HV30 and Stedicam Merlin? at DVinfo.net

Denny Kyser · December 16th, 2008, 11:23 PM

Is anyone having any luck with the HV30 and steadicam Merlin, if you are are you leaving the IS feature on or off when using it this way?

Charles Papert · December 17th, 2008, 01:44 AM

Always turn off electronic stabilization when using a mechanical stabilizer or on a tripod.

Ron Cooper · January 1st, 2009, 02:03 AM

Regarding turning off the stabilizer when using a tripod, does this mean that you lose some quality if it is left on ?

My reason for this question is that I often use my tripod for crane shots by collapsing the legs and lifting it up so I usually have the stabilizer on. Does this mean I am losing detail for the tripod-only shots ?

RonC.

Denny Kyser · January 1st, 2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Cooper

Regarding turning off the stabilizer when using a tripod, does this mean that you lose some quality if it is left on ?

My reason for this question is that I often use my tripod for crane shots by collapsing the legs and lifting it up so I usually have the stabilizer on. Does this mean I am losing detail for the tripod-only shots ?

RonC.

If the IS feature is on and there is no camera movement it sometimes creates a jerky motion trying to compinstate for movement that is not there.

I have had some footage pretty much worthless because it was left on, not every time but has happened and thankfully another cam was running.

Dustin Alcock · January 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM

Great advice. My HV30 and steady cam comes tomorrow and I know I would have made this mistake. Thanks!!

Denny Kyser · January 6th, 2009, 09:01 PM

anyone else using this combination, HV30 and stedicam merlin?

Jose Ortiz · January 7th, 2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Kyser

anyone else using this combination, HV30 and stedicam merlin?

I do and feels so good to shoot with this Hv30/merlin combination. I'm talking about the benefit of not having to much weight on you arm. With parctice you can get footage similar to the other big stabilizers. One problem is when you shoot with windy condition the story is different. Not too much inertia.

Richard Hunter · January 10th, 2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Kyser

If the IS feature is on and there is no camera movement it sometimes creates a jerky motion trying to compinstate for movement that is not there.

The problem I normally see is that when there is deliberate camera movement, the IS tries to stabilise it and that's when I get jerky motion instead of smooth camera sweeps. Whatever the reason, I agree that IS should be off when using the steadicam.

Richard

Oren Arieli · January 10th, 2009, 07:34 PM

I use the combo and it works great for bridal prep and beauty shots. A few words of caution.
1. Forget about using this setup in windy conditions.
2. Start recording and hold steady for at least 5 seconds before and after initiating a move (makes for easier editing, and allows the camera to stabilize after hitting the record button).
3. If possible, do 2 or 3 repetitions of the move. In the small viewfinder, its harder to detect wobble than on a large-screen. What might have looked like a good take could be too wobbly in post.
4. Leave stabilizer off
5. Get used to setting your exposure manually, especially when you are in a constant-lighting situation (not when going indoors to out).
6. Get a decent wide-angle lens and you'll find it easier to get those beautiful tracking shots.
7. Be prepared to answer questions. No piece of equipment I've ever owned has generated as much interest from the average Joe. And I've got some great toys!

Denny Kyser · January 16th, 2009, 10:13 PM

anyone have some footage to share with this combo.

Matt Buys · January 16th, 2009, 11:09 PM

Here's a little footage of that combo I took. The end of this trailer shows how steady the merlin can be . . . which is worth every cent inmho. With practice you can practically run up a cliff and not have wobble.

Adios San Juan (Trailer)

A couple hints. And I'm sort of embarassed to say this. Although I've been using the HV20 and 30 for years with the merlin I never fully realized how to put into words the problems with the rolling shutter effect until reading Oleg's post below about the canon Mark II. Everything that Oleg and Jon say about the Canon Mk II's rolling shutter is exactly right about the HV30's rolling shutter.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos...e-footage.html

Good luck.

Ram Purad · February 16th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Kyser

anyone have some footage to share with this combo.

Denny,

All the gliding shots from the following clip are shot with Merlin+HV30+Raynox Wide angle adapter setup.

