I am looking to purchase a Melrin for my A1. Good Idea? Secondly is there anything else I should order with it? And lastly, what is the g-platz and does it come with it?

The "G-platz" screw is a screw used to take out any slop in the mounting of the camera to the stage. Yes it's included.

The Steadicam Merlin comes with everything you need to fly the camera.

And if you are looking for a Steadicam for either a Canon A1 (or the Sony A1 for that matter), the Merlin is about the best choice.

- Mikko

Depending on your shooting needs you might want to consider the accessory plate as well. The accessory plate allows you to mount amoung other things, a lightweight wireless receiver for recording audio via wireless transmitter. I can certainly vouch for the Merlin. I sets up balancing really fast and easy. This is extremely important when you are "flying" your camera.