Merlin-Canon A1-RodeNTG2-Rode SM3 shockmount-Deadcat at DVinfo.net

Manuel Fantoni · June 22nd, 2007, 06:02 AM

Tring to balance the A1 with the mic Rode NTG2.

If i put the mic in the mic holder(with the help of little foam to fit) i'm able more or less to have a good balance,problem being that the deadcat shows up in the image.
Total weight is less than half pound(Rode NTG2-cable-Deadcat)

So i'd like to use the RODE SM3 shock mount in the hot shoe,with this setup i don't see the deadcat anymore in my image but.........seems impossible to balance the MERLIN.
Total weight is little more than half pound(Rode NTG2-cable-Deadcat + Rode SM3 shockmount).

Just wondering if mounting the SM3 Shockmount and putting the Mic so high is the problem,or if it is just a weight problem that maybe can be solved buyng the new GIMBAL that can handle more weight.

Does anybody have any experience with this (or similar) setup?

Chris Walker · June 22nd, 2007, 07:12 AM

Mounting it high like that is throwing the center of mass higher on the setup. There will be a limit as to how high you can go. Adding weight to the lower point or adjusting the "gimbal to stage" height can help to a point.

I am trying to figure out how to mount my Sennheiser wireless receivers without screwing up the COM. A standard hot shoe adapter works well on a tripod but on the Merlin it needs to be lower for me.

The Rycote hotshoe mount (037303 Hot Shoe Extension Bar) might help you out. It can help move the shotgun back on the camera getting it out of frame. This would also keep the camera from getting front heavy.

Good luck and let me know if you figure it out.

Manuel Fantoni · June 29th, 2007, 08:47 AM

Pretty much solved the problem.

I changed the Rode SM3 shockmount
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...hockmount.html

with the RODE SM5 shockmount
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...icrophone.html

I put it in the clamp mount adapter with a 45% angle toward(as you can see in the photo) the camera center
so the Mic is not so high and the weight is more in the center.
It does work,is not as fluid and comfortable as without the shotgun but being more careful it's ok.
The trimming and the adjustments have to be very precise,everytime i close the arc and reopen it i have to make small adjustments,also probably do to the fact that in the shockmount the mic moves a little bit.
The added weight and the fact that the shotgun is still high probably put this setup on the edge of usability.

The setting of the Merlin are

FRONT WEIGHTS 1 finish

LOWER WEIGHTS 1 Start 6 Mid 1 Finish

ARC SIZE completely open

Mt HOLE I

STAGE MARK -1

Z 1

Terry Thompson · June 30th, 2007, 12:48 AM

Manuel,

Thanks for letting us know how you solved your mic problem. Your pictures were a big help as well.

Tery
Indicam

June 22nd, 2007, 06:02 AM	#1
Manuel Fantoni Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madrid,Spain Posts: 41	Merlin-Canon A1-RodeNTG2-Rode SM3 shockmount-Deadcat Tring to balance the A1 with the mic Rode NTG2. If i put the mic in the mic holder(with the help of little foam to fit) i'm able more or less to have a good balance,problem being that the deadcat shows up in the image. Total weight is less than half pound(Rode NTG2-cable-Deadcat) So i'd like to use the RODE SM3 shock mount in the hot shoe,with this setup i don't see the deadcat anymore in my image but.........seems impossible to balance the MERLIN. Total weight is little more than half pound(Rode NTG2-cable-Deadcat + Rode SM3 shockmount). Just wondering if mounting the SM3 Shockmount and putting the Mic so high is the problem,or if it is just a weight problem that maybe can be solved buyng the new GIMBAL that can handle more weight. Does anybody have any experience with this (or similar) setup?

June 29th, 2007, 08:47 AM	#3
Manuel Fantoni Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madrid,Spain Posts: 41	Pretty much solved the problem. I changed the Rode SM3 shockmount http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...hockmount.html with the RODE SM5 shockmount http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...icrophone.html I put it in the clamp mount adapter with a 45% angle toward(as you can see in the photo) the camera center so the Mic is not so high and the weight is more in the center. It does work,is not as fluid and comfortable as without the shotgun but being more careful it's ok. The trimming and the adjustments have to be very precise,everytime i close the arc and reopen it i have to make small adjustments,also probably do to the fact that in the shockmount the mic moves a little bit. The added weight and the fact that the shotgun is still high probably put this setup on the edge of usability. The setting of the Merlin are FRONT WEIGHTS 1 finish LOWER WEIGHTS 1 Start 6 Mid 1 Finish ARC SIZE completely open Mt HOLE I STAGE MARK -1 Z 1 Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Manuel Fantoni; June 29th, 2007 at 09:51 AM.

June 30th, 2007, 12:48 AM	#4
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Manuel, Thanks for letting us know how you solved your mic problem. Your pictures were a big help as well. Tery Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

June 22nd, 2007, 07:12 AM	#2
Chris Walker New Boot Join Date: May 2007 Location: Roanoke VA Posts: 13	Mounting it high like that is throwing the center of mass higher on the setup. There will be a limit as to how high you can go. Adding weight to the lower point or adjusting the "gimbal to stage" height can help to a point. I am trying to figure out how to mount my Sennheiser wireless receivers without screwing up the COM. A standard hot shoe adapter works well on a tripod but on the Merlin it needs to be lower for me. The Rycote hotshoe mount (037303 Hot Shoe Extension Bar) might help you out. It can help move the shotgun back on the camera getting it out of frame. This would also keep the camera from getting front heavy. Good luck and let me know if you figure it out.