exciting - & gets the old mind a'workin.
The Steadicam site shows the vest priced separately, but not the arm... can you get it without the sled too?

Also, since I'm a big guy with a long torso - are there big differences in how the vests fit as far as the adjustments & comfort? I'm wanting to take the next step with a stabilizer system & therefore looking at all options - the only system I've seen locally is the Navigator.

Thanks,
Don

Tom Wills · August 5th, 2006, 10:06 AM

Nope, Unluckily the Flyer arm can't be sold without the sled and vest. Trust me, I've tried.

Donald White · August 5th, 2006, 02:42 PM

well shucks! I thought I could get my foot in the door by purchasing a piece at a time...

thanks.

Tom Wills · August 5th, 2006, 02:50 PM

You sure can do that, but you just won't get yourself a Flyer. It's real easy to find some old sled parts, arm parts, and vest parts, and begin putting together a rig for yourself. Heck, it only took me 2 days to source a topstage and a dovetail plate for my rig when mine stopped working.

David Cuebas · August 6th, 2006, 05:44 PM

I have been flying a Sony HDR-HC1 on the Merlin. Of course, I did some rough shots around the house to get the feel and setup of Merlin. My first real practice run was, literally, running around chasing my friend's dogs. It's one thing to follow people; you kinda know what they are going to do. Following dogs is a whole different experience.

You can check out one of my chase shots here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...82911777&hl=en

The shot starts out by walking behind or next to the dog. He tries to lose me by walking faster, then by running, but I'm able to keep up with him and (more or less) keep him in frame.

I'm going to upload some more Merlin videos soon.

Greg Watts · August 6th, 2006, 06:50 PM

That's some nice footage. I'd be very concerned that the dog would stop suddenly and run at me. Bad things happen when the dog does that if you're not ready. :) Good stuff.

Cheers!

Tom McDougal · August 7th, 2006, 07:05 AM

nice dogs...nice flying :)

Mikko Wilson · August 7th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Good looking footage there David.
Still some tameing to do on the operating. Though the faster shots looked good. - Faster is easier than slow, though.

Just be carefull when running around like that, you mind is busy shooting and you can easily trip and fall.

It's always a good idea to scout out and rehearse running shots if possible - or at least know the area. Can't rehearse with dogs, but it's your own back yard which you know well I presume. :)

Thanks for the footage and keep on shooting!

- Mikko

Armin DeFiesta · August 8th, 2006, 06:43 AM

Great flying David! I'm loving my Merlin. I recently filmed a wedding with it and got all kinds of curious looks. Even the photographer was simply amazed (he also does videography) and is thinking of getting one too after seeing me fly mine the event. Post up some more footage David!

Kris Holodak · August 8th, 2006, 01:14 PM

I signed up for DVChallenge #5 for the express purpose of practicing with my Merlin before I needed to do anything real for work.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=heron+media

I was happy enough with it for my first effort that I pulled it out for a real work project later. It just got posted to be the first episode of a podcast, so to be honest I'm not sure if the direct link will work, but here it is. The merlin work comes near the end. I shot with it more than ended up getting used. But the one follow shot we did use I liked.
http://podcast.rbn.com/kennedy/artse..._hall_tour.m4v

Paul Leung · August 9th, 2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris Holodak

I signed up for DVChallenge #5 for the express purpose of practicing with my Merlin before I needed to do anything real for work.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=heron+media

I was happy enough with it for my first effort that I pulled it out for a real work project later. It just got posted to be the first episode of a podcast, so to be honest I'm not sure if the direct link will work, but here it is. The merlin work comes near the end. I shot with it more than ended up getting used. But the one follow shot we did use I liked.
http://podcast.rbn.com/kennedy/artse..._hall_tour.m4v

Hi Kris,

Nice video of the Kennedy Center! What cameras do you use? Lighting is very good!

August 4th, 2006, 06:03 PM	#61
Donald White Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 54	Canon XH A1 I've had my Merlin for a couple of months, but haven't used it much with my older Sony cam - I've put my name on the list for the new Canon XH A1. Any thoughts or input about how this might fly with the weight, etc? Should I consider a larger rig? Another question considering the previous post - is there a system with an arm and a vest that will connect with the Merlin? I read that there was one in the works... I will also work on getting together some footage and learning how to post it to the site... Don

August 4th, 2006, 08:43 PM	#62
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Based on the weight and shape of the camera, I'm confident that the Canon A1 and G1 will fly perfectly on the Merlin. I think they will handle similarly to the FX1. I understand that there is a lightweight vest & arm in the works for the Merlin. But I don't know any more than that. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

