Steadicam Merlin
 

The new Steadicam Merlin looks really cool:

http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html

It does seem expensive though. I'm looking for something like this for my new HVR-A1. Any better ideas?

I played with it at IBC extensivly...

It's the perfect (and I think only..) rig for a camera that light! - infact I believe we even tried one an A1 on it at one point.
With a super light camera, we could zoom in all the way (like 100times..) and only then could we get any jitter out of it!

If you want something else, then you are going to need to add some (lots) of weight to the camera.

And it should be shipping here at some stage! ;-)

- Mikko

Looks interesting but the price is silly... almost $1000?


ash =o)

I was curious about the price, so I asked.

The sad turth is that the bent pipes that the design calls for (to be as light and funtional) are *really* hard to bend correctly, as a result they are expensive to manufacture.

I don't think that Tiffen is ripping us off here.

For those that fly the JR, you'll know how it's been built "cheap" :-)

- Mikko

I don't know...is it really silly?

There's a certain sophistication in construction and design that sets this apart from the competition, so it is within reason that it would cost more (although I thought it was closer to $850?). I think it's more comparable to a good tripod, something you will own for many years that can be used with different cameras as they come and go. My recently sold JR started off as the platform for my brand new Hi8 camera, '91 state-of-the-art--imagine what might be flying on a Merlin in 2015 (the mind boggles--some 2lb HDCAM marvel, or will we be into a 3D holographic virtual reality mode by then...!?) For those who are in the habit of refreshing their camera of choice every few years, or buying new computers in the same time period, think of this as a long-term investment that will actually hold much of its value (that 14-year old JR sold for more than half what it cost new; how much would my Hi8 camcorder or Apple 2c be worth today???!)

I think the proof lies in the pudding. If one tests the Merlin alongside the competition and decides the difference is not worth the additional money, so be it...likewise if they simply cannot spend that much money to begin with. I've only spent a few minutes with it but having seen GB's prototype JR years ago which looked remarkably like the Merlin in shape, I know that this is what he had in mind the whole time, and it is allegedly much more stable (especially with long lenses) than anything else on the market.

It's $799 at B&H, but it's backordered. Check it out HERE. I'm on the fence as to the cost/benefit of this thing. I recently did a project where I used a lot of shaky footage shot by wife's uncle. I ended up using VDub and Deshaker on most of it. The funny thing was that it ended up looking a lot more stable than my usual work. It lost a little resolution in the process though, and deshaking all this footage also took about 50 hours of work. The extra stability really looked good though, and I know that something like the Merlin stabilizer would improve the quality of what I do immensely. Since I'll be using it almost all the time, I'd really like something that was light, easy to use and professional looking. Really, for me it is probably worth the money.

Laurence, just by reading your 2nd post, i'd say it's the rig for you.
it really is a MUCH better rig than the JR.

how much did you spend on your camera? tripod? accesories?

- Mikko

I'd sure like to have one, and, as suggested above, I see it as a second "lifetime" tripod with an added steadicam speciality.

Merlin
 

Hi Mikko
I got a JR a couple of months ago for use with a fully loaded PD150 (W/A, big battery etc) and whilst it needs practice, I've got some great bits which I've used in corporates. I'm sure its not up to "proper" Steadicam standards, but certainly impressed a client or two!
Anyhow, whilst its fine now, the JR seems flimsy (although Charles's posts about his JR suggest otherwise!) so I thought a Merlin might be a wise investment. So finally my question(!):-
With no built-in-monitor, it easy to balance using a camera's flip out screen?

As to balanceing a camera on the Merlin.. try it with your JR.. you should be able to do it fine... it wont' be a problem.

Though beeing a left side (regular) steadicam operator, it throws me off just a little that the LCD of the cmaera is on the "wrong" side for using a JR/Merlin like that.

Should the Merlin have a monitor? for most shooters i dont' think it makes very much difference either way. - after all you work jsut fine with the camera LCD at other times. :-)
Would it be nice to have a monitor option? yeah, maybe.. but that would ad cost again.

- Mikko

I'm with you on the monitor issue, Mikko, but I haven't spent any time outside of trade shows using a handheld stabilizer that required the use of the flip-out screen. I do find that even though I operate "normally" on the left as you do with a body-mounted rig, it felt more normal for me to use my stronger right hand to support the JR so the rig would fly on the front/ride side, which would give a better view to flipscreen anyway if that was the case.

My concern was more to severe right pans made on the gimbal vs the body for whatever reason, especially with the rig held at eye height; obviously there would be periods where the image would be blocked. I imagine you get used to it though.

One of the things that I hope the more rigid construction of the Merlin alleviates over the JR is the constant need to re-trim before every shot. I have a feeling it probably does.

Yeah, let me quicly state that I havent' used a JR or Merlin outside a tradeshow either..

- Mikko

I would think the Merlin must not need constant trimming too. For one thing, the adjustment thingys aren't as accessible. It would be a major pain to constantly have to reaching underneath. I was initially stunned at the price as well, but if it works much better than JR, I think it's something we will buy in a year or so. The JR works fine for us now, but metal construction would definitely be better.

I am not sure what the street is, I know my friend ordered one with the case and bracket and it was over $1200. That just seems extreme for handheld... we'll see, I havent messed with it. I have yet to come across one that was worth half that IMHO....


ash =o)

I suppose having too much perspective on it makes it hard to be relevant, but the idea that one can make incredibly stable, beautiful images walking (even running) with a tiny little device married to a tiny little camcorder held in the hands for just a few thousand dollars is sort of incredible--who knows if Garrett hadn't come up with what he did when he did, if anyone else would have. It's a very different type of inventing than coming up with a faster processor or a more light sensitive chip, which is more about building on what came immediately before it; the Steadicam is a brilliant application of Newtonian physics, 100% mechanical and 100% original thinking.

