Steadicam Merlin VS Flycam 5000 review

Lee Morris of R.L. Morris Photography explains the pros and cons of both the steadicam merlin and the flycam 5000. Both of these can be used with the Nikon D300s or Canon 5d Mark 2 or 7 D to get smooth moving video. You can view Lee's website at www.rlmorrisweddings.com and view more videos at www.fstoppers.com.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• steadicam
• merlin
• pilot
• flycam
• 5000
• review
• hd
• video
• nikon
• canon
• d300s
• d3s
• 5d
• 7d
• steadycam
• smooth video

[FStoppers]

I think this was shot with an octbank left of camera as the main light and a gridded light up high and behnd for hair..the background is gray but we just had the lights far enough off of it. Everything was lit with Dynalite modeling lamps although we use photoflex star lights now

[PlatinumProductionzz]

Rig and vest for Flycam 5000 is great; you must not have taken time to learn it. Take all such reviews wih a grain of salt ... these systems are what you make of it.

[FStoppers]

@PlatinumProductionzz what is there to learn about it? You have one spring that adjusts. If you jump up and down with the vest and arm the camera still shakes like crazy. I was able to play with a Steadicam arm and goodness, you can jump up and down and the camera is very stable. They have maybe 2 or 3 springs with 3 arms. Much better design. All the flycam one does is allows you to take some weight off your arms...it does not stablize at all.

[imrstr]

Are you kidding ? The flycam 5000 is unbalanced after you set it down on the ground??? How can this be Possible without changeing anythink? Sounds incredible....

Der hat doch nicht wirklich gesagt das man die jedesmal neu einstellen muss wenn man sie mal kurz hinstellt oder? Klingt absurd.

[FStoppers]

@imrstr I think the reason it is unbalanced is that the counter weights don't really lock completely. The way this is designed, the bolts can slide slightly on the sled which allows for just the smallest amount of weight change.

[carovet01]

Great review, I actually witnessed you using the Stedicam Merlin the last night of the Charleston Fashion Week

[FStoppers]

@carovet01 ha oh yeah? That video was a lot of work but I think it turned out okay...you always look ridiculous using a flycam or steadicam

[xxbluejay21]

oh i didn't know tom brady liked cameras

[IsisVisuals]

Great video and very clear ,made up my mind now.

[johannltv]

great video. can you use any lense when using steadicams or are there limitiations?

[xxbluejay21]

I think the glidecam is the best.

[viniciusb]

This is true about the flycams, they do not stay balanced for too long.

[SoRealCereal]

Both of these steadicams are waayyy too much, i've been using the Cam Caddie with great success. If you use it right the results are easily comparable and for $38 Cam Caddie is a godsend.

[brandonelliot]

Probably not an issue for the rich folks who casually have money to burn.. But 5:54-6:16 would be a DEAL CLOSER 4 me as far as the Merlin! $800+ what, another 100 (or more) for a lens, then it just slides off, falls on cement & there goes my investment? LOL Hellll naw!

[pepperImage]

I bought whole Merlin system 3 years ago but found it is very hard to use. Now I am using Glidecam HD2000, it's much easier to use and more tough. I would not suggest Merlin to anyone shooting Wedding or Event.

[jrm769]

I'd prepare the flycam 5000 anyday because it gives an acceptable results, the merlin isnt that much better but woah its just way to much money for abit of metal...

[Inlightphotostudio]

1:43, unbalanced? That's not true!

I got this Flycam 5000 and I'm using it with the arm and the vest and once I got it balanced it stays like that forever. There's something you're not doing properly to get it balanced obviously. My opinion is that this is a very good piece of equipment and also affordable.