Steadicam Merlin Demo

[ObjectiveVision]

$800 for the Merlin is just too much for what it actually gets you. I've been using a $38 Cam Caddie and it has afforded me some amazingly smooth shots.

[24pStudio]

What camera did you use on the steadicam. I love the song by the way.

[corjenks]

@24pStudio - I shot this on a Panasonic HVX200 - you should check out my other video (Hewescraft) I shot recently with it. Just click on my username and you can find it. Oh, and thanks for the props on the song!

[clatterowls]

love the footage! what camera did you use to film this on? im in the process of buying a merlin! cant wait to get it and run it though its paces!

[corjenks]

@clatterowls - I shot this with a Panasonic HVX200, but the upload quality wasn't very good at the time. Look at my Hewescraft video to see what my Merlin footage looks like in HD!

[MrTony95]

Ottimo video!

[onix3d]

great video

[kfluharty]

I am always amazed at how well the Merlin performs. Great song by the way!

[Myleso]

You have to balance every time you mount the camera on the Merlin, right?

[bruhe]

I really like this movie because I'm a father of two little girls and because love videotaping them. You got amazing steady shots but even better, you've built something of actual content. So many shots are just tests or experiments. Here are memories preserved. Your daughter is adorable and your steady work and editing is great! Kudos!

[corjenks]

@bruhe - Wow, thanks for the compliment.

[randallpaulcom]

i beleive it Good job on the shots. If you are a shooter then you already have an understanding and using a new peice of kit shouldn't hinder your performance. I am gong to demo one and yes I will be using a crappy lol prosumer camera VX 2000 because I dont want anything less than a Red One and if you want to be serious about shooting HD you will need 50k to start! So at least your not letting your tools stop you from working!

[Impala3lt]

Great video man! I like how you keep the viewers interested with your creative camera movements! 5 *'s I need to get one of those Merlins. They're so expensive but I know its worth it.

[joshuahratliff]

Yes you can! any camera under 5 pounds or so is good to go with merlin!

[vinnie234786]

Can you use the Steadicam Merlin with a Sony handycam DCR-HC17E (MINI DV)?

[TKRJ1]

@vinnie234786 why would you buy such an expensive feature when using it with a crappy cam?

[mactuna]

Thanks!! I will let you know when I up load videos with your song in it. I know it is a kids song but I still like the melody of this song and your voice. it is simply nice.

[mactuna]

I love this song and I just purchased through iTune. Is it OK if I use this music making YouTube video though?

[corjenks]

Yeah, go ahead. Just make sure to send me the link when you're done...and don't use bad language in the video (it is a kids' song after all)!!!

[35westst]

well that being the case, my hat's off to you. Excellent. I have one of those Mérlins and have been monkeying with it for two months, and still not half as good as what you did here. I should come to you for lessons!

[tubeindividual]

Very nice. But I don't believe for 1 sec. you took those shots right after you go the Merlin and that you never worked with anything like it before that. Even someone with reflexes like Hercules would not be able to take pictures like that "right out of the box" takes at least days, if not weeks, or practice.

[corjenks]

I'm going to take that as a huge compliment! Here's my story. I'm a professional shooter, and I had done some dolly work before, but I had no steadicam experience. The day the Merlin arrived at the office I assembled it, took a couple hours to balance it (by far the hardest part), and shot around the office for a half-hour. In all honesty, this was my first time out really shooting with it. Now all of my clients beg for the steadicam, and I use it on every project I touch!!!

[matrixm777]

Good job. Fun music too...

[thebirdpeopleinchina]

nice

[orangestudiofilms]

Would my Canon GL2 be too large for a Merlin?

[corjenks]

This video was shot with a Panasonic HVX200, which I believe actually weighs more than the GL2. I'd recommend checking on the Merlin's website, just to be sure!

[Willbryant]

It was nice to revisit this video. I actually bought a Merlin last year after seeing this. You convinced me. :)

[ROTTINGDEAD]

Same here....this video sold me on what is the most fun thing to shoot with ever made.

[bloodaid]

It pretty much made me convinced now too :)

Might buy it sometime...

[ez2curanut]

i have a Z5U... would this work or is cam too heavy for merlin?

[nnswoosh]

wow very nice shots!!

[jjho8]

Nice shots! How is the quality of the Merlin, the small gimbal looks quite fragile. I'm really considering buying this, but how much better is it than the $389 glidecam 400 pro? I just want to make sure i make a good purchase. Thanks.

[corjenks]

Thanks for the comments. The Merlin is very solidly built, and I've used it on countless shoots. The gimbal has held up extremely well, and it's dependable (I've used it out of helicopters and off of motor boats, without reservation). Not sure how it compares to the Glidecam 400, but I have loved the Merlin!

