First time test with the Steadicam Merlin and Canon 7D with Canon 10-22 EF-S (mostly set on 10 or 14mm), B+W Circular Polarizer and Canon 83E lens hood. All shot in Manual at 1080p25 and converted to 720p for quick web uploading.

Video is in 2 parts. Initial test shots in my back garden and then much tougher "running alongside" type shot's as my little girl learns to ride her bike (only her second try at that - did n't she do well!). This part was on Palace Green in front of Ely Cathedral (with some very bemused onlookers...)

You'll see lots wrong with this (very) quick rough edit of these test clips in Final Cut but the odd moment of magic that a Steadicam can give. You'll spot my sometimes futile attempts to control the Steadicam, including an unplanned shot of the cameraman early on, numerous shots with my shadow/reflection in and quite a few pendulum/angle errors etc. But it was great fun and bear in mind was my FIRST TRY (with only an hour's flying experience under my belt with some settings I derived only yesterday). It was also a little breezy today here in England as the volcanic ash cloud heads our way from Iceland!

Music is 'African Hero', a royalty/copyright free purchase from AKM Music.

Whilst I'm sure my Steadicam Merlin settings need improving, I post them at the end of the video as they might prove a suitable start point for anyone with a 7D and Canon 10-22mm. If you have this set-up and have better settings I'd love to know them - thanks!

Once I've mastered the necessary Steadicam technique it should soon see action in my busy corporate video schedule for shootingimage.co.uk (where my Sony PMW-EX3 is the main workhorse). Lots to practice before I fly this 7D + Steadicam Merlin rig on any paying work though!

Great fun - hope to post more (better controlled stuff) soon too!

UPDATE 22nd May: Here's my second test with this set-up

youtube.com/watch?v=odznQorFctU

Andy