Steadicam Merlin gets vest and arm at CES at DVinfo.net

Charles Papert · January 9th, 2007, 11:33 AM

Tiffen is showing a great looking arm and vest for the Merlin at CES, apparently. Some info and a picture here.

No word on pricing yet.

Mikko Wilson · January 9th, 2007, 11:52 AM

Dang it CP! You beat me to it! :-)

However I have some more info...

More photos can be found at: http://www.lasvegassteadicam.com/merlin/

The arm is a smaller version of the Flyer arm (which is regarded as the best lightweight arm ever) and vest. The system features a standard adjustable socket block, and shares the famous tools-free Steadicam "Iso-elastic" design that makes the bigger arms from Steadicam increidbly smooth and responsive.

The arm lifts around 3-10lbs.

It has an amazing 28" boom range - that's almsot the same as the Flyer and G-series arms, and more than the Master/Ultra arm!

The arm-vest connections is by way of a standard socket block thats the same size [and compatible with] the Flyer's socket block.

It'll be possible to put other am posts on the arm to allow for use of other selds in adition to the Merlin (though I can't imagine why you'd want to, perhaps a light flyer sled..)

The vest is super lite weight and uses all velcro closures (no squeaky plastic clips!).

I think that this rig will prety much knock the ball out of the park as far as options for medium weight cameras like the DVX, HVX, and other similar sized DV and HDV cameras.

No doubt that the system will also be on display at NAB in April, if not sooner.

More updates from me as I hear them.

- Mikko

Greg Quinn · January 9th, 2007, 10:23 PM

Explains the Flyer promo over the past few months.

Nick Tsamandanis · January 17th, 2007, 08:21 AM

http://www.tiffen.com/merlinarmvest.html

Byron Huskey · January 18th, 2007, 11:12 PM

I know it will take me forever to save for it, but I am really excited about getting this (and a Merlin) for my XH-A1!

Ethan Cooper · January 19th, 2007, 09:51 AM

I know it's all speculation at this point, but anyone care to take a stab at what one of these will cost?

Rush Hamden · January 19th, 2007, 10:22 AM

I have heard on another forum, as low as $2500 and as high as $4000, according to Robert Starling, a Steadicam Op in LV, NV. He was there at the showing, wearing the vest, etc.

Cody Lucido · January 19th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Anybody care to share rumors on when this will be released?

David Cuebas · January 20th, 2007, 04:37 AM

WOW!! I was hoping they would release an arm and vest for the Merlin! I know there were rumors for a while. Now the only questions are when and how much $$$...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rush Hamden

I have heard on another forum, as low as $2500 and as high as $4000, according to Robert Starling, a Steadicam Op in LV, NV. He was there at the showing, wearing the vest, etc.

Hopefully, they can keep the price in line with Merlin and similar handheld stabilizers. I just can't see dropping $4000 for an arm/vest on an $800 Merlin. The Merlin arm/vest setup may be the closest way I will have to operating a "full" Steadicam rig.

Ethan Cooper · January 20th, 2007, 11:45 AM

"Hopefully, they can keep the price in line with Merlin and similar handheld stabilizers. I just can't see dropping $4000 for an arm/vest on an $800 Merlin."

This thing is built by Tiffen. There's no way it will come in for anything under $2500. If I'm wrong, I'll buy 2 the day they come out. I'm guessing it's more like $3500 without the Merlin, $4000 with. I'm willing to bet that at that price it's worth every penny and then some.
I'm excited about this product. I'd be more excited if I had the 4 grand burning a hole in my pocket.

Nick Tsamandanis · January 20th, 2007, 08:00 PM

Flying with the arm and vest you'll probably need to add the docking stand to the budget.

Charles Papert · January 21st, 2007, 12:36 PM

I'm going over the Tiffen factory to test out the new vest and arm on Monday, so I will post my thoughts shortly thereafter.

Mikko Wilson · January 21st, 2007, 11:20 PM

We look forward to your report CP.

- Mikko

Tom Wills · January 22nd, 2007, 07:13 AM

Can't wait to read your review Charles. I'm sure it'll just confirm my suspicions that Tiffen's got a winner on its hands!

Nick Tsamandanis · January 22nd, 2007, 07:39 AM

I just realised that because there is no monitor at the bottom and the position of the camera's LCD screen it will have to be operated with the camera on the right hand side of the body. And perhaps that will be the only way?

