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13. Walking the Merlin
2 years ago
I received my Steadicam Merlin yesterday - steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html
Purchased from B&H:
bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382099-REG/Steadicam_MENNN_Merlin_Camera_Stabilization_System.html (800 USD).
I have tried to set it up both with standard battery and no accessories and as in this footage with my Kenko 0.5x wideangle lens. It seems a little harder to get perfect balance when the wideangle is installed but that might just be me. There was little wind in the forest, so the conditions were OK.
I'll write up a short list of my Merlin settings in a few days for anyone else who want to get a Merlin as well. I highly recommend it.
It took me a couple hours to set it up the first time. However, I did follow the manual and the DVD as adviced, so that's part of the reason. Now I understand the different settings and what effect they have. I can go from using wideangle to using just the camcorder in 5-10 minutes. It's not easy but don't expect it to be too hard either - just be patient with it and try to understand how it all works.
Enjoy the footage. It's 25p (PAL) in TV mode at 1/250 shutter speed. More contrast and color correction added in Sony Vegas Platinum 8.0d.
Music: Carl Nielsen "Symphony No. 5"
Purchased from B&H:
bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382099-REG/Steadicam_MENNN_Merlin_Camera_Stabilization_System.html (800 USD).
I have tried to set it up both with standard battery and no accessories and as in this footage with my Kenko 0.5x wideangle lens. It seems a little harder to get perfect balance when the wideangle is installed but that might just be me. There was little wind in the forest, so the conditions were OK.
I'll write up a short list of my Merlin settings in a few days for anyone else who want to get a Merlin as well. I highly recommend it.
It took me a couple hours to set it up the first time. However, I did follow the manual and the DVD as adviced, so that's part of the reason. Now I understand the different settings and what effect they have. I can go from using wideangle to using just the camcorder in 5-10 minutes. It's not easy but don't expect it to be too hard either - just be patient with it and try to understand how it all works.
Enjoy the footage. It's 25p (PAL) in TV mode at 1/250 shutter speed. More contrast and color correction added in Sony Vegas Platinum 8.0d.
Music: Carl Nielsen "Symphony No. 5"
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is it perfect balanced? cause i saw too much horizontal movements, feels like we're in a boat.
try to have the perfect balance to eliminate that and will be perfect:)
Cheers
But I think it is also a matter of skill. It will take a lot of practice and fine tuning to get it just right. We are both learning to "fly". How cool is that. Nice job Rico. I look forward to seeing your improvements and I will share my trials with you.
Since it has to be bottom heavy to work, I don't think we can avoid the pendulum effect 100%. Patience is a virtue :)
In the end, getting these results for "only" USD 800 is a good deal, I think.
I'll be flying off to 'Hollywood North' (Vancouver) in two weeks - maybe they can teach me something :)
Det er virkeligt et yndigt land. Tak for turen.
Bo
I need to get a better steady cam, I had a look at the 'flycam' Which looks quite nice.
& the first shot is amazing, Really smooth.
It must of been pretty heavy right?
James.
The Merlin is very light and with the HG10 installed, it weighs only about 1.5 kg. Obviously, the heavier your camera the more counter weights you have to add.
vimeo.com/609676
All I can find for the 43mm thread on my new cam though are .5x's and I was hoping you were zoomed in some on this video so could expect to get a bit more distortion/wideness with a .5