Trying Merlin
 

Looking at the Merlin footage I decided (thank yhou guys) to get one.
Except for the fact that it just felt apart the first day I brouht it home, it's a very ncie piece fo equipment and much easier (compare to Glide\Fly Cam)
to work with.
Learning the art of balance, take a look ;-)

http://66.49.133.206/merlin.html

thats an US$800+ piece of equipment, quite high-priced and for it to fall apart on you think is completely unacceptable, especially considering Steadicam's history and reputation and the fact that it's way more expensive than its competitors - the engineering & construction of it *should* be 1st class.

Any Tiffen representatives on the board?

Call the factory at 818-843-4600 extension 17, talk to Kyle Young.

First off, your footage is very smooth and nice. Seems you picked it up quick

Second, i believe they have lifetime warranty, i'm sure Tiffen will take care of you in regards to a busted unit...

Yup, a quick call to Tiffen/Steadicam will fix this immediately.

Part of what you pay for with Steadicam is that in the rare case that you do have a problem (keep in mind that they have sold LOADS of Merlins, and every process is subject to an occasional problem, so the % with a problem seems to be really low) is the top notch support you get when you need it.

- Mikko

Thank you guys,
I wanted to bring it back, but they would send it back to manufacturer, and I didn't want to waist a few weeks on waiting when it's gonna come back, I wanted to put my hands on it right away, so I just glued it with super glue ;-)
now it works better than new, when it was new upper spar was shaiking and turning, now it's solid, the way it should be!
Yeah, I know, it's kinda suks, but I love the piece anyways, it's just great!
Now I'm thinking to get an arm and vest, hopefully that will not brake, at least for the first couple weeks :-)
Cheers!

Buba, if you insist on rapiring it yourself; check the small "set screw" in that joint to make sure it's tight and doing it's job.

- Mikko

Great footage Buba, it looks like you have been flying the Merlin for weeks already! Beside the fact that the Merlin fell apart, I'm glad to hear that you are happy with your buying decision.

I'm also interested in buying the arm and vest system. I had a change to fly my camera and Merlin on it, at IBC last Saturday, and I never wanted to give the arm and vest back. :) I will post a short video later, where you can see the system 'in action'.

nice piece of work. I like the music, whaz the title? Its very clear and pretty steady as well.

Thank you guys,
practice with flycam makes flying Merlin piece of cake, I mean it's much lighter when the CG is right on top of your palm not on the side, good balance is something that comes with practice, I'm trying to fly every day 20- 30 min, downstairs, upstairs, straight and backwards, but the best part is that with Merlin you actually see how you getting better and better;

sorry don't even know the title of the track, or the artist name;

Thanks again guys, I learn a lot from all of you;
:-)