Cristina & Laszlo :: Destination Wedding Teaser - Mexico on Vimeo

About 95% of my gliding shots from my last year's work are shot with this setup. I'm upgrading to Merlin+XH A1 set up starting this year. Hopefully, my arms will hold up :-)

Denny Kyser · February 16th, 2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram Purad

Denny,

All the gliding shots from the following clip are shot with Merlin+HV30+Raynox Wide angle adapter setup.

Cristina & Laszlo :: Destination Wedding Teaser - Mexico on Vimeo

About 95% of my gliding shots from my last year's work are shot with this setup. I'm upgrading to Merlin+XH A1 set up starting this year. Hopefully, my arms will hold up :-)

It is a much heavier setup, not because of the A1, but the counter weights that it takes to balance. I too need to get my arms in shape for this as I have seen some amazing footage with the A1-Merlin combo.

Vito DeFilippo · February 17th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Kyser

anyone have some footage to share with this combo.

All the gliding shots here are with that combo as well:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/wedding-e...ghts-clip.html

It was also my first shoot using it!

Denny Kyser · April 16th, 2009, 09:02 PM

For those using this combo do you still like it, I am torn between the HV30 and the A1, the HV30 is almost too light and the A1 quite heavy. I may just need to work out a little and use the A1, would not be using it for long anyways.

December 16th, 2008, 11:23 PM	#1
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	HV30 and Stedicam Merlin? Is anyone having any luck with the HV30 and steadicam Merlin, if you are are you leaving the IS feature on or off when using it this way? __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

December 17th, 2008, 01:44 AM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Always turn off electronic stabilization when using a mechanical stabilizer or on a tripod. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 6th, 2009, 09:01 PM	#6
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	anyone else using this combination, HV30 and stedicam merlin? __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

January 16th, 2009, 10:13 PM	#10
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	anyone have some footage to share with this combo. __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

April 16th, 2009, 09:02 PM	#15
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	For those using this combo do you still like it, I am torn between the HV30 and the A1, the HV30 is almost too light and the A1 quite heavy. I may just need to work out a little and use the A1, would not be using it for long anyways. __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

January 1st, 2009, 02:03 AM	#3
Ron Cooper Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 481	Regarding turning off the stabilizer when using a tripod, does this mean that you lose some quality if it is left on ? My reason for this question is that I often use my tripod for crane shots by collapsing the legs and lifting it up so I usually have the stabilizer on. Does this mean I am losing detail for the tripod-only shots ? RonC.

January 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM	#5
Dustin Alcock Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, MI Posts: 34	Great advice. My HV30 and steady cam comes tomorrow and I know I would have made this mistake. Thanks!!

January 10th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#9
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	I use the combo and it works great for bridal prep and beauty shots. A few words of caution. 1. Forget about using this setup in windy conditions. 2. Start recording and hold steady for at least 5 seconds before and after initiating a move (makes for easier editing, and allows the camera to stabilize after hitting the record button). 3. If possible, do 2 or 3 repetitions of the move. In the small viewfinder, its harder to detect wobble than on a large-screen. What might have looked like a good take could be too wobbly in post. 4. Leave stabilizer off 5. Get used to setting your exposure manually, especially when you are in a constant-lighting situation (not when going indoors to out). 6. Get a decent wide-angle lens and you'll find it easier to get those beautiful tracking shots. 7. Be prepared to answer questions. No piece of equipment I've ever owned has generated as much interest from the average Joe. And I've got some great toys!

January 16th, 2009, 11:09 PM	#11
Matt Buys Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 426	Here's a little footage of that combo I took. The end of this trailer shows how steady the merlin can be . . . which is worth every cent inmho. With practice you can practically run up a cliff and not have wobble. Adios San Juan (Trailer) A couple hints. And I'm sort of embarassed to say this. Although I've been using the HV20 and 30 for years with the merlin I never fully realized how to put into words the problems with the rolling shutter effect until reading Oleg's post below about the canon Mark II. Everything that Oleg and Jon say about the Canon Mk II's rolling shutter is exactly right about the HV30's rolling shutter. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos...e-footage.html Good luck.