Steadicam Merlin
 

Has anyone used the Steadicam Merlin without a vest with the FX1000? If so how is it working out. I was about to buy one and luckily came across some info that cast doubt into my mind as to whether it will work.

I have double posted, but since this is relatively new camera I felt my chances of a response would be much greater doing so. I hope the powers that be will let this slide!

I am looking at a used Merlin so time is of the essence, hence the double post.

Hey Jeff !!
I think merlin is for cameras below 5 pounds,Z5 or FX1000 are
to heavy for merlin!,but who knows maybe somebody has try it?

Franklin

Thanks Franklin. The FX1000 is 4lbs 9oz, so according to the specs it should work. The Z5 weighs 5lb 1oz so it definitely will be over spec.

Even though the FX1000 is within spec, I want to know it works before spending the money. With a small LED and smaller battery it will come in at just under 5lbs.

The specs say its OK for the Z1, FX1 so it is possible to put the FX1000 on and not breaking the gimball. But, believe me, a bare Merlin with a camera, and often on board accessories like lights, mic, bracket etc., is just too heavy and fatiguing to hold for longer than 2-3 minutes at a time. it is also cumbersome to operate the camera's controls while one of your hands has to carry the whole rig. You absolutely need the arm and vest accessories, period.

Wacharapong

Thanks Wach, the info you provided is not what I wanted to hear, but I knew it to be the case (regarding the vest).

After I read your post I took a 10lb dumbbell and held it like a Merlin and walked around with it
and in absolutely no time my arm was tired.

I very much appreciate your post. Thank you.

Hi Jeff, I have a Merlin and have used it with the 1000 with good results. The Merlin is maxed out with a bare 1000 and 760 battery, but it will balance.

Tim, you said the Merlin is maxed with only a 760 battery. Any wiggle room for 2 more oz? (Sima Light) or would I have to try it to find out?

I would skip the Merlin, due to the fatigue problems in time.
Try the CB-105, from Dynamic Motion Video, I checked compatibility with the FX1000.
Here is a link: About CB-105 Video Camera Stabilizer Shoulder Support

Interesting. I need to be able to use a mounting plate, that is a deal breaker, along with the closeness of the cam to my face, I am far sighted.

It is a very nice little item though.

If I buy a merlin I would buy a vest eventually. Until then the device would be of limited usefullness. I am still reeling from the prospect of $1900 for a vest. My wife has given the OK, for when I can manage it, but wow, that is a lot of money for a freakin vest!

And if I am not mistaken, it is highly recommended, that you follow a traing course. To ensure, that you will not strain your back . . .

Yeah Jeff, you would probably just have to try that light, I don't know.

When you say the Merlin is maxing out with the FX1000 and a 760 are you talking about the plastic or metal gimbal? It was my understanding that the plastic supports a max or 5lbs but the metal tops out at 7lbs, or is that only when using the arm and vest?

Well to be fair, most of the cost is the Arm and not the Vest. Have you ever strapped one on at a show or anywhere? It's really slick. I haven't bought one yet cause I'm cheap and can get the job done without one, but if I had the money and actually needed one to do the job it would be a no brainer.

No Ethan, I'm talking about being able to get the Merlin balanced correctly. I think the merlin is maxed out with the 1000 as far as getting it balanced. I have all the weights on it and the gimbal adjusted as far as it will go.

But if you've got the metal gimbal and I'm reading their specs correctly then you may be able to buy an additional weight or two and get it to balance properly. Maybe...

Tim, is your model with a plastic or metal gimbal?

Ok...gotcha Ethan. But I'll tell ya, if you add any more weight to that rig you will definitely want the vest, or use it in very short spurts.

I think it's plastic Jeff, but I'll look when I get home and let you know for sure.

I know you are right about that, Tim. Ten pounds or so held in that position, I can imagine I'd be good for maybe two minutes tops. If I do buy this thing, I will have to build strength and endurance in my arms to use it for any length of time. I imagine it would take some serious endurance to get even 4 minutes of smooth continuous shots with it.

I'll look forward to your reply about the metal vs plastic. Thanks for your helpfulness, Tim.

It is my understanding the Merlin with a metal gimbal will hold up to 7 pounds. Double check that first before you start throwing weight at it!

I've used my Z1 with a big, thick battery on it with no issue. However, my forearms aren't like Popeye's so I recently bought a HV30 specifically for the Merlin.

