Steadicam Merlin - Purchase Options / Metal Gimble ?
 

Hi all,

I've decided I'm going to purchase a STEADICAM MERLIN for my A1.
I don't know much about them, but feel confident this is a good product.

Does anybody know if there is more than one purchase option wrt metal parts/gimbl

The price seems more or less consistent @ $799.99.... however there seems to be a METAL GIMBLE option !

Seems like b&h included a free travel case in one of the options for $799
NOW I see a METAL GIMBLE option ALSO @ $799 !! but no mention of
travel case.

Can anybody help !

Thanks Shawn

Hi, I'm also getting the Merlin but definitely the metal gimbal for its increased strength for my A1 too. Travel case we can easily get one ourself in those camera shops but knowing that your merlin can hold up to 7.5 pounds instead of 5 pounds is always priceless, especially for A1 which is already around 4.5 pounds.
I guess B&H know that nobody will get the plastic merlin once the metal merlin is out, therefore its a marketing gimmick for them to clear stock.

Final conclusion: Get Metal Gimbal, you won't go wrong. :)

I thought the only downside to the metal gimble is the extra weight you have to manage without the vest and arm. (that over time it can get tiring)

I'm close to buying this too - didn't realize you could get a version with the metal now

Trish

Is there a downside in getting the metal over the old merlin? Maybe a metal gimbal is few grams heavier than the old one, but its negligible. Btw Garrett Brown Limited Signature Edition has been discontinued and replaced with the new MERLIN system with exclusive 6 Bearing Metal Gimbal Assembly.

I'm ready to make the MERLIN STEADICAM purchase , but just a bit confused about the choices.....
The Merlin @ b&h that says with metal gimbl for $799.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...R_w_METAL.html

I believe the '6 bearing metal assembly' is for the vest option (much more expensive and large metal assembly)

The $799 one @ b&h is the hadheld merlin steadicam..... I think it's just the handle and connection to the baseplate that is the 'new' metal small parts....... CAN ANYONE CONFIRM THIS ?

Has this version just been released ?

Shawn

The plastic gimbals have been discontinued and replaced with the 6 bearing all metal construction. Who wants their camera to snap off when you're running down the street?!!

http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html

The Merlin gimbal is the same part now made from metal instead of plastic.

The vertical arm that works with the vest that also works with the Merlin is the Pilot.

There are then:

The hand held Merlin (now with the metal gimbal)

The Merlin on the new arm and vest (which includes a new handle with metal gimble for those of us with the pastic gimbal).

The Pilot, built like a regular steadicam, with monitor, etc., that goes on the same arm and vest as the Merlin goes on.

Is there any chance of getting just the handle with the metal gimbal for those of us with the Merlin ?

Does the new gimble mean all the old cookbook settings are not invalid?

OK -
so...... The one I want to purchase is the handheld STEADICAM MERLIN
- no vest etc.

It is $799 at b&h with the metal gimble
The price is same as it was before !! (before meaning with the plastic gimble)
Is this right ??
But there is no travel case included.

Can anybody confirm this ?

Should I purchase any small accessories now - along with the steadicam
(shipping is costing me $144 - so for any additional small accessories this would be a good time to purchase)

What about the accessory plate.... can anybody advise ?

Thanks in anticipation.
Shawn

Here it is at B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...nt_Gimbal.html

Edit: This may or may not be the new metal gimbal. Another retailer has the item out stock at the moment, and says they will be coming in. I would think it unlikely that plastic replacements would continue to be sold when the plastic version has been discontinued. In any case, because of the lack of clarity, it would be simple enough to call B&H and whomever and ask if the replacement is metal or plastic.

Accessory Plate: If you want to carry extra weight (wireless receiver or harddrive), the accessory plate is very good, because it lets you use the extra items as counterweight:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ory_Plate.html
http://www.jimfarrell.com/merlin/index.htm
(Note: this plate is not made by Steadicam but is made by someone who has had ties with Steadicam, at least in the past.)

The Merlin comes with a nice carry case that holds the Merlin and all its parts.

The custom fitted Merlin+camera travel case is just a big bag with a piece of foam on the bottom so you can put a camera mounted on the Merlin in a bag (without removing the Merlin from the camera). I'm not sure it's that useful for most people:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ed_Travel.html

Here is a link to all the things you can buy for the Merlin:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t
These include:
--Display stand
--Steadistand
--Arm & Vest
--Docking bracket
--Custom Merlin + Camera travel case
--Instruction Manual (included with Merlin)
--Replacement Gimbal assembly
--**Replacement locating pin
--**Replacement Camera Mounting screw

**You might buy an extra of these in case you lose the ones that come with the Merlin. The camera mounting screw is small and the locating pin is very, very small.

As usual with name brand items, the replacement parts and stands seem to cost too much.

(Yes, the $799 price at B&H is the same price now for the Metal Gimbal model as was the Plastic Gimbel model)

Yes, it is or will be sold separately--I don't think pricing has been announced but it will likely be the same or a bit more than the $125 replacement gimbal price.

The gimbal will not affect the balance of the rig, as it is too close to the center of gravity to make any difference in this way.

Thanks for all your help.

Jack: Thanks for all your effort.

I will be buying the MERLIN this week....
looks like the one at b&h is with metal gimble, I will have to wait and see whether it comes in some kind of case, though it looks that 'promotion' is over.

I look forward to becoming part of the steadicam club !!!

Shawn

All the Merlins I've seen, and that's piles of them at a dealer and at Tiffen, come in a foam filled case that zips closed.

The case that B&H was giving free is a separate item, a lot larger than the Merlin only case, and it holds a camera with the Merlin mounted. It has a piece of foam in the bottom to support the Merlin.

Since the Merlin instantly comes off the mounting plate, I don't think the extra case is that much value for most people.