Merlin killer from Manfrotto?
 

http://enw.manfrotto.com/mnews.htm?70.n.Py.z2.BC.P.DIPV

The 585 looks interesting. It can be used as a shoulder/table support and a stabilizer as well. Wow, can't wait to see it.

Nice..does look "Merlin'ish" I wonder how much it's going to cost.

That looks *very* Merlinish....


- Mikko

"studied to obtain creative and almost professiona shooting with light cameras."

Apparently, their copy writer is "almost professiona" too! ;)

Looks nice though. I'm a big fan of passive stabilizers for small cams. They're inexpensive and they make hand held shots more tolerable.

So far...140 Euro = $US193.7 or $AU 232.4.

140?? Now that's cheap! Can't wait to read about the first reviews.

I saw it at the IBC this week-end and it looks awesome indeed. I could not test it in real conditions, but the versatility makes it a top companion, particularly for HD shooting where stability is a must. I really love the 3-in-1 feature and the fact that it can be completely folded...

I believe targeting the home users (I've been told a price of EUR120-140 too) is a very smart move by Manfrotto compared to Merlin's more professional target.

Can't wait to get hold of one :-).

Here are a few pictures from the press-kit in case you're interested...

Cute toy, too bad it is probably to light for any of my cameras, except my handy cams.

Looks nice and versatile. Wonder what the weight limit is. If it works with the HV20 w/accessories then I will get one.

That looks pretty slick.

Sorry to rain on the parade, but I tried it out in depth at IBC last week, and it's a piece of junk.

It's made of plastic (why it's cheap) and it's *really* felxible, as in parts bounce & wobble as you move it - so it adds vibration to the shot.
It also has no gimble, but just a ball socket in it's place - there is so much firction there that I was actually isntructed by the Manfrotto Rep. at the show to control it simply by moving the handle - they completly missed the idea of isolating the camera from the operator to provide stabilty - if your hand wobbles, so will the camera.

About the only usefull feature is the "table tripod" mode, but you can find a small table-tripod for a lot less than the $120 you'd waste on this thing.

- Mikko

Well, of course, if you're a professional Steadycam operator, I would be surprised if you were convinced by a 100 EUR plastic gadget :-).

This item is obviously not targeted at the pro shooter as I said, but in my case, I can't afford a 500+ EUR stabilizer so even if there is a perfect solution above that price, it's not for me.

Is it any good ? Only real-life testing will tell, and that's what I'm waiting for... If it stabilizes a great deal, even if not perfectly, I'll be happy...

Just my opinion, of course...

Vincent

From those photos, I can see situations where this thing will work nicely for small cameras.

That one mode where the unit presses against your shoulder pocket-- sort of like a UZI submachine gun with the extended stock---should add all kinds of stability.

For real super smooth high quality Hollywood steadicam shots? Hmmmmm, probably not.

Vincent; That's the problem; this thing does not stabilize much at all! It looks good in photos, but that's about it.

I have no problem with cheap if it works, I've used plenty of such gear. The probem here is isn't that it's not targetted at "professionals" but rather that the only people who will buy this are those uneducated in how a good stabilizer works and, more importantly, performs.

There are plenty of low cost stabiliers out there that work just fine. Just because this one is made by Manfrotto (who make great stuff, I've owned varios gear of theirs over the years, and work with a lot of it on a regular basis) doesn't automatically mean it will be better than a low-cost "cheapo" unit you see on e-bay.

- Mikko

Name killer from Manfrotto
 

What a disappointment. I should rename this thread to "Name killer from Manfrotto".

Well I did also try it at IBC.
 

I tried the unit at IBC, and my impression is positive. Maybe it was because I had the product manager demonstrate it, and the sample I used was in pristine condition. Some of the other units at IBC has seen some abuse, due to eager visitors bending the units. It is somewhat of a IQ-test to fold and unfold it correctly

Anyway - this is a sort of swiss army knife design. Meaning that it can perform a lot of different tasks and do them well within limits. It is not a replacement for a dedicated stabilizer, nor a shoulder rig.

The thing is tiny, and will fit in a large pocket. It uses space age plastic in order to keep the center of gravity at the right place, and it is flexible so you can adjust it easily. It can only use cameras weighting less than 0.7 kilos.

All this means it you a an ultra lightweight shoot-and-run unit it is perfect. Going to hitchhike in Ådalen - perfect. Relaxed documentary with a small backpack - perfect

Substitute for a Merlin - absolutely not. It will not survive a pro environment. But is not ment to.

But I am hoping to get a unit soon, and will share my impressions here

I find it hard to believe a machinist type can not design a floating Gimbel handle and balanced counter weights using simple off the shelf parts in the MSC. Why should I buy a rolex if I can tell perfect time with a Seiko, who's going to know?

The market is changing, I bought a XH A1 because I felt it was time. I'm just a photo hobbyist with a goal to market my invention on a blue collar budget and I'm not alone. Lots of people are finding HDV affordable and the aftermarket accessories should be no exception. If this is junk, lets make a better one.

that+HV20 and you're shooting near 2k res. =P. that's awesome. i luv how pro/pro-sumer grade gear's prices are coming down rapidly =).

It's a <$200 item aimed at the amateur market. Side-by-side with the $800 Merlin it's certainly going to come up short. It's the kind of thing I expect to see Dad using at the ice arena while his 3rd grader gamely skates out for his first pee-wee hockey game.

Full review here;

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camc...-32778990.html

Not very complimentary on the whole.

Read all the bad and good and decided to get one. Have to be honest, and for what I need...it's fine. I am happy to trade off speed, comapctness for the higher quality of my Big rig. Did an axample video here:-

Manfrotto Modo Steady By Alastair Brown