keep us in the loop to your thoughts on it.

mine's in too
 

Mine came in Tuesday at lunch. Just in time for me to head off to a holiday party and then be off from work for a week. I almost brought it with me to my parents' house but decided that would be vaguely anti-social and I would get endless grief for it. They already think I work too much. Nice to have something to look forward to going back for.

Hi, so the Merlin is shipping? awesome.

I'm trying to decide if it's the one to get, as the other steadicam's are much cheaper.

Do you think the price of it will depreciate in 6 months?(I'm still going to get something now, but just curious)

is it truly the best to get? it looks cool enough to be inconspicous (well, relatively ) on the street. does it work well and easily?

It's good for cameras from .5 to 5 pounds. Well the HVX200 is 5.3 pounds+. How will that affect the weighting?

And is B&H the cheapest place to get this?

thanks

ROn

Ron,
The Merlin is the cheapest actual 'Steadicam' (it's a [the original] brand) ..there are of course other companies offering cheaper alternatives, read as you will.

The price of the Merlin probabaly won't drop much (just like much equipment in this business) It's a prety expensive piece of gear to make. ..or course that gives it a high re-sale value at a later date too if needed (unlikly).

In my oppinon it is the best rig out there for cameras in it's class, though that is only my oppinon.

ANY stabilizer will take a little time to get the hang of - you might get it set up and be shooting in an hour, it may take a few more. - A couple of evenings in a week and you'll be up and running.
Of course achieving "high quality" shots will of course need pratice. These facts are true for ANY stabilizer.
However once you know how to use it, the Merlin is by far the fastest to set up and balance. (trim for example can even be done mid shot with your thumb if you are carefull) - That folding caliper is really nice!

The HVX200 WILL fly on the Merlin ... just. But that is it's upper limit, unfortuanly if you want to start adding accecories to the HVX then you will need somthing desinged for a larger camera - and very strong arms if it's a hand-held rig. One of Merlin's big features is how incredibly light it is.. you aren't holding much more then the camera..other rigs are MUCH heavier.

- Mikko

Hi Ronald,

I can tell you a quick test to see if any hand held rig is right for you.

All you need to do is just hold the equivalent weight and last the time you plan to shoot.

For your case all you need is just use your hand hold something which weighs around 5.3pounds and see how long you can last.

FYI I manufacture stabilizer and I wear my stabilizer to hold a camera which weighs around 13.22pounds(6kg) continuously for an hour.

Regards
Leigh

I don't agree that that is an accurate test.

For one thing, holding a weight in the hand (grasped or sitting in the palm) uses different muscles than forces enacted by the gimballed handle of a stabilizer such as the Merlin.

For another, even if one was to replicate the specific load bearing of the Merlin with a dead weight, it's more than likely that one could last longer with the stabilizer vs. the dead weight, because the stabilizer requires one to focus on a myriad of other things than just the weight itself which will improve stamina to a certain degree.

Plus, the type of muscles used for both handheld and body-mounted stabilizers are generally not in top condition in most people but can be worked up over time, if one is motivated enough.

I believe that the HVX is a sophisticated (and heavy) enough machine that it deserves a more comprehensive stabilizer than the Merlin--the next model up, the Flyer, is a perfect combination.

Hi Charles,

Thanks for the post.

What you said in your post is more accurate.

Happy new year. ;-)

Regards
Leigh

Arrghh,

Can't seem to find one in STOCK anywhere.

Anyone see it advertised online? No one knows when they'll get more for sure.


How much do you think an average RENTAL rate for this will be?

It's a new product that only just came off the production line, so there will be a steady flow untill them come into stock. Just get your name on a list or two and I'm sure you'll get one prety quick.

- Mikko

Merlin in and out of stock
 

I'd watched B & H for a couple of months as the Merlin remained backordered. But they told me they should have it by the end of the year and it showed up in stock right after Christmas, so I bought one. Now it is backordered again. I was supposed to be e-mailed when it came in stock, but that never happened.

HI there

Have there been any reports of any problems with the Merlin?

My friend just got one on Friday and it broke already. The metal rods at the top of the merlin slide back and forth and the camera swings on it's mount when it moves.... :(

Is your friend "Saturnin Kondratiew" who just started the other thread on the topic?

- Mikko

yah....i know Ron, hes a trouble maker..lol .....he broke my ankle yesterday because i didnt let him direct.... u will notice a cast in the video that i posted in the other thread, lol! THANX RON!!! THANX!!

That was payback for ramming into me with your motorcycle as I was carrying the three layer wedding cake to my sister's wedding.

hee

Man, am I surprised that Merlin got broken. ;)

I made up a similar rig out of alumina,complete with a self-centring bearing and gimbal handle. These rig’s work ok, but make no mistake, even if you have strong wrists they are tiring to use. If you intend shooting for any length of time you’re better off with a rig that can attach to some kind of waist or shoulder support.

Self centering?
Want to share details?

- Mikko

I know someone who has the JR, and they tell me that the PD150 is too heavy for it. I read the specs on the Merlin, and I know it is supposed to take cameras up to 5 lbs; however, looking at the online "cookbook" for cameras and weights, I did not see the PD150/170 listed.

Is anyone using the Merline with their PD150/170, and are there any weight issues?

Yes the Steadicam Merlin will take the PD150/170 perfectly. - Infact I'd say that's about one of the best weight cameras for the Merlin.

Well noticed about the Cookbook settings missing. I think they'll probably have them up for the PD-150 sometime soon soon.
(or you can use their snazzy onlines calculator to get teh settings too!)

- Mikko

PD-150 / 170 settings.
 

A follow up to my previous post...

Some PD-150/170 settings are now online in the user-supplied section of the Merlin cookbook: http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php

- Mikko

I wonder if this resulted from my e-mail to them? :o)