Merlin/A1 - Initial Test
 

Disclaimer:
This is not intended as a display of the Merlin's full capabilities, but rather what you might expect from the Merlin "out of the box".

The footage was shot a couple of hours after recieving the Merlin. I had no prior Steadicam experience. The Merlin was configured using "cookbook" settings. I was carrying the large travel case over my shoulder. The g-platz screw wasn't properly tightened on a couple of shots.

Quality will improve considerably with operator experience and proper equipment setup.

33MB H.264 .MP4

http://www.mediafire.com/?c1finlyzwfx

Pretty smooth looking to me for 2 hours out of the box. Some great shots. Wow, lots of footage here. How long did you film? and did your arm get tired?

Also, for focus settings, do you leave it at a certain setting and stick with it for the moving shots?

Trish

Nice stuff. I'm considering a Merlin for an upcoming shoot. Thanks for posting. BTW, was that 24f originated footage?

Thanks,
Blake

Good stuff.

and to think you will get smoother with practice.

Nice place to film some nice sample footage too!

After this, that Merlin purchase is just about guaranteed for me now!

Thanks for all your comments and questions. Appreciate it.

I shot half an hour footage over the course of a couple of hours. My arm did get tired, but mainly when adjusting the Merlin - when you're moving it's not that bad. I have been training a couple of months with dumbbells specifically for this, ever since I decideded I wanted a Merlin - certainly helped.

95% of what I shot was using AF. That was part of the test - finding out how far I could push it. I am impressed with the speed and precision of the AF.

Everything was shot DV PAL 25f 1/50

That was awesome for such a short time of practice.

This footage looks wonderful.

Just to be certain, I wanted to ask if you used the arm and vest combo on this or if you you were using only the merlin and supporting it all with your arm.

Best,

Michael Blieden

Rene,

Sorry for not getting back to your earlier. I kind of lost this post after posting it :).

I'm very impressed with your results esepecially since you didn't have much prior experience. Very smooth and you seem to have got that thing well under control.

I ordered my merlin last week. I have a shoot next week. I was hoping to have it at the begining of this week but it seems the Showcase people don't have a clue about on-line orders. I heard so much about them that I placed an order on-line rather than call them. I have to call tomorrow (Monday) and see where things are at. But from the looks of it I'll only get it mid to end of the week so I'll have to pick up using the things pretty quick. I hope I'll be as good as you :).

Thanks for posting this.

I'll post my footage as soon as I'm able.

Shiv.