January 9th, 2007, 11:33 AM	#1
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Steadicam Merlin gets vest and arm at CES Tiffen is showing a great looking arm and vest for the Merlin at CES, apparently. Some info and a picture here. No word on pricing yet. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 9th, 2007, 11:52 AM	#2
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Dang it CP! You beat me to it! :-) However I have some more info... More photos can be found at: http://www.lasvegassteadicam.com/merlin/ The arm is a smaller version of the Flyer arm (which is regarded as the best lightweight arm ever) and vest. The system features a standard adjustable socket block, and shares the famous tools-free Steadicam "Iso-elastic" design that makes the bigger arms from Steadicam increidbly smooth and responsive. The arm lifts around 3-10lbs. It has an amazing 28" boom range - that's almsot the same as the Flyer and G-series arms, and more than the Master/Ultra arm! The arm-vest connections is by way of a standard socket block thats the same size [and compatible with] the Flyer's socket block. It'll be possible to put other am posts on the arm to allow for use of other selds in adition to the Merlin (though I can't imagine why you'd want to, perhaps a light flyer sled..) The vest is super lite weight and uses all velcro closures (no squeaky plastic clips!). I think that this rig will prety much knock the ball out of the park as far as options for medium weight cameras like the DVX, HVX, and other similar sized DV and HDV cameras. No doubt that the system will also be on display at NAB in April, if not sooner. More updates from me as I hear them. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com Last edited by Mikko Wilson; January 9th, 2007 at 12:27 PM.

January 17th, 2007, 08:21 AM	#4
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	http://www.tiffen.com/merlinarmvest.html __________________ Nick

January 18th, 2007, 11:12 PM	#5
Byron Huskey Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 64	I know it will take me forever to save for it, but I am really excited about getting this (and a Merlin) for my XH-A1! __________________ Byron Huskey Rhapsodist Productions "Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls." - Ingmar Bergman

January 19th, 2007, 09:51 AM	#6
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	how much? I know it's all speculation at this point, but anyone care to take a stab at what one of these will cost?

January 9th, 2007, 10:23 PM	#3
Greg Quinn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 505	Explains the Flyer promo over the past few months.

January 19th, 2007, 10:22 AM	#7
Rush Hamden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burbank, California Posts: 122	I have heard on another forum, as low as $2500 and as high as $4000, according to Robert Starling, a Steadicam Op in LV, NV. He was there at the showing, wearing the vest, etc. __________________ Want to get more from your hard-earned gear? Digital Cinema Filmmaking Course 24 hours of educational video on 16 DVDs, focused on filmmaking savvy, examples, demonstrations, and tips. Learn Scriptwriting, Formatting, Editing, Camera Operation, Lighting, Exposure, Audio, and Directing.

January 19th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#8
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Anybody care to share rumors on when this will be released? __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

January 20th, 2007, 11:45 AM	#10
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	more price stuff "Hopefully, they can keep the price in line with Merlin and similar handheld stabilizers. I just can't see dropping $4000 for an arm/vest on an $800 Merlin." This thing is built by Tiffen. There's no way it will come in for anything under $2500. If I'm wrong, I'll buy 2 the day they come out. I'm guessing it's more like $3500 without the Merlin, $4000 with. I'm willing to bet that at that price it's worth every penny and then some. I'm excited about this product. I'd be more excited if I had the 4 grand burning a hole in my pocket.

January 20th, 2007, 08:00 PM	#11
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Flying with the arm and vest you'll probably need to add the docking stand to the budget. __________________ Nick

January 21st, 2007, 12:36 PM	#12
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I'm going over the Tiffen factory to test out the new vest and arm on Monday, so I will post my thoughts shortly thereafter. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 21st, 2007, 11:20 PM	#13
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	We look forward to your report CP. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

January 22nd, 2007, 07:13 AM	#14
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	Can't wait to read your review Charles. I'm sure it'll just confirm my suspicions that Tiffen's got a winner on its hands!

January 22nd, 2007, 07:39 AM	#15
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	I just realised that because there is no monitor at the bottom and the position of the camera's LCD screen it will have to be operated with the camera on the right hand side of the body. And perhaps that will be the only way? __________________ Nick