Tiffen Steadicam Merlin | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Tiffen
Category: Photography
List Price: $849.00
Buy New: $799.00
You Save: $50.00 (6%)
New (5) Used (2) from $699.00
Rating:  9 reviews
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.6
Dimensions (in): 14.3 x 11.5 x 6.2
MPN: Merlin
Model: Merlin
UPC: 049383142754
EAN: 0049383142754
ASIN: B000EF3DXW
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Features:
| • | Steadicam offers light, agile, and seamless video shooting | | • | Very lightweight and incredibly stable | | • | Counterbalancing weight can be precisely adjusted to balance cameras from 0.5 to 5 pounds | | • | Folding caliper hinge allows instant fold-up | | • | Perfect for shoulder-mounted shooting |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Tiffen's new ultra-lightweight Merlin camera stabilizer is the new choice for videographers. It turns any camera into a creative production tool; Now, even with the smallest camcorders, anyone can achieve a truly professional look. Shooting multi-media, events, weddings, industrials and documentaries, student or serious enthusiasts who have been searching for a cost effective camera stabilization solution. Five precision-threaded stainless steel balance weights and two tapered end weights balance cameras weighing less than four pounds
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
Steadicam Merlin with Canon T1i July 21, 2010
Steven Medwin
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It took some work to mount my Canon T1i to the Merlin because if I followed the directions, I would have had to remove the mounting plate just to change the battery. I ended up mounting a Manfrotto RC2 Quick Release tripod adaptor to the Steadicam and the corresponding plate to the camera. This elevated the camera higher than normal so it took some time to get the balance and trim correct. But now it is very easy to remove the camera to change batteries. All in all this is a great device but it does take some practice to learn how to use it. Here is an example of what I've been able to shoot after a month of use <[...]>. Keep in mind this is a new skill to learn and the satisfaction of learning is the great quality of the video that you can shoot.
 LOVE IT for the 5DMKII! (with video) December 28, 2009
Bobby Earle (San Diego, CA, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
First off, this thing was HARD to balance. It took two days of trial and error for me to get it right. But when I did? BAM! It was amazing. I use it with the 5D Mark II tied with the 16-35L or the 24mm tilt shift. The results really are breathtaking. It took me a couple days to get down -- some people say it takes much longer but I think balancing is the trickiest part. When I realized I could use two thumbs on the gimbal thing, that's when my video started looking much better. I used it all over Thailand and Cambodia. Feel free to check out the video here...
[...]
Hope you like yours as much as I like mine! Just remember to not lose heart with the balancing. You'll get it. It took me a LONG time :)
Bobby Earle
[...]
A great product that takes time and patience to master September 5, 2009
David Garth (San Luis Obispo, CA USA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've owned this Steadicam for about two months and used it almost every day with my Canon HF100.
This is a beautifully made and cleverly designed product that works amazingly well. It's expensive, but when you see the beautiful machine work and finishes you'll understand why it costs what it does. It's truly a professional piece of gear. BUT, don't expect to take it out of the box and use it right away with good results. It takes some time, patience and commitment to become proficient.
The initial setup took me a couple of hours the first time. But once I understood the basic principles, I was able to rebalance the camera with different accessories quite easily, usually in about ten minutes or less. I wrote down the basic settings that worked for the various configurations (camera alone, camera with with shotgun mic, camera with wide angle adapter, camera with both, etc) and that helps a lot.
The major learning curve is learning how to make decent shots with it. The video and manual are quite good for a starting point. Then, it just takes time and practice. After about 5-6 hours of use I felt like I was really getting it. Now, I've got about 10 hours on it and I'm actually getting pretty good. The shots I'm making now are very usable. But each time I use it I get a little better so I know I have a ways to go before I'm really good.. It's actually been fun to learn it and not very frustrating.
So that's the biggest downside. It's not for someone who's casual about their video shooting or isn't willing or able to put in the necessary time and effort. Other cons: My arms get tired after about an hour or so of shooting. Also, forget about using it outside unless it's a very calm day. Even a slight breeze turns the camera and makes it almost uncontrollable.
Overall, I think this is a great product for the right person.
You have to be a magician to handle the Steadicam Merlin! September 2, 2009
Chris
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Steadicam Merlin is crazy, even insultingly expensive! It is not easy at all to set up, in fact it is a nightmare! BUT, if you are gifted at the art of physics, and have incredible patience, you will finally achieve some type of "Zen" with this thing and make it work for you. But, you'd better practice, practice, and practice. It is not just another way to hold a camera, it is an instrument that must be learned by way of practice. Did I mention practice yet? Set up, the key to know when you have it configured right on your camera is in the manual on page 25, "a properly trimmed Merlin can be panned and tilted with almost no effort on the Guide." This is how you know it is properly balanced. It will pan and tilt with almost no effort of pushing or pulling. It moves easily. You can be balanced and it still will not work, you have to be "properly balanced". The video that comes with the Merlin is ok, like a grade "C+" but falls way short to properly train us. The manual is the same. Manual and video are rough guides to how this thing works. The only way to learn is to spend time with it over and over again. What to expect for customer service? I emailed them because I thought my locating pin fell out and I thought I lost it. They told me to call the parts phone number and have my credit card ready. For $900 bucks you would think they would would send one out and thank me again for spending so much money on this tool from hell. But, atlas, once you have achieved or "earned" your Zen status with the Steadicam Merlin, the results are very good and will put the edge on your videos that will show you are a professional video magician.
Amazing, but tricky to master. July 4, 2009
Daniel F. Niendorff
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
The merlin is very very smooth, and I was able to set it up in about 2 hours out of the box, to the point where I was able to use it to get short shots that looked very fluid. I am still learning how to get longer shots. The technique is actually very time consuming to learn, and is quite tricky. The merlin is a great tool for making good smooth shots, but it won't do it for you. There is a large element of skill that must to be mastered to get consistently good shots. It is not really second nature. Shots require much more planning, and spontaneous shooting doesn't work as well. I have found that it takes a lot of concentration on the steadicam function, and that I am less able to pay attention to what I am shooting. All in all I think its a great tool, and does a great job. It is a bit more difficult to use than I expected, but learnable with time and patience.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
|
|
|
![AmazonBasics Quilted Case for Small Electronics Including Cameras, Mobile Phones, GPS Units (Black) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B002VPE1YS.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
