Merlin or Blackbird? at DVinfo.net

Douglas Joseph · September 28th, 2009, 02:41 PM

Hey, guys. I'm trying to determine which stabilizer to purchase. There's definitely upsides and downsides to each stabilizer. I'm kind of learning toward to blackbird... I'd like to hear your guy's experience with them. It'd be awesome if someone has had experience with both... If I could get some feedback, that'd be so awesome. Thanks, everyone. Take it easy.

Don Miller · September 28th, 2009, 04:22 PM

search on user Charles Papert as he is an expert
I believe there's an article about this in "Articles"

Jenn Kramer · September 28th, 2009, 04:56 PM

There's a Merlin vs Blackbird discussion over in Stabilizers, though there isn't anything SLR-form-factor specific:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...-who-wins.html

As well as this thread on stabilizers for the 7D:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...mended-7d.html

Sean Seah · September 28th, 2009, 10:47 PM

HWM CMR Blackbird Review Firewerkz Films by Sean Seah

Have a look at what I did with the Blackbird. I have also flew it successfully with the merlin. But personally, the merlin is harder to fly BUT it is more flexible as it can handle a bigger boom range.

Buba Kastorski · September 29th, 2009, 08:50 AM

it is easier to fly on blackbird, but merlin is lighter and easier to re-adjust,
I'd say try both, it's very individual.

Jose Ortiz · September 30th, 2009, 09:44 PM

I used an T1i for a while and a merlin. Was ok
I would say Merlin.

Douglas Joseph · October 8th, 2009, 02:02 PM

Sweetness. Thanks so much for your responses. I'm still trying to figure out which one to roll with. I'll probably post something saying when I do. Woot.

Ron Coker · October 8th, 2009, 04:28 PM

I found it to be level pegging, Blackbird verses Steadicam Merlin. Merlin has an advantage with optional arm and vest for extended use.

Chih-Kuang Tu · June 27th, 2010, 12:46 AM

Merlin's arm and vest is compatible for Blackbird, so it's not a problem.
That's the reason I go for Blackbird, just placed my order, can't wait to get it.

September 28th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#1
Douglas Joseph Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Zanesville OH Posts: 205	Merlin or Blackbird? Hey, guys. I'm trying to determine which stabilizer to purchase. There's definitely upsides and downsides to each stabilizer. I'm kind of learning toward to blackbird... I'd like to hear your guy's experience with them. It'd be awesome if someone has had experience with both... If I could get some feedback, that'd be so awesome. Thanks, everyone. Take it easy. __________________ "Warriors... Come out to play..." www.importexporthd.com

September 29th, 2009, 08:50 AM	#5
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	it is easier to fly on blackbird, but merlin is lighter and easier to re-adjust, I'd say try both, it's very individual. __________________ I love this place!

October 8th, 2009, 02:02 PM	#7
Douglas Joseph Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Zanesville OH Posts: 205	Sweetness. Thanks so much for your responses. I'm still trying to figure out which one to roll with. I'll probably post something saying when I do. Woot. __________________ "Warriors... Come out to play..." www.importexporthd.com

October 8th, 2009, 04:28 PM	#8
Ron Coker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Randwick Australia Posts: 59	Merlin & Blackbird I found it to be level pegging, Blackbird verses Steadicam Merlin. Merlin has an advantage with optional arm and vest for extended use.

September 28th, 2009, 04:22 PM	#2
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	search on user Charles Papert as he is an expert I believe there's an article about this in "Articles"

September 28th, 2009, 04:56 PM	#3
Jenn Kramer Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 389 Images: 1	There's a Merlin vs Blackbird discussion over in Stabilizers, though there isn't anything SLR-form-factor specific: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...-who-wins.html As well as this thread on stabilizers for the 7D: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...mended-7d.html

September 28th, 2009, 10:47 PM	#4
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	HWM CMR Blackbird Review Firewerkz Films by Sean Seah Have a look at what I did with the Blackbird. I have also flew it successfully with the merlin. But personally, the merlin is harder to fly BUT it is more flexible as it can handle a bigger boom range.

September 30th, 2009, 09:44 PM	#6
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	I used an T1i for a while and a merlin. Was ok I would say Merlin.

June 27th, 2010, 12:46 AM	#9
Chih-Kuang Tu New Boot Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11	Merlin's arm and vest is compatible for Blackbird, so it's not a problem. That's the reason I go for Blackbird, just placed my order, can't wait to get it.