Walking the Merlin

I received my Steadicam Merlin yesterday - http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html

Purchased from B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382099-REG/Steadicam_MENNN_Merlin_Camer... (800 USD).

I have tried to set it up both with standard battery and no accessories and as in this footage with my Kenko 0.5x wideangle lens. It seems a little harder to get perfect balance when the wideangle is installed but that might just be me. There was little wind in the forest, so the conditions were OK.

It took me a couple hours to set it up the first time. However, I did follow the manual and the DVD as adviced, so that's part of the reason. Now I understand the different settings and what effect they have. I can go from using wideangle to using just the camcorder in 5-10 minutes. It's not easy but don't expect it to be too hard either - just be patient with it and try to understand how it all works.

Enjoy the footage. It's 25p (PAL) in TV mode at 1/250 shutter speed. More contrast and color correction added in Sony Vegas Platinum 8.0d.

Music: Carl Nielsen "Symphony No. 5"

HD version available at Vimeo:
http://www.vimeo.com/831855

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• hg10
• canon
• hd
• odense
• denmark
• danish
• steadicam
• merlin

[brunoport]

So when you take the camera out of the merlin and try puting it back again, do you have to level up everything again?

[RicoBergholdtHansen]

Only if you change the weight of it (by adding or removing a lens or filter). The Merlin has guide lines that help you put it back in the old/same position.

[deankumar]

I noticed the image is rocking quite a bit. Is that intentional? I'm new to video production and still learning. If i buy this thing, would i be able to keep it as steady as possible?

[RicoBergholdtHansen]

This was a first test. Setting up the Merlin and getting to know how to use it properly will take a little time. You can see my second try - called 'Coffee at mom's' - under my videos.

[Schizophrenik7]

why did you letterbox it? The image is still video-like, very digital. Add some video plugins too it like mAgic bullet suite or whatever. I do not understand classical music...I prefer new age.

[RicoBergholdtHansen]

The Canon HG10 is an HD camcorder (wide screen). Youtube makes this letterboxed, not me.

My newest videos have magic bullet looks added but not this one. The music is by Denmarks best known classical composer, Carl Nielsen. He was born near Odense where I live. I'm not a big fan of classical music - I'm actually a jazz man :) I used the music because I'm quite patriotic... and like this piece :)

[gipsyelectronics]

@deankumar Its rockin because there is too much weight on the bottom

[CrazyB11111]

your camera is rocking side to side probably because its bottom heavy. Lower your gimbal a few turns.

[Willbryant]

Beautiful. :)

[barox88]

a dansk videomaker! I love denmark, i stayed in københavn 5 months og jeg felt in love with your country. :)

It's a very nice shot, how is the merlin? I should buy it for my XL2 but because of the weight I need also the vest and it is very expensive. I can't afford the Flyer version from Tiffen unlucky. :(

Cheers fra Italien!

Andrea

[Oplexicon]

Haha..here u are again! Nice work.

looking into buying anew steadicam system.

[BrianMac74]

I'm only noticing you note now. I'm in Donegal. I have better results with the Merlin, but it is not user friendly for the cost of it. It was hit and miss to get it balanced. I'm using the same camera as you with long life battery and Wide Angle lens. What set up are you working with, i.e. weights, arc dims etc just to compare. The more weight the heavier the overall unit gets.