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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10

 
 


marco
User


Mar 31, 2008, 7:37 PM

Post #1 of 11 (696 views)
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Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 Can't Post
Can anyone share any input with these stabilizers?

I am looking to change my ProMax Steadytracker Extreme to a Merlin or Glidecam 2000 and trying to learn the pros and cons about them both. I will probably purchase the vest with one of them.


As always your knowledge and expertise is appreciated.Smile




Jenny & Marco
http://www.canavideography.com






bruceo
Veteran


Mar 31, 2008, 9:26 PM

Post #2 of 11 (668 views)
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Re: [marco] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Can anyone share any input with these stabilizers?

I am looking to change my ProMax Steadytracker Extreme to a Merlin or Glidecam 2000 and trying to learn the pros and cons about them both. I will probably purchase the vest with one of them.


As always your knowledge and expertise is appreciated.Smile
Merlin = Ferrari
Glidecam X10 = Yugo

First Sight Pictures


Daniel
Veteran


Mar 31, 2008, 11:29 PM

Post #3 of 11 (642 views)
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Re: [bruceo] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
Merlin = Ferrari
Glidecam X10 = Yugo
Quote

You're lucky DW is taking a VU hiatus. Cool





"Happiness is beating your good friend by one stroke with a birdie on the 18th hole" Me










Jordan O.
Veteran

Apr 1, 2008, 8:03 AM

Post #4 of 11 (608 views)
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Re: [Daniel] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
Yeah, I still can't believe he just left like that... I understand he needed some "time away", but Sweden? Seriously?
In Reply To
Merlin = Ferrari
Glidecam X10 = Yugo
Quote

You're lucky DW is taking a VU hiatus. Cool


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 2, 2008, 6:12 AM

Post #5 of 11 (546 views)
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Re: [Jordan O.] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Yeah, I still can't believe he just left like that... I understand he needed some "time away", but Sweden?
 Kenneth scare him off?


----------------------------------------------
"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


AbracadabraTV
User


Apr 2, 2008, 7:33 AM

Post #6 of 11 (528 views)
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Re: [marco] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
I use an X-10 and 4000 due to a heavy load, EX1, Sony WA adapter, 7' wide screen monitor and battery. The X-10/4000 combo was my only choice in a sub $5k package. It works great, especially with the mods that I made to the top sled. I don't use it for weddings.
Best, Craig

My gut still tells me for weddings though, a super small HD palmcorder on a Merlin for those few floating shots. It will be more fun and you'll probably use it more.
Best, Craig


Jordan O.
Veteran

Apr 2, 2008, 9:47 AM

Post #7 of 11 (497 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
In Reply To
Yeah, I still can't believe he just left like that... I understand he needed some "time away", but Sweden?
 Kenneth scare him off?
He didn't say. We just got a voicemail from him a few days ago, said he was in "Sundbyberg", apparently right outside Stockholm...I think he has family there or something.


JackHutchinson
User

Apr 2, 2008, 11:13 AM

Post #8 of 11 (471 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
That's exactly what I'll be doing when I switch to HD. Even my VX2100's are getting heavy for me.

Jack


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 3, 2008, 10:16 AM

Post #9 of 11 (404 views)
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Re: [JackHutchinson] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
I have the merlin and have been practicing with it. I really like it a lot. One thing I like about it is the shape...I actually put it on an arm and vest system, and with the curved shape I can just wedge the lower weight into my ample gut area and essentially "lock" the camera in place, but still have the "swivel" to change directions quickly... then when I want to move I just release it smoothly for moving/floating shots by...um...pulling it out of my stomach. It has a max weight of about 5.5 pounds, though (7 on a vest system).

Even the EX system doesn't go above five pounds with the bigger battery, though...add a WA lens and other stuff and you may be pushing the 6-7 pound range.

One disadvantage to the shape is this - when there is a cross wind, it doesn't just "tilt" the camera, it tends to rotate it as well since the weight arm does not go "up and down" but protrudes front/back like a little "sail"...can adjust for it, but I think you have similar problems with outdoors shots with just about any stabilizer system.

I will say, though...it is EXTREMELY light weight and has fabulous balance mechanisms...when I put my camera on now it takes less than 2 minutes to balance it completely. And if I want to adjust the balance for a different angle (tilt forward, backward, left, right) it is about a 5 second adjustment because of the way they have the adjustment "wheels" set up.

-Postal


JackHutchinson
User

Apr 3, 2008, 12:32 PM

Post #10 of 11 (388 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
I love the ease of adjustment with the Merlin as well. No tools needed. I tried a vest, but it seemed a bit overwhelming with the arm sticking out, and the stress on my arm was simply replaced with pain in my back from the vest. So, I took it back.

I just wish the design of the clamp was better. I've already had to put really thick tape on the side of the baseplate so that the clamp will tighten.

Jack


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 3, 2008, 1:47 PM

Post #11 of 11 (383 views)
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Re: [JackHutchinson] Merlin Arm/Vest or Glidecam X-10 [In reply to] Can't Post
I haven't had any back problems at all with mine. It may have been adjusted wrong. I haven't had any "plate" issues yet, except for the screw that comes loose from time to time on the bottom - and the difficulty getting a tripod quick-release adapter (still haven't found a place that has them, and ordering online is a 4-6 week wait time)...

-Postal