The side-side adjustment roller, which indeed is under the stage of the Merlin is actually well placed... when you are holding (flying) the rig you just reach up with yout thumb and you can trim side-side.. even mid shot (I have no clue why you'd want to..)

It's not $1200 for handheld.. it's $1200 for dolly, jib, technocrane.. that's not bad if you ask me!
(thoguh the list is only $850 ..not sure what else is in that $1200..)

- Mikko

Building on Charles' comment... I don't own a Merlin, but might it be worth it? Yes.

I am editing my big project of the year, a drum corps yearbook. I am right in the heart of the parade footage. I walked 2 parades and shot the whole thing with my VX2100 on another stabilizer. This is footage that you just don't see. Stabilized footage of the drum corps marching, playing, and the crowd reactions. I have a couple great shots of the drumline playing while the crowd slips by, marching "in" the block, a low shot in the block (invert the camera, fix in post), and more.

Then again, the alumni association only managed to sell about 60 DVDs last year at $20 :( But, I am building a reel :D

Merlin with a monitor?
 

Hi guys

Many thanks for your input. Charles is right that the JR needs constant retrimming so if the Merlin avoids this then great. That said, I find the JR monitor pretty much essential - the flipout monitor just never seems to be in the right place!
I wonder if any of you guys with an "in" at Steadicam know whether they may make an optional monitor to go on the lower spar (like the Satchler Artemis?). I guess the weight including batteries would be about right for a heavier cam?
Anyhow, the JR's great at the moment for the occasional flying shots I do
(even if it needs retrimming).

..right about now i'm kicking myself for not getting the size of the threads used for the weights.. I have a hunch that they may be 1/4" ..in which case you could put a super light monitor on the front thread. (with maybe a little battery box on the lower thread. This is all speculation.

- Mikko

I am sure I will check it out... as I posted in another thread my $3000 unit has trouble flying a DVX... =o)


ash =o)

George:

Your post reminded me of one of the few live TV events I worked on doing Steadicam, the World Cup back in '94. At the pre-game show they had a big drum corps doing their thing and I got adventurous and tried to get in the middle of it. Next thing you know, I'm about to be mowed down by a line of sousaphones bearing down on me and my assistant, who is scrambling to get the triax cable out from underfoot...then one of the guys doing the acrobatic stuff jumps in front of the camera and screams "GET OFF THE FIELD!" right into my lens. Live, to 1 billion people worldwide (and yes, they had a live mike on top of my camera).

"The side-side adjustment roller, which indeed is under the stage of the Merlin is actually well placed..."

No kidding. I would never have guessed that from the pictures.

It has been almost 6 months since the Merlin has been announced and still no word of it being in stock anywhere yet.

The date keeps getting pushed back....

Anyone with the inside scoop?[I have emailed Frank Rush--but no reply yet].

I would be curious as to what the hold up is. I keep emailing and get told "early next month" --Doesn't matter what month that is, it is always the answer.

I never did like the steadicam Jr., but I LOVE the merlin. It may seem a little pricey, but hey, patents don't come cheap, not to mention manufacturing the damn thing! If you've got the cash, I think it well worth it if you do a lot of shooting.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Thought I would pass on the reply I got today from Frank Rush which said only "Shipments begin this month".

I was at Tiffen for a demo on Monday and spent a bit of time with the Merlin as I hadn't layed hands on it for long at NAB. It confirms my early impressions that it is MUCH more rigid and stable than the JR, feels very good in the hands and held trim for as long as I was winging it around. The elegance of the adjustable angled lower spar combined with the design of the counterweight adds up to a much more logical setup for heavier cameras than adding endless weights onto a fixed-post setup as many of the competition have it.

And to confirm Sheila's note: Frank did indicate a shipping date of sometime this month. Garrett has made a new instructional DVD for the unit which will be included.

Has anyone heard any updates on this yet?

What's the deal? My buddy who pre-ordered one is on a shoot in Africa so I cant ask where he ordered it from or the status... I want to play with one of these.




ash =o)

Just pestered Frank Rush again and he says...

"Hi John

We will definitely begin shipment this month to existing orders we now have.

Frank"

Ok, any better indication of when it is out AND WHAT IS THE BEST price you've found for it? Real price, not a magazine bait and switch price...

I'm in Canada

Manual now online (http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html)

regards Roland

Thought I'd bring this back to the top of the list.....any news on the Merlin?


Tim

I've heard rumors it should be out very soon (days) ;-)

- Mikko

Well, it's December, and still no word on the Merlin.

Anyone think it will finally be out before the end of the month?

I've had mine on order from B&H since September (I think. Actually it's been long enough that I don't remember exactly). I talked to the B&H guys at the Govt Video Expo in DC last week and none of them had any idea. Weren't even willing to take a guess. So if they've heard rumors, they aren't sharing. I'm trying to forget that I've ordered it so that when it finally turns up it'll be like a like a surprise Christmas present.

My friend pre-ordered one 2 and a half months ago and still nothing... I think it was originally supposed to come out by 11/15



ash =o)

B&H shows IN STOCK
 

fyi. B&H now shows the Merlin as In Stock...

Thanks brent!

- Mikko

It's been a long wait, but my Merlin showed up at my door about 10am this morning.

It certainly has a learning curve, but so far I'm loving it!