Steadicam Merlin Problems

I shot a concert outside and had a miserable experience with the steadicam Merlin. I actually decided to lean the steadicam weights against my Belly and use the steadicam like a tripod. This seemed to work better, but defeated the purpose of purchasing the $800 equipment.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Steadicam
• Merlin
• XHA1
• Camera
• Help
• Canon
• Balancing
• Tilting
• Tripod

[ClackamasFilms]

Did the person who sold this to you tell you all you had to do was put the camera on it and every shot would work perfect first try, with no practice???

If you hate your unit so much and think it's a piece of crap, send me a PM and I'll buy it from you for a reasonable price!

[nathandayton]

$600 its yours

[nathandayton]

@ClackamasFilms That's what I thought! The Steadicam Sucks!

[nathandayton]

cdsdralion- How do you zoom in and out while using the steadicam without it tipping? The steadicam is not what it's cracked up to be. Its difficult to use, its a pain to learn. I know it takes practice, I just want people to know what it's like when first getting a steadicam. I had no idea about what to expect when I got my steadicam, and then I realized it was hyped way above what it is worth. Stick with a Tri-pod, unless you want a learning curve of 4 years!

[cdsdralion]

You are not meant to zoom while using the steadicam. You control the shot by moving closer to and further from your subject. The bigger rigs can use a remotely controlled motorized zoom. Because of the delicate balance you cannot touch the camera's controls without influencing the shot.

You have the right to be disappointed, but not to diss the product itself as being poor. Your failure to research what you were buying is not Tiffen's fault. NOWHERE is it billed as an out-of-the-box solution!

[nathandayton]

Good feedback and reminder of why I shouldn't have bought the steadicam. I did research on the product, but no one knows what to expect until they make the purchase. I want people to realize how difficult the steadicam is to operate, how restricted you are when trying to film basic shots and how much learning and research it takes to use the steadicam well. Overall the steadicam does not perform as well as people state.  It was a disappointment at most.

[cdsdralion]

No, the Steadicam itself is what is touchy! It is a delicate instrument and must be used as such.

If it's not what it's cracked up to be, I wonder why Steadicam has won an Oscar?

I think it is possible that you have unrealistic expectations of what it does and does not do.

[cdsdralion]

It's the poor carpenter who blames his tools...

You clearly have NO idea about how to operate a Steadicam. It's asinine to expect to take one out of the box and get great, professional-grade shots!

If you've never played a guitar but spend $800 to buy one would you expect to be able to play it like a virtuoso? Not without a LOT of practice!

At least you accurately feel like what you are...

[AlkimyDeal]

The quality of shots you obtain can be matched by similar products that go for much less. I've been using the Cam Caddie SCorpion and can easily match any of the Merlin videos I've seen and it only cost me $38.

[24pStudio]

Seriously Nathandayton, You have to balance it. I had the same issue with mine. I thought it is a piece of shit so I brought it to my friend in LA who works in the industry. After 3 minutes of configuration with the weights, he managed to balance it perfectly well and the shots are so freaking steady! Who ever wanted to buy it from you in the first place for $600 because he knows the steadicam is worth to buy. Just takes time to master it.

[CrazyB11111]

hi, i recently purchased a merlin and it works great. Its true it does take a while to get used to, but once you do, you will never want to shoot without it.

[gastaocoimbra]

you are using it worng, you are the problem, no the equipment, its out of balance!

[zenmachinefilms]

Personally I don't think any steadicam unit is nearly as good without a vest. If I were to buy one of these I'd skip the Merlin, and save for the Pilot, with vest.

The Merlin/Vest combo might work good with some DSLRs however, as they are lighter. Never tried it.

[imgpro615]

I own a JR and a Glidecam 2000 and love them both for the small gigs i do. I shot with a GL1 and 2 for a while (still do sometimes) but now a Z1U. My point is that it is heavier like the XHA1 and requires more setup, tweaking, and PRACTICE to get it workable...add wireless or shotgun mic, LED mini light, and/or wide adapter and you got an arm busting weight issue. AviatorMXpilot is right about gimbal to cam distance as a key...i'm still practicing and saving for a better rig. Much success man!

[girotube]

I will help you by sending it over here and I keep it ;)

Sure by now you are saying, oops! I nagged too soon!

You need to learn how to calibrate the rig..

Funny that you see other videos of the Merlin and is working just fine...

[slimeball6969]

set it up correctly and learn how to use it

[proinfidel]

It is just not set up correctly. pull everything off the Merlin, strip everything off the camera, and start from the begining. after you get it balanced, then add your other stuff. Stick with it I love mine.