JackHutchinson
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Aug 11, 2008, 6:59 PM
Post #6 of 18
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I love using my Steadicam for the first dance as well. Its incredible when you get a 360degree walkaround shot of the couple (zoomed in on their faces, which makes the move more difficult). I can get their faces for the first minute using one camera on a short tripod, then quickly switch to the Merlin camera (which is resting on the Steadistand) for the 360 shot, then back to the tripod for the remainder of the song. I have a third camera getting a wide shot from a high tripod.
The Merlin is not perfect, though. I had to put thick tape on part of it so the clamp would stay tight. I have to rebalance it constantly all day (though it is very easy to do). The tripod adapter plate that they give you does technically work with any tripod quick release plate, but it is not stable, since it has only one point of contact with the camera (the tripod mounting thread on the bottom of the camera). Unlike a tripod, though, the adapter plate provides only about 1.5 inches of contact, which allows the camera to wobble fore and aft when mounted on a tripod. I often will raise my smaller tripod up in the air to get dancing footage over people's heads. In order to do that safely I have to remove the Steadicam from the camera and replace it with the tripod adapter plate.
Here is a short raw clip of the 360 shot I got this past weekend:
http://web.me.com/...deo/360/Welcome.html
Jack
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