Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

This is definitely a professional quality item, however, being a novice using a small Canon Vixia does not deliver professional results. A light camera does not work well with this item. My daughter's Nikon digital SLR worked much better because it was a much heavier camera. Practice with your camera before taking it out to do something serious like filming a wedding. Balancing this thing is an art.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I use Merlin on the boat. Very stable even on the boat. I imported from Japan. Thanks to current strong JPY, 15% discount compared to lowest price in Japan.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I brought this for shots in confined spaces and tracking shots. Not to replace a tripod but to track people while walking around. It won't really replace a dolly but with a lot of practice and arm strength you can get similar results. A plus is it's a one man setup no need for a second camera man to get a nice steady shot.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

If the Merlin stabilizer is calibrated properly can do wonders with shots

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Things that are great about it

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I got this to use with a Nikon D7000, shooting primarily real estate videos.

A very detailed user manual and DVD is really helpful for walking you through the setup process and getting the unit dialed in and balanced. It's very precise and responsive, and thus requires frequent tweaking to keep balanced properly.

After that, it's all practice -- lots of practice. This is not a "wonder widget" which will automatically make your video perfect. There's a lot of skill involved. The best thing to remember is not to get frustrated, and keep at it.

Size and weight are a real plus: the unit folds up and is easy to transport.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Light and easy to use, after you've learned how to get the perfect balance of your camera, witch is the most complicated thing about the merlin, although after reading the manual you can get the better performance of it. Afterwords this little toy needs many time of practice and then you get absolutley inlove with it.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Produces outstanding steady images. 4 stars as it is can be a lot of work to initially set it up, but then just takes some practice and works great!

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Works with the Steadicam to provide balance

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

If you are looking for something to make a good videos, just buy it

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I am an amateur/semi-pro videographer that shoots primarily with a Canon 60D SLR.

The Merlin is fantastic and well-designed product. It is small, light, and portable, perfect for all the traveling I do. In fact, I am writing this review right now in Istanbul, with my Merlin and 60D at my side.

When I first got it, it was easier than I expected to set up. It took me about 30 minutes to balance it the first time, and I perfected the tuning over the next few days as I got the hang of it. Now that I am (a bit) more experienced and that I have the coarse settings recorded, the fine tuning that is required each time you mount the camera is fairly straightforward. I can generally do it in 30 to 60 seconds.

If I need to change between setups (i.e. with or without mic, with or without lens filter/hood, etc), I need to change the course settings, but I just keep them recorded on my phone (and keep a ruler handy when possible). Also, be sure to keep a small screwdriver on hand to screw in the baseplate into the camera, and since SLRs have no locating pin, I use some small removable poster tabs to stick the plate to the camera (a very slight nudge can rotate the camera enough to throw it off balance).

I've had the opportunity to try the Glidecam HD-2000. A comparable model that most people have as their other option. It's definitely easier to use. After about a month with the Merlin, I'm still far from good with it. It is very finicky and likes to do it's own thing if you're not constantly vigilant. I was able to setup the glidecam (about the same time to balance), and get nicer smoother shots a lot quicker, it's much more intuitive.

However, even at half the price, the Glidecam doesn't stand up to the Merlin. The Glidecam's weight bears down fast, especially since the handle is not directly under the center of gravity. You will find it takes its toll on your wrist a lot faster than the Merlin. The Merlin also allows a lot more room for much more complex shots, it's just a matter of getting a lot of practice. The same is true for all steadicams though.

Overall, I definitely recommend the Merlin, just be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort into balancing, practicing, and perfecting your technique, and probably some frustration along the way (at the beginning). But you'll definitely have fun along the way, and you'll be happy that you chose the more powerful, albeit more difficult, product.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I've had this merlin for a year and switched out many cameras and lenses on it. I've experienced lens vibrations. The plastic screw that comes with the kit does NOT stop the vibrations. I had to make a custom styrofoam piece to lodge between the stage and the lens to stop vibrations.

AFter I fixed the vibrations, I added a quick release plate and gained a NEW PROBLEM. The merlin now picks up my footsteps while I walk even though the device is perfectly balanced.

I've called STEADICAM and spoke with some really nice people that weren't able to tell me how to resolve the issue. The only suggestion was to remove the quick release plate and see if I'm still getting footsteps. The problem is that the quick release plate is ESSENTIAL to weddings because of how quickly I have to change gear.

Overall the merlin is light and compact. I love that I can pack it into my small backpack BUT the results are sketchy!

The best results I ever got from this unit was when I used a videocamera. It was heavy and had a large base. The merlin loved this! If you're going to use DSLR's, I would not recommend buying this unit.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Very much this product was pleasant! It is a pity only with heavy equipment stabilization doesn't work, it would be desirable to use the given product with digital cameras!