Whew!

Since you've used both heavier and smaller cams with the Merlin I'd be interested to get your thoughts on the differences between the two.

I've found that smaller cameras are harder to control and tend to get a little more finicky than the larger cams. Your take?

Blake I was thinking the same thing about getting an HV30 for use with the merlin. It would be a killer combination in a well lit environment, but Ethan puts a damper on that idea!

I never said it was impossible, just that I find the little guys harder to fly. My uneducated theory is that it's a mass issue, the greater mass of the larger cams tends to hold them in place better and makes them slower to change direction. Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion and who knows what other's experiences are.

I'm also a pessimist and tend to put a damper on most ideas.

I know that my heavier FX1000 is much better on tripod than my old 2100, the added weight really makes a difference.

Compact flash
 

I'll back that up Jeff. That was the first thing I really liked about the 1000/Z5 was it's just beautiful on the tripod.

Seems weighted nicer than TRV900/VX2000 and Z1 on the legs.

Hey I had a mate in yesterday and showed him just how quickly my old TRV900 goes in and out of rec/pause back into record.

He was blown away.

This is just something I am going to have to accept with the FX.

I guess all cameras have their pitfalls and one has to just work around any issues but gee I still can't get over seeing a shot and not being able to record it.

Should have waited for a Z5 as I understand recording to the Compact Flash unit gets around this problem.

I think I read this correctly on a post a week or so ago.

If this is correct this therefore would mean that one would be recording more footage to Flash card and less to tape because recording to tape has the 2-4 second delay when doing a quick rec/pause/rec sequence.

Hope that makes sense.

Can anyone out there back that theory up?

It's plastic Jeff.

There's a Z1U with a 970 listed in the Merlin cookbook which gives the weight as 5.2lbs.

Here's the link: Welcome to Tiffen - Steadicam Merlin Cookbook Settings

Panasonic HVX-200 5.4lbs here: http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php

Martin, I've got the Compact Flash Reader on order, but I'm pretty sure it elminates the delay since it starts a new file every time you hit record & stop. The Z5 has to be set to 'follow' as opposed to synchro if you use the Z5 without tape.

As far as the theory that you'd be able to record more to flash by eliminating the delay, it does make sense.

The Reader is really the major point for me going with the Z5 over the 1000. I think Sony really dropped the ball by not having external device control on the FX1000, but then again they may have thought that omission would sell more Z5s.

Martin, I have regretted on more than one occasion I didn't hold out for a Z5. I was in a hurry and bought what I could afford at the time.

The advantages are too numerous.

The FX1000 will work out fine, but my third cam will be a pro model, whether it be a Z1 or Z5.

Sounds like a good excuse to get or use the gym membership. Who says being a videographer won't get you in shape! :-)

Jeff, having used several FX1's and Z1's together, I can tell you that optically speaking, you I could absolutely not tell the difference in the footage taken. In other words, they are a perfect match to use as a set.

I have read that the FX1000 and the Z5 are in the same scenerio. Yes there are features on the Z5 that aren't on the FX1000 but from a visual perspective, those two should mate perfectly in a 2 camera shoot. So when considering your 2nd cam, I'd forget about a Z1 and go straight to the Z5...

Jon

fitness a must
 

Jon, you are so spot on re physical fitness. Lets face it we all should be fit anyway!

Me about 15 KG's over as you can see in this clip of me playing in a wedding band.

Hobart Video Production and DVD Production, Online Video Specialists

Jeff
I think that you can get descent amount for your FX1000 or trade-in now than wait later. These cameras are selling like hot cakes...

Stelios

I just noticed the merlin I'm looking at is a Signature Edition. That means older model with plastic gimbal right?

Since the seller has told me his merlin has a metal gimbal, I'm wondering if he replaced it. Anyone have any thoughts?

Yes, I have asked him, but haven't yet received reply, and I felt 2nd opinion would be good since I don't know seller.

I myself have a Signature series with a metal gimbal, I replaced the plastic one last year. Other than GB's signature on the spar, this would be the only difference between that model and the current one. Replacement metal gimbals cost about $160, by the way.

Thank you Charles.

Charles, did you replace it because it broke?

From what I understand, the metal gimbal had a hihger spec than the plastic one. Less friction and higher max load.