[jjho8]

Thanks, I'm very close to buying the Merlin. I'm going to test out my friends Glidecam 400 next week, so I'll see if that's any good.

[aviatormxpilot]

Unless you get the entire rig for the glidecam sleds, articulated arma (single or double) and the vest. You'll won't be able to hold the cam and sled any longer than about 30 seconds without your arms starting to shake. It's a lot of wieght to hold manually.

[mjkobb]

Very nicely done. I like your framing and choice of shots. Seems like the Merlin was maybe a touch bottom-heavy on your first outing? Are you still using it, and do you still like it? Did you end up buying the arm?

[corjenks]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the Merlin was a little bottom-heavy at the time. It really takes a while to figure it out, and shooting with the HVX200 puts it at the end of its weight limit. Yes, I still use it all the time (on professional shoots...corporate videos, commercials, etc.) and our clients are in awe of the cool shots you get with it. Hopefully we'll purchase the arm this year! Happy shooting!

[mjkobb]

Great, thanks! I used to use a JR with my older cameras, and I've been thinking about a Merlin. Glad to hear you like it -- I think I'll pick one up to go with one of the new flash-based HD cameras, since it can fly very light cameras.

[BR177]

I enjoyed this video thanks

[tomaxfeattmw]

song?

[BR177]

its in the ending titles... lol

[prs4life69]

very nice. nice vid, nice music.

[Thatkooguy]

great music man. not to mention a way to show how the merlin works. great stuff bud.

[theguigo]

whoa, perfect demo, man!

[1967007]

Did you wear the arm and vest plus the merlin, or only the merlin?

[theguigo]

i guess he used only merlin (i hope so, or otherwise there's no point of spending $800 on that gadget..)

[CandlelightVideo]

why would you say there's no point in spending $800 on the merlin if you also purchase the arm and vest??!

[JUKIO01]

i think its only hand held. no vest. wonder if tv shows like amazon race uses hand held steady cams or like mtv cribs

[JaneEyreRules]

the shot of the trees was awesome

[zaohad1]

The music is prob inspired from Pachelbel ,a classical composer . Look it up here on you tube.

[teramelos]

I just bought the merlin to use with my hvx. Am I going to need a smaller battery to accomodate the weight of the camera or will the big weight work?

[corjenks]

I've used it with just the factory battery, and it works just fine. Remember, though, no accessories, like wireless mics or additional lenses. I tried a wide angle and it was impossible to get it to balance with it on. But it rocks nonetheless!

[dugmin]

great shots! music is appropriate 2!! is the merlin the best on market 4 price, does all jnr stedicams bob slightly, i want total control but find they take a fraction of second 2 finally stabilize, and sometimes lopsided, mines is pretty basic though but i think they are all the same

[danieladamko]

is it comapitibile with HVX200 ??

[corjenks]

This video I made was actually shot on the HVX200...so yes! It just barely makes it under the weight limit!

[danieladamko]

cool

[MerlinResourceDotCom]

First day? Very nice work, sir. You've certainly got the feeling for it

[lestube001]

how much ?

[laokoonda]

Pretty cool job. U have a talent, dear friend... And I wanna the Merlin too...

[atomicbushman]

dude you are talented!

this video inspired me to go buy the merlin.

[19541117]

Nice song,nice video and nice family!

[Milkddr]

Great video! I love the song, where can I find it?

[av6162]

Nice video.  Like the simple cuts and smooooooth shots on the Merlin. Need to upgrade from my JR someday. Thanks!

[si12007]

Awsome video. Merlin looks very good. Also really like the song.

[corjenks]

The Steadicam Merlin cost $799. Definitely worth it's money. You can even purchase it through Amazon.

[direken]

how much is a STEADICAM MERLIN? i would like to purchase..

[childofcinema]

like a bomb so nice video

[brudprod]

how much is this thing? im looking for some cheap stablizization system for my hc1~.

[rslv]

..and I thought I did pretty well on my first try. Impressive work. The HVX pushes the limits of the Merlin but you controlled it extremely well.

[lkabird]

HVX on Merlin? I guess you do arm wrestling :)

No serious, can go longer than 20 - 40 sec?

[corjenks]

Honestly, I've been carrying the Merlin for 2-4 hours a day. I never thought I'd be able to, as I'm not that strong, but your shoulder and arm really get used to it! After the third day, my muscles stopped hurting (though the first two days it killed!)

Hopefully soon I'll be getting the vest and arm, which will make it even easier.

[cdsdralion]

Very nice footage! What camera are you flying?

[corjenks]

I'm flying a Panasonic HVX200. It's just shooting in DV mode.

As a follow-up, I'm currently shooting several hospital documentaries in Texas this week. I've used the Merlin 80% of the time, and the shots are simply incredible. It's my favorite camera accessory of all time!