Merlin dovetail plate keeps working loose
 

Hmmm....so I have my Steadicam Merlin and I just can't get it to stay attached to my PD-150. The screw that attaches the dovetail plate to the camera just keeps coming loose. I already tried the gaffer's tape fix that Garrett suggests on the DVD and it may have helped a little, but it's loose again. Any suggestions or tips on fixing this?

The regular 1/4"-20 camera screw? How tight are you tightening it?

- Mikko

I had a similar issue(the plate kept rotating slightly to the left or right which threw off the trim balance).

I didn't want to tighten the screw too much and risk stripping the threads. So I placed cut pieces of a wide(produce) rubber band on the plate before tightening it down. This fixed the problem so well that I can set the merlin down and pick it up and not have to touch the trim.

I don't know if this would help in your situation, but a small amount of side to side motion could be loosening the screw.


ps. Make sure the rubber isn't too thick so the screw can still get enough bite in the camera mount.

Mikko,

Yeah, it's the regular 1/4 camera screw. I thought I had tightened it pretty good too, of course I am being a little careful and not reefing on it to hard but I would have thought it would have been plenty tight.

Adrinn,

Thanks, sounds like what mine is doing. I'll see if I can find an old rubber band around!

Gabe,
Are you using the Gezornenplatz screw?

- Mikko

I've had the same problem when I started to use merlin, first with FX1, now with A1, (wonder if it'll work with EX1);
3 layers of duct tape on the bottom of the camera solved the problem, I guess the tape gives an extra pad to keep that plate tight,
:-)

Mikko,

Yeah, I was using the Gezornenplatz screw because of the weight of the PD-150. I actually put the Merlin away for a few days as I got busy with some editing work, a timelapse shoot, and an interview shoot with the Sony HDW 750 which is way to big to use on the Merlin. I am finishing up all that stuff and should be able to play with the Merlin again in a day or so, hopefully I can get the PD-150 to stay attached a little better.....