Steadicam Merlin / Canon XH-A1 Initial Test

Canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder mounted on Steadicam Merlin.

Initial test.

This is not intended as a display of the Merlin's full capabilities, but rather what you might expect from the Merlin "out of the box".

The footage was shot a couple of hours after recieving the Merlin. I had no prior Steadicam experience. The Merlin was configured using "cookbook" settings. I was carrying the large travel case over my shoulder. The g-platz screw wasn't properly tightened on a couple of shots.

Quality will improve considerably with operator experience and proper equipment setup.

For better quality version (33MB H.264 .MP4): http://www.mediafire.com/?c1finlyzwfx

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Steadicam
• Merlin
• Canon
• XH
• A1
• Tivoli
• Copenhagen
• København

[snassiri]

Nice job. I think I'll be getting this package soon.

The download you linked has excellent color saturation. Was that modified in post or does the camera record color that good on its own?

[rslv]

The XH-A1 is capable of producing great colors if you adjust the cameras color gain setting.

Only a slight S-Curve adjustment was added in post.

[tarkstar]

I have the same set up , but I just find it all so heavy!! I can only film for about 30 seconds then have to rest , did you have the arm and vest? nice footage

[tarkstar]

also could you tell me your merlin settings ? thanks

[rslv]

I use the following setup for XH-A1 with stock battery (BP950G)

Front weights: 1 Mid, 1 Finish

Lower weights: 5 Mid, 1 Finish

Arc: 13.5"

Mounting hole: I

Stage Mark: -1

Visible rings on guide (Z): 4

Gezornenplatz resting between focus and zoom ring on lens barrel.

[rslv]

Just the stock Merlin. If you're serious about using the Merlin I'd suggest working out (arms, core, shoulders) I can shoot for about 5 min. before the mic starts picking up my moaning.

[DGrieux]

What a friendly crowd. You wouldn't be able to take similar shots in the UK. Half of the people would call the police while the other half would shout at you "You pervert"!

[hotgypsylips]

Lots of artifacts and noisew? is it the compresion or the image of the cam is that bad?

[AlkimyDeal]

Cheese music, nice shots but i can achieve the same quality using my Cam Caddie SCorpion. It only put me back $38 and it's helped me capture some amazingly smooth shots.

[meiklejohntheuesr]

This is amazing

[Kroniik63]

Thats good quality... Is that a Pro-Fesh camera?

[maverickrap]

what lens did you use in this footage? no lens?

[alphawolf619]

Just got a Merlin Steady Cam, I use the canon xha1s on it and it's working well. Took about 2 hours too go through all the balancing and mounting. I have never used a steadying system and at first it felt really uncontrolled/loose but now with some practice I am convinced that in a short amount of time I will be capable of similar shots. Breaking Bad baby!!

[FroeFilms]

That had to be kinda awkward for the people that were being filmed

[WalterSobchak1985]

Thats a really nice comment. How about this for a response "fuck you, you absolute fucking cunt "!?

Do lemme know. Fuckwad.

[phockuahole]

@WalterSobchak1985 that's cuz you're a retard. any monkey with basic coordination can handle a merlin