Comments on: I’m a Steadicam Virgin….. http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/ Professional photographer and writer. Specialising in aerial photography, buildings, architecture and interiors photography, cars and motoring features Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:55:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Neill http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-13236 Neill Mon, 09 May 2011 07:37:34 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-13236 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... 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…

]]> By: Daniel http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-13235 Daniel Mon, 09 May 2011 07:15:48 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-13235 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? 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?

]]> By: Eddie http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-12283 Eddie Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:27:19 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-12283 @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!!! @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!!!

]]> By: Nick http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-8147 Nick Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:54:14 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-8147 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. 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.

]]> By: Neill http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-5446 Neill Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:45:34 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-5446 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. 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.

]]> By: Damjan http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-5443 Damjan Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:42:16 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-5443 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 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

]]> By: JM GUEUGNOT http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-150 JM GUEUGNOT Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:45:29 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-150 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." 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.”

]]> By: Carl http://blog.neillwatson.com/technology/im-a-steadicam-virgin/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Carl Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:19:36 +0000 http://blog.neillwatson.com/?p=72#comment-108 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. 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.

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