I’ve managed to get my hands on a Canon 5D Mk2 for the first time this week, but I’ve been giving an awful lot of thought to it’s video capabilities, including the possibilities with some of the grip and camera support equipment commonly used in motion footage. As Canon are at pains to point out, probably with mounting frustration, it’s not a video camera, it’s a DSLR that shoots motion, so there are limits to what can be done. But I couldn’t help but wonder what it’s like on a Steadicam Merlin….
I met up with Tiffen UK’s James Elias yesterday to try mounting the 5D Mk2 and see if it worked. A quick feel for the weight and balance and he had it mounted and ready to go in less than five minutes. Robin Thwaites, Tiffen’s European sales director had been insistent that it was worth my trip to Oxford to see first hand how to operate the Merlin and he was right. James might be a young guy, but he’s a highly experienced Steadicam operator and has been flying Steadicams since the age of 14….
My first attempt was a cross between Bambi and a dunken helicopter pilot. Hand the rig back to James and it’s instantly stable again. Hmm…. A few more tries and it’s getting slowly better, but I’m still far too tense and over-controlling. James sends me on my way with the comment, “You MUST watch the DVD and practise, practise, practise….” He’s right. I returned home and tried again and it’s getting better every time I pick it up.
The small size of the Canon 5D and the Merlin gives all sorts of ideas for applications where a bigger rig will be difficult and for sure, I have a new respect for Steadicam operators. It’s an art and both frustrating for a beginner, but also curiosly addictive….
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Niell
I have just spent the last 2 days trying to balance my merlin steadicam with my canon 5d MarkII with the ef 16-35mm lens with a seinnheiser mke-400 mic. It was bluddy dificult to say the least but wanted to share my findings with readers of your post who may be searching for settings to a similair configuration. So I ended up with, 1 finishing weight on the upper spar, 4 mid and 1 finishing weight on the lower spar. The arc was set mid way on the marked settings on the side, It’s now perfect but I was very closing to returning the merlin from frustration. i’m having alot of fun with it now.
5D MKII + DIY steadycam merlin (stabilizer steadicam 5DMKII)
http://vimeo.com/3803065
“Just a quick word…
It is a first test of my DIY camera stabilizer, specialy designed for the Canon 5DMKII + 16/35 2,8 L. Low cost but High quality smooth moov ! Steadicam Merlin was toooooooo expensive for me !
Special gimbal design seen on youtube by WSCLATER. (Skateboard ball bearing and universal joint)…
Really easy to made for less than 60$, a little time and very few tools !
Please add your comment and feels about footage, so I could work to improve the design. I could work on a video tutorial as well.”
Carl,
can you send me your set-up information for balansing Canon 5d MK2 with 16-35/ 2.8 on Merlin steadicam? I have the same configurationand i bought Merlin Yesterday(same problems)
Best Regards, Damjan
Thanks for the comments, guys. Damjan, persevere with it and add the settings Carl listed on his comment. Also, if you haven’t, watch the video that comes with it and do it away from distractions to be sure you understand it.
For sure, the Merlin can be a slippery sucker, but give it time and it will come to you. Planning on attending a training course on the Pilot some time soon, I’ll report back on how I get on.
Hi Folks,
I have the Merlin with a 5D MKII and EF 16-35mm 2.8. Setting this is up difficult for sure. Lot’s of unwanted swaying left and right. The 16-36 2.8 is very large and heavy – I’m going to try Carl’s settings and report back.
@nick — you need to know right off the bat if the swaying is from it being too top-heavy or bottom-heavy!! If you can figure that out, you can make adjustments that get you closer and closer to perfect balance. Think about it like this:
2 guys are on a seesaw. Your job is to have them weigh exactly the same. So far, one of them weighs more than the other one. Which one do you tell to eat the whole box of twinkies? If you don’t know which one is lighter, you can’t solve the problem. You end up throwing twinkies at both of them and you’re still confused why they don’t weigh the same.
TO CONNECT THAT to the steadicam merlin: One of the guys is represented by the camera, the other guy is represented by the weights on the bottom. Which weighs more?! If the merlin is too bottom-heavy, you’ll notice a boating-type look where it feels like everyone’s getting sick because you can’t keep it from bobbing side to side. If the merlin is too top-heavy, you’ll notice that the camera wants to keep falling over.
Also, try testing the drop time. If it takes about a second, it’s perfect. Less than a second and it’s too bottom-heavy. More than a second or it doesn’t drop at all? Too top heavy.
If you want to check some tutorials, here’s the merlin and a canon 5d mkii with settings and in action:
In action: http://vimeo.com/21471017
Explaining the settings: http://vimeo.com/22064130
Good luck!!!
Apparently, the Merlin can only take up to 5lbs. I am trying to work out whether to get it or the Pilot for my 7D. Maybe, this is why you guys had difficulty in balancing it.
Your thoughts?
Hi Daniel,
No it’s not a weight issue. For me, it was simply inexperience. I’ve seen Tiffen’s James Elias use this combination effortlessly. Depending upon how much work you’re going to be doing, it could be worth looking at the Pilot and vest – provides great stability and reduced fatigue. Otherwise, practice, practice, practice…