Sony HDR-SR12 on Steadicam Merlin on Speed Boat

[111matty111]

can you re upload in better quality?

[cheesuwen]

@111matty111 This quite sometime ago. I will see I still have the edited file in HD, if yes, will upload.

[Eddieliebe]

I need one steady :(((

[cheesuwen]

@Eddieliebe Get one then!!!

[bmon1010]

hello there nice video my friend i need your help i can't get steady cam to work i got same cam u do how many weights u used in the top and on the bottom if u can message me back plz would really mean alot

[cheesuwen]

@bmon1010 Thanks!!!

My configurations may not work for you as I have accessories on the SR12. Things like lights, external mic, wide angles lens etc. These things change the weight and mass of the setup. Please go to merlincookbook com and click on to Merlin Static & Dynamic Balance Magic Formula. There are literature and spreadsheets there. If you do your measurement correctly, it gets very close. I would say you will get 90% with the magic formula. The 10% on final adjustments.

[minisled]

Good stabilization job, particularly with wind turbulences.

[cheesuwen]

Thanks, after some runs, you will know how to find a wind blocker from the surroundings, if there is one around. Haha...

[cheesuwen]

I set the CG slightly of the system higher as we were travelling more than 50KM to reduce inertia. This is done by increasing the Z by 1 turn on the gimbal. This quick setup is very cleverly thought of in the Steadicam Merlin for situation like this, and for precise adjustment, which is not available in other systems. Setting of this in other systems is possible, but just that in cannot be done quickly.

[minisled]

G.B. has really worked hard on this system and is plenty of clever ideas , on the fly (precise and fast) tuning is one of them that i would like to have... :-(

[cheesuwen]

Agreed, I am impressed by GB's passionate too.

[minisled]

Heared about wind stoppers but never seen one of them... a myth?

[cheesuwen]

Wind stoppers? I have never heard of them, then again I may be outdated. I learn the trick from master Steadicam teachers and operators Ted Churchill and Jerry Holway's DVD, Steadicam EFP. Although it is a 1990 production, the contents are still relevant.

For this reel, I used humans to block the wind.

[minisled]

For the moment, the only wind stopper i know about is human handled panel...

[cheesuwen]

Yup, that is the one, which is taught in Ted Churchill and Jerry Holway's DVD, Steadicam EFP.

[dabigjokeoftheday]

800 bucks and it comes with a plastic piece of crap handle..what a joke

[cheesuwen]

But it is the best that I have use so far.

I do agree with you, 800 is steep, I do like to see it comes down. 200 would be great!

[Stormthunderrain]

The water doesn't look so great until you get to the second clip

[cheesuwen]

Well, whatever the water condition, I sure had a sore butt after the trip, haha. I think it was a 4-5 hours trip.

[kfleung9833]

Yes, Merlin is really too expensive, that's why I DIY one for my videos. Cheap cheap only cost several hundreds but it still works very fine.

[cheesuwen]

Yes, I saw yours before. In particular the one with the light on a camera shoe extender. Material easily bought over the shelf. Great innovative. Great work bro. Maybe we should meet and exchange ideas.

[kfleung9833]

Hi Big Brother. Merlin Steadicam is good, but too expensive to me. I wonder if it works fine with Canon A1 (about 2.5 -3.0 kg).

[cheesuwen]

Yes,好很貴，但真係好好用。Canon A1太重了。獨立Merlin最多可受2.75kg。如加配件就­出問題。除非用Metal Gimbal和Arm & Vest，可受重量3.4kg。Steadicam Pilot比較適合.可受重量4.5kg。

[cheesuwen]

I found a lot of videos here that help me on my Steadicam Merlin. Thanks guys! I don't think there is any shot done on a speed boat, So here is my share. Enjoy!