Steadicam Merlin and XH A1

[Win Edson]

Just wondering if anyone has used the new steadicam merlin with the A1?

http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html

At $799 it's not cheap! Being London based and part of a filmmaking club, I'm thinking of finding two or three others interested in making a group purchase and sharing the device.

I had the steadicam jr that I used with my sony vx-1000 and was quite pleased with it. It took a lot of practice and was definitely a 'skill' that I had to develop, but well worth the smooth steady shots.

Here's a funny story (if I don't laugh at it, I'll cry!) My steadicam jr is rated up to 4 pounds and the A1 is 4.5 pounds. I thought, 'maybe I can just adjust the weight balance and make it work'. So I mounted the camera, grabbed the handle of the steadicam jr, and IMMEDIATELY the thing SNAPPED in half!!! I guess that extra half pound makes a BIG difference! So moral of the story: Don't try that at home!

[Tom Vandas]

Hi Win,

I usually have a Z1 on my Merlin, but did try out the Canon A1 and found it easier to use. Certainly no issue with the weight of the A1 on the Merlin.

Oh, be sure to keep the gimbal from your Jr, it's always nice to have an extra one just in case.

[Blake Burress]

I can vouch for the Merlin with the A1. We've had ours since winter and it's a damn fine piece of equipment. It of course takes some getting used to, and some effort to master, but it works great with our A1. :)

[Eric Weiss]

Can someone up some Merlin footage? I'd like to check it out.

[Tony Neal]

Try this thread - very impressive.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=96767

[Trish Kerr]

The merlin weight restriction is 5 pounds. That only leaves .5 pounds before the A1 is over the limit.

Is that something to be concerned with if getting it for the A1? Has anyone tried it with extras strapped on to the A1?

Trish

[James Klatt]

I have to keep my shotgun mic off when using the merlin with the A1. It makes it too top heavy for me, but mostly the cord throws off the balance.
It gets kind of old to have to take it off and put it back on...and change the audio settings each time, but the footage can be really amazing so it's worth it to me.

[Trish Kerr]

so potentially dumb question here:

Would anyone want to put a 35adaptor on the A1 on the merlin? Or with focus needing to be so exact, would this not be practical anyway?

Trish

[Benji Wade]

Originally Posted by Trish Kerr

so potentially dumb question here:

Would anyone want to put a 35adaptor on the A1 on the merlin? Or with focus needing to be so exact, would this not be practical anyway?

Trish

People have talked about using the Brevis and a 45mm pancake lens (like this one.

I'm not sure what success has been had, but I own a Merlin so eventually I'm sure I'll try it!

[Eugene Presley]

Originally Posted by James Klatt

I have to keep my shotgun mic off when using the merlin with the A1. It makes it too top heavy for me, but mostly the cord throws off the balance.
It gets kind of old to have to take it off and put it back on...and change the audio settings each time, but the footage can be really amazing so it's worth it to me.

You should get the adapter plate, to solve your problem. That's what I did!


http://www.jimfarrell.com/merlin/

[Eugene Presley]

Originally Posted by Trish Kerr

The merlin weight restriction is 5 pounds. That only leaves .5 pounds before the A1 is over the limit.

Is that something to be concerned with if getting it for the A1? Has anyone tried it with extras strapped on to the A1?

Trish

One answer : http://www.jimfarrell.com/merlin/

[Bill Pryor]

If you use that plate and add just a little counterweight, does that mean you can go over the 5 lb. limit on the camera? I use a Canon quick release plate on my XH A1, which probably weighs a pound or so.

[Eugene Presley]

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

If you use that plate and add just a little counterweight, does that mean you can go over the 5 lb. limit on the camera? I use a Canon quick release plate on my XH A1, which probably weighs a pound or so.

Yes exactly, you can.

[Kyle Self]

There is a mention of an "optional" metal gimble which increases the weight limit to 7 lbs.

[Richard Hunter]

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

If you use that plate and add just a little counterweight, does that mean you can go over the 5 lb. limit on the camera? I use a Canon quick release plate on my XH A1, which probably weighs a pound or so.

Yes but remember that your wrist is going to have to support all that weight.