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What's in the Box
Steadicam Merlin 2 Camera Stabilizing System
- Base Unit
- Removable Dovetail Plate
- Folding Counterweight with Platform
- Start Weight
- 6 x Middle Weights
- 2 x Finish Weights
- Camera Mounting Screw
- Locating Pin
- Tripod Adapter Plate
- Gimbal Handle
- 1-Year Parts/90-Day Labor Warranty
Hands-On Review: Steadicam Merlin-2
Designed by Garrett Brown, the inventor of the original Steadicam, the Steadicam Merlin2 has an efficient body that’s adjustable more than a dozen ways, all with the one aim of achieving smooth, flowing movement with your DSLR, small camcorder or point-and-shoot camera.
The very light and compact Merlin2 is designed with the same engineering principles on which the huge Hollywood Steadicam rigs are built. It features a patented 3-axis and 6-ball-bearing gimbal assembly that provides friction-free movement. The handle can be used left- or right-handed and can be adjusted to find a camera’s center of gravity. The dual rods of the body, called spars, connect at joints with efficient tolerances that allow for easy folding, unfolding and storage. This capability even enables shoulder-mounted operation. Merlin2 also features counterweights at two different points along the spars for more controlled counterbalancing.
Follow your subject down a street or up a staircase, and you’ll get shots as smooth as those enabled by Brown’s original Steadicam, which Stanley Kubrick used in his horror masterpiece, The Shining. The video before you discusses many features not mentioned here. You’ll learn about mounting options, long-lens support and maneuverability, and you’ll see actual footage shot using the Merlin2.
| Construction | Stainless steel, aluminum, brass |
| Gimbal | Rigid metal 6-ball bearing gimbal with adjustment lock |
| Camera Mount Type | Universal quick-release mounting plate |
| Camera Weight Capacity | 0.5-5.0 lb (0.22-2.26 kg)*; 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) with optional Merlin Arm & Vest Accessory |
| Maximum Height Open | 15.3" (39 cm) |
| Minimum Height Open | 8.0" (20.3 cm) |
| Height Folded | 5.3" (13.5 cm) |
| Weight (without balance weights) |
1.4 lb (0.64 kg) |
| Weight of Balance Weights | 3.0 oz (85 g) and 4.0 oz (113.4 g) (Every 1.0 lb [0.45 kg] of camera weight needs 4.0 oz [113.4 g] of counter-balanced weight) |
| Dimensions of Carrying Case (WxHxD) | 13.4 x 9.9 x 4.9" (34 x 25 x 12.4 cm) |
Comments
hi im a new user of the merlin two and I'm strugling with the setup of the merlin for my 5d mark lll, more specifically adjusting the the caliper adjusting knob the manual tells me to turn the knob clockwise or counter clock wise, but the knob is super stiff as if it wasn't meant to be turned can anyone ith experience point out the problem?
Thank you for contacting the E-Mail Sales Department at B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio.
The Steadicam Merlin can be a little tricky to get used to in the beginning. There are a lot of moving parts, directions to follow and there is definitely a little bit of a learning curve. The adjustable knob on the long arm may stick a little bit at first, but it should screw the balancing arm back and forth so you can center and stabilize the center of gravity on the camera. It does stick a little so it doesn't change by itself. I will send you some links from Steadicam that may help you with the operation of the Merlin 2.
http://www.tiffen.com/steadicam_merlin2.html
http://www.steadicam.com/steadicam_efp_dvd.html
http://www.steadicam.com/contactus.html
Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with.
Thank you, we appreciate your business.
B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio
The Professional's Source.
E-Mail Sales Department
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Please use a professional steadicam operator(who has experience with the Merlin) next time as the sample shots do not justify this wonderful product.
Why use a pro steadicam operator? Anyone buying this rig is NOT going to be a "pro steadicam operator"-- you can see pro steadicam rigs in action on the internet. This is a rig for folks with a small video cam. Its not going to look or act like a rig with a countersprung arm and vest. And one more thing to keep in mind: even with a small camera weighing under 5lbs total including lens, it gets mighty tiring holding this for an extended period. The vest and arm help, of course, but then you're getting into more $$ and more gear to haul around.
I use the Smoothee for my GoPro Hero3 and it works like a dream. The only downside is that the mount between GoPro and Smoothee has been a little stiff, and I'm going to replace it. It is, of course, even less of a "pro steadicam" rig, but it does a nice job of smoothing out walking shots.