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Never in my life have I experienced anything so frustrating and difficult to work with. Trying to balance the Merlin Steadicam is harder than learning a new language (Seriously). I have literally spent hours and hours following every last step of the instructions and set up videos, only to be left with a camera on a pendulum.I spent [$] on this thing and I'm ready to throw it in the trash its so worthless to me. If your thinking of buying one of these things, DON'T... trust me, your hands, [...] will be more stable than this contraption.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

This is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I bought this for use with my Canon T2i for wedding shoots, music videos and other film projects. It takes some work getting it set up, and a good amount of practice, but it's completely worth it! My footage looks so cinematic and fluid. I cannot be happier.

The Merlin has solid construction, and balance adjustments are easy to make. The overall design of the product is very well thought out.

A training DVD and manual comes with it, along with a tripod adapter. It is so easy to quickly switch from the Merlin to tripod! A definite plus for shooting live events where you need to change stabilization systems quickly.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I knew going in that the Merlin was a challenge to master. I made the purchase based on several internet videos showing great flying results and read all of the comments about the commitment it would take to get the Merlin to balance properly. After weeks of effort, there is nothing that I can do to replicate what is presented on the instructional DVD or what has propagated throughout the internet. I watch the tutorial and wonder if I am a victim of a hoax. I have literally worn out the Merlin's mounting mechanisms trying to find the right balance which makes retuning it unrealistic.

Everything I produced with Merlin made us all Sea Sick!

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I really had no idea what a Steadicam was, till I received mine. Oh, I thought I knew what I was buying. I'd seen them being used in many big "The Making Of" features, looking like this incredibly cool, futuristic, automated, cameraman/robot, that the operator just carried around, while looking incredibly cool, and allowing this magical device do all the work. Of course, on sight, I knew this modern marvel of film making tech cost at least ten million bucks. I figured maybe, if I made it big, I could pick up a used one for a couple of mil.Imagine my surprise when I found out you could get a brand new one for only [$]!! I almost bought two!When [...] dropped those boxes off, I could not be more excited. Like a kid who knows he got exactly what he wanted for Christmas, and cannot get it open fast enough.Well, to say I was disappointed, would be a very big understatement. It seemed, not only was this thing not magic, but it apparently came with a very big learning curve... But I tried to keep a positive attitude, (This was my own private Christmas after all, and Santa gave me everything I asked for, [of course I had to pay for it myself, but still...], the least I could do was give an appreciative grunt, and move on), so I turned to my other new purchases, (lucky for me, I also bought the arm/vest).To make a long story, not quite as long as it could be, after watching the DVD that came with the Merlin, I began a very frustrating several hours of trying to get this thing set up.I honestly don't know whether I have it properly balanced, (probably not, it still has a very slight pendulum effect, no matter what, indicating it is slightly bottom heavy, but I can't seem to fix it..), yet I still manage to get way silky smooth shots. I cannot believe how smooth it is... I was wrong at first glance, this thing is magical alright. You just have to learn how to wield it. I have seen professional Steadicam work that doesn't look as good as what I am doing with my slightly unbalanced Merlin. Looks like all those years of rock climbing and balancing drinks on a tray while running full trot, through a busy bar, finally paid off. Turns out, I've been training for this most of my life. Now if I can just get the thing to properly balance...This is my coolest tool/toy ever. And I've got some cool ones

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

We're going to use the Merlin for smooth shots during production shoots and some live action filming. It seems to be pretty well made, with lots of instructions. It may be too early to make a judgment but we're having problems balancing our cameras on the Merlin. One reason that might be is that our cameras are on the max weight end that the Merlin can handle (Sony FX1 and NX5U). We haven't set it up with the Canon 5d, but I anticipate that the Canon will be the easiest to stabilize as it's weight is well within the Merlin's specs.

If we get the two larger cameras balanced, I'll call it a 5 and order the vest. If not, my partner wants to send it back and get the Glidecam which takes cameras up to 7 lbs.

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

Wish it could be mastered faster

Comments about Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizing System:

I use the Merlin for DSLR video using a 7D and a Canon 1.4/L 35mm lens. I've read the reviews from people who couldn't get the balance right and all I can say is that you're either impatient or incompetent. The videos that come with the set are comprehensive and explain the entire process in EXTENSIVE detail. It took me about 2 hours to dial in my set-up, as there are a dizzying array of adjustments - literally EVERYTHING can move - but now that I understand how it works, I can swap lenses, and readjust in about 2 minutes.

The most helpful trick I've found was unscrewing the handle to downward bias the weight. The only way to make it balance perfectly is to have the bottom weight a fraction (truly) heavier than the top.

On the final setup, if I take 1 small weight off the bottom and screw the handle all the way in the camera will flip over, but the extra 1/2 pound increment and three counter-clockwise turns of the handle make it truly ROCK SOLID.

I haven't tried the vest system, but more than arm fatigue, carrying this around on a shoot for an hour will DESTROY your mid and upper back muscles.

My camera set-up is almost at the maximum weight for the system, but the shots I am getting now are so buttery smooth and perfectly level, they look like they were shot with a boom crane sliding along a dolly.

I highly recommend the Merlin if you are willing to invest a few frustrating hours into tweaks. You will be rewarded.