August 5th, 2006, 08:14 AM	#64
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	The Merlin should be fully exchangebale with the JR on 3rd party support systems. The hole in the handle is in deed created for docking. There is a docking bracket available from Tiffen. You can also dock the Merlin on a Flyer or Archer (as I do with mine) balancing stand. You can actually fly the Merlin on a Flyer arm! - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

August 5th, 2006, 08:47 AM	#65
Donald White Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 54	Merlin on a Flyer... hmm That's exciting - & gets the old mind a'workin. The Steadicam site shows the vest priced separately, but not the arm... can you get it without the sled too? Also, since I'm a big guy with a long torso - are there big differences in how the vests fit as far as the adjustments & comfort? I'm wanting to take the next step with a stabilizer system & therefore looking at all options - the only system I've seen locally is the Navigator. Thanks, Don

August 7th, 2006, 02:01 PM	#72
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Good looking footage there David. Still some tameing to do on the operating. Though the faster shots looked good. - Faster is easier than slow, though. Just be carefull when running around like that, you mind is busy shooting and you can easily trip and fall. It's always a good idea to scout out and rehearse running shots if possible - or at least know the area. Can't rehearse with dogs, but it's your own back yard which you know well I presume. :) Thanks for the footage and keep on shooting! - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

August 5th, 2006, 04:10 AM	#63
Michael Donne Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: brighon uk Posts: 55	i dont know anything about this vest except what i noticed here http://www.varizoom.com/products/sta...vzdvsport.html While not listing the Merlin, it may be worth asking them ! Given most of these systems seem to support the stabiliser by a 'pole' up the handle, i'm interested to know if the Merlin handle is up to the job anyway... i've been tempted to rig a lighting stand with a manfrotto arm so i could rest the fx1 on merlin onto it via a pole into the tube that runs up the handle.....the shop where i got the merlin said i could do this, but i've been nervous of the strength of construction on the merlin handle. Does anyone know if this is safe with an fx1?

August 5th, 2006, 10:06 AM	#66
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	Nope, Unluckily the Flyer arm can't be sold without the sled and vest. Trust me, I've tried.

August 5th, 2006, 02:42 PM	#67
Donald White Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 54	well shucks! I thought I could get my foot in the door by purchasing a piece at a time... thanks.

August 5th, 2006, 02:50 PM	#68
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	You sure can do that, but you just won't get yourself a Flyer. It's real easy to find some old sled parts, arm parts, and vest parts, and begin putting together a rig for yourself. Heck, it only took me 2 days to source a topstage and a dovetail plate for my rig when mine stopped working.

August 6th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#69
David Cuebas Tourist Join Date: May 2006 Location: Peachtree City, Ga Posts: 4	I have been flying a Sony HDR-HC1 on the Merlin. Of course, I did some rough shots around the house to get the feel and setup of Merlin. My first real practice run was, literally, running around chasing my friend's dogs. It's one thing to follow people; you kinda know what they are going to do. Following dogs is a whole different experience. You can check out one of my chase shots here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...82911777&hl=en The shot starts out by walking behind or next to the dog. He tries to lose me by walking faster, then by running, but I'm able to keep up with him and (more or less) keep him in frame. I'm going to upload some more Merlin videos soon.

August 6th, 2006, 06:50 PM	#70
Greg Watts Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 66	That's some nice footage. I'd be very concerned that the dog would stop suddenly and run at me. Bad things happen when the dog does that if you're not ready. :) Good stuff. Cheers!

August 7th, 2006, 07:05 AM	#71
Tom McDougal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Port Jefferson, New York Posts: 62	nice dogs...nice flying :)

August 8th, 2006, 06:43 AM	#73
Armin DeFiesta Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 74	Great flying David! I'm loving my Merlin. I recently filmed a wedding with it and got all kinds of curious looks. Even the photographer was simply amazed (he also does videography) and is thinking of getting one too after seeing me fly mine the event. Post up some more footage David!

August 8th, 2006, 01:14 PM	#74
Kris Holodak Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 302	I signed up for DVChallenge #5 for the express purpose of practicing with my Merlin before I needed to do anything real for work. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=heron+media I was happy enough with it for my first effort that I pulled it out for a real work project later. It just got posted to be the first episode of a podcast, so to be honest I'm not sure if the direct link will work, but here it is. The merlin work comes near the end. I shot with it more than ended up getting used. But the one follow shot we did use I liked. http://podcast.rbn.com/kennedy/artse..._hall_tour.m4v