Steadicam merlin

If you have one of the many popular lightweight camcorders and want to get smooth shots like the pros, steadicam merlin the new Steadicam Merlin 2 handheld stabilizer from Tiffen may be just what you need.

Review by David A. Tiffen's diminutive Steadicam Merlin was a pleasant surprise, both in delivery and performance. The zippered soft case and fitted foam neatly held the device, stainless steel balance weights, dovetail mounting plate, screws, manual, and instructional DVD. A certificate of authenticity personally signed by its designer, award winning Garret Brown, was included. The Merlin, sans cam and weights, was an impressive 13 ounces. It was something that you might find in a Sharper Image or Apple Store.

Steadicam merlin

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It consists of machined aluminum, brass and stainless steel. Tiffen notes at steadicam merlin web site that the Merlin has been successfully used with these cams, but with medium weight batteries and no accessories.

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If you have one of the many popular lightweight camcorders and want to get smooth shots like the pros, then the new Steadicam Merlin 2 handheld stabilizer from Tiffen may be just what you need. The Merlin 2 comes in a very neatly configured foam lined, semi-soft shelled case. Even at first glance you can tell this is a quality product. All of the structural components are precisely machined aluminum and stainless steel. Plastic and rubberized parts are substantial and mate perfectly, and sparse but well-placed reference marks indicate this Steadicam means business. The standard package comes with a folded Merlin 2 rig, dovetail plate, one starting and two finishing two-ounce weights, six four-ounce middle weights, lens support bracket, assorted screws, tripod adapter plate and a DVD that closely follows the page setup and operation manual. The Merlin 2 is now more robust and better engineered. Tiffen cut the new dovetail plate from solid aluminum and included many mounting options.

Steadicam merlin

It's hard to overstate the effect that Steadicam has had on camerawork. Football is given a new edge by cameras that can move around on the pitch without any of the traditional shaking that comes with shoulder-mounted cameras. Movies that use steadicam can get viewers closer to the action, and feel more involved, than almost any other type of camera operation. But none of that matters when you see your first successful, smooth shot. Tiffen says that you can get "professional" results on the Merlin2. That's almost certainly true, but you need to practise, practise, practise to get there. But if you're motivated, you can do some amazing things with the Merlin. It also teaches you a great deal about the bigger Steadicams, and is a great starting point from which to take your operating further.

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The inevitable question is how much footage can you take with the Merlin. I opted for a smaller sized battery in my testing, because the stock battery still made the Panny a little top heavy. The on line Cookbook contains Tiffen's suggestions on what weight, initial extension, and trim stage positions should be used. After two practice runs on the Line Hurdles, we were able to keep the lens perfectly centered on the ascending line even while negotiating the two steps placed in our path. Even though it will work at this weight, you must be strong enough to control it for any substantial video shoot. Or you can use an interactive web based spreadsheet called the "Magic Formula" to input specific information about your camcorder. After you get your particular camera dialed in, you should be able to get up and flying in just a few minutes. To keep the overall weight to a minimum, we extended the lower spar to its maximum position. Get help. Privacy Policy. The DVD uses the previous version of the Merlin but there are edited sections for the changed components in the Merlin 2. In all cases, however, you have to learn to balance the Merlin, and practice your technique for shooting footage. There are a number of resources to assist in balancing your camcorder with the Merlin. A couple walk-over obstacles placed in the path test booming.

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He diagnosed the problem as a faulty caliper hinge, and arranged to have the unit replaced by Tiffen. It does take some time to get used to training your hands to do their separate jobs without bumping into each other or the Merlin 2, but it can be done with just a little practice. Get help. The DVD uses the previous version of the Merlin but there are edited sections for the changed components in the Merlin 2. Expect to spend as much as an hour or so pulling everything together and setting up for the first time. For cameras more than 2. In total, the Merlin 2 with our camera and counter weights only came in at five pounds and three ounces. It is exceptionally rigid which contributes to its overall steadiness in operation. After you get your particular camera dialed in, you should be able to get up and flying in just a few minutes. The Merlin 2 is now more robust and better engineered. The first is the Line Hurdles that consists of a foot string that runs from about three feet off the ground to about five feet stretched tight between C-stands. In all cases, however, you have to learn to balance the Merlin, and practice your technique for shooting footage. Review: Tiffen's Steadicam Merlin.